Date: Sun, 18 Jan 2009 19:28:23 -0500
From: Morris Henderson <bigmoh@post.com>
Subject: a_rocky_road_chapter_9

A ROCKY ROAD

CHAPTER NINE

On Wednesday of the following week, TJ received a
phone call from Richie, a senior and his best friend
on the swim team.  They chatted for nearly twenty
minutes about their summer activities and other teen-
centered concerns before Richie said, "It'll be an
awesome year, TJ.  I think we'll have a great season.
We did all right last year but I think we'll make it
to the State finals this year."

TJ faced a dilemma.  Should he tell Richie that he
wouldn't be competing?  Surely, Richie would ask why.
Then he would either have to lie or tell the truth
about why he would not be on the team.  Since Richie
had been his best friend for three years and because
he no longer feared that his parents would learn his
secret, he decided to come out to his friend and hope
that it wouldn't destroy their friendship.

"I'll be cheering for you but I won't be on the team
this year."

"What?" Richie exclaimed.  "You can't quit on us!"

"I'm not quitting.  The coach kicked me off the team."

"What?" Richie yelled.  "You're our best swimmer!
You're a shoo-in for captain.  What the fuck was he
thinking?"

"He's thinking that I will corrupt the team.  He found
out that I'm gay and said he wouldn't have a queer fag
in the locker room, the shower, or the pool."

There was a period of silence on the phone that seemed
to TJ like it was much longer than it actually was.

"You're shitting me, aren't you?" Richie laughed.  "No
way are you gay!"

"It's the truth, Richie.  I'm gay.  And the coach is a
bigot.  Those two things just don't go together."

Another pause before Richie asked, "You're serious?
Are you really gay?"

"Really."

"But you aren't ..." Richie cut off his sentence.

"I'm not what?  Effeminate?  Artsy?  Touchy-feely?
Those are the stereotypes, Richie, but don't be fooled
by them.  Lots of guys are gay, even some who you
think are macho pussy-chasers."

"Christ, TJ!  I've known you for three years.  We've
palled around together.  As well as I know you, I
never suspected."

"Neither did my parents.  I came out to them last
weekend.  Mom was cool but Dad threw a fit and has
hardly spoken to me since.  So how do you feel about
having a gay friend, Richie?  Or are we no longer
friends now?"

"Of course we're friends, asshole.  I still think
you're smart, a great athlete, and a helluva lot of
fun to be with.  I'm not going to stand by and let the
coach screw you over ... oops ... I didn't mean it
that way.  I'm not going to let the coach kick you off
the team."

"His mind is made up, Richie.  There's nothing you or
I can do about it."

"I can fucking-well try, God damn it.  All I need is
for you to answer one question.  Is it all right with
you if I go to bat for you?"

"It won't do any good!  I tried to change his mind but
he wouldn't even listen to me.  My Mom said she had
friends on the Board of Education but I asked her not
to.  I didn't want a big, political fight over me."

"Trust me, TJ.  I'm not going to let my best friend --
and the best swimmer on the team -- get screwed.
Oops, there I go again.  What I meant was that coach
can't get away with that kind of bull shit."

"I appreciate your offer, Richie, but I'll be all
right.  Not swimming with you guys will be a
disappointment but I'll just have to live with it."

"The hell you do!  Friends are friends, right?  Which
reminds me. I'm having a little party Friday night
with the team, which is why I called.  I'd very much
like you to be there.  Technically, you're still on
the team until school starts next week.  I know the
guys would want you to be there."

Friday and Saturday nights were special to TJ because
those were the nights he could spend with Neil.
"Thanks for the invitation but I ... well ... I have
plans for Friday night."

"Change `em, God damn it!  It won't be the same
without you."

"Richie, I'm going to level with you.  Not only am I
gay but I have a boyfriend.  From Friday night to
Sunday afternoon is the only time we have together."

"OH!" Richie exclaimed.  "I see.  Does `together' mean
... like ... `together'?"

"Draw your own conclusions," TJ answered.  It was hard
to tell his friend that he was gay but he was not
ready to reveal any information about what he and Neil
did together.

"Anybody I know?" Richie asked.

"I don't think so although you may have seen him
watching a couple of swim practices."

"I think I have.  Does he drive a blue Civic?  The guy
that drove you to the practices and home again?"

"Yes."

"Fine.  Bring him along."

"But you said it was just for the team."

"I'm sure the other guys won't mind.  And if it means
having you there, then we want you both.  Say yes
because if you don't, I'll hound you until you agree
to be there."

"I'll like to check with Neil.  I'll let you know
later tonight.  Okay?"

"Okay.  But persuade him.  We really want you there,
TJ."

TJ hung up and immediately called Neil.  After
summarizing the conversation with Richie, Neil said,
"It's a shame there are not more people like that.
Just the opposite of your coach."

"Yes," TJ replied.  "Remember what Ramon said?  Expect
the unexpected.  I was afraid Richie would hang up and
then ignore me in school but it didn't seem to bother
him in the least.  He even invited me to a team party
on Friday night.  I explained that was about the only
time I had together with my boyfriend.  Now get this!
He seemed pleased that I had a boyfriend!  He even
demanded that I bring you to the party.  I don't know
how you feel about it.  Should I not go to the party,
go alone, or would you go with me?"

"I'll answer your question, TJ, but first, I would
like to know what your preference is."

"Here's one of those `be honest with your partner'
moments, isn't it?  Well, what I want most is to be
with you.  A close second is to go to the party.
Therefore, my preference is for us both to go to the
party."

"I figured you'd say that.  Now it's my turn to be
honest.  I'm hesitant about going to the party because
it's for your swim team.  I would be an outsider.  At
the same time, I know how much your team mates mean to
you.  A party seems like a great way to be with them
for the last time.  All things considered, I think we
should go to the party together.  Maybe that's one of
the things we'll have to get used to: going places and
doing things with other people."

"Thanks, Neil.  For agreeing to go and for giving me
another reason to love you."

The original plans for the weekend were that TJ would
drive to campus.  He and Neil would then spend time on
and around campus and, of course, a lot of time making
love in his dorm room.  Those plans changed little by
attending the team party.  TJ picked up Neil on Friday
night in time for them to stop for a pizza dinner
before the party.

On the drive to Richie's house, TJ gave Neil a summary
of who he would meet at the party -- names, physical
descriptions, and a few facts about their school
activities.  It did a lot to make Neil feel
comfortable among strangers.  In fact, it took less
than twenty minutes for Neil to feel totally at ease.

They had also agreed that Neil would be introduced as
a `friend' and they would be particularly careful not
to give any sign of their true relationship.

They arrived at Richie's house at seven and were
ushered downstairs to the very large family room.  All
but two of the team members were already there and the
stragglers arrived shortly after.  TJ introduced Neil
to the group as `a friend' and, over the next several
minutes, introduced each of the team members to Neil.
Most of them, in meeting Neil, had something nice to
say about TJ, which both pleased and embarrassed TJ.

To the accompaniment of typical teen music from the CD
player, the party goers broke into small groups for
talking, joking, and laughing.  A sudden feeling came
over TJ when he realized this would be the last time
he would be among a group of boys for whom he held
more affection than he had previously realized.

TJ and Neil stayed together until Neil became
engrossed in conversation with a team member whose
father was a music professor.  TJ took the opportunity
to seek out Richie.

It was just before eight when he was able to speak to
Richie alone.  "I wanted to thank you again for
inviting me and Neil.  It's great to be with all the
guys.  I'm going to miss that.  But I can't believe
you got the whole team here.  Didn't anybody have
other plans for tonight?"

"A few had plans," Richie replied.  "But they changed
their plans to be here.  And you're wrong about
everybody being here.  The final guest is due to
arrive at eight."

"But nobody is missing," TJ countered.  "The whole
team is here."

"It's a surprise guest."  Richie dramatically looked
at his watch and continued, "He's due any minute.  If
you don't mind, I'll go upstairs to let him in."

With that, Richie walked away, ignoring TJ's puzzled
question, "Who is it?"

TJ found Neil fixing himself another diet Dr. Pepper
and whispered, "Something strange is going on, Neil.
Richie says he's invited a special guest but he won't
tell me who it is."

Neil looked puzzled but was completely confused when
the door bell chimed, somebody turned off the music,
and two team members dragged TJ away.  They led him to
the sofa and told him to sit in the middle.  The rest
of the team sat on either side of TJ, sat on the floor
in front of the sofa or stood behind it.  TJ was
surrounded by his former team mates and was thoroughly
confused.  Neil was escorted over to stand with those
behind the sofa.

"What the hell is going on?" TJ demanded but his team
mates just smiled at him and said nothing.  He tried
to stand up and leave the obviously conspiring group
but he was gently and firmly restrained.  TJ grew
suddenly anxious and convinced himself that his team
mates were about to spring some malicious practical
joke, probably because Richie told them that he and
Neil were queer.

Neil was also nervous and a little afraid that
whatever the group had planned would embarrass or hurt
TJ.  He couldn't predict what might happen so he was
at a loss to know how to protect his lover.

Just then, they saw Richie come down the stairs.

Followed by the coach!

"Oh my God," TJ blurted out almost unconsciously as
panic began to overtake him.

"Thank you for coming," Richie said before Coach
Harris noticed that TJ was in the group.  The
flabbergasted coach was so surprised to see the team
surrounding TJ that he hardly heard Richie's next
words.  "We asked you to come here tonight, coach
because we have something important to tell you."

"It better be important," the coach said while glaring
at TJ.

"It is," Richie replied.  "But before I get into the
details, I should tell you that TJ and his friend Neil
didn't know a thing about why I asked you here.  They
are as surprised to see you as you are to see them.
Now, to the main point of asking you come here
tonight.  It's our understanding that you have kicked
TJ off the team.  Is that right?"

"Yes," the coach answered defiantly.

"And would you give the team your reason?"

The coach looked menacingly at Richie and said, "I
don't have to!"

"No," Richie said calmly.  "You don't have to because
we already know.  You found out that TJ is gay.
Correct me if I'm wrong but you told him that you
wouldn't have a queer in the locker, in the showers,
or in the pool.  Is that the essence of what you
said?"

The coach was visibly shaken by the confrontation but
managed to say, "Whatever I said to TJ was a private
conversation.  What's more, I'm responsible not only
for your performance in meets but for your morals
while under my charge.  Is that clear enough for you?"

"Eminently clear, coach.  Now let's talk about
performance.  Would you agree that TJ is the best
swimmer on the team, that he consistently surpasses
expectations, and that he is dedicated to the team?"

"He's a good swimmer," the coach grudgingly
acknowledged

"He's more than good, coach.  I speak for the entire
team when I say he's the best swimmer among us."

"That's right!" three team members said in unison.

"Now," Richie continued, "Let's talk about the
morality issue.  Can you tell us one instance where TJ
has said or done anything inappropriate during
practice or a meet?  Did you have any reason to
suspect TJ was a bad influence on the morals of the
team?"

The coach didn't know what to say because there had
never been the slightest suspicion that TJ was gay.
In desperation, he said, "He's homosexual!"

"We know that, coach.  Or at least we do now.  But
none of us suspected it until just two days ago.  My
question stands: Has there been any evidence at all
over the past three years that TJ was corrupting our
morals?"

"No," the coach said softly.

"Then let me summarize, if I may.  TJ is your best
team member, perhaps the one that makes the difference
between winning and losing a meet.  Neither you nor
any of us have had the slightest reason to suspect
that he's gay -- no inappropriate behavior in the
locker room or shower, no suggestive remarks to any of
us about homosexuality, nothing at all!"

The defeated coach recognized that he could offer
nothing in his defense.  He had to concede that
Richie's arguments were valid.  Still, he clung to his
belief that homosexuality was abnormal and sinful.
Before he could state his case, however, Richie
continued, "Now we come to the second and final reason
we asked you here tonight, coach.  I've spent the last
two days talking to every team member.  A few were
reluctant but eventually we reached a unanimous
decision.  If TJ doesn't swim, neither do we!"
Turning then to the team, he said, "Is that right
guys?"

A thunderous chorus of `Yes!' and `Right' echoed in
the room.

TJ had been listening in disbelief at what had been
going on.  When Richie announced that the entire team
would quit, he couldn't believe it.  But he had to;
the ultimatum was unambiguous.  The astonishing turn
of events put him close to tears and it took his best
effort to hold them back.  Only by extraordinary force
of will power, he managed to say, "Don't do this,
guys.  You don't have to give up swimming because of
me."

His protest was greeted with `Shut up, TJ!' `We've all
agreed,' `Right is right!' and other words of support.

Neil was equally dumbstruck by the support of the
team.  It was, he thought, yet another confirmation of
TJ's superior character and his athletic ability.

"Now," Richie concluded, "You have a decision to make
coach.  Do you want a team of experienced swimmers
with TJ as captain of the team or do you want the
resignation of everybody here?"

The coach recognized that he had only one choice.
"All right, TJ can swim."  Cheers erupted from the
team.  When it was quiet again, the coach got in one
final jab.  Glaring at TJ, he said, "I'll be watching
you, young man.  One word ... one slip up ... even a
hint of inappropriate behavior or language and you're
toast!"

The coach then turned around abruptly and walked out
of the room and up the stairs, ignoring Richie's
"Thanks, coach" that was echoed by several team
members.

"Let's celebrate!" one of the team yelled and, one by
one, they inundated TJ with words of encouragement
before refilling their glasses and resuming the
festivities.

As soon as he could, TJ got Richie aside and said, "I
told you on the phone not to do anything!"

"Wrong, dude!  You never told me not to.  What you
said is that it wouldn't do any good.  But I had to
try.  I had to do whatever I could to help a friend."

"So the whole team knows I'm gay!" TJ said.

"Yes.  And I think it's clear from tonight how much
difference it makes.  We all admire and like you, TJ."
Then Richie retreated from what, for him, was an
unaccustomed expression of affection and joked, "Even
though you're a fag."

They both laughed and rejoined the party.

A few minutes later, TJ called out, "Guys, I've got
something to say to all of you."  The chatter stopped.
Everyone turned to look at TJ.

>From a corner of the room, a voice shouted, "No
speech!  Spare us!  This is a party!"  Raucous
laughter filled the room.

"Hey!" TJ shot back.  "When you kept me prisoner on
the sofa, somebody told me to shut up.  And I did.
Now, I won't shut up.  I can't begin to tell you how
much I appreciate what you've done -- especially you,
Richie.  Each of you took a huge risk.  You stood up
to bigotry and won a victory for tolerance.  I've
never been more proud of being on the team.  If
there's anything I can do to repay my debt to you, let
me know."

"My car needs washing," someone called out.  "Will you
do my math homework for me?" another voice said.  "How
about babysitting my little brat sister?"  Each
comment was met by a round of laughter.

"Hold on, guys," TJ exclaimed.  "I see you're in no
mood to be serious.  Let the party resume!"

On the drive back to campus, Neil said, "What the team
did tonight was magnificent!  You've got some genuine
friends on the team, especially Richie.  And you know
what?  It proves how much they all admire you.  It's
more proof that I'm the luckiest guy in the world to
have you as a boy friend."

"Wrong, Neil!  Second-luckiest!"

"I'll compromise.  We'll call it a tie."

After a few minutes of silence, TJ said, "I can't
believe it.  When they surrounded me on the sofa, I
was sure that they were going to play a joke at my
expense ... or the secret guest would be a minister to
give me a sermon on the evils of homosexuality.  Then,
when I saw the coach, my heart sank.  But the way they
stood up to him was, like you said, magnificent.  All
my fears vanished.  I couldn't be more proud of them,
especially Richie."

"A very wise friend of ours, TJ, told us to expect the
unexpected.  Tonight was certainly unexpected.

"I wonder what's in store for us now.  Will my father
soften his attitude?  Will your brother?  Will the
coach find some devious way to punish me?  What will
be the next crisis we face, Neil?"

"I wish I knew," Neil replied.  "Only one thing we can
count on: our love and support for each other."

To be continued.