Page 7 of Highway To Destiny

“In this day and age, taking a risk like that is asking for trouble. Which proves your point that you didn’t think things through.” The disappointment in her voice hit me square in the chest.

“I know, I know, but everything worked out fine, and he dropped me off across the street from my dorm. He was a solid guy, and I enjoyed chatting with him.” I tried to emphasize the positive outcome. “He wasn’t a redneck hick, which is what I’m sure you’re thinking. Plus, he was incredibly intelligent and very good-looking. You know, just my type,” I said with a light laugh, hoping that would placate her. I didn’t think it was pertinent to reveal how old he was. “And didn’t you just say I was a big boy, and you weren’t that worried about me?” I shot back, thinking that might also bring her down from the mama bear mode.

“You called him a big boy?” I heard my brother ask. That seemed to do the trick. I laughed, and they soon joined in.

“You’re both big boys,” my mother clarified. “But you’re also my babies, and I will always get concerned and a bit protective at times. It’s what mothers do.”

“Okay, but it all ended up good here. I just wanted to reach out and let you guys know I’m settled, and my classes have started.” The lecture was over, but I wanted to steer us away from the previous tension.

“Have you made any new friends yet?” Mom asked.

I suddenly realized I hadn’t talked about my rooming situation, so I boasted, “Actually, I have. You know, I applied for a private dorm room and was accepted, so there’s this guy across the hall named Spencer, who’s also gay and a swimmer. He’s a grad student too. He used to compete on his college swim team like I did,” I said excitedly. “So, yes. A new friend and a possible workout buddy to boot.”

My brother chimed in, “Besides being a new friend, could something more develop between you?” I could almost feel him arching his eyebrows, his tone inquisitive and teasing. Why he was so interested in my love life, I couldn’t figure out.

“Kyle, please, I’ve only known him a few days, and truth be told, I don’t see him like that,” I responded with a slight huff. “You not getting any action doesn’t give you permission to snoop around my love life,” I said firmly but without malice. I knew he’d keep going down that rabbit hole if I didn’t nip it in the bud.

“Okay, fine,” he accepted reluctantly.

“If you boys are done chiding each other, I need to get dinner prepped before time gets away from me,” Mom said. “I’m happy you called, dear. Be sure to let me know how things are going in a few days, okay?”

“Yes, of course, Mom,” I replied, then addressed my brother, “Okay, Kyle, go back to being the head honcho grease monkey in the garage, but be sure and wash up for dinner, or Mom will make you eat out there.” I chuckled.

“Oh, funny,” Kyle barked back. “She’s making a new lasagna recipe tonight, and you know what a great cook she is. Jealous yet?”

My stomach rumbled after he said lasagna. “Well, I am envious. The cafeteria here is calling my name, and the food is fair but far from home-cooked,” I wistfully replied. “I’ll call back in a few days. Love you both,” I said as they chimed in with their goodbyes before I disconnected the call.

I looked at my watch, my stomach rumbling again, and noticed dinner time was fast approaching, and I hadn’t eaten lunch. I decided to head to the campus cafeteria, thinking I needed to make a quick stop at the library first. There were a couple of references I needed to review for my statistics class assignment, and I needed to get it done tonight.

As I walked, my thoughts rewound to the conversation with Mom and Kyle. Thoughts of Mason had me smiling and wondering what he was doing for dinner. Dessert came to mind when I thought about what a sexy man he was.

Yeah, him for dessert, I would devour.

7

MASON

After the last delivery route ended a few days ago, I decided to take a week off and head to my condo in northern California. I hadn’t been there since mid-June, and I missed the place. I needed the salty ocean breezes, the view to die for, and the quiet solitude my condo afforded in Crescent City. The last remnants of summer were my favorite time of year. It was cooler and before daylight saving time, which eventually robbed me of incredible late evening views. The colorful sunsets there have always taken my breath away.

I loved my spacious abode and sometimes felt guilty holding on to it since I was only there a few times a year. I couldn’t seem to let it go. Memories still haunted my thoughts. It was a home created with love well over a decade ago, and now love no longer resided there with me. Time does help heal, but each time I return, it takes me back a little.

I had a parking spot nearby for my rig, owned by my longtime best friend. From there, I could easily catch a rideshare to my condo, where I kept my Toyota RAV4 safely parked under the complex. My five-year-old SUV made getting around town convenient, and I felt it was a necessity. While I enjoyed my condo, it sometimes felt lonely, so I occasionally visited my favorite bar to connect with the locals. Tonight was going to be one of those nights.

Once I arrived at my condo, I needed to open the sliding panel doors to the deck and air it out. The heat of summer and the humidity of the ocean air made the space feel stuffy and stagnant after it had been locked up for weeks. Even though I kept the A/C at a constant seventy-five degrees, it wasn’t enough to circulate the air to my liking.

I’d taken items I needed from the semi and put them in my large duffle, which I tossed onto the king-size bed in the master bedroom. It had an en-suite bath with a large shower that I loved. It showcased a glass-windowed wall, which exposed the bather to the magnificent ocean view. I’d never had exhibitionist tendencies, but it was so private and out of anyone’s line of sight I sometimes found myself aroused by horny thoughts and needed to take care of business right then and there.

After quickly unpacking, I took most of my clothing to the laundry room. I used the large shower and got myself cleaned up before heading into town. I wasn’t going to sit at home after being alone on the road for such a long spell, so I decided to head to my favorite bar. It was about eight o’clock when I finally locked the condo up and headed to my SUV.

I didn’t know allthe locals that frequented the establishment, but my good friend Eli not only owned the bar but also the lot where I parked my rig. He was a jovial sort, the perfect bartender on the nights of the week he chose to work. Eli knew how to care for his customers, and he had a knack of remembering a patron’s name, face, and beverage, even if that person had only been in once before. I figured he must have a photographic memory. It served him well, shocking people with his special skill. Many jaws had dropped when he called them by name and recalled the drinks they’d ordered.

Eli and I had known each other for as many years. He moved to Crescent City from San Francisco, wanting a life away from the big city, but he was a West Coast boy. We became fast friends quickly, being close to the same age. He was two years older than me, with silver hair slightly longer than mine. Many folks teased him that he was the doppelganger of a famous actor who did westerns since he had a full mustache that encompassed his upper lip and matched his silver mane. His deep, commanding voice resonated from his gut.

“Hey, Mason,” Eli called out enthusiastically from behind the bar when he saw me walk in.

“Hi, Eli,” I replied as I took a stool at the bar. We hadn’t seen each other earlier in the day when I parked my rig.

The bar had been a popular watering hole for over twenty-five years. It hadn’t always been called Eli’s Bar and Grill, though. Eli purchased it fifteen years ago and established a flourishing clientele of locals and tourists alike. He’d remodeled it to have a more open floor plan right after he acquired the place and expanded the kitchen in the back to serve better quality food, which led to him adding the ‘and Grill’ to the signage out front.

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