The Mariposa Club by Rigoberto Gonzalez

Author:Rigoberto Gonzalez
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay, lgbt, queer, homosexual, glbt, hispanic, youth, latino, gay youth, latinoamerican, glbtq, hispanic youth
Publisher: Lethe Press

No message from Isaac awaits me back home. It’s confirmed: he’s missing. This new crisis completely swallows up the Latino banquet fiasco so Papi avoids the subject altogether when he finally gets home. I’m in bed with my clothes still on, curled up with my arms around a pillow. The door has been left open and I can hear Papi and Mickey and Trini whispering. But this polite communication shatters as soon as there’s a heavy knock at the door.

“Alfredo,” Sheriff Johnson calls out.

“Harold,” my father answers. The exchange is somber because this is official business.

“May I have a few words with Maui?” the sheriff says. “Perhaps he can tell us something that will give Isaac’s father some hope.”

I know what he means: he wants me to tell him Isaac didn’t vanish in order to off himself in private.

“He’s in his bedroom,” Papi says. “This way.”

My back is to the door but I can sense the bodies watching me from the entrance.

“Maui,” Papi says softly.

“I’m awake,” I say.

“Sheriff Johnson would like to talk to you,” Papi says. “Tell him everything you know, okay?”

I wrinkle my forehead, annoyed that my father’s talking to me like I’m ten years old. But then again, I’ve been behaving like one.

“I’ll wait in the living room,” Papi tells Sheriff Johnson.

On any other occasion I’d be thrilled to have the hot sheriff alone in my room. This is like one of my fantasies come true: the big strong lawman comes in to surprise me in bed. But at the moment not even a semi-erection when I feel his weight come down on the bed as he sits down next to me.

“Hey, buddy,” Sheriff Johnson. “Rough night, huh?”

Great, another episode of condescension. What is it with these grown-ups?

“Yeah,” I answer, because this is what the sheriff wants, for me to chit-chat my way toward some important revelation, though, sadly, I have none.

“The Duttons are mighty upset,” Sheriff Johnson says. “They’d like their son back.”

I snort with contempt. “I doubt that,” I say.

“Oh?” Sheriff Johnson says.

I sit up. I’m pleasantly reminded of why all the women in Caliente fall all over themselves just to get near him. There’s plenty to admire: the large brown eyes, the flawless skin, those full lips, strong chin and broad, muscular shoulders. Then there’s that scent on him, a mixture of masculine musk and aftershave. It’s as if he’s doused himself with pheromones. And he’s got on his sexy sheriff uniform. Suddenly I do get that semi-erection, so I keep the pillow neatly pressed against my middle.

“What did you mean by that? Was Mr. Dutton hurting Isaac?”

I’m shaken back into reality. “No, not like that,” I say. I don’t want to get Mr. Dutton in trouble. “Mr. Dutton was hard on Isaac, that’s all. He wants Isaac to work at the jewelry store full-time once he finishes high school and that’s not what Isaac wants.”

“And what does Isaac want?” Sheriff Johnson asks.

“To have his own life. Maybe go away to college or something.” I blush as I say this, painfully aware that it’s also what I want.

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