How I Learned to Snap by Kirk Read

Author:Kirk Read
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Biography: general, Collections & anthologies of various literary forms, Social Science, Gay high school students, Coming out (Sexual orientation), Specific Groups - Male Gay Studies, Biography / Autobiography, Read, Kirk, , Sociology, Personal Memoirs, Gay teenagers, Virginia, Essays, Gay Studies, 1973-, Biography, Lexington
Publisher: Hill Street Press
Published: 2001-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

When he finished, I said, "I can't go out there. Those people don't understand me. I hate those idiots."

Carlton looked at me with his big soulful been-through-it-all eyes and said, "Then stay inside."

He played and we sang together. We'd played at a cafe together several times. My singing left much to be desired, but we made up for this by covering songs in which I could do character voices, like the Black Crowes' "She Talks to Angels" and Jane's Addiction's "Jane Says." Just being around him calmed me down.

He'd recently grown out his nappy hair, taken up painting, and reinvented himself as a hippie. Carlton went from a math/science jock to an Earth-loving peacenik in a matter of months. He seemed to get along with the people I wanted to strangle.

One of the football players staggered into the garage. He knocked over a chair and tripped on the carpet. I was ready to have him arrested, but Carlton just patted the space on the sofa beside him and said, "Hey Jimmy, why don't you come have a seat."

Jimmy was enormous. He lumbered over, a cigarette smoldering between his teeth. No one was supposed to smoke in the house, but Carlton calmly handed him an empty beer can for ashes. Then he started playing "Teach Your Children." We both sang. It was totally cheesy.

During the chorus, Jimmy joined in with "And know they love you."

I'd have puked from the sentiment except that it all felt so genuine.

Jimmy got up as the song ended, said "Thank you, boys," and dragged himself out onto the patio.

"You're a snake charmer," I told Carlton.

"1 just talk to people," he said. "Like Grandaddy does."

He played several Eagles songs, which brought people into the garage for a drunken sing-along. Once there were ten people in the room, I nodded to Carlton and walked out. He'd worked his magic.

I said good night to my niece and headed toward the rear door of the garage. Jimmy grabbed my arm and pulled me

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