32: Camping at Yankee Springs

It happened that Kevin started his preview semester at Michigan State University one week before Curt’s birthday. It meant he would not be in Saranac for the big one: Curt’s 16th birthday.

“What are you going to do, then?” Asked Sarah.

“I don’t know. Surely we can find something to do that weekend before, right? His birthday is on a Monday. I can be home for the weekend. Got any suggestions?”

“Well, there’s always camping, so we could do something low-key and plan for April. I could even gather the group and make a real weekend of it. Are you up for a weekend in a tent by the lake? Most of us who grew up here have memories there.”

“Sounds like a place we used to go called Rock Eagle.”

“Probably. The school used to organize a camp there every year when we were younger, and the teachers were super crabby about it. It’s a bit of junk nostalgia in a way. Let me know, and I’ll organize it.”

“You are such a good friend. Thank you.”

Sarah was able to secure the bookings for April 10-12.

Curt’s dad had a nice tent and all the equipment. Curt and Kevin assembled it on campsite 144, with Sarah and Nelson nearby at site 142, Joyce and Chris on 140, Reby and Mary on 146, and David on 148. They all gathered at 144 for the fire pit.

“This is so cool. Thanks, you guys!" Curt said. "

“Yeah, finally we get to celebrate your 16th birthday a few months late,” Reby said.

“I’d rather be here in April than in January,” David said.

Everyone responded with a different version of, “Right?! For sure.”

As the night wore on, only Sarah and Nelson were left at the fire with Kevin and Curt.

“I think we are going to…” Sarah looked at Nelson as if she were gauging the situation. “...call it. You guys have a great evening."

“Yeah, it’s probably time for us also,” Kevin said. He and Curt were wrapped in a Navajo-style blanket before the fire.

Sarah held hands with Nelson, walking back to their campsite, and stopped briefly to look back at Kevin and Curt.

“What’s up?” Nelson asked,

“I think they are going to do it tonight,” she smiled. “They have been waiting a long time.”

“Why? It’s not like either of them is going to get pregnant.” Said Nelson.

“I think it’s sweet. Kevin wanted to wait until Curt was 16.”

“I keep forgetting Curt is so young. He's so mature.”

“Yup. Well, good for them. I hope the boys have fun tonight.”

Kevin and Curt had a couple of long, passionate kisses before finally deciding to extinguish the fire and head inside the tent. The glow of the fire was alluring, but being out in the open wasn’t exactly the safest space for them. Kevin put out the fire, and Curt grabbed Kevin’s hand, guiding him to the tent.

Music: Time After Time (Acoustic Cover), Megan Davies with Boyce Avenue

Then you say, 'Go slow.'

Inside the sleeping bag, Kevin and Curt looked at each other for a while, the only light coming from the moon. Kevin ran his hand through Curt’s hair, still taking in his handsomeness. He wondered how this had ever happened to him.

Curt was thinking about how different his life was now that he felt seen, loved, and connected.

“Kev?”

Kevin moved his hand, which had been playing with Curt’s hair, down to Curt’s mouth, as if to ask him not to speak. Curt could barely see Kevin’s eyes looking at him, but he felt them. He felt perfectly in sync with Kevin in that moment.

If you fall, I will catch you; I will be waiting. Time after time.

Kevin went from a long, thoughtful pause to urgently kissing Curt. They were perfectly intertwined now. Curt kissed Kevin in the crevice between his nose and cheek and then on his lips again. Curt's hands were lower, and he loved touching Kevin’s torso. He looked at Kevin as if asking if it was all okay. He wanted to be sure, but knew he wouldn’t get any pushback based on the depth of Kevin’s eyes. He wrapped his arms around Kevin, and although they were both still clothed, Curt touched him…everywhere.

What happened next should be left to the imagination, but whatever you are thinking about now probably happened. They are both inexperienced but intelligent and thoughtful. Still, they were just kids in many ways.

For hours through the night, they learned each other’s bodies. They felt closer than they ever had before. They simply fit with each other perfectly. Sometimes they would talk, but they would mainly just quietly study each other.

Curt asked, “Would I kill the moment if I asked about something?”

“No. You can ask me anything.”

“Do you know anything about AIDS?”

“Yeah. I had some co-workers back in Atlanta who had it. Why?”

“I just don’t know anything about it and wondered if you worried about it.”

“Yeah, I worry, but I’ve only been with one other person besides you, and I didn’t do anything risky either time.”

“The way I understand it, it’s hard to catch unless you have higher-risk sexual behavior or intravenous drug use. I’m sure there are exceptions, but I’m not interested in anyone but you, and I don’t even drink, much less do drugs.” He poked Curt and giggled. “What about you?”

“If you hadn’t come along, I probably would have never even thought about another guy.”

“Really? I have a friend back home who calls that ‘turnt.’” Kevin smirked.

“That sounds like I stayed on the burner too long.”

“Haha... It’s a joke about quote-unquote turning a straight guy gay.”

“I guess I’m just gay for you.”

“Maybe,” Kevin said. “By the way, my dad made me take an AIDS test before he would agree to let me stay living with him. I tested negative.”

“As a condition for living with him? That sounds horrible.” Curt said.

“My dad isn’t exactly horrible, but very qualifying and transactional. His relationship with me is no different.”

“He is a bit of a bully, you have to admit.”

They went back to kissing and rolled around a bit until they found a super comfortable position. Then both passed out together for the night, realizing they had the summer before Kevin would have to return to MSU for the fall. It was sweet to get these moments together.