Boca Dreams by Scudder James Jr

Author:Scudder James Jr [James, Scudder Jr]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781644050477
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2018-12-10T07:00:00+00:00

THE PATH away from campus to the school’s pond was always oddly peaceful. Not a natural pond, it was more of a canal marking the end of the property, brackish water that came from who knows where, but it sounded nicer as the pond. The drive was dirt, uneven, rocky puddles and weeds. Scrappy weeds at Seaboard? How many walks had Stephen taken there, at first when afraid that he was about to lose it, that everyone would figure out he was nothing but the Palm Beach’s junior high girly boy? Or, older, when the straight masquerade was under control, questioning how he or anyone could be worthy of the luck the world seemed to have given them? Look around. Who deserved this? He still wondered.

It was where he and Aaron had wandered that night before graduation. Where they had not kissed.

A pelican was propped on a pile, that post on a dock, and seemed to turn its head. “What do you think, pelican?” Stephen asked. “Why is Victor an ass?”

The bird was big, full and round, perfectly content, its massive bill resting on its paunch.

“But he’s never been this much of an ass before.” The pelican seemed to be looking at him. “Feel free to squawk in agreement.”

A dinghy puttered past. The bird didn’t react to that either.

Shut up, Stephen thought. He wasn’t crazy. Maybe the pelican didn’t want to be disturbed. Fine. Maybe it was his fault, anyway, making Victor feel bad for all the stuff he’d never had growing up. Why had he insisted on bringing Victor and rubbing his face in it? Of course he’d feel like lashing out.

Other pelicans flew over the pond, as if following the dingy.

Still… he didn’t want a threesome. Yes, Caleb was hot, but he’d been with Victor barely over a year. Wasn’t it still their time of deep appreciation of each other? He only wanted Victor. Just the two of them. Did that make him a prude?

A text pinged in from Victor. Can’t do this. Driving back to Tampa.

What? Had he left?

U gone? Stephen texted back.

Sorry.

For real, he’d been ditched? How do I get home?

Sorry.

Don’t b sorry. Don’t leave.

Already in Ft. Lauderdale.

WTF?

This isn’t working. Lease in your name. I’ll be out by the time you get home.

What?

Moving out.

U serious?

Always serious. Have fun. Caleb likes you.

What? Why couldn’t this be the coast, not the pond. The waves… constant, pounding waves always helped clear his mind.

Are you breaking up with me by text?

Yes.

A text! After a year of living together? He’d been thinking about proposing. He sat on a bench. The pelican didn’t squawk, just flew away.

Was it really over?

The water was still. The light perfect.

Was it possible to feel relief and punched in the gut at the same time?

Dumped by text? he texted.

Nothing for a few minutes, then Sorry.

Were we really that bad?

What do you think?

A squawking gull landed nearby. Why, he wondered, had he ever thought they would work? Most of what Victor did was make fun of him. Why

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