To Want A Guy Like Me

To Want A Guy Like Me

by Zan Hough

The calendar flipped to July, and in no time at all, the Ionia Free Fair was here. This was a big deal across Michigan and beyond because people came from all over for the Free Fair, including politicians, national talent such as country music stars, and celebrities of all walks. This was a place to be seen, promoted, discovered, or elected. It was Kevin’s first time, and he didn’t expect such a big deal. Vince Gill was on stage when they arrived, so there were wall-to-wall people.

“This is your first. Your first is always the best,” said Curt.

“Oh my gosh, that’s right, Kevin. You’ve never been to the fair! Said Sarah.

Also, there were Reby, Nelson, David, and Joyce. Joyce was constantly looking around like she was expecting someone. She could be very mysterious and didn’t like the rest of the group to get ahead of anything she was up to until she was ready to talk about it.

“Could I steal Curt away to ride the Ferris wheel?” Sarah asked. “Sure,” Kevin said. “Should I be concerned?” he asked jokingly. Sarah put her arm around Curt’s right elbow with her shoulder up to his as they walked away.

Standing next to Nelson, Kevin softly put his arm around Nelson’s elbow for humor’s sake, and Nelson didn’t even flinch.

“Man!” said Nelson without even looking at Kevin. Kevin retracted his arm comically while everyone else snickered.

“I wonder what that was about,” said Kevin.

“Sarah is just a natural mom, and I think it’s just her way of checking in since she doesn’t see him as much anymore,” said Nelson.

Sarah handed two tickets to the operator, and they got on the Ferris wheel.

“What’s up, sugar lump?” said Curt as they were seated and a bar lowered.

“I just wanted to check in with you since we rarely see each other lately. Things look like they are progressing with Kevin,” said Sarah.

“Yeah, we don’t really label anything so far; I guess we are just seeing where this goes,” said Curt. “Kevin says he doesn’t want to pressure me while I figure things out.”

“You can tell me to butt out anytime you want, and you know that. Right? Said Sarah.

“Yeah,” said Curt.

“I just want to make sure no one is giving you a hard time. I overheard Matt Lourdes the other day talking smack, and I wanted to make sure you knew you had all of us behind you if you ever need us.” Sarah said.

“My gosh. What did he say?” asked Curt.

“I think he may have picked up on you and Kevin getting close, and he seems to have a beef with the Woodwards. I wouldn’t think too much about it, but you should be aware that things may be slightly more obvious than you think.” Sarah said.

“Yeah, that’s probably true. Kevin is from a place where things are much more open, so he will reach for my hand around the wrong people. Maybe I need to talk to him about it?” Curt said.

“Maybe, just be open with him about what is comfortable for you. Like you said, he just doesn’t know. Most people forget that he’s openly gay. I think some people are confused by what they perceive as your ‘friendship.’” Sarah explained. “And you don’t owe them any explanation, or me, or anyone for that matter.”

“Thanks, Sarah. I really appreciate you. Since starting high school, I’ve been surrounded by upperclassmen and navigating social stuff I wasn’t prepared for. No one could have ever prepared me for meeting someone like Kevin.” Curt said.

“Kevin is unique, especially for Saranac,” Sarah chuckled.

As they exited the Ferris wheel and found the group again, they saw Kevin talking to Matt Lourdes, who was surrounded by several friends. They were all wearing red letterman jackets, which looked incredibly odd to Kevin since it was July. They just seemed to want to make a statement about who they were. As Sarah and Curt got closer, they started to hear the conversation.

“All I’m saying is that you seem to be spending a lot of time together. It’s starting to look suspicious.” Matt said.

“Suspicious?” Kevin replied.

“Oh look … Your special guy is back. Hey, Curt, I was starting to think you guys broke up when I didn’t see you together,” Matt said in a demeaning tone.

“You’re not going to want to go there, Matt,” Curt said, somewhat stunning Kevin and their friends. “Back away and go find someone else to be a dick to.”

Matt was two years older than Curt and about 4” taller. Kevin had never seen Curt stand up for himself before, and he loved this but was ready to defend him if needed.

“Or what?!” asked Matt aggressively.

“Or I’ll quit the team,” Curt said sternly.

Kevin stepped in and whispered to Curt if he would walk away with him. Curt let Kevin put his arm around his chest and guide him away.

“Take your Clydesdale ass and your fucking winter wool coat away from me, and don’t forget what I just said,” Curt said as he was walking backward as Kevin guided him away.

As they got out of Matt’s line of sight, Kevin guided them around the side of a pop-up tent with a little more privacy.

“Are you okay?” Kevin asked. “It was pretty hot that you stood up to him like that, but I don’t want you to quit basketball over this.”

“I wouldn’t have to quit. I’m just tired of his BS. He said some really awful things that night before I showed up on your porch for harvest. But I wouldn’t have to quit. He knows that if I went to Coach Moore and told him that I was leaving, they would take him off as captain. Maybe even off the team if it was bad enough. He’s a shit player; he just has seniority, and he knows it.”

“That’s why he didn’t challenge you after you said that?” Kevin asked.

“Yup. He knows he’s on thin ice but thinks he can bully his way through everything. I need some space for a bit. I’ll catch up with you later.” Curt said.

“Wait, are you leaving?” Kevin asked.

“I’ll catch up with you in a bit,” Curt said, walking away.

Kevin returned to the group, and everyone was asking where Curt was.

“I don’t know. He just said he needed some space. I had to honor it, but I don’t like that Matt Lourdes and his pack of dog boys are walking around, and Curt is alone.” Kevin said. “Plus, it’s going to get dark soon.”

The group rode a few rides, and Kevin sat them out, hoping Curt would return. At 8:30 pm, about an hour and a half after he stepped away, Curt sat down at the table where Kevin was waiting for their friends to finish on the drunken barrels ride, similar to the teacups, but with barrels instead.

“Thank you for giving me some time,” Curt said.

“It takes everything in me not to tackle you on days like these,” Kevin said lovingly. “I know you can care for yourself, but I want to ensure you’re okay.”

“I’m fine,” Curt said.

“For now, I will take your word for it and leave it at that,” Kevin said. “I care about you,” Kevin said.

“I know,” said Curt. “The fireworks are about to -”

“It’s almost time, everyone. The fireworks will start in 5 minutes,” said the announcer over the loudspeaker.

“That?” said Kevin, chuckling.

“Yes, that,” said Curt, smiling. “Want to join me for a boom-fest?”

“Only for you,” said Kevin. “I’m still really turned on that you told Matt to go fuck himself.”

They found their friends and packed in tightly with the crowd. Kevin stood by Curt’s side with his arm around his shoulders.

“Crazy” by Icehouse started playing for the show, and the cannons shot up the fireworks into the air.

Music Playing:

“Well, you’ve gotta be crazy, baby

To want a guy like me.”

Curt grabbed Kevin’s hand and pulled him away from the crowd.

“While I was alone, I found something,” said Curt.

“Oh?” asked Kevin.

The carnies running the fair set up camp around the back of the game tents with a small fire. They could still hear the music.

Music playing:

“...could be I’m happy and sad

could be I’m losing my head

over you.”

There was no judgment from the workers, and they watched the show with them. Curt turned his back to the fireworks and faced Kevin.

Music playing: “There must be some kind of mistake to give your heart away…”

“You’re missing the fireworks, Curt,” said Kevin.

“No, I'm not,” Curt said as he hugged Kevin’s chest. “...and there's something that I don’t understand…”

“What don’t you understand, Curt?” Kevin asked.

“...what I did to deserve you...and this," Curt said.

The song continued to play.

"Yeah, you gotta be crazy, baby, to want a guy like me..."

Kevin saw Joyce sneaking away and laughing with a guy he didn't know. Good for her. Perhaps that's the guy she hasn't wanted to talk to us about. That's a story for another day.