Chapter 5

A few hours later, Kevin woke up in the tub, now room temperature, balls now reduced from their softball size to normal, he started formulating a plan to get back at Sarah. So pissed, he’s talking to himself.

“That bitch ruined every thing!”

“She has to pay for it, but how?”

“I can’t hit a girl, plus that’s the quickest way to get Ed pissed off, and I don’t want to get smacked around with my own motorcycle.”

“I gotta hit her where it hurts ... what’s her weakness ... what would Eddy do?”

“Oh righteous! Could I bring myself to stoop so low, I just lost the hottest girl in the cul-de-sac.”

“It is the only thing I got on her ... maybe she’ll learn to mind her business next time.”

Kevin laughs maniacally, reaching for the Aspirin from the ensuing pain.

He walks outside, looks at his bike, “not today, fella”. Walks over to the playground where the other boys are, he spots Jimmy watching Rolf and Jonny play basketball.

“Hey Kevin,” Jimmy greeted.

“Whassup my man,” Kevin eased down on the bench.

“Are you okay?”

“Oh yeah ... Victor got out and hit me right in the kiwis.”

“If you want, my parents keep pain killers around for when I hurt myself.”

“That’s sweet of you man.”

They sat a while watching Rolf and Jonny play some teens from another street. Kevin keeps glancing at Jimmy, watching his face.

“Is something bothering you, dude?”

“No. Why you ask?”

“Looks like you got something on your mind, you want me to teach you how to play, or something?”

“No, I’m cool,” he tried to brush it off.

“You can talk to me. Is it girl problems?”

“Uh-uh,” he turned his head.

They sat a bit more before Kevin enacted conversation.

“Ya know ... I’ve always been sure of myself, but I got wonderin’ about something. I’ve always had a crush on Nazz ... did you have a crush on her growing up?”

“Nazz ... no.”

“Anyway, we got together and I thought everything was how it was supposed to be, right? I was on the internet, or watching something and this ... guy was on there ... and I got this strange feeling. I couldn’t shake it. So I was looking at porn one day- yeah I admit it -it wasn’t just the girls that was getting me going. I ... I think I might be gay ... or half gay, or something.

“You’re telling me this, why,” Jimmy looking a bit concerned.

“I don’t know who to turn to, everybody else might make fun of me.”

“What about Nazz?”

“I ... she caught me once. I sat my phone down once, thinking it was safe, she came out the bathroom faster than I thought and saw it. I tried to explain to her ... she dumped me. She said she couldn’t be with a guy who looks or likes guys like that.”

“That’s just rude! I thought she was better than that.”

“Keep your voice down. I already lost Nazz, I feel like I’m losing myself ... I can’t lose my friends either.”

“I’m sorry, Kevin. Me and Sarah would be your friends, still.”

“Oddly enough ... I was over Ed’s one day and her, Nazz, and May were hanging out; I heard her tell them about it, and they were grossed out. Sarah’s loudmouth was going on how you might be girly, but at least you’re not gay.”

“That ... that doesn’t even make sense ... why would it matter if I were gay or not,” he whispered.

“Dude, I don’t see the big deal about it, if you were. I know you’re kind-hearted, caring, kinda dude, the ladies like that sort of thing. Not too mention; you look good now that your braces are off.”

“Do I?”

“Yep. I bet there’s a girl or two in Peach Creek you got your eye on?”

“I hadn’t thought about it.”

“I don’t know too many people off the block to talk to, and I don’t know how to go about finding a guy to see if what I feel is right. Just because the porn does something, doesn’t mean it’ll work in the real world. Something like that.”

“That’s true. I guess if you think about it; none of the guys here even look that good ... I mean Jonny grew in to his head, but he has issues, Rolf is just a yeti in clothes, Eddy and Ed are just not ... no,” he shudders.

“It’s cool talking to you without Sarah trying to baby you, Jimmy,” he places his hand on Jimmies. “If you wanna hang out, you can ... whenever you can get away from Sarah.”