Dermot II - Chapter 7 - Mike

As their English teacher approached with her son in tow, Lando and Dermot studied the boy. The youngster reluctantly accompanying his parent was small, looking as though he belonged in grade five or six rather than in high school. He was probably short of five foot, and looked as though the wind would blow him away, he was so slight. He had rather long, dirty blond hair, brown eyes, and a boyish face which made him look both attractive and vulnerable at the same time.

“Hello, boys,” Mrs. Mattingly hailed them. “Thank you for waiting. This is my son, Michael. I would appreciate it if you would give him some pointers to help him adjust to the situation here at Baltimore. He doesn’t seem to have made any friends, and the year is almost over.”

The boy turned red at that, clearly embarrassed by his mother’s comments.

“Hi, Mike, I’m Lando, and this is Dermot,” Lando said in his outgoing manner, trying to make the newcomer feel more comfortable.

The boy looked pleased at being called Mike. He grinned back, which made him look quite attractive. “Hi,” he kind of mumbled, and stuck out his hand.

“Now go on, Michael, speak up,” Mrs. Mattingly urged.

‘Mothers!’ Lando sighed silently. Recognizing the boy’s discomfort with his mother hovering, he suggested, “How about coming over to my place, Mike? We can play a few games or something, and maybe talk some. I’ll take you home after.”

“Oh, that would be so far out of your way, Lando,” Mrs. Mattingly objected.

“Lando just got his license a few weeks ago and wants to show off his car,” Dermot teased. “The farther to your place the better as far as he’s concerned.”

Lando punched Dermot’s shoulder, but that seemed to do the trick. It was agreed that Mike would go with the other two boys, and Lando would take him home later. He seemed relieved when his mother turned away. With a sigh, he felt he owed an explanation.

“My mom’s okay, but some time she’s kind of smothering, you know.”

“Goes with being a mom,” Lando said, accepting the assessment. “So, you’re a freshman? First thing you need to know is you have to always be very respectful to your superiors, like us sophomores.”

Mike grinned. “Got that way last fall. Haven’t noticed the superior part, though.”

“Oh, a smartass. What are we going to do with him, Dermot?”

“We’ll have to take him back to your place, ply him with Aunt Carrie’s snacks, then beat the socks off him in the rec room.”

“You are the reigning champion at the X-box,” Lando admitted, “so I’ll allow you to slaughter this upstart frosh in the most cruel and devious manner possible.”

“You guys are crazy,” Mike giggled.

“Only north by northwest,” Dermot quoted from Hamlet.

By that time, they had walked to Lando’s Mustang, where they found Emily waiting impatiently.

“Where have you guys been? I’ve been waiting for hours,” she complained.

“Oh, really?” Lando returned. “Since it’s not quite three-thirty yet, you must have skipped your last class or two, then.”

Emily stomped her foot. “You know what I mean. Hi, Mike.”

The abrupt change of topic seemed typical of Emily.

“Do you two know each other?” Lando asked, as they all piled into the car.

“Oh, sure. Mike’s in my algebra and French classes,” Emily replied, as Mike nodded assent. “He’s my chief rival,” she added.

“Rival?” her brother asked.

“Mike is the only one with a better grade than me in algebra, but I think I’m ahead in French. What’s your average in French, Mike?”

Mike did a quick calculation in his head. “98.6,” he replied.

“Good. I’m 99.1.” Emily declared with some satisfaction. “What are you doing with my retarded brother and his friend?”

“They invited me to come over to your place to play some games,” Mike answered.

“Well, good. Dermot needs to get in more play. My mom said so. He holed up in his room all last week doing school work. Even Lando had trouble getting him out, and he’s his boyfriend.”

“EMILY!” Lando yelled.

“Well, you are, aren’t you? Are you gay, too, Mike?” Emily blithely went on. “Hanging around with Lando and Dermot sure makes it look that way.”

Lando gritted his teeth. “My sister is very clever, but has not an ounce of tact,” he muttered.

“What?” she questioned. “Did I say something wrong?”

“It’s okay,” Mike said. “I kind of knew the situation, ‘cause my mom told me about Lando and Dermot coming out during her class period. That must have been awesome, and it’s why she decided I need to meet you guys. But, to answer your question, Emily, I think I’m gay, but I’m not sure.”

“Oh, yeah, I heard about that class. I want to ask you guys about this coming out thing,” Emily insisted.

But by this time, Lando had steered the car into the carriage house. Contrary to his normally careful driving, he was surprised he got everyone home safely, as he was so distracted by Emily’s bluntness that he almost lost control of the vehicle twice on the short trip. He avoided Emily’s queries, insisting that they suspend all discussion of gay topics until after snacks. “And after I put some duct tape over Emily’s mouth,” he added.

She stuck out her tongue at him, and raced off to the house.

Dermot had been quiet on the way home, not because he was upset or anything, but because he loved to watch the interaction between Lando and his siblings. He almost ached with the desire to have that kind of relationship with family, but knew it was impossible in his case.

Aunt Carrie seemed absolutely delighted to have someone else to feed, so snacks appeared immediately. However, Lando was unable to stick by his resolution to avoid all gay topics until later. Well before they had finished their snacks Sandy Lyle entered the room, as she usually did when the children arrived home, and greeted them. Lando introduced Mike Mattingly as his English teacher’s son, so he was welcomed. But then Sandy insisted that Lando come aside for a moment.

“I just got off the phone with Mrs. Mulvihill. It seems her son Brian had an interesting story to tell her when he got home,” she began.

“Mom, Brian made some homophobic remarks in Mrs. Mattingly’s class, and I answered him. That’s all.”

“Not the way I heard it. Did you announce to the entire class that you and Dermot were gay, and were sex partners?”

“No! Not the sex partners bit! You know I observe abstinence during Lent, like everyone else in our family. But, well, I guess I did admit I was gay. I was so angry with Brian and a couple of other guys, I got carried away. But I didn’t say anything about Dermot, either. He more or less made his own announcement.”

Sandy was quiet for a couple of minutes. “Well, your version sounds more like what I might expect. You do realize that this will cause trouble at school?”

“Yes, Mom. We’ll handle it,” Lando said more confidently than he felt. “Um, what did you tell Mrs. Mulvihill?”

“Why, I just asked her why she was spreading uncharitable stories.”

Lando burst out laughing. “Thanks, Mom.” He kissed his mother.

“Is there some connection between this incident in Mrs. Mattingly’s class and the arrival here of Mrs. Mattingly’s son?” Sandy asked.

“Yeah, there is. Mrs. Mattingly has been worried lately because Mike told her and his dad that he thought he might be gay. So, after class, she asked Dermot and me to kind of give him the benefit of our experience, as far as how to act in school, and all, you know.”

“Well, he seems a nice boy. But you be careful about what kinds of experiences you share.”

“Mom! I told you, I’m abstaining. Besides, Dermot is my boyfriend, not Mike,” Lando objected.

“Okay. Okay. Just be careful.”

By the time Lando returned to the breakfast room, the other three had completed their snacks.

“Everything okay?” Dermot asked.

“Brian’s mom called Mom. I was explaining about what happened in class. But yeah, everything’s okay.”

“Now everybody knows what happened except me,” Emily wailed.

“She’s got a point,” Dermot said. “You know by tomorrow everybody’s going to be talking. It would be better if Emily knew what really happened, so she could try to squelch some of the more lurid versions.”

“Oooh, lurid!” Emily eagerly latched onto the word.

Lando considered. “You’re right, Dermot. Okay, let’s adjourn to the rec room, and give both these lowly freshmen an account of our adventures in American Lit.

Emily and Mike accompanied Lando and Dermot to the lower level, where they received a blow by blow account, beginning with an explanation of how it all came up because of the gay aspects of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. When they were finished, Mike commented that this was a much more complete version, but it agreed totally with what his mother had told him. Emily seemed eager to go into battle, defending her brother’s honor. She departed shortly after the explanation was over, with Lando surmising she would spend most of the rest of the day on the phone with her friends, relaying the correct version of what happened.

“Mike, I’m afraid you won’t be able to remain anonymous if you associate with the likes of us,” Dermot warned him.

“I don’t care. I’m tired of not being seen. I’m still not sure whether I’m gay or not, but you guys rule! I’m proud to be your friend.” He stopped, then asked hesitantly, “I am your friend, aren’t I?”

“Sure! The more friends we have, the better,” Lando assured him, thumping him on the back. “Especially now.”

Somewhat to the surprise of Sandy Lyle, given his record from last week, Dermot agreed to spend some down time with Lando and Mike. For several hours, they played one game after another, with Mike being surprisingly good, holding his own against the two older boys. He explained that he spent a lot of time alone, so he had practiced a lot. While playing, they talked. Mike thanked the other two for coming out in his mother’s class, as he said it seemed to take some pressure off her, and that would take some off him. His parents had accepting his revelation that he thought he might be gay well enough. There had been no drama, no recriminations, no hand wringing. But he knew they were unhappy, maybe blaming themselves in some way. He admitted he had done nothing sexual with anyone, except his hand. He was not absolutely certain he was gay, but he found himself definitely leaning in that direction. He had erotic thoughts about other guys, and liked gay porn on the net. And he felt no sexual attraction to girls.

“Sounds gay to me,” Dermot commented.

Lando, in his direct manner, told Mike, “If you’re hoping to lose your virginity this afternoon, forget it. I don’t do sex during Lent. But I’ll be glad to talk about anything you want.”

Mike turned scarlet at that.

Dermot decided to assert his independence while helping Mike along, and so, tongue in cheek, intervened. “Speak for yourself, Lando. Maybe I’d like to initiate Mike, and I have taken no vows of abstinence.”

The hurt look on Lando’s face immediately caused Dermot to regret making his joke. “Hey, buddy, I was just joking. Like, sometimes you need to be reminded that I can speak for myself. But I’m not going to run off with Mike. You’re my boyfriend.”

Mike commented, “That goes for me, too. I mean, I can speak for myself. No matter what either of you decide, I’m not ready for sex, so forget it. I’m not even sure I want sex with either of you.”

“Well, I guess that puts me in my place,” Lando commented. He then grabbed the unsuspecting Mike and tickled him until he protested that he was going to pee in his pants if Lando did not stop.

Laughing, Lando pointed out the way to the basement restroom. Mike grumbled that now he completely lost his place in the game they were playing, but his grin showed he was having a great time.

Finding that Mike had the same lunch period they did, Lando and Dermot invited him to join them the next day if he were willing to brave the stares of their classmates. He had been sitting alone, he said, as he felt unsure of himself with other guys.

“I know,” Lando encouraged him. “You want to sneak a look at somebody’s package, but you’re afraid you might get a stiffy, and if they catch you, they’ll beat the shit out of you. Been there.”

Mike blushed, but nodded agreement. “I can’t imagine you being afraid, though. I’ve seen you around all year, and you always seem to be in charge,” Mike responded.

“You weren’t around last year, when I was a lowly freshman.”

Dermot wondered whether that was a reference to the hurt Aunt Carrie had mentioned. He’d have to ask some time when they were alone.

By the time Mike insisted he had to get home, he was feeling much better about himself and about school. Nothing had been decided. He was still a virgin, and still not sure he was gay, but he was no longer alone. And that made all the difference in the world.

That evening, when Lando appeared to help Dermot with his rehab exercises, he seemed to have something on his mind. After only a few minutes, Dermot confronted him.

“Okay, boyfriend, what’s bothering you?”

“Well, you know, this afternoon, when you said you hadn’t taken a vow of abstinence ....”

“Now hold on. I told you I was joking. I’m sorry it upset you so much,” Dermot apologized again.

“Yeah, but you were right, too. You haven’t made any vow of abstinence, and you’re used to having sex, so if you feel you need to, you know, get some relief, or ....”

“Listen, boyfriend. There’s sex, and then there’s sex. I got raped. Then I had sex with customers. I never had sex with a real partner. I’m really looking forward to that, but my real partner is you.”

“Thanks,” Lando said, kissing Dermot lightly on the cheek. Dermot thought a little more was needed to reassure Lando, so he pulled the other boy closer, and kissed him on the lips, not passionately, but gently and considerately. Lando responded. It just felt so right to have the other boy there, kissing him. Dermot moved one step further, putting his arms around Lando and hugging him closely. Yes! This was right! This was the way things were meant to be. They fit together perfectly. No matter what anyone said, this was what was natural for him. The kisses became more passionate, with Dermot’s tongue finding its way between Lando’s lips, beginning a duel with the other. As the two boys pressed themselves against each other, it was also impossible to ignore the fact that they both very quickly sprang hard-ons. Dermot pressed his crotch against Lando’s, and began to rub ever so slowly. Breathing became heavy.

Then, Dermot pulled back, only slightly, but enough.

Lando looked confused.

“I wouldn’t want to be the cause of you breaking your vows, boyfriend,” Dermot said, with a note of regret in his voice. “But I can wait as long as I know you’re there for me.”

“Always. I’ll always be there for you, Dermot.”

“Tell you what,” Dermot said with a grin. “I’ll make my own vow. I won’t have sex with anyone but you, unless ....” He paused dramatically.

“Unless what?” Lando asked apprehensively.

“Unless you tell me to,” Dermot laughed.

They kissed and cuddled some more, but not as passionately, breaking up only when Mark came into the library to consult a reference book. “Get a room,” Mark ordered, then ignored them as they continued to talk quietly, if a little shamefacedly, appreciating each other’s understanding and thoughtfulness.

On Tuesday, it seemed that everyone in the entire school knew about the incident in Mrs. Mattingly’s class, and about Lando and Dermot coming out. Some people avoided them in the halls, or suddenly went quiet when they approached. A few muttered homophobic comments as they went past. But there were more who smiled at them, spoke encouragingly to them, and even called them heroes. Lando’s teammate Jason appeared between first and second periods. He shook Dermot’s hand, explaining, “I’ve kind of had my eye on Emily for a while, but when you appeared, I thought you were a rival for her affections. I’m glad to find out I was wrong about that.”

“No, my affections are elsewhere, but in the same family,” Dermot joked.

“Hey, that reminds me, Lando. You think you could put in a good word for me? I mean, we have a dance coming up on Friday. Does Emily have a date?”

“Not as far as I know,” Lando replied, “but you’d better ask her right away. She hates being taken for granted.”

“Right on!” Jason said, departing to his own class, or perhaps to find Emily.

By lunch time both Lando and Dermot were tired of hearing about their big announcement. Not quite knowing what to expect, they made their way through the cafeteria line, then emerged to seek a table. Dermot mentioned that, during Current Events, Bob and Nate had not said a word to him. Now, looking around, they saw that those two boys were at a table with several others, with no empty chairs. They refused to make eye contact, so the boyfriends made their way towards a free table. As they did, Mike appeared. “You still okay with me sitting with you guys?” he asked.

“Sure, buddy, if you don’t mind being a total outcast,” Dermot said bitterly.

“I’ve been an outcast all year. So what’s new?” Mike replied.

Shortly after they sat down, there was a commotion at one of the other tables. Looking that way, they saw a girl stand up, and pick up her tray. She then came towards them. Dermot recognized her as being in his History and Current Events classes, but did not know her name.

Lando did. He rose as the girl approached, and said, “Hi, Diane. What’s up?”

“Do you mind if I sit with you guys? The people I was sitting with are mostly Neanderthals.”

“We’d be honored,” Lando said, pulling out a chair for her, as Dermot and Mike also greeted her.

“Okay, you guys, I’m curious as hell. Give me the straight story about what when on in sixth period English yesterday,” Diane demanded.

Remembering that Diane was on the school paper staff, Lando asked, “Are you asking as a friend, or as a reporter?”

“Can’t I be both?” Diane responded. “The way I hear it, you were pretty public yesterday, but there are zillions of versions already. I can write a story and give your version of what happened.”

At that point, another student approached. It was Jason, who asked, “Anyone sitting here?” and pointed to a vacant chair.

“Yeah, but he’s invisible,” Dermot answered. Mike choked on his food at that, but Lando said, “Have a seat, teammate. Diane was just asking about an interview for the school paper. Here’s the perfect solution. Jason was in that class, and he’s a neutral observer. Quote him.”

“All right!” Diane replied, pulling out her notebook.

Over the remaining portion of the lunch period, not only Jason, but Lando and Dermot too, provided Diane with an account of what happened the previous day. They also suggested that she talk to Mrs. Mattingly. Mike seconded that suggestion. Remembering Coach Rockwood’s comments the day before, Dermot suggested interviewing him as well. Diane was very pleased with the results, and promised to let the boys see her article before it went to press.

As the end of the lunch period approached, several guys who Lando recognized as members of the football team, got up from a nearby table and, carrying their trays, headed to the trash bins, passing the table where Dermot and his friends were still seated. As they did, one of the guys held his nose and said, “Peeeyouuu! What’s that horrible smell?”

“It’s the reek of faggotry,” another said, and all the boys howled as though that were the funniest thing ever said.

As the last boy passed the table, Mike suddenly shot out his foot. Caught unaware, the boy stumbled, dropping his tray and crashing into the boy in front of him, who in turn bumped the one in front of him.

“What’s all that noise I hear?” Lando asked.

“Just a passel of primates,” Dermot responded. “They haven’t quite got the hang of walking upright on their hind legs as yet.”

Mike, Diane, and Jason laughed.

However, the boy who had been tripped turned towards the table, and was not laughing at all. “Which one of you queers tripped me?”

“Tipped you?” Lando asked. “Why should we tip you? You didn’t do anything to earn a tip.”

That only made the boy madder, and he was now backed by his friends. “You’re dead meat, faggot,” he proclaimed, as he reached for Mike, who was the obvious suspect because of his location, and was about to jerk him from his seat, when a voice of authority spoke.

“What’s going on here? Why is there trash all over the floor? And who was that using discriminatory language?”

“Um ... ah ... er ... hi, Coach,” the hostile boys said. “We were just walking by when one of these ... these other students tripped Jack here,” one of them added.

“Who saw any tripping?” Coach Duvall asked. “Do we have any witnesses?”

“No, Coach. I didn’t see anybody do any tripping. I think Jack stumbled over his own big feet,” a student at a nearby table volunteered. That brought forth a round of laughter from the crowd which was gathering.

Just then, the bell sounded, marking the end of the period.

“Everyone get to your next class,” Coach Duvall said, “except you guys. Pick up your trash first. And I don’t want to hear that kind of language again, or there will be some changes in the roster come fall line-up.” As Dermot scampered away with his friends, Coach winked at him.

Lando, meanwhile, addressed the student who had spoken up for them. “Thanks for the support back there, Eric.”

“Figured us soccer jocks should stick together,” the boy replied.

“Right on! Can’t let the football hulks lord it over us,” Jason agreed.

Right about then, Mike was feeling really great. Not only had he successfully tripped up a football player twice his size and got away with it, but he had the whole soccer team on his side, even if they did not know it. He was one of ‘us’.

Diane evidently knew what he had done. She said just loud enough to be heard over the din in the corridors, “You can be dangerous. I’ll have to watch out for you.”

Mike giggled.