Until September by Harker Jones

Author:Harker Jones
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harker Jones
Published: 2019-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

* * * *

That was the first night they made love, there, on the porch, by the sea. They joined in the house’s chorus of creaks and sighs, and later, when they had fallen into sticky, satisfied sleep, their breathing fell into step with the house’s rhythm.

JULY

Independence Day loomed as the temperature surged. On July third, his parents having gone to bed early to rest for the following day’s festivities, Kyle sat on the veranda after sunset, the willow heavy in the humidity, the sky inky and deep and clouded, so that only one star was visible, an American flag billowing majestically against the blackness of the night from the rail of the balcony. He felt abundantly satisfied. Even his estrangement from the group was—in a sense—a relief, despite—in another sense—their silence—especially Trent’s—being such a betrayal.

The thing that surprised him most was how little their absence bothered him. It seemed there should have been a bigger sense of grief or loss. As time wore on, the idea that he might never see his friends again began to creep into his mind, and though the thought was awful, it was hardly unbearable.

That should have made him sadder than it did.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

He jumped in surprise, then saw Trent, in a long pair of navy shorts, standing at the top of the stairs that led to the beach. “How did you know I was here?” He could think of nothing else to say.

“You live here.” Trent crossed so that he stood over him. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

He wasn’t prepared. “I don’t know. I didn’t know how you’d react.” He’d wanted them to come, but he hadn’t imagined what he’d say when they did.

“Do you want to know how it is from my side?” Trent asked. “Do you want to know how I see it?”

Kyle looked at the drawn face of his best friend, surprised how good it was to have him there, and suddenly realizing how much he’d miss him if ever they were separated.

He nodded.

“From my side it looks like either you didn’t love me enough to tell me or you didn’t believe I loved you enough to get past it. And this past week all I’ve been trying to figure out is which would hurt less.”

Kyle almost crumpled. What could he say to that?

In the distance a premature firecracker popped and echoed.

“I know you better than anyone,” Trent said. “Did you really think I would turn from you?”

“I don’t know!” Kyle said quickly. “…I was afraid.”

“We made it through Dana’s broken heart, and Carly’s mom’s affair, and my parents almost getting divorced, and Carly finding out she’s adopted. It was only a matter of time until it was you or Claudia. Only, this time, since it’s you, I’m afraid you’ll change.”

“I’ve always known. This isn’t a surprise to me. I’m more me than I’ve ever been.” But Kyle had to wonder if that was true. He’d changed since he’d arrived on the island. Knowing the truth hadn’t prepared him for accepting and dealing with it.

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