QColumn: A Gay In The Life: A Reunion Of Sorts

Editor’s Note: After this, there’s only 2 MORE WEEKS OF AGITL! Read about why Steve is saying goodbye!
A Reunion of Sorts
By Steve Prince
“Well, where the hell is the contact solution?” I murmured to myself.
I scanned the shelves in front of me, up and down and up and down. It had to be here somewhere. I could never find anything at Wal-Mart. Sadly, Wally World was the ONLY option to get anything in Oak Grove, Oklahoma. It was always crowded and it always took forever when I went there; mainly because my home town is so small that I saw everyone I knew, which entailed many, many, MANY conversations. In one way, it is nice to know everyone, but sometimes you just want to grab yo’ shit and go.
Things being as they were, it was nice to get out of the house. For the last three days I had been cooped up with my parents helping them put my Uncle Jerry’s affairs in order. And as much as I loved my parents, I needed a break.
Starting to become annoyed by my inadequacy to find the goddamn contact solution, a voice from behind me startled me.
“What are you doin’?”
I turned.

“Well, not much a’ nuthin’!” I said smiling at Renee Marcus.
Renee Marcus was an old friend from middle school. In fact she was my first real girlfriend. Yes, you did not just enter into the Twilight Zone; I said girlfriend. As in a human being I dated with boobs and a vagina. Hey, it happens. Renee was actually my first kiss and ironically enough the last time I saw her, I gave her advice on how to give her husband great head.
Renee gave me a big bear hug before asking, “What are you in town for?”
“I came in town for my Uncle Jerry’s funeral,” I said.
“Oh yeah,” Renee’s brow furrowed with concern as she put her hand on my shoulder, “I heard. I’m so sorry. Were you close to him?”
“No not really,” I said flatly. “Honestly, I barely knew him. He never really was that sociable with the rest of the family, but I feel bad for my mom—it’s her brother in all.”
Renee nodded her head as I spoke and sighed ready to change the subject. “Well, if you’re here for a bit we should get together.” Suddenly her face lit up. “Oh, you have to come to our house warming party! It’s gonna be so much fun; almost like the ten-year reunion. We got a keg and everything.”
“I’m in,” I said without hesitation. I yearned for the distraction and I knew my Mom would be fine with me popping off for a night; there was plenty of family around to console her.
The next evening I walked into Renee’s house and was greeted by “Hey!” in unison from the crowd of familiar faces. Renee was right; it was like a high school reunion. As I looked around, I spotted at least ten school friends.
“I’m so glad you’re here!” Renee said saddling up to me and handing me a Bud Light. “Karli Klingman brought her cousin and he’s gay too. If you want you are more the welcome to stay in the guest house.” She nudged me and raised her eyebrows.
“You have a guest house, sugar?” I said not even phased about Karli Klingman’s cousin.
Renee beamed proudly and she pointed to a slightly overweight woman with dyed blonde hair. The face was Karli Klingman’s but the body was definitely not the one I remember from high school—girl had gained some weight, bless her heart. Standing beside Karli was her cousin, a somewhat attractive man wearing a pinstriped shirt. He looked nice, except his eyebrows were really manicured and waxed. That look just turns me off.
Renee seemed to read my face. “I know; he’s not that cute,” she said, “but still, if you drink too much you can always crash in the guest house. Hey, maybe he gives good head.”
I love Renee. We both get along so well because we both don’t have a filter; we just say it.
For the next three hours, I spent time milling Renee’s house, catching up with old high school friends and hearing the latest small town the gossip. It was glorious. There’s something to be said for being from a small town. It’s an odd duality actually. Here I am, a gay man, from the conservative small town; yet, these people care about me so much more than a lot of people in Los Angeles do. I’m deeply grateful for my friends in Los Angeles and they love me fiercely, but they’re a smaller group. In Oklahoma, I have the entire town of Oak Grove interested and rooting for me. There’s something to be said for that type of support. Being at Renee’s felt like a big hug. Yes that’s sentimental, but I don’t care. Or maybe I was sentimental because by this time, I was pretty damn drunk. My head swam as I giggled and chatted with everyone.
Renee held court around a group of us, telling old stories.
“Do you remember what you said to me right before you kissed me?” she said looking at me.
We both looked at one another and said in unison. “I LIKE YOUR LIP GLOSS!”
The entire room erupted into laughter, me included. It’s funny. When you’re a teenager, you just want to forget about all the awkward moments of growing up; but when you’re thirty all you want to do is relive those moments and laugh about them.
I lowered my head, wiping tears from eyes from laughing so hard.
“Peter! Amy!” Renee called walking over to the door.
My stomach lurched on the spot and I had to shut my mouth so I wouldn’t heave.
Not only was it Peter, but it was Peter hand and hand Amy Pines, a girl I also knew from high school. I quickly stood up before he could see me and briskly walked into the kitchen.
Why am I such a dumbass? Of course Peter would be here. It’s a small town; everyone knew everyone. Hell, he and Renee even dated for a bit. I’m a fucking ass sometimes. I should just leave, but as soon as the thought trickled in my brain, my head seemed to spin in response. I couldn’t drive home; I was too drunk.
I began making small talk with some of the others in the kitchen until I could formulate a plan.
A minute later Peter and Amy walked around the corner.
“Steeeve,” Amy squealed. She came towards me with her arms in the air. I looked at Peter. He might as well have been kicked in the stomach. Color drained from his face. I’m not proud to say that it made me feel good to see him in shock. Or maybe it was just good to see him feel.
After giving me a hug, Amy rounded on Peter. “Did you know Steve he was in town?” she asked.
Peter swallowed, “Um… no.” He caught himself. “What’s up brother?” he said shaking my hand.
Even his touch sent chills down my body. I hated this with every part of my body.
“Not much,” I said with a fake smile. “I’m in town for my Uncle Jerry’s funeral.” I paused awkwardly to state the obvious, “He died.” No shit Steve. You already said you were in town for the funeral. Ah, dumbass!
Amy’s face furrowed into the same one Renee had done at Wal-Mart. “Oh, I’m sorry,” she said, “Were you close?” Why does everyone ask that?
As she looked at me all concerned and as Peter just stood there like a jackass, I got angrier and angrier. I wanted to hit him and it made me more angry that I had to pretend like everything was okay because no one knew anything about him or me AND him.
“Um, we were close a long time ago,” I said lying, “but then he got all crazy religious and disconnected himself from the family. In fact, all he sent was some lame letter.”
Yeah, I’m a bitch. I don’t mean to be but sometimes things just pop out. Amy seemed unaffected but Peter looked as if I had slapped him.
“I need a beer,” he said rolling his eyes.
“Wait, Pete,” I knew he hated being called Pete. “What’s up with you two?” I asked. I wanted him to stay for this. I wanted him to say it, but of course Amy jumped in first.
“Oh, well,” Amy she raised her left hand and a small diamond sat atop her left finger. “We’re engaged!”
Well, now I looked like someone had just slapped the back of my head with a cast iron skillet. Amy seemed to take the look on my face as normal.
“I know it’s soon but,” she saddled up to Peter and put her arms around him, “I’ve known him for so long so it’s not like I’m marrying a stranger.”
Peter looked at me like a corpse, but he managed to look down and flash Amy a smile.
“Oh ‘excuse me,” I said, “I gotta pee. Too much beer.”
I made it looked like I was walking towards the bathroom but as soon as I was out of sight, I slipped out the back door unnoticed and made my way to the guest house.
The unlocked patio door squeaked as I slid it open. I stepped inside and slowly shut the door as quietly as I could. Immediately, the roar of the party became a low rumble punched by the occasional squeal of laughter. I looked around. It wasn’t a fancy guest house. In fact it needed some work, but at least there was a bed and at least it was quiet.
I sat on the bed and kept telling myself not to cry. I took some deep breaths. I had moved on past this. It had been months since he and I were together. Months since we had talked. Months since we had made love. I cradled my head in my hands and sat there for God knows how long. I sank to my side and closed my eyes praying for sleep to envelope me. Thankfully, it came quickly.
My eyes fluttered open to the sound of a squeak. I looked at the clock. It was after two in the morning. I had been asleep for over two hours. As my eyes slid into focus, I looked towards the patio door. Peter stood silhouetted by the glowing lights from the house.
I sat up. He cautiously walked towards me. I moved to turn on the light.
“Leave it,” he said.
Slowly he walked toward me. Fear and excitement blossomed in my stomach and adrenaline pumped through me. I was wide awake. I sat over the side of the bed.
Peter leaned forward; he smelled of beer.
“Peter, I…”
“Shh.” He put his hand on my lip, while his other hand cradled my head. My skin seemed to ripple at his touch. I had missed it so much.
My lips were met by an unfamiliar kiss. Normally Peter kissed me so aggressively. This kiss was tentative, warm, and sweet. I leaned forward to take more of him in. He sighed and it sent chills up my back. It was a sigh that seemed to signal a release of some kind.
Soon Peter was lying on top of me, his body grinding delicately against mine. He kissed at my neck and I sighed.
“Fuck me,” he whispered.
“What?” I said in surprise.
“Fuck me,” he repeated, “I’m ready. I know you wanted to. I’m ready now. I want to.” He paused. “I need you.”
His kiss was fervent now, the intent of sex laced in his lips. I was becoming hard, yet now something else swirled inside of me. Peter rolled to my side and he looked at me smiling.
“I missed you,” he said.
I smiled back at him. Saying ‘Me too,’ seemed cliché, so I just nodded.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
I licked my lips. “I cheated on you.”
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A California boy with a Southern heart, Steve Prince finds himself in so many sexual positions it can make your head spin. Thankfully for us he’s willing to share it all…no matter how sordid it gets. Quick to admit when he fucks up, Steve still laughs it all off, and hopes you will too. Also, it should also be noted he is gayer than glitter.
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Previously, on A Gay In The Life:
The Birds and The Birds
Lyin’, & Twinks, & Bears—Oh My!
Going Public
Christmas in July
Luck Be A Lady Tonight
I Left My Heart In Oklahoma
As Luck Would Have It
Shock & Awe
Blame It On Britney
The Unending Journey
Makin’ Copies
Bullets and Bracelets… and Lube
To Tell The Truth…
Stars Aren’t Blind
The Dark Knight
Come As You Are
A Date?
A Happy Ending
Better Than Nothing
A Man With A Slow Hand
Taking The Long Way
Everybody Knows
Wake Me Up, Before Ya Go-Go
Definition
The Best
The Upper Hand
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
2000-Date
Dick The Halls
The Queer Dear
A Night At The Museum
A Conversation
I’m Just A Girl Who Can’t Say No
Change The Way You Feel
Kissing A Fool
Leo The Lamb
The Elephant In The Room
Zuckerman’s Famous Pig
A Birthday Surprise
The Sleepover-er
SP Phone Home
Out of the Frying Pan and into the Closet
What If…
Just Beat It
Intimate Portrait
Intimate Portrait (Part Deux)
Intimate Portrait (Part Trois)
State of Mind
The Age of Disbelief
A Man For All Seasons
Summer Lovin’
A-Men
The Urge
Gettin’ It Done
Here You Cum Again
Eye Of The Beholder
The Present
A Minute’s Pause
Brotherly Love
Ladies Who Lunch
Here Cums The Rain Again
Dinner For Two
Blow by Blow
Commando
Cum As You Are?
Aftershock!
Caught in the Act
The Great Compromise
The Tipping Point
Cross Country
In Stereo
Get Smart
Blind Faith
The Dirty Mexican
A Few Good Men
Peter’s End
Getting Stuffed
The Good Boy
Cracking Up
The Agreement
Fuck Road
A New Resolve
Pre-cumming
Send My Regrets
On A Jet Plane
For The Love of God
Livin’ On A Prayer
It’s My Party
Move On
The Stripper
High-Ho The Glamorous Life
The Flesh Is Willing, But…
The Oldest Profession
Letters

The Return of the Stripper
The Strip Tease
Tennis Doubles
The Brother’s Dick
The Marlboro Man