The Perfect Day

It was the perfect day. The sun was up in its full radiance. Birds were chirping their lovely songs, no doubt seeking after their potential mates. The wind blew a gentle and warming puff, elegantly swaying the curtains above my window. I opened my eyes, reaching out for my pillow to shield them from the agonizing light. I so desperately wanted to go back to my dreamland. But the day had begun, and my body was telling me I had enough sleep. On top of it all, my little member was poking through the bed sheets, groaning for much needed attention.

But I continued to lie in that bed, knowing full well I was burning daylight as the old folks would say. But the day was still young and plenty of time to get everything I needed to finished. So I just lied there, my mind conjuring up all the excuses not to get up. But my little member had stiffened further, growling that I had ignored him all this time.

Just as I resolved to reach my hand down there, my cell phone rang. "Why do I put it next to my bed?" I muttered. I retreated my hand and stretched for the phone. Only I was too late.

"Good riddance! Now I can go back to sleep." But just as I rolled over, the annoying beeping began, informing me that I have a new voice message. In vexation, I picked up the phone and began to listen to my new message.
I didn't't recognize the number. Maybe, it was somebody from work calling me to go in, or somebody from school. Why do the automatic introductory recordings always seem so long? If only I knew where the fast forward button was!

Then, I heard his voice. I didn't recognize it at first. God, it's been so long. What was his name? He said he was in town for summer break and he wanted to hang out with me today if I were available, or anytime this week if that suited me better. He said he had his bicycle tuned up and asked if I still rode mine often. Of course, I still ride almost every day, and I do want to hang out with you, but who are you?

He never gave his name, only a phone number. I could call him anytime today.

I really want to hang out with you, but for the life of me, I cannot remember who you are. I recognize your voice well. Your name's on the tip of my tongue. My pecker is throbbing intensely for attention.

Then, I remembered. His name is Jake, Jake Sulviran. The same age as me, only a couple months older. God, it's been two years, at the least, since I've seen him. He was beautiful from his square head down to his pointy toes. When he took off his shirt, his torso screamed for attention. His muscles in his chest and abs bulged out of his flaccid skin. His nipples were of a tanned brown that complimented the path of dark, but thin, hair that went through his naval down below to the nether region. Jake had a smile that emitted ecstatic pleasure. His eyes were sweet blue. His nose curved in masculine sharpness. He had no facial hair then, always preferred the clean look. Even his hair was clipped short and neat.

I could not count how many times I jacked off thinking of him. I wanted to touch him, to really hold him, caressing his firm body, and cuddling next to him. But the only touch we shared was a brief hug or a handshake or a pat on the back or other nonchalant means. I was terribly afraid to tell Jake my deep secret. I never wanted to risk losing the friendship we had. I feared that once Jake knew my sexuality, we would forever be separated.

But as much as I tried to mask my true identity, I'm certain Jake must have suspected something. In the summer heat, I would stare at his macho beauty when he was looking away. At least a half dozen times he caught me in those stares as I sheepishly, but quickly, turned my eyes away. He never said anything about it, he was very kind, but I wondered about how much he knew.

Our friendship spanned most of our teenage years. We both attended the same middle and high schools. We always sat at the same lunch tables when our classes coincided. We would often hang out after school or on the weekends when possible, but Jake was a serious jock who played almost any school sport imaginable. Needless to say, his practices kept him busy.

Every year I looked forward to the day that school let out for summer, for then Jake would be free from all sports obligations and we could spend all of our time with each other. The month of June was full of bliss. Jake and I would grab our bicycles and ride for miles down our favorite trails. One such trail, called the Shelby River Greenway by the city, stretched out on a levy with a grand view of the Shelby River on one side. On the other side sat a thicket of tall trees.

Sometimes we would stop midway and turn into the thicket following a short dirt trail that led to a great meadow. In the center was one solitary pine tree, its branches usually flush with green leaves providing a decent shade to rest in. Jake and I loved that spot. Sometimes we would lie in the grass and doze off for an hour undisturbed with our shirts off. Sometimes we would sit by the tree and listen to the melodies of the birds and sounds of cicadas when the sun fell.

But those summers were always short lived. Summer camp for football would begin, taking all Jake's time away. I would sit at home most of those days depressed and fighting loneliness. My mother would try to provide company for me, but it was no use. I wanted Jake. I lusted after Jake. I wondered if he felt the same.

After high school graduation, Jake and I spent our last summer together. It was longer than the others, for Jake didn't have the required football camp in July. But we hated August, for the thought of going off to college meant our impending separation. Jake received a full paid scholarship to a big sports university. I, on the other hand, went to a smaller, cheaper college to pursue more brain smarts. When the loathsome day came, we gave our goodbyes, exchanged phone numbers, and said we would keep in touch via Facebook.

The first year in college, I spent most of my free time checking his Facebook page. I was always looking at his uploaded pictures, trying desperately to catch a glimpse of his new life. In one picture, Jake held up high a football trophy; his team won the National Championship. I constantly kept an eye on his relationship status, but it never changed from single. I knew Jake was enjoying his new life; he didn't want a girlfriend to slow him down.

We did stay in touch that first year, though it became sporadic as the school year progressed. Jake was immersed in his sports life. I was busy writing research papers and studying for exams. I would check his Facebook page less often, until I finally stopped altogether. Jake eventually became nothing more than a long lost memory.

Oh, how long did I lie in that bed reminiscing all that I thought had been forgotten forever?

I threw back my covers and leapt out of bed. I hurried to shut the window and then to get dressed. I panicked the entire time I was getting ready. All I had to do was make a simple phone call, but my heart beat madly, which only engorged my willy even more. How long was I fraught, I do not know. But somehow I managed to dial the number he gave. However, I pressed "cancel" instead of "send" realizing his number was listed in my "contacts" folder. So I looked up his name, and double-checked the number to make sure it was correct. I wasted so much needless energy.

Finally, I called. The tone inside the speaker rang once. Then twice. I was almost going to hang up until I heard his voice.
"Hello?"
"Hi, this is, it's me, Alex." My anxiety must have sped my heart rate up even more; my entire body was vibrating.
"Hey, long time no see! How you're doing?" He was very patient.
"I'm, doing well. Just, uh, have a lot, of studying I still, have to do."
"Well, hey, if you're busy now, I could try catching up with you later."

"No, no, it's fine. That's fine, I've been needing to get out for a while anyway."
"Are you still at home living with your mother?"
"Yeah, I'm out for the summer, out of school, that is. What about you?"

"Same here. I decided to take a break this year, so I won't be going out for football in the fall." That was news to me.
"Why not?"
"It's taking too much time out of my studying. All I ever did was play sports or homework. I've forgotten how to have a social life."
"What about your scholarships?"

"I've got enough financial aid to cover me. I'm good on that. Hey, we got a lot of catching up to do. About how soon will you be ready?"
I'm ready at this very moment. "I can be ready in thirty minutes."

"That's good, ' cause it'll take me that long to get over there if I can just remember where you live."
"Cool. Will be looking for you."

I hung up and went down to my parents' garage. My bike, a 21-speed hybrid, was leaning against a wall. I checked the tire pressure and the lube on my chain. Everything was in good working order; after all, I had just ridden it for several miles the day before.
I loaded my bike up into my truck. About that time, Jake showed up in a typical four-door low mileage car. His bike was hanging on a rack that had supports firmly held by the trunk lid. I was shocked when I glanced at his bike. It was the same bluish-green bike he rode when we were teenagers.

The driver side door opened and I was taken aghast. Jake stepped out, his torso more muscular than ever, but what surprised me most was how sexy his full beard made him.
"When did you grow that?" I clumsily asked.
"For a few months now. Thought I'd try something new."
"It makes you look, looks good on you," I said, catching myself.

"Makes me look like what? A few years older? That's what I'm going for. Is this your bike?"
"Yeah."
"It looks new. When did you get it?"
"Had it for about a year now. See you still got your old bike."
"Yeah, I do. It's been a long time since I've ridden it, though. Think it got a little rusty sitting in my basement. But it still rides great."
"Cool. Where are we going?"

The plan was to drive our vehicles to the entrance of Shelby River Greenway. I suspected Jake was wanting to relive his childhood. I was excited, but not with the teenage giddiness I used to have. Somehow, I was more mature in my thinking; I figured this was a simple bike ride that would last for no more than two hours and we would just play catch up on past memories and our new lives. But I wasn't prepared for what would transpire.

We pulled in to the parking lot and unhooked our bikes. As I was fitting my helmet, I noticed Jake had a lunch bag strapped over his shoulder. I didn't think anything else about it. I figured I would eat when we returned to our vehicles.
"You ready?" I asked.
"Oh, yeah. Been a long time, so go slow for me."
"You'll be fine. Riding a bike is like riding a bike. Once you learn the first time, you'll never forget how." I smiled when I said this.
"We are riding bikes. You just repeated yourself." We shared a laugh.

We started up the hill that began the entrance to the trail. We peddled past the first sharp bend to our left, then coasted steadily upwards on the levy. Jake actually was riding well. His balance was offset at first, but quickly stabilized within a couple miles. I was riding quite fast for Jake, though, so occasionally I would slow down so he could keep up.

The trail continued on for several miles. The river on the right side was gracefully flowing behind us. The wind was but still. It did help the exposed part of my forehead stay cool and dry.
After about forty minutes into the ride, Jake suddenly stopped. I didn't notice this until he called out to me. "Alex, wait!" I looked back. Jake had already unsaddled and was standing on the edge of the forest. He motioned for me to come back.

Jake was standing at the entrance to the same dirt trail that curved through the forest towards the meadow. I've traveled that trail many times since Jake and I parted, revisiting our once sacred area. But the shrubs and other undergrowth had taken their toll on the trail, leaving only a faint line, barely visible even to the trained eye.

I could see Jake was eager to go down that way. "Let's take a break. All right?"
"Sure." Why not? Probably would never see my childhood friend again, so why not fancy his wish for a short while?

The meadow never did age, with the exception of taller grass and weeds. The pine tree was still standing perpetually in the same lonely center. Its branches were smothered in thick green leaves, providing a lofty room for shade. Jake led the way as we approached our shrine. It was the altar that compiled all our memories into one location. Here we never grew older and our friendship never departed. Here we were together again, with my attempting to covertly lust after him and his carefree relaxing.

Jake motioned me to follow him towards the tree. "Do you remember this place?"
"How could I forget?"
"You know why I love this place so much? Here I can connect with nature and be free. Here we escape from our lives. We can truly be ourselves here."
"College has taught you well, I can tell."
"What do you mean?"

"You sound like a poet. I never heard you speak like that before."
"You never heard me say a lot of things." As he said this, we sat down at the base of the trunk, Jake positioning himself much closer to me than what I recalled. I didn't take heed because I was puzzling over his recent words. He said them as if in hesitation. What did he mean that I never heard him say a lot of things?

Jake spoke again: "You know, I'm glad we could do this. It's thrilling to come here again. I miss this, this simplicity. I'm too busy with sports and school. I really considering taking a year off and settle down."
"Yeah, I know what you mean."
"You probably do. No, I know you do. I can trust you. We're old enough now, finally beyond childhood." Jake lowered his voice. "I can ask you anything, can't I?"

Was it what I thought he was going to ask? I knew I had to use very choice words here. I could again jeopardize our friendship. "Maybe."
"Hey, no matter how you answer is not going to change anything. I'll still be your friend. But if you don't want me to ask, I won't."