Oscar sat in his truck, wipers on a delayed setting wiping the drizzling rain to clear the windshield. He was eating a biscuit and having his morning cup of coffee while waiting for the rest of the crew to show up. He watched the electrician and site super come out under the Porte Cochere, the super pointing up at the soffit. He knew the electrician was a small business, the guy had four or five guys with him and did one job at a time. He had talked with him from time to time about what it was like to operate his own business. He heard about the problems first. Getting good help, guys who would show up. The cost a small business owner had to endure, and the paperwork to keep track of. But the next time they talked, there was talk of the good. The ability to pick and choose the projects to work on. With a good crew, the pleasure of getting jobs completed without issues and getting more jobs without having to market himself. Then there was the income, more than what could be made working for someone else, something that made Oscar reconsider his position of preferring to work for someone to avoid the issues of small business ownership.
Oscar had done drywall, cabinetry, and tile installations. Currently he was on a crew that installed suspended ceilings in commercial projects. He considered how the projects were easier but that came with the issue of extreme deadlines, making them work far too much overtime.
The white van pulled in, wobbling on its chassis with the load of ladders on top. Oscar watched the brake lights go off, the side door slid open, and the crew climb out and rush to the building. He waited, looking for Rafael, who was the last to climb out and it is obvious that something was not right. There was a separation between him and the other crew, a physical space that normally didn’t exist between the guys. Then the bossman came around and looked toward Rafael shaking his head.
They met in the lobby, gathered around the bossman. Rafael stayed close to the man, his uncle, staring down at the floor. Oscar knew something had happened for Rafael wouldn’t look at him, but the others did. Hard stares that seem to be judging him.
“We can finish by lunch and move to the new project in Park Hill, so let’s get to it and wrap up,” said the bossman.
Utterances and nods of agreement, and everyone headed down the hall to the last rooms to have suspended ceiling installed. Oscar tried to catch up with Rafael, but Hector and Gerardo blocked his way. When they got to the first room, Alejandro pulled him aside.
“You’re with me today. Let’s get started,” said Alejandro.
“Okay,” said Oscar.
They worked quietly, only speaking when necessary. By 11:30 they were leaving the room with a finished ceiling in place. In the hall, the others were gathering with tools in hand or sitting on the floor at their feet.
“Okay, guys, get everything loaded up and we’ll go for lunch then head over to the other job,” said the bossman.
Everyone picked up tools and started down the hall back toward the lobby.
“Oscar,” said the bossman.
Oscar turned and went back until he stood before him. He watched him pull out a roll of cash, count out several bills and hold them out.
“This will cover today. Your paycheck for the last two weeks will be ready for you to pick up on Friday or you can have Mary mail it to you. We don’t need you anymore.”
“You’re firing me?”
For a minute, the bossman just stared back. “Let’s not get into it, shall we. Just know you should be grateful I’m paying you and letting you go without question.”
Oscar knew they had figured out that Rafael and he had been together over the past weekend. He wanted to argue, tell the man that there was nothing wrong with being gay and they were adults and society was more accepting, but he knew that would be a naïve argument when he considered the attitudes on job sites. No matter what he said, there would be no changing the bossman’s mind. He was fired and all he could do was take the money and leave.
He followed the man down the hall, through the lobby and out to the parking lot, angling toward his truck as the others headed to the van. He looked over and saw Rafael climb into the van first while Hector looked toward him mouthing the word faggot.
For three days Oscar stayed home, couped up in his apartment watching television trying not to think of it. How Rafael had been there one minute all full of promise, then gone the next, pulled away by his uncle. Oscar kept replaying Hector calling him a faggot, how the others laughed as they got in the van. He had watched them drive away before he even cranked his truck.
He wasn’t sure what he was going to do. He needed to get a job to keep money coming in, or he would have to go into his savings. He could live three months, maybe four on what he had put away, but he knew that would be foolish. There was nothing to do but get up and go find work. All across the city contractors were busy, so finding a job should be easy.
Looking across the living area to the dining table where his laptop sat, he tried to get motivated to start looking. Maybe he will take one more day off, then start tomorrow.
The cell phone on the coffee table rang and vibrated. Oscar picked it up and saw it was a friend from his high school days, one that worked in construction too. They had worked together the summer before their senior year and for a few months after graduation installing drywall. They got together for dinner or drinks on occasion, something they had not done in seven or eight months. Jason had started dating someone he met at one of the sports bars, by the name of Jennifer. She was a year older, worked at a bank processing mortgages, and had captured Jason’s attention like none before.
“Jason! What’s up?”
“Not much, still working for Metro Flooring. Are you still working for that ceiling contractor?”
Oscar hesitated, then knew immediately his silence revealed more than he liked. “No, I’m looking for something else.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah.”
“Maybe you should start that residential construction company you used to talk about doing.”
“Yeah, maybe I should.”
“The reason I called is…Jennifer’s birthday is Wednesday and we’re getting a group together to celebrate. 7:30 at End Zones. We’re going to eat dinner, cut a cake, then just hang out and have a few.”
“Sounds nice, but what kind of gift should I get? I don’t really know her.”
“No gifts. I should have stated that first. We just want everyone to come and hang out.”
“Okay.”
“So, that’s a yes. Great.”
There was a moment of silence, Oscar not sure what he wanted to say. Did he want to tell Jason, his friend since high school he was gay. Or did he want to tell him why he got fired. Maybe he should ask Jason about a job. Maybe Metro was hiring.
“Oscar, you still there?” said Jason.
“Yes, yes, sorry. I’ll see you Wednesday night.”
“We’ll see you then, and Oscar.”
“Yes?”
“If you need help finding a new job let me know. I’ve not heard lately, but I know some companies had been looking.”
“Thanks. I’ll start looking tomorrow and see what is out there.”
They ended the call and Oscar stood up and paced the room, trying to formulate a plan, a course of action in searching for a new job. Who he should call while debating what he wanted to do next. He looked across the room to the one shelf below the television to the books and notes he had collected on what it would take to start his own company. It still seemed like a fantasy to even consider it.
End Zones was a typical sports bar. Televisions hung from the walls and ceilings so wherever a person sat they could see multiple games at once. The bar dominated the front half of the space and tables and chairs filled the back half. It was getting late, nearly ten o’clock, and along a table in the middle of the dining area sat Oscar with his friend Jason, Jennifer, and four others that he didn’t know until that night. Their plates had been cleared, leaving only empty glasses and beer bottles.
Jennifer was in deep conversation with a woman named Beth, discussing someone’s upcoming marriage, and the three others Oscar didn’t know well were focused on one of the college basketball games, leaving Oscar and Jason at the end of the table able to talk quietly among themselves.
“Any luck looking for a job?”
“Some prospects. I need to figure out what I want to do. I’d like to avoid being some grunt on a crew.”
“You should talk to one of the cabinet guys. You always did like the wood working.”
“Maybe.”
“You never said why you’re looking again. What happened?”
“I had a falling out with the bossman.”
“Over what? Surely not your work.”
“No, something else,” Oscar replied, looking away, hoping Jason got the hint.
“Oscar.”
He turned back to Jason and saw the concerned expression. It took his breath, and he wanted nothing more than to leave and lock himself in his apartment.
“Yeah?”
“Listen, we’ve not seen each much the last few months, but the last few times we were together there was something not right. You were acting differently.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Is it? For it seems to me to be something.”
Oscar looked at Jason, feeling exposed and vulnerable. But also, a sense that he could give himself the opportunity to be himself if he would just tell Jason the truth.
“If I tell you, you won’t freak out or anything?”
“What? Damn, Oscar, what is it?”
Oscar leaned closer to Jason, one arm on the table and the other across his thigh. He looked across the table making sure no one else was listening, then he turned to Jason.
“Jason, I’m gay.”
Oscar saw the look. The eyes grow wide with shock. The leaning back not saying anything at first. Then Jason leaned forward.
“You’re serious.”
“Yes.”
“How long…I mean…”
“I’ve known since I was 13 or 14.”
“Jesus. And you kept this a secret until now?”
“I was scared how you and others would respond.”
Jason sat back and smiled. “I can see why you would think that. Most around here would give you shit for it.”
“Are you?”
“No, no, I’m not sure what to say. I mean, you don’t act gay.”
“Jason.”
“Okay, that was a bit…mean. I know not everyone will fit a stereotype.” Jason glanced over at Jennifer and the others, then he sat up, arms laid out on the table, and he looked at Oscar. “This has something to do with you losing that job.”
“Yes.”
Oscar and Jason told the others they were going for a walk, and for the next forty-five minutes walked the sidewalks of the small neighborhood, passing the coffee shop that was still open and the consignment shop, guitar store, and tattoo parlor, all closed for the night. Oscar confessed all there was to know about him being gay, of hooking up with guys just before graduation and for the next two years. Then he tried to date seriously, one for nearly six months before his fear of being outed caused the guy to break up with him.
Then he told Jason about Rafael, of them messing around, going out on a real date, and spending the weekend together. Of showing up on Monday, working until they finished, then being summarily fired for the bossman, Rafael’s uncle, had found out.
They were coming up to the door to End Zones when Jason stopped Oscar.
“Hey, I was serious about you starting up your own company. You would make a great residential contractor. The attention to detail that these commercial projects just don’t care about for it takes too long is something you love.”
“But there is the license and fees and—”
“Yes, I know. But what if you had a partner, someone who could bring more money to the table but would let you take the lead?”
“I…don’t know. That seems farfetched to me right now.”
“Think about it and we’ll talk later. Right now, we need to get back inside.”
Friday night and Oscar was sitting on his sofa looking from the black screen of the television to the open laptop on the dining table. He tried to focus on one thing, just one thing, but his mind was a mashup of all the events from the last week. Rafael in his bed. Getting fired. Confessing to Jason he was gay. The search for a job, a couple of interviews set up for Monday and Tuesday of next week. Jobs he didn’t want. Then there was the email from Jason. Take whatever job you can find for now, but let’s talk next week.
He wanted to go online and find a guy to hook up with. Someone to fuck or get fucked by. Then he berated himself for it, for who he really wanted was Rafael. The one taken from him. It didn’t make sense because he knew Rafael was considered an adult and could therefore, in theory, make his own choices. But Oscar had no idea about his home life, one that consisted of a mother and an older brother, the father killed in an automobile accident a few years ago. If Rafael’s mother was like her brother, his former bossman, then she was probably controlling and worried about appearances. He knew living on his own allowed him to hide from his family he was gay. He often wondered if his parents knew and kept it to themselves. After telling Jason, he had also begun to realize it was past time to tell them.
He rubbed his crotch, worked fingers over his cock, wondering if he should just jack off. He could bring up porn on his laptop, watch guys fuck and suck until he sprayed cum over his stomach. But as he rubbed his crotch, he realized he wasn’t in the mood.
A knock on the door and Oscar stared at it as if he might be able to see through it. Was it his parents coming for a surprise visit. Maybe it was Jason, coming over to explain what he meant in the email. Or maybe it was the woman who lived across the breezeway from his unit. Lisa or Emily or something like that. She seemed nice enough, but her advances were unwanted. He needed to tell her he just wasn’t interested. Maybe he would tell her why. That would stop the attempts to get him to go out or come over for dinner.
The person at the door knocked again.
Oscar got to his feet, wondering if he would regret opening the door in just boxers and a T-shirt. He turned the deadbolt and swung the door open. He froze, even holding his breath.
“Oscar…hey,” said Rafael.
It was now obvious to Oscar that it had begun to rain, for Rafael was wet, hair matted down and dripping into the face. The T-shirt clung to the lean body revealing the nipples.
“Rafael?”
“Can I come in?”
“Yes, yes, of course. I didn’t even know it was raining. Come in and I’ll get you a towel. What are you doing here? Does your uncle know and what about your—”
“Oscar. Get me a towel and we’ll talk. Okay?”
“Yeah, yeah, let me get you towel,” said Oscar as he stood at the open door looking at Rafael.
“Oscar, close the door and go get me a towel.”
“Yeah…okay,” said Oscar, finally finding the ability to move. He closed the door then headed to his bathroom for a towel.
Towel in hand, Oscar came back into the living area to find Rafael draping his wet T-shirt over the back of a dining chair. The dark skin glistened wetly in the light and the jeans, wet around the waist and along each leg below the knee, hung low in the waist, revealing blue boxers underneath.
“Here you go,” said Oscar, holding out the towel for Rafael to take. He watched him dry off his chest and back, then towel his hair until it was tousled. “Your hair is messed up,” he whispered as he reached up and tried to straighten it with his hands. Rafael reached up and took him by the wrists, pulling his hands down.
“Oscar, I’m sorry.”
“Why are you sorry?”
“You got fired because of me and—”
“No, I got fired for being gay. It just happened to be your uncle. What about you? Is everything okay at your home?”
“I think so. Mom and I haven’t really talked.”
“You shouldn’t be here.” Oscar didn’t mean it. He wanted Rafael there more than anyone else he could think of. He wanted to reach out and touch him, to feel the bare skin, to lean toward him and bring their lips together.
“Do you want me to leave?”
“No.”
“No?”
“I want you to stay but…I don’t want you to get into trouble with your family.”
“What about yours?”
“Yeah, my family. That is something I’m going to have to face sooner rather than later. It’s just a matter of time before they find out.”
They stood silent staring at each other. Then Oscar did it. He reached out and touched Rafael on the chest. He let his fingers graze over the smooth dark skin. He traced the right nipple, rubbed over its center until it stood out hard. He felt his heart race in his chest as he moved his hand upward until fingers moved over the neck. He cupped the back of it and pulled Rafael into a kiss.
He pulled back, squatted before him, kissing the stomach and along the waist. He undid the jeans and impatiently tugged every down, capturing the growing cock in his mouth. He sucked, pushing forward until his nose was in the pubic hair and cock was in this throat. Hands moved over his head as his name was uttered breathlessly.
Working his mouth along the hard thick cock, Oscar made love to it. He kissed it, tongued it, rubbed the wet drooling head across his lips, and he sucked. Sucked every inch into his mouth until it pushed at the back of his throat. Then he let hands hold his head while Rafael fucked his mouth.
When the cock hovered in his face and he was gasping for breath, he tugged off his T-shirt, then slipped his boxers down and worked each foot free. Then he helped Rafael get each of his legs free. He stood naked, cock hardening, and pressed against Rafael. He pumped his cock along Rafael’s. He held the firm round ass and pressed cocks tighter together while kissing the mouth, along the jaw, and down the neck.
“Oscar,” Rafael uttered.
Oscar lifted Rafael into his arms and carried him to his bedroom. He laid him on the unmade bed and eased down next to him. They touched each other, caressing skin, hardening nipples, then stroked each other to full hardness.
Rafael came alive, pushing him to his back. The lean body moved against him. Undulating and rubbing against him in impossible ways. He gasped for breath as lips moved along his neck and to his ear.
“Let me,” said Rafael.
And Oscar lay still watching him rise to knees and rub ass over his cock. Then Rafael rose over it, reached back and held it up. Oscar watched the lean body ease downward until pressing down on his cock. He felt the tight squeeze on the head then inch after inch of his cock as it disappeared inside of Rafael. He clutched the bed and pushed upward.
Rafael began to move, up and down, slowly at first, then faster and faster. He leaned back on his hands stretching his torso and working his ass on Oscar’s cock.
“Jesus,” uttered Oscar as he watched the thick cock flop around with Rafael’s movement. He watched his own cock come into view and just as quickly, disappear into the ass, over and over until the ass was smacking down on his hips. “Fuck,” he exclaimed for he was so damn close.
Rafael rose off his cock, kissed him with such passion and desire it took his breath, then moved around and eased down on his cock again. This time Rafael faced away from him and when laid back, the lean body was moving against his own body. It was so sensual, so intoxicating, that he wrapped his arms around the waist and pulled Rafael down on his spurting cock.
Then he was on his stomach and Rafael was pumping hard cock along the crevice of his ass. It made him stay hard, and he reached back and spread his cheeks. The cock moved along the exposed ass, rubbing over his tight opening with such insistence, he buried his face into the bed and begged Rafael to fuck him. When the cock pressed against his tightness he moaned and pushed back. He shuddered and moaned louder when it breached his tightness and squeezed into him. Inch by thick inch, Rafael eased into his ass until hips pressed against his ass.
Rafael moved over him, pumping cock into his depths and grinding hips against his ass. There were kisses to the back of his neck and hands laced with his own holding them down. There was a slow grind then the fastest fucking. Hips banged against his ass with such ferocity the bed squeaked and banged against the wall. The neighbors would complain but as Rafael fucked, he didn’t care.
When Rafael shoved into his depths and shuddered and jerked against him, he knew Rafael was coming.
For over an hour they continue to touch, to kiss, to fondle cock until fucking again. They fucked until spent and lay across the bed gasping for breath with bodies covered in sweat.
Oscar was about to ask Rafael to stay, when he saw him roll off the bed and get dressed.
“Are you leaving? It’s so late and—”
“I’m sorry, but I have to go home.”
“Will you be alright?”
“Yes. Don’t worry,“ said Rafael as he fastened his jeans. He picked up his T-shirt and pulled it on. He was at the door when he stopped. Oscar waited. Rafael turned back to him. “Will you come over?”
“To your home?”
“Yes. Sometime tomorrow after lunch?”
“Are you serious.”
“Yes, Oscar. Will you come over?”
“I guess so.”
“I’ll text you the address and what time to show up.”
