Mindtease

Chapter 5

Kirk ate the last onion ring, which was crispy and tasted delicious. After getting new clothes, both Kirk and Josh had gone out to eat at an upscale restaurant that specialized in all kinds of fried food--including onion rings. Josh had already devoured his portion of their deep-fried feast, and had then decided to freshen up afterwards with a shower and shave.

Kirk listened to Josh in the bathroom, the shower running and a small, portable radio blaring some music. Kirk had admired the radio in a store at a local mall, and Josh had gotten it for him. Like a kid giving a gift of a favorite toy, Josh had immediately "borrowed" the radio from Kirk to listen to while he showered.

There was one thing that bothered Kirk, something he inwardly debated talking to Josh about. Kirk was happier than he had been in a long time, was thrilled that he had reconnected with his best friend from when they both were kids...except, there was something...but for now it did not matter. Kirk pushed his concerns and doubts back into the darker corners of his mind. He would worry about that...much later, for another time...maybe.

The sound of shower watering running, the cacophony of music, and the soapy steam that trickled through the cracked bathroom door brought Kirk back to the moment. Kirk had a whim from when he was a kid, and went to the bathroom, opening the door and stepping into the improvised sauna.

Josh was scrubbing himself, and Kirk smiled at his pasty white form through the translucent shower curtain. With a wry grin, Kirk brought his hand against the shower curtain, smacking Josh on his buttock in a playful manner.

"Don't use up all the hot water Joshy," Kirk caroled over the din of music.

The sound of a thud reverberated, and the shower curtain was yanked back. Josh stood quivering in rage, his eyes full of fury. Kirk saw Josh was still trim and slightly athletic, although hairy like when they both had been on the swim team in high school.

The spiteful wrath in Josh's tone hit Kirk like a blast of icy air.

"What the fuck are you doing?" Josh demanded. "Don't touch my ass, are you a fucking queer or something?"

Kirk felt a surge of guilt realizing he'd greatly offended Josh by his impulsive, childish antic.

"Josh..." Kirk began, "I..."

"I don't want to talk to you," Josh answered hotly. "Go the fuck away, and don't ever touch me again."

Kirk backed up, seeing the anger in Josh's face. Turning, and walking out of the bathroom, Kirk heard the rattle of the shower curtain and soft steps as Josh followed, slamming and locking the bathroom door.

"Josh, please..." Kirk called loudly through the door, hoping to hear something other than rage from his friend.

"Go the fuck away," Josh shouted, and the radio music became much louder. Kirk knocked on the door, but softly as he realized the futility at the effort.

Kirk felt deep regret over his playful act, and guilt that the happy renewal of their friendship was now ended. Kirk sighed knowing he was no longer welcome with Josh.

Striding across the room, Kirk found the motel pad and the cheap white and green ballpoint pen. After thinking a few moments, Kirk wrote his closing note to Josh.

"Josh, I'm sorry, but I will go away, can't say anything else. Good-bye, K."

Kirk positioned the note carefully on the table so Josh would readily find it. Grabbing his jacket, and deciding to leave the things Josh had gotten him, Kirk opened the door, and walked out...perhaps he'd hitchhike back to the homeless shelter.

"End of a pleasant interlude," Kirk said to himself mirthlessly.

# # #

The light of a full moon dimly lit the long stretch of highway that Kirk treaded upon. Kirk looked down at the black asphalt, walking parallel to the white boundary line. He'd been walking for what seemed like hours, traffic ignoring him for the infrequent times Kirk saw a vehicle go by. Kirk stopped, thinking, considering how many more miles back to town, and then to the homeless shelter.