Page 87 of Rhymes with Metaphor
As they strolled back to the house, Joel took Reg’s hand.It was broad daylight, and Reg’s body tightened reflexively.He and Flip had never displayed physical affection in public.
“All right?”said Reg, looking at him.
“You said I should figure out what I like.I like this.”Joel gripped Reg’s hand tighter.
And because Reg wanted to enjoy the feeling of not having to hide, he led them on a detour through the gardens across the road from the house.
Once they were inside the front door, Joel gave Reg a prolonged hug, but he didn’t try to initiate anything sexual.
“Thanks,” said Joel quietly.
“You’re welcome,” said Reg.“For what?”
Joel stepped back.“Do you have internet access here?”
“You want to look at porn?”
“I need to check my email.It’s been a while.”
Reg got him set up and left him to it in the front room.He’d had plans to revise the poem he’d written at the picnic, but he was so exhausted from the hike up the hill, he lay down in the bedroom for a short nap.
When he woke an hour later, Joel was gone.He wasn’t in his bedroom or in the front room where Reg had left him.He wandered to the back of the house and found him sitting on the back patio, sans laptop, drinking a glass of water and staring towards the rail embankment.Reg pulled up a chair and joined him.
“I dropped out,” said Joel.
“I dropped off too.”
“No,” said Joel.“I droppedout.Of school.”
“What?When?”
“Fifteen minutes ago.”
“What’s brought this on?”
“You said I should figure out what I want based on what I don’t want, and I don’t want to go to med school.”
“That’s why you lied to Juliet about your QDOG score?”
“Yes,” said Joel.“Are you shocked?”
“Not shocked, no,” said Reg.“Would you like to watch some pointless television?”
“Yes.”
They went into the front room and sat on the sectional.Joel rested his head on Reg’s shoulder.Contrary to his mood in the afternoon, Joel was subdued and didn’t push for anything sexual.After a few hours, when Reg suggested they go to bed, Joel didn’t protest.He fell asleep quickly, probably still exhausted from climbing the hill.
Owing to the nap he’d taken earlier, Reg couldn’t sleep, so he sat up revising the poem he’d written at the picnic until he dozed off.
Reg was wakened in the darkness by Joel shaking him frantically.
“What?”said Reg.“What is it?”He switched on the bedside lamp to see Joel crouched over him, wild-eyed.“Did you have a nightmare?”
“What have I done, Reg?What have I done?I don’t know what I’m doing!”
“With what?”
“My life!”said Joel.“I have no fucking clue what I’m going to do now.”
