Part 2: Kiss The Flame
by Ethan_15 ([email protected])
There was no school that week, so Joey had to work in the afternoons. It was a slow Monday afternoon so Joey spent most of it sitting at the counter, reading. She was just getting into her book when she heard the door open behind her. She turned around and saw that gorgeous guy she had met the day before.
"Hi," he said, "it's Ben, we met yesterday. Bessie told me to stop by early so you could show me how the place works"
"Oh, yeah, I've been expecting you" she led him around the restaurant saying "place orders here... pick up food here.... get drinks here... put dishes here" she showed him around until he had seen everything "So, are you going to school around here?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm starting Capeside High next Monday. I'll be in 12th grade. You?"
"I go there too," she replied, "Jack and I are sophomores"
Just then Jack walked in the door. Joey picked up her jacket, said "Bye," to Ben, and walked out the door, grinning at Jack. "I'm off now, see you guys later."
"Joey!" Jack called after her. She didn't hear him, which was okay, since he didn't know what he had planned to say, he just wanted to stall. He wasn't going to be very comfortable around this new guy, he knew. Jack had only admitted to himself he was gay a few months earlier and he still wasn't very comfortable with it himself, and now he would have to spend time alone with the first guy he had really been attracted to. 'Well, I'll just have to learn to live with it, it's not like I have a chance with him, he's obviously straight'
"Hi," Ben said, "we met yesterday, I'm Ben."
"Yeah, I remember, I'm Jack."
"Yeah, I heard from Joey," he said, smiling.
A customer walked in and Ben said "Ooh, looks like my first customer" and ran to get him a menu. The dinner rush was just beginning so at least they wouldn't have to talk for a few hours.
Dawson watched Joey climb in his bedroom window, "Hey, Jo" he said.
"Hi Dawson," she said, smiling.
Dawson was relieved, 'she doesn't regret last night' still they had to talk about it, "I've been meaning to talk to you."
She nodded, not knowing where to begin.
He sighed, "So, what are we now Jo?"
She sat next to him and leaned on the backboard of his bed "I don't know" she sighed, "where do we even begin to define it? Our relationship has always been so complicated" she sat up and looked at him, "all I know is how right last night felt, and how I wish it had never ended. Trying to be 'just friends' is never going to work for us, we have too many feelings for each other"
"So, are we together now?"
"Well, if that's what you want, it is what I want. Ever since I broke up with you I've wondered why." She looked into his eyes "I love you, and I miss you when we're not together."
"I love you too, Jo" he leaned forward and kissed her "You're my everything," he whispered.
'Yes,' Joey thought, 'this is definitely what I want.'
"Movie?" Dawson offered.
"Sure"
Dawson played some random movie. Neither of them cared which. They snuggled close together and soon were asleep.
"Wow, I never knew waiting tables was so much work, the way waiters are always smiling you'd think it was the best job in the world," Ben said, sitting on one of the stools by the counter
"When you're waiting tables, you smile because you get better tips" Jack said, while wiping off the counter. It was 8:30 pm and the dinner rush was over, no new customers were coming in, all that was left was to wash the dishes and wipe off the tables, and bring the food to the last few customers.
"I have to remember that then, I only made 12 dollars in tips for all the work I did tonight."
Jack laughed, "Oh, don't feel bad, I didn't make that much the first month I worked here, being a good waiter takes practice, especially if you're a klutz like me."
Ben smiled, "I think you're a great waiter."
Ben's smile made Jack feel warm inside. He was so friendly and nice, and Jack felt more at ease with him every minute. Ben seemed to light up a room whenever he came in. And Jack wasn't the only one who noticed. All day Jack had been seeing girls stare at Ben. Even now, there were three girls at a table drinking coffee and glancing at him every few moments. Ben didn't seem to notice them, or is he did, he didn't care.
It was almost 9:00pm when those girls finally left. Jack turned off the 'open' sign and brought the girls cups back into the kitchen. He informed Bodie that the last customers had left, so Bodie left Jack to lock up.
"You can leave if you want," Jack said to Ben, "I can close up on my own."
"No, that's alright. I can help. And I should learn to do this"
"Okay, you can help me do the dishes
While they were washing dishes, Ben asked, "Do you live far from here?"
"No, it's a mile or 2. I live over on Windsor Avenue. My sister usually picks me up from work, but I walk sometimes
"Oh," he said, "we're almost done here, can I drive you home."
Jack's heart jumped "Oh, yeah, sure."
Jack turned off the lights; them went outside and locked the door behind him. Ben had already pulled his car up. It was some kind of old, rundown car, and not in the best condition. Ben reached across and unlocked the passenger door. Jack opened it and got in.
"Where do you live?" Jack asked.
"Well, right now I'm staying in a motel downtown. I hope to find an apartment soon, but I don't know if I can afford one on a waiters wages when I am still in high school."
"You live alone? I didn't think you were over 18."
"Oh, I'm not, I'm an emancipated minor. I had a big fight with my parents. They basically told me to 'Get the hell out of Dodge.' I had the choice of going to a foster family, a boot camp, or releasing them from all their parental responsibilities by becoming an emancipated minor. This may not have been the easiest choice, but it certainly wasn't the most unpleasant."
Jack wondered what he could possibly have done to make his family disown him and make him move out, but he didn't ask.
Ben pulled his car into Jack's driveway. "Thanks for the ride," Jack said before stepping out of the car.
"I'll see you tomorrow," Ben said.
When Jack came into the house he saw Andie looking out the window, her jaw dropped. "Who was that?" she grinned. "He was so cute! When do I get to meet him?"
Jack laughed, "Andie, you're dating someone, remember, PACEY..."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, I know, but I can fantasize, can't I?"
"Okay, I guess so. He's a new guy at work. He just moved to town. He starts Capeside High on Monday."
"Ooh, wow, I can't wait to meet him up close," she said, bounding up the stairs.
"Yeah, whatever," Jack said under his breath.
"I can't believe I did it again!" Joey mumbled to herself as she walked up the stairs to her house at 7:30am. She had fallen asleep watching movies at Dawson's for the second day in a row. "Bessie's to KILL me!" The day before she had received a warning, but who knew what Bessie would do this time.
Joey quietly opened the front door and looked around, but everyone was still asleep. She thought maybe she could earn some leniency by making breakfast for herself and Bessie before work. Maybe it would help her to forget about Joey's not coming home last night
Bessie wandered out of her room just as Joey was putting the first pancake on the pan. She walked across the room, never taking her eyes off of Joey. She sat down at the table and asked "Joey, what's going on with you? I can't have you disappearing on me like that. And I don't think I want you spending the night at Dawson's anymore. Not since you two became ... involved."
"We didn't do anything, Bessie."
"I know, Joey, but that doesn't make it any less irresponsible. What would happen if you were abducted or something and I went and assumed you were at Dawson's and didn't report it in time?"
Joey looked down, "I'm sorry."
"You've been saying that a lot lately, Joey. It's time to start seeing some changes in your behaviour. You're grounded until Monday. The only places you will go are here and work. After the grounding is up your permanent curfew will be 10:00pm, and that's where it will stay until I start seeing some real responsibility from you. I don't like doing this, Joey, but I don't know what else to do.
Joey nodded "Okay," she knew she deserved what she got.
She finished making the pancakes and set them in front of Bessie. "Thank you," Bessie smiled. She looked up at Joey and said, "So, what is going on with you and Dawson, anyway?"
Joey grinned, "We're back together!"
"I'm happy for you kid!" then she looked down at her plate and back at Joey, "and how come you never told me you made such good pancakes?"
"You know, Ben, I think my sister has a bit of a crush on you," Jack said to Ben when they bumped into each other at the counter, "she hasn't looked at her date all night." Ben glanced back at Andie, who quickly looked away when she saw he was looking. Ben looked back at Jack, raised his eyebrows and shrugged. Jack almost laughed at Ben's reaction, somehow it struck him as funny.
Later that night Jack and Ban were closing down, it was about 10 minutes to closing time and there were still two girls left, sitting at a corner table. Ben was bussing dishes and Jack was washing tables. Jack moved closer to the girls to wash a table near them and he overheard their whispered conversation: "Is that him?" "Yeah, that's the one" "Really? He doesn't look that gay..." Jack clenched his fists and turned to walk away. As Ben walked past he lightly grabbed Jack's arm, his touch made Jack's whole arm tingle, the sensation almost made him forget to listen to what he was saying, "Those girls over there are pointing at you and whispering."
He knew it would have to come up some time, so Jack just told the truth, "Oh, haven't you heard yet? The small-minded townspeople have nothing better to do than discuss the events in the life of Capeside's only homosexual teenager. I'm just waiting for something new to happen so they can get over it and talk about something else." Jack studied Ben's face for a reaction. He didn't seem shocked, scared, or even uncomfortable with the news 'Had he known?' Jack wondered. Suddenly, Jack realized that Ben's hand was still on his arm. It surprised him that he had not taken it away. Jack glanced at his arm, and then Ben noticed it and moved it away. Jack saw him begin to blush.
Ben looked at the clock, "closing time ladies!" he shouted across the dining room to the two girls in the corner who were straining to hear. The girls blushed and left. Jack hurried to collect their cups and brought them into the kitchen.
Ben was mopping around the back of the counter when Jack came bursting out of the kitchen saying "Ben, I..." he only got a few words out before he slipped on the wet floor and went flying straight toward Ben. He didn't fall far before he was caught in Ben's toned arms. Ben held him for a lingering moment before steadying him and getting him back to his feet. They now stood only inches apart. Jack could feel Ben's body heat and it was more than he could stand. He began to step back, but stopped when he felt Ben's lips on his. They kissed for a moment, and when neither of them pulled away, Ben slipped his arms around Jack's waist and pulled him closer. Jack put his arms around Ben and they began to kiss deeper. The words to a song Jack had heard came into his mind. Suddenly the symbolism of it began to make sense to him.
"Please love let's make no impartial vow
Let all fall away
That's not crucial now
I want a brave love, one that makes me weak in the knees
I want a crazy, crazy love
One that makes me come undone at the seams
Cause I'm tired of all these pilgrims
These Puritans, these thieves
All these unbelievers who whittle love down at the knees
Let these swift roads destroy themselves
Let the world fall into it's sleep
For we shall be spared
We shall be left standing
To face what's left of concrete and honey
Kiss the flame
Let's run with the hunted, the untamed
Kiss the flame
Embrace the faceless, the unnamed
Kiss the flame"
The phone ringing interrupted them, but they didn't want to stop. After the second ring they pulled apart and Jack picked up the receiver and said in a very annoyed voice, "WHAT?" Ben could not stop himself from laughing.
Jack looked up at Ben and said into the phone, "I don't know if I need a ride home, Andie."
"I'll drive you," Ben whispered, as if Andie hearing his voice would make her know what they had been doing.
"No, thanks, Andie, Ben will drive me home when we're done here." He turned to Ben, not sure what to say.
Ben laughed nervously, "Well, as you've probably figured out, I'm gay."
Jack smiled, "Yeah, I figured."
Ben laughed, "You're a smart guy... so you probably also guessed that I like you."
"And you probably guessed that I like you too, since you're also a pretty smart guy."
"Okay," Ben suggested, "so why don't we go somewhere and discuss this... from the beginning."
"Okay," Jack nodded, "I know a place."
Jack and Ben drove up to the ruins and got out of the car. They walked to a bench and sat down, facing each other. Ben took a deep breath, "Okay, let's start from the beginning." He began to tell Jack about his hometown, "I came from a very small, very religious town called Dowry, Massachusetts. It's not very far from here but it's not very well known. I was born and raised there. The church basically runs the whole place, so they're very strict. I found out I was gay about a year ago when my girlfriend broke up with me because I didn't seem to love her. Of course, she was a very nice girl but I just wasn't attracted to her. That's when I really came to terms with it myself." he sighed and looked at the ground, Jack could see his eyes begin to tear up. "Then one day my bible study group was discussing homosexuality, and how god hated it. I asked them how god could condemn someone for loving the wrong person, when the power of god was love itself. They told my parents about it so they began to suspect that there was something I wasn't telling them. I was always taught to tell the truth, so I just gave it to them straight and told them that I was gay. They couldn't stand the embarrassment of having a heretic and a sinner for a son, so they decided to get rid of me. They said I could move out or I could go to a treatment centre to be 'cured' of my 'disease' " Ben was now crying openly, "He didn't want me. My own father hated me because I was different, but I couldn't change."
Jack reached out to him, comforted him, until he stopped crying, "We can leave now if you want," Jack offered.
"No, I want to hear your story."
Jack told him about his dad leaving them, about his mom's illness and about Joey. He told him about the spray paint on his locker and the poem. When he was done he was near tears, but he choked them down, he could deal with his own problems, he felt more sorry for Ben.
On the drive home Jack asked, "Who do we tell?"
Ben knew exactly what he meant, "I don't know. I don't want everyone to know I'm gay right away, not until they get to know me, but I trust anyone you trust.
Jack nodded. They were now in his driveway and he could see Andie looking out the window. He felt Ben grab his hand and squeeze it gently, smiling at him. He got out of the car and watched Ben drive away.
Jack felt happy. Possibly more happy than he had ever been before! Finally a part of his life felt right. Not awkward, not strange, not fake, just right.
The End