CHAPTER EIGHT

MR. JIM CAN I TOUCH IT

Mr. Jim can I touch it,

can I reach back in time,

to caress thou glistening member,

to relive that day I will always remember,

to finish what happened that day I touched it,

as the orange school bus carried us to tomorrow,

where I alone was left to face my sorrow.

Mr. Jim can I touch it,

can I journey back to when I became gay,

when I rubbed my leg against yours in that way,

then as you smiled and said “I’m not that way,”

still I reached between old legs to touch yours,

as we travel the road toward tomorrow,

where I found my love in desperate ways.

Mr. Jim can I touch it,

can I start my lonely life all over,

when my hand closed around your member,

to find it so large that always I would remember,

as I sped down the path with no tomorrow,

where I lost my love to my great sorrow.

Mr. Jim can I touch it,

can I reach into the world of dead,

to find out that your words were not of dread,

when you said “stop or it will get angry”

as I fade away toward the day of no tomorrow,

with hope that it will end my sorrow.

Mr. Jim can I touch it,

can I lay hands once again on the maker of my sorrow,

to find out if he still loves me,

in the land of no tomorrow,

as I feel the pain of a heart gone hollow,

in a place where time is borrowed.

Tommy Frank Jones

I can’t read this in class, Tommy Frank,” Mr. Fish said as he handed the paper back to him.

Tommy Frank glanced at it long enough to see the A marked in bold red. “But you liked it didn’t you?” He asked.

“It is great! But there is no way that I can read a story with so much graphic sex in it to the class. And Tommy Frank even though I really loved the story, please don’t turn something like this in to me again. If another instructor happened to read this story or even my wife, I would have a lot of explaining to do.” Mr. Fish said.

“But, Mr. Fish, the story is not about you. It has absolutely nothing to do with you,” Tommy Frank protested.

“I know that, but it is gay and it is full of gay sex. I just can’t take the chance of someone accidentally seeing a story like this on my desk. I could easily lose my job and I can’t afford to do that. I am too close to retirement,” Mr. Fish almost pleaded.

“I understand, Mr. Fish. I was just writing a story that I believed in, one that means a lot to me. I thought that was what writing was all about, having something to say. Well, I have something to say about the gay scene in Key West and I can’t do it without the sex. Sex is the engine that drives gays more than straight people. I can’t write and tell my story without writing about the sex,” Tommy Frank said.

“But you can’t write those stories for my class,” Mr. Fish said rather sternly.

“Yes, I understand. And thanks for everything, Mr. Fish. You have helped me more than you will ever realize. Now, I got to run. See you later,” Tommy Frank said.

Mr. Fish padded Tommy Frank on the shoulder, “See you in class,” he told Tommy Frank in a somewhat sadden voice.

Tommy Frank nodded. He knows I don’t plan on returning to his class. “Later,” Tommy Frank said and walked out of Mr. Fish office without looking back. Words from the musical Evita came to his mind as he entered the hallway. “It is sad when a lover affair ends, but I loved him and honored him but can stay with him.” Those were not the exact words but Tommy Frank felt like Evita must have felt as she hopped from bed to bed on her climb to the top. Is that what I am doing? Playing Evita! Climbing to the top! To the top of what? If I had wanted to take the next step up the latter I would have spent the night with Clyde last week.

All Tommy Frank knew was that he couldn’t continue to write the kind of stories that Mr. Fish and his class wanted him to write. He had to write about gay people, people that he knew. He couldn’t write about the people in his lives without writing about sex, graphic sex. Feels as though my life is burning like a bright flame, Tommy Frank thought, and I am afraid that I will burn out before I have even lived. I just want to write about it while I have time.

From school Tommy Frank when back to the Rand House long enough to drop his books on the bed in his room and then took a walk. He stopped at his Higgs Beach and walked straight to the picnic table where Jack was sitting.

“Well, well, if it isn’t the cigar smoking, pot bellied disenfranchised Officer Eaton,” he called out in greeting.

“Hi, Kid, I was hoping you would stop by to see me. I worried about you when you didn’t stop by the beach the past week. I missed you. I even stopped by the Rand House but you weren’t home” Jack said patting the bench beside him. “Sit a while and tell me how you are doing?”

“Sorry, I haven’t been by. I’ve been keeping to myself and writing a lot and looking for a job,” Tommy Frank said as he sat beside Jack.

“Any luck?”

“Yes and no! I didn’t get a job as a waiter. Seems that Walt’s lover Joe has been spreading the word about me and it is all bad. I don’t think any restaurant in town will even hire me as a dish washer much less a waiter,” Tommy Frank said.

“Well, that the no part, now give me the yes part,” Jack said as he reached over and put his arm around Tommy Frank’s neck in a fatherly manner. “Out with it!” He added when he sensed the kid’s hesitance.

“I got a job at the One Saloon dancing.” Tommy Frank said the words defiantly.

“Dancing at a gay bar.” Jack said as he squeezed Tommy Frank’s shoulder. “Well, I guess that you do what you have to do, Kid. It isn’t a job I would want a son of mine to have, if I had a son, but you got to pay the rent and eat. You are still the same person if you are waiting tables or dancing on top of a bar. Just hold on to who you are and don’t let it change you and you’ll be all right.” Jack said in a friendly manner.

“Don’t worry, I am not going to become a hustler, Jack.” Tommy Frank said still in his defiant tone of voice.

“No, I never thought that you would become a hustler. In spite of yourself you are a good kid, Tommy Frank. That’s why I like you,” Jack said as he gave Tommy Frank a last pat on his back before withdrawing his hand.

“I am not going to shock you by telling you why I like you, Jack,” Tommy Frank answered.

“Kid, I just might not be as easily shocked as you seem to think I am. After all, I have lived in Key West all my life and will be here to my dying days. There isn’t any way you could get me off this old rock for very long,” Jack said. “How is your writing coming along? Seems to me that I remember you saying that you were taking a writing course at the college.”

It was going along wonderfully until I started writing about Key West and what has happened to me since I arrived. My instructor didn’t like all the graphic sex and it being a gay story,” Tommy Frank confessed. Why am I telling him all this.

“So your instructor knows that you are gay.” Jack said squinting his dark eyes at Tommy Frank.

“He should since we have been doing a lot of sixty-nine in his office,” Tommy Frank said suddenly feeling a need to shock the security officer.

Jack held up his hands, “inquiring minds don’t want to know,” he said. “But I just hope that you don’t let this incident interfere with your writing, Kid. Don’t stop going to class just because you can’t write the type of stories you want to write for his class. Write what you are assigned to write and learn from it. If you have got to write stories about Key West then write them. If you need someone to read them, I will. Hey, I do read you know.” The security officer said with a wink. “And I have been known to read a few sleazy books in my life so a little sex will not bother me,” he added.

“It is gay sex!” Tommy Frank warned him.

“Kid, I am not as much of a prude as I might seem. I will tell you for the second time that I have spent my entire life here in Key West. Need I say more? Nothing you write or say will shock me.”

“Jack, I just might take you up on the officer. The next time I stop by I’ll force one of my stories on you,” Tommy Frank said with a real smile.

“So, how well are you taking the murder of your friend?” Jack asked.

“Sometimes I think I am doing wonderfully. Then I go to sleep and dream about him and wake up and think, I’ll just give him a call on the phone. At that point it all floods back into my mind that he is dead and really didn’t love me anyway,” Tommy Frank confessed.

“The mind can certainly be an instrument of torment when it wants to be. You just hang in there, Kid and everything will work out. I am sure of that. I just have a feeling in my bones that it will be all right. An old woman once told me that you have to let things unfold as they will. That’s what you have to do. Let everything unfold,” Jack said.

“I’ll try to keep that in mind, Jack,” Tommy Frank said as he stood up.

“Leaving me so soon?”

“Yea, I want to take a walk in the salt flats behind SMatther’s beach. I need to be away from all the people and be with nature. On the farm I always used to go walking in the woods. I swear that everywhere you look in Key West you are surrounded by people and noise. I just need a break from it. Someone said that if I follow the old gravel across the road from SMatther’s beach it will take me to the nature trails. I need to be alone with nature a little,” Tommy Frank said and shrugged. “Hell, it is worth a try.”

“Those trails leading off the gravel road is a hot bed of sexual activity, if you go there be careful. The police watch the place from time to time,” the security warned.

“Yea, I will,” Tommy Frank answered.

“Hey, Kid, want to eat some oysters at the raw with me when I get off work?”

“Sure, Jack, what time?”

“I get off at three. You want to stop by here? Or should I pick you up at the Rand House?”

“I’ll meet you here a quarter to three. Is that ok?

“Yea, that’s great. See you then?” Jack said with a wave and a big smile.

“Catch you later, Jack,” Tommy Frank said as he walked away. I am beginning to like him far too much. I have to watch myself and keep remembering he only wants to be a friend. But man could I fall in love with him, Tommy Frank thought as he headed for toward SMatthers Beach.

For the first time since he had spent the night across the road, he visited SMatthers Beach. His return to the long golden sandy beach was spectacular. As he approached the beach, he spotted a double rainbow far out over the water. He stood and watched the fabulous sight for a long time. Then he walked up and down the beach weaving his way through the sunbathers as he viewed the rainbow until he couldn’t stand the crowd of people any longer.

Tommy Frank walked across the road to the stand of Austrian Pines and the old gravel road to be alone. There were many trails through the underbrush visible from the old road that the city had barricaded to keep cars from using it anymore. Tommy Frank could easily imagine what must go on along those trails that snaked their way along the salt flats. Even Jack had heard that this area was very cruisy so it must be. He walked to the end of the road and the chain linked fence that ran around the perimeter of the air port. He stood with his face pressed against the fence as he watched a small commuter plane taxi to the end of the runway and turned around and then with a roar of it’s engines it took off.

As Tommy Frank walked back toward the highway, an urge came over him to investigate some of the many trails that led from the abandoned road into the under brush. His desire for sex, his need to be wanted overcame his need to be alone. Maybe there was some old man just waiting along one of the trails for him. Tommy Frank knew that he wasn’t likely to run into anyone that he would care to have sex with, but he enjoyed the tension of the possibility as it took his mind off Walt. He took the first trail to the left that he came across.

The trail lead along the edge of the salt flat which at this time of the year was flooded. The farther Tommy Frank walked down the trail and more signs he came across that the trail was indeed used as sexual rendezvous. Spent condoms littered the trail as did pieces of carpet long enough for a person to lie on without getting muddy. Here and there were boxes positioned in such a manner as to suggest that they had been used as seats.

Tommy Frank found himself enjoying the piece and quiet of the salt flats. He had realized that the constant presence of people had began to get on his nerves but he hadn’t known just how bad until he was alone in the low canopy forest.

Suddenly it was as though he was back walking the woods of Cooper’s Bay back in Dothan, Alabama. Gee, those days were simple. All I knew then was that I was a queer and that being one was bad. I didn’t know that good people can be queer. I thought that I loved Ben and didn’t expect him to love me back. I didn’t know then that you can be gay and be happy and in love and loved all at the same time. Now that I know all that is possible, I wished that I didn’t know it at all.

Suddenly Tommy Frank knew he wasn’t alone! It was a feeling. He stopped and glanced around. He couldn’t see anyone but the feeling of being watched was so strong that he knew someone was spying on him. Maybe some old man was indeed waiting up ahead for him, peeking out of the bushes with his cock in his hand pounding on it as he watched from his hiding place.

Tommy Frank smiled as he followed the trail which had been showing signs of light use for sometime. He guessed that few people ever came this far from the old road as there were too many good hiding places to be found much nearer to the road. Then Tommy Frank turned a corner in the trail and a dark arm shot out from behind a mass of vines to grab him around the neck!

“Don’t move, Pretty Boy!” Growled a voice that sent chills down Tommy Frank as he felt the metal blade of a knife pressed against his throat.

Tommy Frank froze instantly!

 Jesus laughed. “You do know how to be a good boy don’t you? Now, why don’t you reach back behind you and lock your hands together. That’s a good boy, that’s the way to keep your throat from being cut like I slashed old fat Walt’s and the dumb Polish kid’s throat. They thought they could just dump me like a used rubber. But, Amigo, that is not the way it works. Jesus doesn’t like to be thrown aside like a candy bar wrapper,” the Cuban hissed in Tommy Frank’s ear.

Tommy Frank felt Jesus snap handcuffs on both of his wrists. Then the knife was gone from his throat and the Cuban stepped in front of him.

Tommy Frank spit at Jesus and said, “I hope that you rot in hell. You son of a bitch. You killed Walt.”

“So you were in love with that size queen! You are green behind the ears. Walt went with every big dick in town.

“No!”Tommy Frank yelled.

 Hell, I was fucking him almost every day while you were living with him, especially when you were away writing that shit you write. Walt had an itchy ass that needed a bit cock to reach the itch and he got one as often as he could get one and paid a good price.

“No! No!” Tommy Frank repeated shaking his head.

 Only a farm boy like you could fall in love with a slut like Walt!” Jesus said and laughed.

“Damn you to hell and your pack of lies!” Tommy Frank screamed at Jesus.

 “And, You!”The Cuban hissed back with so much venom that Tommy Frank recoiled in spite of himself. “You took everything I have worked so hard to get. You took Walt from me, you took my job. Everyone is talking about you! Tommy Frank this and Tommy Frank that, like they used to talk about me. I am forgotten! And it is all because of you!”

He is high on crack! I can tell from his eyes,” Tommy Frank thought.

“Now, Pretty Boy, I am going to have my way with you and if you don’t do exactly like I want you to I’ll give you a smile from ear to ear like I did Dan and Walt,” Jesus said as he began to strip his clothes off.

He is crazy! He has gone over the edge! It is not just the drugs, Tommy Frank thought as he watched the young Cuban strip all his clothes off until he stood before him completely naked. Then Tommy Frank’s eyes widen as the dark devilishly handsome man began to play with his long, long cock.

“I am going to fuck that white ass of yours like it has never been fucked before, Pretty Boy. But first, I am going to make you suck my big cock until I cum again. You are going to keep me cuming until my cock refuses to get hard, and it takes a hell of a lot of sex to satisfy my Cuban cock,” Jesus said as he stepped forward and pushed his cock toward Tommy Frank’s mouth with one hand as he reached down with the other and held the long sharp butcher’s knife to his throat with the other hand.

 “Now suck my big dark cock, Pretty Boy. And you had better be able to take it all the way down that long white neck of yours,” Jesus said as he pressed the knife so hard against Tommy Frank’s neck that a tiny drop of blood rolled down the blade. “Open you mouth and take my cock!”

Tommy Frank could feel the sharp edge of the big knife bitting into his flesh. He opened his mouth slowly, reluctantly. Damn, I don’t want to do this! He screamed inside his mind as he tasted Jesus’s cock.

“Yes, Pretty Boy. I want to see an arrogant blond pretty boy suck my dark cock. Take some more of it. I know that you are going to take it all even if I have to cut a hole in your neck and shove my cock down it. So you can take it the easy way or the hurting way, my amigo, it doesn’t Mattter to me. I like the color of blood, especially a pretty boy’s blood,” Jesus said as he kept pushing more of his freakish long cock down Tommy Frank’s throat.

Don’t choke, just don’t choke and maybe I’ll get out of this mess. And if I get a chance, I break him into like a rag doll, Tommy Frank told himself as he swallowed inch after inch of the Cuban’s long cock. He had thought that the Pollack had a long cock but Jesus was even longer. Tommy Frank fought to kept of choking. His survival was at stake, his very life.

“That’s the way to suck cock, I do believe you have done this before. But not with a cock as long as mine, I bet,” Jesus teased him as he pushed even more of his cock’s shaft down Tommy Frank’s throat. “I think you suck cock as good as I do, Pretty Boy. You got it all! I didn’t think that you would be able to do it. Guess I’ll have to enjoy you a little longer before I give you the big smile,” Jesus said as he pulled is cock back only to ram it back down Tommy Frank’s throat again. He repeated the process over and over again. “You are getting me close. Keep it up and I deliver my first load of Cuban cum to you, Pretty Boy,” Jesus said between moans as he fucked Tommy Frank’s mouth faster and faster.

Come and get it over! Get it over! Tommy Frank pleaded in his mind as he sucked on the Cuban’s freak of a cock better than he had ever sucked anyone’s cock before. Suddenly cum flooded into his mouth and down his throat as Jesus shoot off.

“Yes, Pretty Boy, drink every drop of my cum. Swallow that thick rich Cuban cum,” Jesus commented as he drained his cock into Tommy Frank’s mouth. “Wow, you do have talent. I guess I under estiMatted you,” Now let me pull down them pants and fuck that tight asshole of yours. I bet you never had someone fuck you with a cock as long as mine. Look, it is still rock hard. Crack is wonderful for keeping your cock going,”

“Jesus, uncuff me and let me go,” Tommy Frank called out as the dark handsome Cuban stepped back and began to masturbate his cock again. It only took a few strokes before it was throbbing hard. He does have a beautiful freakish big cock, Tommy Frank couldn’t help but think.

“Now, I am going to fuck you, Pretty Boy. I know that secretly you want to get fucked by a good-looking young guy with a big cock,” Jesus said as he squatted down in front of Tommy Frank and unbuckled his belt. Then he pulled Tommy Frank jeans and shorts down.

“Hey, look at that, Pretty Boy, has got a hard on. So you do like my big cock, don’t you, Tommy Old Boy,” Jesus said as he turned Tommy Frank over on his stomach. “I must say, Pretty Boy, you do have a beautiful asshole. I just got to get me a taste of that pink ass bud of yours before it’s forced open,” the Cuban said as he lay down on the grass and planted his mouth against Tommy Frank’s asshole.

“Oh, what are you doing?” Tommy Frank called out as Jesus skillful tongue snaked its way deep into his asshole. In spite of himself, Tommy Frank began to moan. He had never felt something so strange and exciting as getting his asshole rimmed out. He hated himself for enjoying the forbidden pleasure, but he couldn’t help it. It felt so wonderful.

Jesus reached his tongue deep into Tommy Frank’s asshole than some cocks could reach. He began to stir it around wildly and Tommy Frank couldn’t stop himself from hunching Jesus’s tongue.

“Now that you have had the pleasure, Pretty Boy, it is time for the pain. And with your asshole so tiny and tight it is going to be a hell of a lot of pain,” Jesus said and laughed as he mounted Tommy Frank and guided his cockhead to the handcuffed kid’s salvia glistening asshole.

“Ooh!” The out cry escaped from Tommy Frank but he gritted his teeth together to keep from call out again as Jesus forced his cockhead into his asshole. The pain was incredible. It felt as though someone was forcing a horse watering hose up his ass. The pain caused tears to roll down his cheeks, but still Tommy Frank didn’t repeat the out cry. He suffered in silence determined not to give the demented Cuban any pleasure from his forced entry. Tommy Frank lay limp as a sack of flour. He didn’t react at all.

“I know that you are enjoying it, Pretty Boy,” Jesus called out as he rammed his long cock brutally deep into Tommy Frank’s asshole without any reaction.

Remaining completely passive was one of the most difficult things that Tommy Frank ever did in his life. The pain was terrible. It felt as though Jesus was using a red-hot poker on him. The Cuban’s cock seemed to reach to the very end of his bowels. Tommy Frank had never felt something so deep inside.

Then as Jesus began to fuck him, Tommy Frank had to deal with the intense pleasure that quickly replaced the terrible pain. It was almost as hard to remain passive when experiencing the vast pleasure of getting fucked by the Cuban’s long cock as it had from the pain.

“I know that you like it, You-son-of-a-bitch!” Jesus shouted has he kept pumping his cock into Tommy Frank’s unmoving ass. “I know that you do! You got to! Everyone loves my cock! You have to love it too!” The Cuban began to rage as he fucked Tommy Frank faster and faster. “Here take my load, Pretty Boy! Take it!” Jesus added as his body tensed up while he held his cock as far inside Tommy Frank’s asshole as it would reach.

Tommy Frank felt Jesus’s big hot load of cum squirting deep inside his ass but he didn’t let on that he felt anything.

“Fuck you, Man!” Jesus said as he stood up. He kicked Tommy Frank on the leg out of frustration. “I am going to put on my clothes and then cut your throat, Pretty Boy,” the Cuban in a low voice as though talking to himself as he walked over to his clothes flung on the side of the trail.

It is not or never, Tommy Frank thought as he bent double, bringing his knees up to touch his stomach as he slipped his cuffed hands over his ass and then his folded legs and knees as quickly and silently as possibly. He didn’t bother looking to see if Jesus was watching. He only concentrated on getting his hand out from behind his back so that he could use them. It worked. His hands slide over his knees and then were in front of him.

Tommy Frank sprung to his feet just as Jesus turned around to see what all the noise was about.

“Cleaver, Pretty Boy, but it isn’t going to do you any good,” Jesus said as he reached for the knife he had laid on the ground.

Tommy Frank spotted a limb on the ground and went for it at the same time. The seasoned tree branch was a couple inches in diameter and almost two feet long. Tommy Frank scooped it up and turned back to face Jesus. “Ok, Jesus, come on!” Tommy Frank in a tone as cold as ice water. “It is time we danced,” he added as he smiled a smile that was void of merriment. It was the cold smile of death.

Jesus’s eyes widen in sudden fear. “Hey, Man, I wasn’t going to hurt you. Really, I wasn’t. You and I are like brothers, Man.” Then even as he spoke the Cuban struck! He lunged forward swinging the long knife at Tommy Frank in a downward slashing motion.

 The knife cut empty air as Tommy Frank calmly stepped to the side and swung the strong tree branch with both cuffed hands as though it was a baseball bat. The wood made a sicking loud thumb as it struck Jesus on the temple of the head. The Cuban dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes.

Tommy Frank stood over the Cuban with the stick poised to strike another blow if it was needed. Jesus lay motionless. Tommy Frank kicked the knife away from the Cuban’s hand and bend over him. He picked up Jesus’s wrist. He felt a pulse.

“Guess I should have hit you a little harder,” Tommy Frank said as he dropped Jesus’s arm. He walked over to where the Cuban’s jeans were laying and went through the front pockets until he found the key to the handcuffs. “I bet you used them on your tricks when you fucked them. I bet Walt even let you handcuff him while you were fucking him,” Tommy Frank said as he unlocked the handcuffs. “Now what do I do?”

Many ideas flowed through Tommy Frank’s mind as he stood looking down at the unconscious Cuban. He thought of killing the guy but rejected the idea. He didn’t want to have that on his conscious for the rest of his life. He thought of cuffing him and going to the police but knew that would only be trouble for him. He didn’t want to get tangled up with all the legal hassles involved in having to testify in a trial. I just leave him here and go across the street to SMatthers Beach and dial 911 and tell the police where to find him! Tommy Frank like that idea. Jesus would get arrested and he wouldn’t be involved.

Tommy Frank walked over and gave the Cuban a hard kick in the ribs and when Jesus didn’t respond he figured he was out for a while. After dressing quickly Tomm Frank trotted off in the direction of Smathers Beach. He couldn’t believe how calm he felt when he reached one of the pay phone along the beach. He dialed 911 then speaking quickly he told the operator in great detail where the murder suspect could be found and hung up.

As he walked away from the phone dodging between tourist roller blading and strolling along the sidewalk over looking the beach, it felt as though a great burden had slipped off his shoulders. It was as though he had finally come to grips with Walt’s death and made peace with himself. And I don’t think Jesus will ever say that it was me that handcuffed him to the tree. He will never want anyone to know that I physically over powered him. He has too much pride.

Tommy Frank wasn’t even out of sight of the beach when police cars whizzed by him. There must have been seven or eight of them, they flew by so fast that he didn’t have time to count them. He smiled. Jesus’ flight from the law and justice was almost over.

Tommy Glanced at his watch. It was three! He was late to meet Jack. He began to trot. By the time he got to Higgs Beach it was a quarter past. He didn’t really expect to find the security officer waiting for him but there he was sitting at the picnic table that was his de facto office.

“You’re late, Kid!” Jack said in a snappy tone, but he was smiling.

“Yea, I got caught up in all the excitement at SMatthers Beach. Something big must have been going down there as it was swarming with cops.”

“Yea, I think someone called in a tip about the location of Jesus. At least that’s what I gathered from what I heard over the radio,” Jack said and then squinted his eyes in that funny way that he had of doing sometimes when he looked at Tommy Frank. “You didn’t happen to run into him did you?” He asked.

Tommy Frank glanced down at his clothes and noticed that they were quite muddy. “I slipped on one of the nature trails,” Tommy Frank said weakly having been completely caught off guard by Jack’s keen eye.

“Looks more like you were wallowing in the mud making love!” The security officer said with a hint of anger.

“No, I certainly wasn’t doing that,” Tommy Frank said. I haven’t made love with anyone since Walt, and I think it was only one way even then. “Do you still want to go to the Raw Bar?” Tommy Frank asked.

“Certainly, I am dying to taste oysters. Come on. Let head out. I need to get away from the beach. After seven years here I have had enough sand and sea and sun to do me a lifetime,” Jack said as he led Tommy Frank to his car.

“I see you get special privileges,” Tommy Frank said pointing to the “No Parking” sign directly in front of Jack’s black Continental.

“Yea, and everyone on the beach bitches about me parking there, even my boss. But I figure that I deserve it. So I don’t pay them any attention,” Jack said as he unlocked the doors.

“You want to stop by the Rand House and change jeans?” Jack asked after they got under way.

“Yea, I didn’t know I got them so muddy when I fell,” Tommy Frank said and glanced over at the security officer to see his reaction.

“Yea, sure you fell,” Jack said, nodding his head. “Why are your hands shaking so much?” Jack added.

Tommy Frank glanced down at his hands. “I don’t know,” he mumbled. So much for being Mr. Cool, Tommy Frank though as he tried to make light of the sudden wave of despair that swept over him. “I guess it is the air conditioning. I got too much sun and it feels cold,” Tommy Frank said, making it up as when spoke.

“Then why don’t you take a little extra time and grab a shower. I’ll sit in the car and wait for you,” Jack said as he reached over and patted Tommy Frank on the leg.

“Thanks, Jack, I think I’ll take you up on that. I will not be too long,” Tommy Frank said as he got out of the car. I need to wash away the slimy feeling I have from having had sex with Jesus, Tommy Frank told himself as he got out of the car.

__________________________________________

“Jack, why did you invite me to come out to eat with you?” Tommy Frank asked as their waiter delivered two plates heaping with oysters on the half shell.

“I don’t like to eat alone when I go out to a restaurant. It is one of my pet peeves,” the older man said. “And I like talking to you, is there anything wrong with that?”

“I don’t know, is there?” Tommy Frank shot back with raised eyebrows.

“I heard over my shortwave radio that the caught Jesus in the salt flats. From what I gathered they had to take him to the hospital, something about a concussion,” Jack said as he picked up one of the oysters in its shell and sucked it out. “Mum, that is good.”

Tommy Frank used a different method to eat his oyster. First he took a saltine cracker then he forked the oyster onto it. But before he ate it he covered it with catsup and popped the cracker and oyster into his mouth.

Jack just shook his head when he saw how Tommy Frank ate his oyster.

“That’s how we eat them in Alabama,” Tommy Frank said. “I could never eat one out of the shell like you just did. I would throw up.”

“Yes, but how can you even taste the oyster with it on a cracker and covered in catsup?” Jack asked shaking his head.

“You eat them your way and I’ll eat them my way,” Tommy Frank said and they both laughed. “Yea, Jack, but don’t you have a girl friend. Your wife had been gone over a year. Don’t you get the urge to go out? You are a nice looking guy, you shouldn’t have any problem finding a girl friend.” Tommy Frank said between oysters.

“You really think I am nice looking? I always thought looked to fat and to . . . I don’t know too something,” Jack said.

“You are not fat, Jack, where did you ever get that idea. Sure you might have a little pot belly, but I think it is cute. Hell, I would fall in love with you in a second if you were gay?” Tommy Frank said and then wondered if he had said too much.

Jack cleared his throat. “Well,” Jack said and the paused for a moment, “Thank for the complement. But I still don’t think I am good-looking, maybe to you but not to anyone else,” he said in serious tone of voice.

“Seems like my life is going to be filled with falling for the wrong guys,” Tommy Frank said with a sigh.

“Hey, Kid, do you like boxing?” Jack asked as he finished the last of his oysters.

“Yes, I use to box in high school,” Tommy Frank answered.

“There are several boxing Mattch coming on tonight on HBO. Do you want to come over and watch them with me? We could have a few beers and enjoying the Mattches. I hate watching boxing by myself. It is much more fun to have someone there that also knows something about the sport.” Jack said so enthusiastically that Tommy Frank realized that he was lonely.

That’s why he’s been spending so much time with me and helping me out. He is lonely. He hasn’t got anyone to do things with since his wife left him, Tommy Frank thought as he considered the invitation. “Thanks, Jack, I would love to but I have an invitation to go to a party at the old Garden Hotel. I met the guy that lives there last night and he invited me to a big party tonight.

“Oh, you mean Clyde Perry” Jack said.

“You know him?” Tommy Frank asked in a surprised tone.

“I know practically everyone on the island,” Jack answered and looked rather smug.

“Maybe you are gay and just don’t know it,” Tommy Frank said before he could stop himself.

Jack’s face turned scarlet red. He cleared his throat before saying, “ Are you sure that you will not change your mind about the boxing Mattch?”

“Thanks, Jack, but I got to look for another lover. I just feel so lonely and desperate since I broke up with Walt. I don’t seem to be a whole person without someone. The party tonight will be a good chance for me to check people out that don’t usually come to the bars. Maybe I’ll get lucky to night and find Mr. Right.” Tommy Frank said.

“Maybe you will not know him when you meet him?” Jack said as he stared down at the empty oyster shells in his plate.

“Yes, I will and I do hope he is as nice a guy as you are. Well, Jack, I got to run,” Tommy Frank said as he reached for his billfold. If I stay around you any longer I say yes to the boxing Mattch invitation and spend the entire time trying to seduce you, Tommy Frank thought.

“No, I invited you, Kid! The treat is on me,” Jack said so determinedly that Tommy Frank didn’t even bother arguing.

“Hey, I got to run!” Tommy Frank called over his shoulder as he hurried away.

He passed the 801 but backed tracked and went in.

“Hey, Tommy Frank, have you heard the news? They arrested Jesus. Caught him in the salt flats!” Billy said from behind the bar. “I guess Key West is now a safe place for tourist again.” He added and laughed. “Hell, as long as there is tourist walking along Duval at three in the morning looking for cock some of them are going to get mugged.”

“Give me a bloody marry.” Tommy Frank said.

“Are we in a down mood today or what?” Billy asked as he made the drink.

“Something like that. Seems that everything is falling apart. My English teacher at the college told me not to turn in any more gay stories and that’s all I like to write.”

“I didn’t know that you wanted to be a writer. Hey, you should talk to Delta over at the far end of the bar,” Billy whispered. “He is or was some big shot writer for magazines. I don’t see where he has time to write now as he is in here every day getting tanked, but the rumor is that he carries weight in the literature world.”

“Delta, is that his name?” Tommy Frank asked.

“No, don’t call him that. That’s only his bar name. His real name is Tom. I don’t remember his last name. You want me to introduce you?” Billy asked all smiles.

“Yea, sure,” Tommy Frank answered.

“So, come on down the bar,” Billy said motion Tommy Frank to follow him.

“Tom,” Billy called out as he reached the section of the bar where a middle-aged blond man sat slumped over a screwdriver. “This is a friend of mine and he is interested in writing,” Billy added.

The man lifted his head and looked at Tommy Frank. There was no mistaking his burned out looking eyes and used up face. Here is a man on the way down. He might have once had a career as a writer but he isn’t anything but a drunk now with memories of being once famous. I am glad I am on the way up and not down, Tommy Frank told himself as he nodded at the vacant eyed man.

“Glad to meet you, my name is Tommy Frank,” he said holding out his hand.

“I’ve seen you dancing! You’re the blond kid that got a dick as thick as my arm,” Delta said suddenly alert and bright eyed.

He isn’t interested in anything but sex and alcohol. “Yea, that’s me.” Tommy Frank said. “Billy said that you are a writer?” Tommy Frank stated. “I am interested in become a writer. Maybe you could give me some advice.” Damn that sounded like a come on and I am not interested in him in the least.

“Sure, kid, I am working on a book for Random House at the moment. They called me just the other day and told me that I have to write in some sex. Hell, how can you write about sex when AIDS is everywhere,” Delta said.

“Well, that seems to be about all I can write about. My instructor at the college just told me that I couldn’t write any more gay stories or any stories with sex. I am not going to return to his class. I just can’t write plain vanilla stories anymore,” Tommy Frank said.

“We should work together. You write the sex and I do the story line,” Delta/Tom said. “Why don’t you come home with me and we can start working on something right away?”

“Really?” Tommy Frank asked.

“Sure thing! Hell I have been going to the One Saloon ever night you dance. You are one hell of a dancer.” Delta/Tom said.

“Thanks, but, Tom, to be honest and up front I am not interested in sex. I am only interested in writing. I would really enjoy working with you on your novel, but that‘s all it will be,” Tommy Frank explained.

“Oh, sure that what I mean. Writing. Hey, I’m going to have another drink or two before I go home. I call you when I am ready and you can come along and we can go over my manuscript,” Delta/Tom said as he emptied his drink and held it up for another.

Tommy Frank waited for Delta/Tom’s attention so that he could respond, but when the blond man didn’t bother to turn back to face him, Tommy Frank quickly got the message.

“Yea, well, I see you later, Tom,” Tommy Frank said as he finished his bloody marry. “Catch you later, Billy,” he called out to the bartender as he left. I am on my own with my writing as I am with everything things else.

As Tommy Frank turned onto Angela Street, he remembered the party at Clyde’s mansion. He stopped to stare down the street at the big mansion on the far corner from the Rand House as he debated whether to go or not. Why the hell not, what else can go wrong today. At least I get free food and maybe I meet Mr. Right!

Tommy Frank started writing as soon as he got into his room. He lay with his back propped against the wall and wrote whatever came into his mind.