As a White Knight on His Steed (CrissColfer)

"Let's Go Try It Out"

Chapter 27 – “Let’s go try it out.” 

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Although Friday had been Hannah’s actual birthday, her party was scheduled for Saturday afternoon.  Karyn and Tim had invited everyone in their large extended family.  They had been making preparations for weeks, but, as often seems to happen, there were a few last minute errands that needed to be taken care of.

“Chris, would you and Darren mind running to the store to pick up a couple of things for me?” Karyn asked.

“Sure, Mom.  Just give me a list.”

The boys drove to the supermarket.  As they walked through the parking lot toward the store, Darren reached for his boyfriend’s hand.  Chris quickly jerked away.  “This isn’t San Francisco, Darren,” he hissed.  “Guys don’t hold hands in Clovis unless they want to be gay-bashed.”

Darren looked at him sadly.  “Are you serious?”

“Serious as a heart attack.”

“I hate that you had to grow up here.”

“It wasn’t all bad.  But I can’t say I’m sorry to finally be able to escape.”

Darren’s eyes said that he was aching to give Chris a hug, but he held himself back.  The exchange put the boys in a slightly somber mood, and they didn’t talk much as they completed their shopping and headed back to Chris’s house.

After handing the groceries to Karyn, and receiving her thanks, Darren said, “I saw a Funtime Party truck pulling away from the curb just now.  Were they dropping something off here?”

“Why don’t you take Hannah out back and see?”  

Chris called to his sister, and the three went outside.  A two-story bounce-house was set up in the back yard.  It came complete with an external slide, to which a hose was affixed at the top, sending a cascade of water down into a shallow pool at the bottom.  Darren was nearly as delighted with it as Hannah was.  “Wow!” he exclaimed.  “You’re having the coolest birthday party ever!”

“I know,” she said, beaming back at him.

“C’mon,” Darren said, grabbing her hand.  “Let’s go try it out.”

“Shoes off,” Chris reminded them, feeling like the only grown-up present.

Darren and Hannah quickly pulled their shoes off.  Darren clambered up into the bounce-house, tugging Hannah up behind him.  Chris removed his own shoes and went to join them.  He found his boyfriend and his little sister clutching each other for balance as they struggled to stay upright on the shifting surface beneath them.

Chris gave a tentative jump.  As the floor of the bounce-house sank down under his feet, it popped up under Darren and Hannah, causing them to topple over, laughing.