Climax

Curiosity Made Carl Gay - 2

Carl

"What's gotten into you?" Mom yells from the back yard.

"Zoned out. You said something?" I yell back from the living room couch.

"Open the damn door. Somebody's been ringing it for ten minutes now. I've half a mind to unsubscribe from Netflix." She threatens.

"You won't. You love that half naked guy with wings." I shout in her direction and open the door.

Jasmine, my girlfriend, is somebody.

"Hey." I hug her.

"Hi, can we talk? Is anyone home?" She comes in and looks around. She is on the lean side, and tall. On occasions when she wears those tall shoes I have to crane. She loves it when I complain.

"Just mom, weeding the garden. What's up? You didn't return my call." I pull her to sit next to me. She's not dressed up, just normal stuff like what Fio wears for jogging.

"Sorry, I was talking with Ted." Jas takes my hand and looks me in the eye with guilt.

Normally I would tell her she can apologize like a lady and kiss me. But the name Ted isn't normal. Ted is that ex every girl has.

It sets off my alarms. Why is today a bad Monday? Why can't all this happen on a Friday and give me a chance to sleep them off?

"What did he have to say for himself?" I ask nonchalantly.

"He wants me back, Carl. He's sorry. Oh fuck... you're the first one I'm telling the news. He realized how much he needs me." She clutches my hand harder.

"He is three states away!" I can see why anyone will want Jas back, but I don't get why she would want him back.

"Carl... you're not seeing the big picture. One phone call and I'm ready to turn my world upside down. What does that tell you?" Jas asks.

I hate it when she does that. Why do I have to figure out what she thought? Moreover, not even once I got it right. "You tell me." This response always satisfies her.

"I'm not over him, you deserve someone better. I'm gonna try long distance with Ted. Fuck... I don't even believe in long distance. But I want to. See? That's true love. I... I love him." Her voice wavers, big eyes bright with tears.

I hug her out of habit. "I hope he loves you too." I don't know him personally, so can't say anything else.

"Thanks Carl. I thought you'd be my last stop, you know?" She sniffles.

"I thought so too." We've been together for two years now. What happens now?

Detaching herself, she continues. "Yeah, I'm sorry. But believe me, I didn't know. I didn't know I still love Ted." Her tone is convincing.

But it's hard for me to believe. How can she not know? I know that she has a soft spot for him. It's in the way she talks whenever his name comes up. How the fuck one not know oneself?

"I wasn't using you Carl, I'm not dumping you now for Ted even though it looks like that. It's for your own good. My mind isn't in the right place." The more she explains the more confusing it is.

I've had enough. "It's alright. You can tell others that you dumped me because I forgot our anniversary or something." I say.

"You did." She smiles.

"See? Problem solved. Now get out before my mom catches you." I stand up. Mom sometimes said things that made her Mom.

"Right. Thanks Carl. I know you'd understand. You're the best. Don't be a stranger, I want us to be friends, okay?" She hugs me in farewell.

"Okay."

After the door closes behind her, I think of the boy... Stewart... Terry Stewart. Did he feel bad when I kind of said no to him?

He said he liked me and I asked why. Shit. This is bad.

"Who was it?" Mom asks and I jump.

"Don't creep on me like this!!" I clutch my erratic heart.

"I've asked the same question three times, young man!" She cuffs my neck.

"Cut me some slack. It's Jas. She broke up with me." Suddenly the weight of it settles on my heart. Who will I call before going to sleep? She's part of my life. My routine.

"Oh. Well, it's high time." Mom comes around and sits next to me.

"What do you mean?" I thought she would go all mom over it and curse Jas.

She shrugs. "You're repeating your year, she's your senior now. I'm surprised she waited three months to dump your ass. I'd have done a lot sooner."

"Theresa Kelly Stimson!!!" I scream.

She booms in laughter and hugs me. "I love you darling. Don't... please don't ground me."

I lean on her shoulder when she straightens back.

"Don't be sad. You'll find your next groove in no time, I promise." She's good at consoling.

"Thanks."

What's my next groove?

****

"Is it true that Jasmine dumped you?"

It's the question of the day. Since I don't have Spanish today, I handle it pretty well.

My phone pings in math class. I take it out to put it in silent mode.

But there were more than ten messages in princlings group chat.

Princess Fio: That slut dumped you?!?!?!

Prince Harry: Use your asterisks! I don't date sl*ts.

Princess Fio: No sl*t would date a wh*re man. I asked Carl.

Prince Harry: WTF? When? I'm at college not on the moon. Why am I not informed of this?

Princess Fio: Cool your t*ts. I didn't know until now. If rumors were to be believed it was yesterday. Sandy told me. My next door neighbor didn't!!! I'm gonna put glitter glue on his shoes.

Prince Harry: After you offer your shoulder for him.

Princess Fio: Definitely, do u think liquor would help?

Prince Harry: Nah. You won't be able to handle him. Save it for next weekend.

Prince Harry: Why did she do it?

Princess Fio: Word on the street is that Carl is too dumb for her now. If it took her two years to know that, how dumb she must be!!!🤣🤣🤣🤣

Prince Harry: Ha ha ha. Apparently not as much as our beloved.

Prince Carl: Shut the f*ck up, worthless scummy scums!! Listen to your teacher.

Prince Harry: you ok?

Prince Fio: you wanna go home? I'll make 🍪🍪 with Oreo.

Prince Carl: I'm okay. Make it with Oreo and M&M.

I smile and lock the phone. Fio will fume, she hates M&M.

When I look up, I catch the gaze of Terry Stewart. He quickly looks away. I should do something about him.

I can't have someone looking away, either he should wave or smile.

****

Terry

His girlfriend of two years dumped him and here he is, the very next day in class, smiling at his phone.

He is a mystery.

Not my mystery to solve.

I came to know about his break up during lunch. There was a debate at our table whether it's a valid reason to break up if your partner is lagging behind. I was so offended on behalf of Carl, I couldn't eat.

Here he is, grinning now, from ear to ear. Who is he texting?

**** End of Chapter Two****