Page 54 of Rhymes with Metaphor
“I don’t want to keep you against your will.Let me know if youdowant to go.You can leave whenever you like.”Reg got up to leave.
“Reg?”
“Hmm?”
“Don’t go yet.”
Reg sat down again.His heart was pounding now.
“I can’t stop thinking about it,” said Joel.“I’ve never found men attractive.”
“Have you ever had wet dreams before?”said Reg.
Joel looked uncomfortable.
“Do you remember what you dreamed when it happened?”said Reg.
Joel shook his head.“I don’t think I’m gay, but...I liked what you did.I liked that you were the one who did it.”
“Would you like me to do it again?”
“I don’t know.”Joel stared at the floor.“I need time to process.”
“Time away from me?”
This time, Joel didn’t hesitate.“No.I want to stay, if that’s all right with you.”
“Yes,” said Reg, his voice hoarse with emotion.“You can stay as long as you like.”Reg got up to leave again.When he was at the door, Joel spoke.
“Reg?”
“Yes?”
“...are you attracted to me?”
“Yes.I thought that was obvious.”
“Not to me,” said Joel.“How could you find me attractive?”
“Oh, Joel...”Reg wanted to touch him again, to reassure him, but that would be treading on ground newly secured by truce.
“No one’s ever wanted me that way before,” said Joel.
“It’s likely they have, but you missed the signs.”
“How long have you been attracted to me?”
“Since the cottage,” said Reg.“That day you were sunbathing in your white scrubs.I hadn’t thought of you sexually before then.You were Juliet’s annoying little brother.”
“So...,” He could see Joel thinking, making connections.“When you bought me those shirts.When you cut my hair.Those were signs?”
“Yes,” said Reg.
“Are lime leaves an aphrodisiac?”said Joel.
“What?Not that I know of.”
“They’re mentioned inChéri,” said Joel.
