Date: Wed, 28 Mar 2012 23:22:10 +0100
From: Charles Wolfe <c.sportswolfe@gmail.com>
Subject: The Ultimate Man Chapter 3

      Of three things I was absolutely certain: First, Pike is
straight. Second there is something that needs to be worked out between
Zach and I. And third, I had not heard back from my dad in a while. You
know what, forget that cheesy twilight line. There were a million things
running through my head that needed taking care of. I am certain that I am
falling behind on my schoolwork. I am certain that I need to visit my
sister soon. I am certain that, yea, you get the point.

      After the events that unfolded Wednesday, I had not seen
Zach. Granted it was only Thursday but he did not come back to the hall to
sleep. Or at least not that I recall. Bryan himself was very quiet when
being around me. Every time I went to talk with him, he would only reply in
one or two word answers. It was as if my coming out to them was a huge
shock. Granted I didn't want to tell them this soon but I was not going to
deny who I am. After dealing with that growing up, I got over it real
quick.

      Classes on Thursday were simple, Biology breaking into the simple
chapters of "here is what Biology is, how is pertains to life, etc."
Basically very the same boring stuff that I learned back in high
school. Communications was decent but the professor handed us our first
project, an informative project where we talk to the class about something
that we feel strongly about.

      *****

      Practice is always the highlight of my day. I still need to purchase
a disk but am working on it. As usual I arrived a bit early, but thankfully
there were a few others there as well. Three new guys whom I had not met
before asked me if I wanted to join. Not wanting to be alone waiting I took
up the offer.

      "Hey I am Tyler. What is your name?" He was a tall red head, standing
at over 6 foot. His red hair was more of a ginger that clashed with his
black eyes. I am pretty sure that the color was more of red without the sun
shining on it. Naturally built, he had a good build to him but no enlarged
muscles to show off. I took him for the kind of guy who was content with
his body and only hit up the gym to keep in shape.

      "I'm Chris. Thanks for letting me join your group. Are you guys'
freshmen as well?" I questioned as I caught the disk being lobbed by
another member of the group.

      The guy who chucked the disk responded while stretching his arms,
"Yea, we are all first years. Actually we all live together in the same
room. My name's Terry. Tyler and I came from the same high school and
didn't want to break the friendship. It is hard to find a similar ginger
around these towns so when I found him I latched on and haven't let him go
since." Terry runs up and grabs Tyler, lifting him off the ground. Tyler
squirms and breaks free. Terry, matching his ginger hair, has fiery red
eyes. He was a bit smaller than Tyler but still decently shaped.

      The third guy of the group enjoyed the show, with a smile creasing
across his face but like me, he looked a little out of place. "I am the
third wheel to these two lovebirds. Names Derek." He reached out which we
shook. He had a strong grip, one that often might have been mistaken for a
match of strength. I let go first, feigning a sore hand. "Freshman as well
but not from around here, born and raised in Bakersfield. It was way too
hot living there so I got out while I could."

      We continued to throw for a few more minutes before Pike appeared to
start the practice. Looking around the group, I spotted Bryan chatting
quietly to Zach, both of them staring at me. When they noticed my attention
on them, they both averted their eyes. Pike went through the typical spiel,
introducing the treasurer who was not able to make it on Monday, and any
new comers. Tyler, Terry, and Derek all said hi to the group and then
melted back in. "Alright guys now that introductions are out of the way, we
will be working on our pivoting and breaking today. A simple drill to start
out on is a three man group. One person attempts to throw the disk while
one marks. The third person then catches. The marker switches with the
thrower at each toss. I have to make you guys run a little right?" Pike
smiles at us as we all move to form groups of three. Everyone manages to
get groups together and all that is left is Bryan and Zach, looking at me
as I walk up to them.

      "I know we need to talk but can we manage to get through practice
without any issues?" I ask politely as I approach them. There is
awkwardness to the group as Bryan looks at Zach then back at me. I toss the
disk to Zach, forcing him to do or say something.

      Zach catches the disk then pauses to look at it. Breaking a small
smile he states, "I might have to get over you being gay but I know that
you have a good enough arm to throw a disk straight."

      I chuckle as I accept the joke. "Well you make sure that you keep a
first grip. You remember Pike on practice Monday. A weak wrist makes for a
weak disk." I normally am not one to throw out gay jokes but given the
situation, it might be the best way to relax Zach.

      We break into our line, Bryan marking Zach first. Zach pulls a quick
fake to the left, then returns right, extending his arm and flicking the
disk before Bryan realizes what happened. Catching the disk on my end, Zach
runs up to me. "Stall one, two, three."

      I lean out to the left, putting the disk into a forehand toss but
quickly return right and backhand the disk down the line. It was a quick
toss, Zach barely missing this disk with his baseball reflexes. "Just
barely." Zach raises his fingers, showing the distance. I turn and run down
to cover Bryan. He attempts to break my force by going around me but I
smack the disk down right as it leaves his hand. We repeat the drill a few
more times, getting more fluid with each other. Zach slowly begins to relax
but I can tell there is still something on his mind that he wants to
discuss. Maybe not the time or the place if it is what I am thinking about.

      Pike walks over, playing coach and checking up on the groups. Even
though he is straight, a shame to be honest, he still has that charm and
beauty to him that makes it hard to ignore. My crush on him, while being
burst, still slightly remains, with me keeping an eye on him as he works
his way over to the three of us. "Hey you three bring it in. There is
something that I wanted to talk to you about."

      The three of us move in to the middle meeting him half way. Unsure of
what is going to be talked about, we all cluster into a group. "I don't
know if you three have had a chance to talk about yesterday but I want to
make sure everything is ok between you three." We all look at each other
then back at him, letting him continue. "I have been on both sides of the
coin, reacting like you did Zach when my own brother came out to me and
defending him later on like you did with Dan." He turns to me with a
slightly stern face. Ugh, serious conversations. "Finishing it up,
basically I am here for both of you but I will not take sides. As president
of the club, I have to make sure that everything is running smoothly." His
arms are crossed, meaning business but the stern face has been replaced by
his usual smile.

      Zach comments first, "There are things obviously that we need to sort
out but I am sure that everything will work out." Turning to me, Zach
starts to apologize, "Chris I am sorry for my actions yesterday, especially
just walking off like that. I will explain everything later. K?"

      Having not been expecting the apology, I attempt to move past it
nonchalantly, "Dude it's alright. I am sure whatever you have to say to me
could not be that bad. I have been through it all, well most of it." Making
the best of the situation, and to show Pike that everything was ok, I put
out my hand to shake. Zach returns the grip, making Pike's smile grow even
larger.

      "Ok now that we are a team again, let's put that to use." Pike turns
to the other groups and calls them together, "Hey I know that it is a
little early but let's go into some games." A small cheer erupts from the
crowd. "As there are 10 of us here, we will split down the middle. Two
experienced with the freshmen." Pike drops into our group as we start to
play five on five games.

      After the practice, we all huddle around Pike for the closing
comments. He is clearly tired, but as are the rest of us. The mud seemed to
have packed onto us today, several of us peeling strips from our legs and
arms. "I know that the semester has just started but I wanted to give you a
heads up on a tourney that we regularly participate in. The "Fall Frisbee
Tourney" is held at the end of September, switching every year between
college campuses allowing for us to compete against each other. This year
we are playing at our main rivals, Fullerton. It has been a bitter rivalry
between the two schools, normally one of us coming in first the other
second."

      Pike strips off his shirt revealing his amazing body; the abs which
are forever off limits for me showing clearly. Not allowing me enough time
to enjoy the sight, he changes back into his street clothes. "As you can
tell with us having such a small group, this year it will be a bit harder
for us. We will be playing outside which means we need seven on the field
at all time. That allows for us three subs throughout the entire
weekend. Over the next few weeks I will be watching you all, figuring out
who the starting seven will be. That is pretty much it." The group asks a
few small questions but in a few minutes we are all heading out in our own
directions.

      It doesn't take Bryan, Zach and I to return to the hall. I had
completely forgotten about the "conversation" that we were going to have so
while the other two pull up a chair to start the talk, I inattentively pack
my toiletries together. "Chris, do you mind sitting down so we can get this
out of the way? I don't think that Zach will be too long, or at least I
hope he isn't so I can take a shower as well." I turn around to see Bryan
playfully punch Zach on the shoulder.

      Zach looks slightly uncomfortable as he squirms in his desk
chair. Bryan moves back to the center of the room, unwittingly looking like
a moderator between the two of us. I place my wrapped up towel on top of my
cluttered desk, then sit in the chair backwards. "So what do we need to
discuss?" I eye Zach before turning my gaze to Bryan.

      Zach, slightly looking cute which squirming around, starts off,
"There are many reasons why I responded the way that I did, all of which
are unacceptable. I should have talked to you right there but my fear took
the better part of me and I needed to think things over. First off, you are
the second gay guy that I have ever met. The first was my cousin who was
put into a "conversion camp" when he came out."

      Zach looks down at his fingers and starts fiddling with his
fingers. "My parents are hardcore republicans and the entire family über
Christians. I was really close to my cousin but when he came out of the
camp, he was changed. With our bond, we were still close and he confided in
me that he was still gay but something had changed in him. I had been told
basically from that moment that if I was ever caught hanging out with any
gays, there might be a strong suspicion that I might be as well. That was
the biggest reason why I walked away."

      Totally aghast, I looked at Bryan to make sure that Zach was telling
me the truth. Bryan nodded his head at me. Clearing my voice, "Well if you
touch any of my pens, I can assure you that the gay virus will spread to
you. That is our secret weapon on how we convert straights." I crack a
smile at him, trying to ease up the situation. Working back into the
seriousness though I carry on, "When it comes to the Republican Party,
there has always been a large hatred against the gays. That is slightly
changing, with the advent of the Log Cabin Republicans and such. The
factions within the party are realizing that there are slightly bigger
issues at stake than fighting against a group that they could use as
voters.

      As for the whole `conversion camps', I cannot talk too much about
them. Statistics show that they don't generally work and not only that but
it has been compared to torture in certain cases. Personally my dad had
brought up the option when I first came out, as he was in denial of me
being gay. My sister and I both protested so much that we got him to change
his tone real fast."

      Realizing that slight similarity, Bryan poses a question for me. His
interest in my background has perked up a bit. "How is it for your dad,
being a General in the army and all? I mean with the whole Don't Ask, Don't
Tell finally being repealed he doesn't need to worry about it as much but
still prior to that there must have been some conflict."

      Choosing my words carefully, "It was hard at first. I came out when I
was 14, so freshman year in high school. I hid it from him for a while but
he began to wise up. He confronted me and if my sister was not there, I
actually don't know what I would have done or said. At his functions where
my sister and I attend, I keep it close to the chest, very few know, maybe
a few of his friends. The Army didn't seem to have an issue with having a
gay or lesbian child, just you couldn't be gay yourself." Shrugging my
shoulders, I gaze back at Zach. He has loosened up a little. "So where does
that leave us? I am not going to lie about who I am but as you guys saw, I
am not the kind who just flaunts it to everyone."

      Zach smiles at me faintly, "Well we do need to discuss who gets the
room for sex, should any of us get lucky. It may be weird at first but I
will get over it eventually."

      Bryan claps his hands and beams, "Now we are talking, enough of this
serious talk. I propose 2 nights a month for anyone who gets lucky. That
allows for us to all have equal share. Just have a heads up for those of us
who strike out that night." Bryan moves over to his drawers and starts
gathering his stuff for a shower.

      "Clearly you have been thinking about this for a while Bryan." I leer
at him. Zach has moved out of his chair and started gathering his things as
well.

      "Well so far, he is the only one of us to have gotten slightly
lucky. Though I do wonder how long this love interest will string him
along." Zach laughs as he punches Bryan.

      Bryan only grins as he heads out the door towards the showers. Before
Zach leaves, I call to him, "So we cool?"

      "Yea, everything is cool. Just keep your pens to yourself." Zach
grins mischievously as he heads out the door, trailing Bryan. Well the
balance has been restored. Slightly.

      *****

      The next two weeks went by as to be expected. Classes were dragging
on, nothing really important happening. English was the highpoint of it
all, moving into a figurative language section. We were assigned to find
and read a novel that was rich in styling. It was hard at first but I opted
for The Great Gatsby. Seemed to do the job, and having read it already in
high school it was not that hard to skim through it looking for
quotes. Practice was going well, Pike showing interest in me, more for my
ability than anything but still I had his attention so I was happy. Zach
and I had gotten a bit more relaxed around each other, hanging out more
when eating dinner and studying. He is taking a similar biology class so I
refer to him a lot when I get stumped on what chemical formation makes what
plant or how things react in certain situations. Things seemed to be going
alright for the semester.

      At the Monday before the tourney, Pike informed us that it was our
last practice. "I have been watching all of you guys for the duration of
the month and have decided the starting line up for the tourney. It will be
Zach, Bryan, Rachel, Sarah, Derek, Tyler, and Chris. Since this is our last
practice, what we will be focusing on mostly is pivoting and cuts. The
entire session will be five on five games but instead of running, we will
be walking. This will also allow for us to train certain patterns out." I
was stoked when I heard my name called. Practice went well, five of the
starting group going against the executives and the subs. It was good to
have the subs with Pike, Sarah and Rachel as it allowed for them to train
up as well.

      When practice was over, we were tired but excited for the
weekend. "Even though the game is this weekend and I can see you are all
stoked for it, don't forget to focus on your classes as well. There will be
a pasta party at a restaurant the night before so keep an eye out for that
on Facebook." Pike looked at all of us, a proud grin on his face. While it
was only a month since the semester started, we all have come far in our
skill.

      Before Bryan, Zach and I broke off from the group, I dug through my
backpack for my phone and keys. Keys to get back into the hall and phone to
see if there were any messages. I still have not heard back from dad and I
was beginning to get worried. It is not like him to go this long without
communication. Seeing Ally had called me, I dialled voicemail and listened
as we started walking back.

      "Hey Chris, this is your sis. We need to talk. It has to do with
dad. If you could make it to Fullerton, that would be great." Sent a half
hour ago, great. I felt a slight lump in my stomach as I began to think of
all the situations that could have happened to the General.

      "Hey guys I am going to have to catch up with you later. Something
has come up with my sister. I need to get over to Fullerton State." I
comment to the guys. Looking around for Pike, I see him off in the distance
heading for the parking lot. Before Bryan or Zach has a chance to say
anything I am running over to Pike. "Hey Pike, do you think you could drive
me over to Fullerton State? I know it is a little last minute but I need a
ride and you were the first I thought of."

      Pike turns to me and shrugs his shoulders. "Yea sure. Everything ok?"
We walk up to a beaten little Ford Focus, a typical college car and Pike
unlocks the doors.

      "I don't know. I have been trying to reach my dad for the last few
weeks and I just got a call from my sister saying something has
happened. She wanted me to come to Fullerton to talk. Thank you a lot for
driving me." I jump in the front seat and place my backpack at my
feet. Pike's car is remarkably clean, a few papers in the back seat with
books intertwined. The drive over is silent, more due to my fault than
Pike's. My mind could not get over scenarios happening to my dad. I had
called Ally when leaving the campus but it immediately went to
voicemail. How I hate phone tag, it is one of my biggest pet peeves.

      I am interrupted in my thoughts by Pike who simply says, "Well we're
here." He seems to have figured out that I am not in a talkative mood,
keeping it short and simple. Not sure of where to be let off, he got me as
close to the housing office as he could.

      I open the door and look around. "Thanks for doing this. I will make
it up to you somehow." Students bustle into their respective halls, as it
is getting late in the day. Most have gotten dinner by this time so it is
not a surprise to see so many lingering around. "Well I will let you go
before you get jumped for showing the Long Beach sticker." I smile at him
as I shut the door.

      "Take care and let me know how things go ok? I am always here for
you." Pike smiles back at me as he puts the Focus in gear and starts moving
away. I wave at him as he turns out of the lot.

      Well now where to go. Ally told me early on that she lived in the
Birch hall. I wander around the housing complex till I find a map showing
the hall. Of course it would happen that I walked up to the map and it
showed it as being on the other side of the residence area. Even though I
knew I fit in here, I still felt a little out of place.

      Most of all the students wore the "California State University,
Fullerton" jackets and here I am standing in a simple Nike jacket. Thankful
I didn't bring my Long Beach jacket, I start to work my way towards Birch
hall. Once I get there, I realize that I am not able to get in. Just like
Long Beach, there is a lock on the front door. I pull out my phone and try
to ring my sister but again it goes to voicemail. Settling for second best,
I send her a text letting her know I am standing outside.

      About five minutes later, I notice a guy walking towards me. Trying
to look like I fit here, I pull out my phone and start fiddling with the
screen. As he gets closer I look up at him and simply smile. Uttering a
simple hi, I avoid his gaze as much as possible. He is really cute, with
his short blond hair being surrounded by a pink head band. I lock onto his
sky blue eyes as he says something to me.

      "What?" I ask again, actually focusing on his words instead of his
physic. From the looks of it he had just gotten back from a run, the sweat
showing on the black Adidas shirt.

      "You forget your card to get in? It happens to me all the time." The
guy pulls a card out from his shorts and presses it against the reader next
to the door. His smile reminds me of Pike but something is different about
this man.

      Debating on whether to lie and say yes or tell the truth, I go with
the truth, so as not to get him in trouble. It would be bad for him to let
me in and possibly get him kicked out. "Nah, I am visiting my sister. She
lives on the third floor but I seem to be having trouble getting in contact
with her."

      He chuckles and replies "It happens all the time. This building has
one of the worst signal receptions out of the entire campus. I personally
say that it is the bricks but who really knows? Come on in, I will take you
there." The guy opens the door and motions for me to walk in. His arms
slightly flex under the strain of the door. Either he is trying to impress
me or the spring to close the door is really tight.

      He squeezes past me, the smell of his sweat filling my nostrils. I
stand there for a quick second before he again gestures for me to follow
him. "I don't bite, I swear. I am more of a nibbler anyways." He lets out a
small chuckle at that statement.

      Following him cautiously, he leads me to the elevator. "So what is
your name, sexy?" He presses the button and turns to look at me.

      Caught off guard by the "sexy" comment, I simply respond "Chris
Jakobs." I start to blush at him, just with him looking at me.

      "Jakobs? Your sister is Ally Jakobs?" The guy tilts his head at me,
squinting his eyes. He crosses his arms, briefly showing off his biceps.

      "Umm yea, why? Also what is your name Mr. Generous?" I play at his
game, smiling back. Crossing my arms, I lean up against the wall. Something
in my head rings that this guy is gay. Damn if only he went to Long
Beach. The elevator opens and we shuffle inside.

      "My name is Kyle. Kyle Thomas. Sorry, I should have introduced myself
early on. Everyone knows each other in this building so getting a new face
is kind of a good thing. Makes it far and few to find someone who I have
not met. As for your sister, she is the hall advisor for the top two
floors. I live on the top floor." The elevator opens again at the third
floor, Kyle moving out first then me. He places his hand on my arm and
points in the direction we will be heading. "So what year are you? I am a
freshman here."

      Walking down the hallway, I look over at him. "Same here, freshman."
Right before I am able to tell him what college I go to, we arrive at my
sisters door.

      "Well I got you here, safe and sound." He knocks on the door before I
am able to and smiles at me. "Hope to catch you around sometime." Kyle
starts walking away as Ally opens the door.

      "Hey you made it! Who let you in?" She peeks outside her door and
see's Kyle walking away. "Kyle! You know the rules on letting people in
here." Ally shouts down the hall to Kyle who in turn spins and smiles one
last smile before heading up the stairs. "Come in, come in."

      Her room is simple. A dual bed room, though her roommate is
out. Ally's side is closest to the elevator. The beds are situated against
the walls and the desks share the window. Ally pulls up a chair for me to
sit on then moves over to her bed.

      Starting off in a rapid fire, "So what happened to dad? Why have I
not been able to get in contact with him lately? And why were you contacted
instead of me?" I drop my backpack against her bed and take the seat.

      Ally looks at me solemnly. "Chris. He has been shot. He survived but
still is in the hospital back in Afghanistan. He was hit pretty badly. Two
other men died in the attack. His laptop got destroyed in the altercation
and it was only a week ago that he was able to get access to a laptop."

      My heart drops to the bottom of my chest. Having been raised strong,
tears are not in my eyes but I still feel the anguish. I sit in silence for
a few seconds before asking "What is going to happen now?"

      "Well the group that attacked the General was thankfully not part of
the Taliban so they will attempt to restructure the negotiations. He will
be filled in with another general and transferred home. The brief message
that I received from him said that he was coming home in a month. Just
enough time for him to wrap things up there." Ally looks at me, and then
came in to hug me. I still sit there stunned that he has been injured. He
had always played it safe during the war, reporting back in even if he had
been shot. This time was different though. Going almost a month without
contact was not like him.

      "Where all was he injured?" I ask Ally in a quiet tone. Images start
to form in my head, rapid fire shots of lost arms, missing legs, eye
patches.

      "Thankfully only the left shoulder and lower right leg. Some shrapnel
hit him in the arm but it was not enough to do much damage. Since it is a
little late to head home, you want to stay here tonight? I know you didn't
bring anything but I can go ask Kyle if he could spare some clothes. He
looks to be your size." Ally looks into my eyes and holds my
hands. "Everything will be ok. Trust me."

      Ally heads out for a few minutes to find Kyle and returns with some
pajamas. Grabbing her toiletries, she leads me down to the showers. Making
sure it is all clear, she lets me shower. As I shower I start to break down
a little. Tears still have not come out yet but the weight of what has
happened begins to show. I feel as if I should have done more.

      Not really talking much, Ally takes her roommate's bed as I take
hers. The smell of Ally's pillow, added with the faint aroma of Kyle's
clothes, breaks me down. Sobbing quietly I start to drift off.