The road ahead was rocky. I kept my job at Winter's Quik Stop. I'd like to say I didn't let Kerry come to where I worked to seduce me again, but he did, and each time when I said I wouldn't, I did. He didn't come until I was locking up.

It would be difficult to top the first time Kerry came to work to get screwed.

During one week, Kerry came to get in my bed at Stanley's. He told me he loved me. He loved my dick. He loved what I did to him. Mostly he was doing it to me.

I was having sex because I was horny. I wouldn't stop having sex. Since I was in love with him, why not have sex with him? I knew I was going down a dead end road.

Kerry didn't say. 'I won't see Jenny again. I will be true to you.'

Without that pledge, there was no love that meant anything. My heart longed for him, and when he came to give it to me, I wouldn't say no. I was always too horny for my own good and I was too horny to look a gift horse in the mouth.

In the back of my mind, and often in the front of it, I wanted Kerry to come back on his knees saying, 'I can't live without you. I want you. I need you.'

Our love hadn't come to a screeching halt, it more like ran out of gas and rolled to a stop. I didn't know what to do about that. I didn't see Kerry for a while.

After another period where Kerry didn't come to my bed or to the store, he came in while I was stocking candy bars next to the cash register. He came right to me. I could see there was something serious on his mind.

"Hi," he said.

"Hi,' I said.

"I have a favor I need to ask you for. I don't know how to ask?"

"You never have much trouble asking for what you want," I said, in my neutral, I'm really not in love with you voice.

"In two weeks I'm marrying Jenny. Would you be my best man?"

"I am the best man when it comes down to you and me," I said without any love in my words.

"We've been best friends forever. Do this for me."

I don't know what I said. My mind went blank, but I knew I agreed.

I don't know why I agreed to do it, but it gave me a jumping off point. That day would be my final break with Kerry. He'd no longer be able to drop by for a quicky to tide him over. I knew he thought he could get me any time he wanted.

By the time I went to the church two Saturday's later, I was carrying my gym bag. I had my leather jacket I carried in my hand. I had clean socks and clean underwear in my kit. I wore my only suit with a tie I liked to the church.

After leaving my gear in the bushes near the front of the church, I went inside ten minutes before the ceremony. I said hello to several people on my way to stand by Kerry's side at the front of the church.

Kerry looked like the master of ceremonies for a luncheon at the Lions Club.

"I didn't think you were coming," Kerry said.

"I said I would," I said.

There was nothing else to say.

I didn't want to hate Kerry. I could. It wouldn't be hard, but I wasn't going to go there. I smiled and I was able to act pleased that the man I loved was finding happiness, even if it was without me.

It wasn't really like I was there. It went so fast it was a blur, and as Kerry kissed his bride and people began congratulating him, I walked to the front door and left the church.

I had my suit coat off before I reached the bushes where I left my gear. I tossed the suit jacket to one side. It was plenty warm, but I put on my leather jacket and I picked up my kit, heading for the road.

As I turned to put out my thumb, I took off my tie and tossed it into the weeds as I moved away from town. I unbuttoned the top button on my shirt.

I was backing up, thumb out, when Mr Watkins stopped for me.

"Afternoon, Joshua. Don't you look spiffy today," the music teacher said. "Where are you heading?"

"Interstate 5, Mr Watson."

He took a long look. He noticed the gym bag. He watched the road. He stopped at the south bound ramp going down to the highway.

"Thank you, Mr Watson," I said, collecting my kit to go down the ramp.

I didn't know where I might end up. Eagle Point was suddenly too small for me and Kerry Kane. I had no idea where Kerry and Jenny would live, and I didn't care. It wouldn't be anywhere close to where I was.

Turning when I reached the highway, I moved with my thumb out.

There was a place I wanted to see.

After seeing an Eddie Murphy movie a few years before. I wanted to go where it took place. It was in LA. The movie was so funny, and the place I wanted to see was so charming, I thought I would like to go there.

It wasn't my final destination. Once I went there, and saw what I wanted to see, I'd have a better idea of a direction I wanted to go in. I had a week's pay in my pocket, a change of underwear and socks in my kit, what else did a twenty year old need to start a new life?

I wasn't running away from home at twenty, but I was on the run. I didn't know where I might end up.

I'd find a place and I knew I'd be fine.


Send Rick an email at quillswritersrealm@yahoo.com

Part Two - In the Jungle Coming Soon

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"Reality Bites"

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