“Do as I say, not as I do.” This seems to be the mantra for every hypocrite in the world. The best example I can think of to illustrate this is an alcoholic telling me not to drink.
***
I had not seen or talked to Mike Palmer since that day I told him to fuck off outside of Mr. Prescott’s office. Over the past twenty years, I had thought about what I would say to him if I ever saw him again. Now that he was sitting right next to me, I was completely blank. I wasn’t even sure if I was still pissed off at him. To make matters worse, the bastard was even better looking than I remembered. I picked at the label on my beer bottle after I took the last swig.
Mike sighed, “can I buy you another beer?”
I shrugged, “I guess that would be fine.”
Mike motioned to the bartender, holding up two fingers. She smiled as she opened the bottles and sat them in front of us.
Mike took a drink, “I’m glad to hear your dad is doing better.”
I nodded, “thanks.” I shook my head, “I have to remember, everyone knows your business in this town.”
He said, “some things never change.” He took another drink and sighed, “so it sounds like your writing is going well.”
I said, “I’ve sold a few books.”
Mike nodded, “I read the first one, it was pretty good.”
I shook my head, “yeah, and the weather is unseasonably warm, blah, blah, blah. Can we stop with the small talk, what do you want?”
He took another deep breath, “Damn it Devin, I’m sorry about everything. I just wish you would have given me a chance to explain twenty years ago.”
I rolled my eyes, “explain what? Explain how you let your buddy, Connie, hide in your closet. Then you tricked me into thinking that you liked me and into having sex so he could take those pictures. You knew he was going to use those pictures to get back at me for punching him out.”
Mike hung his head, just like that day twenty years ago. He said, “that’s not completely accurate Devin.”
I said, “what? What did I get wrong? I know Connie was the one that took those pictures. I know that when he got caught developing them, his daddy stepped in so he wouldn’t get in trouble. Because of that spoiled little prick, I almost didn’t graduate. You almost didn’t graduate. Why are you still sticking up for that son of a bitch?”
Mike turned to me, “you’re right about Conrad being a prick, but you are wrong on how it all went down.”
I shook my head, “how did it go down Mike, what did I get wrong?”
He said, “you are right about Conrad hiding in my closet, and he did take those pictures. You are also right about him being caught developing them. His old man did step in so that we could graduate. But you are wrong about me letting him.”
I chuckled, “what are you saying, Connie snuck into your closet without telling you?”
Mike said, “yes, I am. I honestly had no idea he was in there. He snuck in there before we showed up, and I sure as hell didn’t know he was taking pictures. Shit Devin, you were already out, Conrad sent my life into chaos a lot more than he did yours. You’re also right about Conrad wanting to get back at you for standing up to him. But you are wrong about everything else.”
I asked, “what else am I wrong about?”
He took another drink, “I wasn’t trying to trick you into liking me, I really did like you, and I really wanted you to be my…first.”
I was trying to process everything that Mike was telling me. I said, “but I saw you all chummy with Connie on Monday.”
Mike said, “I wasn’t being chummy, I was trying to talk him out of developing those pictures. Look Devin, I was telling you the truth about me realizing that Conrad was a jerk. We really did have a fight, and I really did have feelings for you. I was just as pissed that he took those pictures as you were. I have never lied to you.”
I thought back to those high school days. Now that I was older, I could see how Conrad could have manipulated Mike, he really didn’t have many other friends. I could tell that Mike was being sincere, and if I was being completely honest with myself, I still had feelings for Mike. Other than the time I spent with Nate, thoughts of Mike have always been on my mind. I was so mad when this whole thing happened that I had never really thought about how it had affected Mike’s life.
I took a deep breath, “I guess I should have given you a chance to explain, I’m sorry. But you have to understand how betrayed I felt.”
Mike nodded, “I get that Devin, there are some things I wished I would have done that day. When I found Conrad in that closet, I should have beat the hell out of him and destroyed that camera. I spent that entire weekend trying to reason with him and talk him out of developing those pictures, but you know how he is. I will tell you this though, I have never regretted what we did that day, and even if I knew things would still turn out the same, I would do it all over again.”
I sighed, “I’m sorry Mike, and I would probably do it all over again too, but this time I would stay long enough to find Conrad and I sure as hell would help you kick the shit out of him.”
Mike laughed, “thanks Devin, I’m glad we were able to talk.” He took the last drink of his beer, “I’ll see you around, maybe we can have another beer before you head back to Houston?”
I said, “I have no place to be, if you want, we can have another beer now.”
He smiled, “sure, I would like that.”
Mike and I sat there for another two hours and had several more beers, talking about our lives since high school. I told him about my job at the Chronicle and the current book I was writing. He had started working at an auto repair shop right after graduation and now had his own shop with two employees.
He said, “it’s not a big shop, but we have a good base of clients, and I make a living.”
I said, “good for you Mike, the next time I need some work done on my car, I’ll have to stop by.”
He asked, “so, how long are you staying in town?”
I shrugged, “I’m still not sure, dad is doing better and is back to work, but I suddenly don’t hate this town as much as I used to.”
Mike looked at me, “well, we are having our 20-year reunion next month, if you are still here, maybe I’ll see you there.”
I laughed, “I swore I would never set foot in that school again, I’m not sure if I’m ready for that, just yet.”
He gave me his business card and finished his beer, “if you decide you’re ready, give me a call. If you go, maybe I will too.”
We said our goodbyes, I put his card in my pocket and we both headed home. The house was dark when I got home, dad had already gone to bed. I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and the newspaper dad had left on the kitchen table. I went to my room and closed the door, so I wouldn’t wake dad.
I was thinking about my talk with Mike as I thumbed through the pages. I rolled my eyes when I saw another article about Conrad. He had just introduced a new bill in the state senate, my blood started to boil as I read it. The bill was a list of things to limit or reduce LGBT rights under the guise of preserving wholesome family values. My only consolation came at the end of the article when it mentioned that he had introduced similar bills every year that he had been in the senate. He had thus far never been successful in getting his bill passed.
I threw the paper on the floor and decided to put Conrad out of my mind. I stripped down to my boxer-briefs and turned out the light. Mike returned to my mind, he really was better looking now than he was twenty years ago. I started to think about that day in high school. I reached inside the waistband of my underwear and rubbed my hand along my growing shlong. I could see Mike standing there with that towel around his neck and his cock standing proud as he walked toward me. I had used my memory of that cock many times over the years for my private, alone times. I pushed my underwear off as I began to stroke myself, again imaging it was Mike’s dick that I was stroking. His length and girth were a perfect fit in my hand. I continued abusing my pole as I imagined licking that first drop of precum from that broad purple head. I shuddered as I took Mike’s entire length into my hungry mouth, savoring the taste. I tightened the grip on myself as I remembered the feeling of Mike taking my cock into his mouth, I had never forgotten that feeling. I let my finger wander down to my taint and then across my pucker. In my mind, Mike was now rubbing his cock across my hole, pausing only a moment before he began to push in. I spit on my finger and used it as a substitute for Mike’s manhood. I swear I could even feel Mike’s breath on my neck as I pushed my finger in and out, finally finding my sweet spot. I felt my nuts tighten as my cum began to boil to the surface. I pushed my finger in one last time as my cock exploded, sending my seed flying across my stomach and chest. The vision of Mike smiling at me as we caught our breath caused a warm feeling to flow over my entire body. I let go of my deflating cock and removed my finger from my hole as I searched for the towel that I had thrown on my floor after my earlier shower. I cleaned myself up and crawled back into bed and drifted off to sleep, my head filled with pleasant dreams.
I walked into the kitchen the next morning, dad was at the table eating his breakfast.
He said, “good morning, Devin, you got home late last night.”
I nodded, “yeah, it guess it was a little late. I went to the Tavern for a quick beer and ran into an old friend.”
Dad said, “really? Who was that?”
I poured myself a glass of orange juice, I kind of mumbled “Mike Palmer.”
He raised an eyebrow, “I thought you said you ran into a friend.”
I shrugged, “we had a good talk dad. I let him explain what happened that day, we were right about Conrad, but Mike was tricked too.”
Dad listened as I told him everything that Mike had told me, when I was finished, he just nodded.
He said, “I just want you to be careful Devin, I don’t want to see you get hurt again.”
I smiled, “I will be careful, I’m not going to rush out a start dating Mike or anything. We both could use a friend right now.”
Dad returned my smile, “good, just keep your expectations realistic.”
I assured him I would, and he seemed to be satisfied with my response.
I took our conversation in another direction, I asked, “so dad, would you consider moving to Houston, when I go back?”
He sighed, “I have told you a hundred times, I like it here. You know I would not be happy in Houston.”
I nodded, “yeah, that’s what I thought you would say.”
He asked, “what’s this all about, Devin?”
I said, “what would you say if I told you I was considering moving back to McAlester?”
Dad asked, “is this because of Mike?”
I shook my head, “no, I was thinking about it before my talk with Mike. I don’t have anything to keep me in Houston, I can work from here. The more I listen to you about the traffic and the crowds, the more I agree with you. Plus, when I got that phone call saying that you had a heart attack, it scared the hell out of me, I want to be here if you ever need my help again. And if I ever need any help, it would be nice to know you are close by too.”
He smiled, “I would love to have you move back, but don’t do this just because you are worried about me. You need to do what is best for you.”
I nodded, “I know dad, I haven’t made my mind up yet, I’m just thinking about it.”
Dad said, “you know I will support whatever you decide.”
I knew that was what dad would say, but I couldn’t help but notice the look on his face when I said I was thinking about staying here. Without him saying it, I was sure he really did want me to stay.
Over the next few weeks, dad returned to work full time, while he was doing well, I could tell he was a bit more tired at the end of the day, than before his heart attack. I made time to take care of the yardwork and other household chores while he was at work, so he could relax when he got home. Again, I could tell he really appreciated the help. I had mentioned trying to find a place of my own a few times, again, he just told me to do what I felt was best. I still hadn’t fully committed to staying in McAlester.
Mike and I had continued to talk and were meeting once a week at the Tavern for a beer. My car was due for an oil change, so the last time we met, I mentioned it to him. He told me to bring it in the next day and he would fit me into his schedule.
When I arrived at Mike’s shop the next morning, he was just pulling another customer’s car out of the shop. I waited as he finished with the customer.
Mike smiled, “hey, perfect timing, just finished with that one, I can get you right in.”
I smiled back as I handed him my keys. I stood in the customer’s waiting room and looked through the window that looked out over the shop. I watched as he and his two other mechanics worked on my car and the two others that were in the shop. One appeared to be doing a brake job and the other looked like he was doing an oil change. I was later introduced to Todd and Calvin, both were nice guys and Mike told me they were dependable employees.
When he was finished, Mike pulled my car out and came into the office and calculated my bill.
As Mike handed my debit card back, he asked, “so, have you thought any more about going to the reunion?”
I shrugged, “I don’t know yet Mike, you know how I feel about that school.”
He nodded, “yeah, I know Devin. But Cole said he and Nicole were coming, and I also talked to Blake, he and his wife are planning to show up. Blake said that Trever might even back in town.”
I thought a moment, “I guess I wouldn’t mind seeing those guys again, there are few others from our class I never really got the chance to say goodbye too when I left, that it would be nice to talk to.”
Mike smiled, “I’m sure Conrad will be too busy campaigning to show up anyway.”
I chuckled, “you’re probably right, if you want to go, then I guess I can at least put in an appearance. I won’t promise you I will stay very long though.”
His grin widened, “thanks Devin, I think it will be a good time, it will be nice to catch up with some of our old classmates.”
Cole had joined Mike and I for one of our weekly nights at the Tavern, so I knew Mike had already apologized to him for high school, and Mike had also told me he talked to many of our other classmates over the years. Mike also did all the fleet maintenance for Blake’s HVAC company. This only further convinced me that Mike was sincere about becoming a better friend. Cole seemed to accept Mike’s apology, but like dad, told me to be careful. I knew they were only trying to look out for me, but I still wasn’t sure where my friendship with Mike was headed, or even where I wanted it to go. I assured Cole that I wasn’t rushing into anything.
I picked Mike up on the night of the reunion and I sighed as I walked into the school that I had vowed never to enter 20 years earlier.
Mike put his hand on my shoulder and said, “it will be ok, just let me know if you want to leave.”
I smiled and nodded as we walked into the decorated gym. I quickly scanned the room, no Conrad, so far, so good. We quickly saw some classmates and started talking about the old days. Cole, Blake and their wives arrived, and we all found a table to continue visiting. A few other couples joined us, and Mike and I listened as they all talked about their kids and lives since high school. Mike was right, it was turning out to be a pleasant evening. That was until all heads turned back toward the entrance.
Mike looked at me and rolled his eyes, “sorry, I really didn’t think he would show up.”
I looked over my shoulder as Conrad made his way into the room, his hot trophy wife, Heather Wilcox-Brooks, on his arm. Conrad immediately started working the room, like the disgusting Politian he was.
I shrugged and said to Mike, “it’s ok, you know I can handle him. Besides he probably won’t even notice we’re here.”
We resumed our conversation around the table, but we were soon interrupted.
I heard the obnoxious voice behind me, “well, well, well, if it isn’t the famous journalist and author, Devin Taylor, or is it, Taylor Allen?”
I froze, how did he know about the name I used to write my erotic novels. I regained my composure and turned to face Conrad, I said, “oh hi Connie, it’s nice to hear that you have been following my career. I’m sorry I can’t say the same thing about you. Please, fill me in on what you have been doing the last twenty years.” If I wasn’t mistaken, I saw a small smirk on Heather’s face.
Conrad glared at me, “you know damn well that I have a seat in the State Senate and am being considered for the job of Lt. Governor.”
I shrugged, “well you will have to forgive me Connie, I live in Houston, so no need to waste your time campaigning here since I’m only registered to vote there.”
He continued to stare at me, “I’m not here to campaign, I just wanted to catch up with my old friends.”
Cole said, “well, you should probably move along then and find those friends. I don’t see any here at this table.” Again, Heather seemed to stifle a laugh.
Conrad just ignored Cole as he looked at Mike, he said, “I see you are back together with Devin. You need to be careful, remember how things ended last time.”
Mike took a deep breath, “maybe you should learn how to read the room Connie, no one at this table is interested in catching up with you. I think it would be wise for you to move along.”
Before he could reply, Heather grabbed his arm, “come on dear, I want to get a drink.” Conrad just shot Mike a look of disdain as he and Heather turned and walked away.
Nicole shook her head, “that guy never changes, he was a jerk in high school, and he is still a jerk.” This seemed to be the consensus of the rest of the table as well.
Mike looked at me, “are you ok?”
I nodded, “I’m fine.”
We all continued talking and soon were having a good time again. I took the last drink of my beer and stood up. I said, “I’m going to get another drink, would anyone else like one?”
I went to the bar and was turning to leave with a tray full of drinks, Heather stepped up beside me.
She asked, “Devin, is it?”
I nodded, “yes, Devin Taylor.”
She smiled, “I’m sorry for the way Conrad talked to you and your friends.”
I shrugged, “thanks, but we are all kind of used to it.” I wanted to ask her why she was with such an asshole, but I held my tongue.
She nodded, “yes, my husband is one of those people that rarely practices what he preaches, at least when it comes to his public views.”
I wasn’t sure what to say, I said, “oh?”
She took a sip of the wine that the bartender had just handed her, she said, “let’s just say that he is a hypocrite, he is a very different man in his private life.”
To be continued…
