Chapter 6
They slept locked in each other's arms in the narrow bunk, and next morning, as the sun streamed in through the windows, Gail crept quietly from her brother's arms and donned a robe. She stood staring at his boyishly handsome face as she fastened the snaps on the robe.
She put some coffee on and laid out the bacon and eggs. She had the eggs and bacon ready before she shook him gently and kissed him softly on the cheek.
"Wake up, lover," Gail said merrily, laughing at the startled look on Bryan's face as he came fully awake. Then, recalling the events of the night before, he lay back, yawned and grinned.
"Hi, sexy!"
"Breakfast is waiting, master," Gail said mockingly, dipping low in a curtsy.
Bryan kicked off the blanket and sheet, forgetting that he was nude. He hastily covered himself with his hands, racing for his clothing which still lay on a chair. Donning his shorts and trousers, he ran to the bathroom, used the toilet and then splashed cold water on his face and hands.
He came out to the table looking ruddy and ready, and, without further conversation, he dug into the bacon and eggs and coffee.
"What's for today?" Bryan asked gaily as he got up from the table. "More of the same?" He was grinning devilishly down at his sister.
"You mean swimming, of course," Gail said, hiding a blush, using his light tone.
"Sure, what else?" He laughed, clearing his breakfast dishes and putting them in the sink.
"I have to get into, the village and get some food," Gail said, joining him in the kitchen. "Think it's too far to walk, or should we go down to the pay phone and call the taxi?"
There was a telephone booth outside a boat rental place about a quarter-mile down the lake's edge.
"I feel pretty peppy," Bryan said. "Let's walk, if you're game."
"I'm game."
They did the dishes, dressed casually, Bryan in sports shirt and slacks, Gail in slacks and a low-cut blouse, and set off for the two-mile walk to the village.
It was a lazy summer day, and they both wallowed in the pleasantness of the surroundings. They said little, but both were aware of the closeness that was between them now. They had walked about a half mile when a car came up behind them, and as they got out of the narrow road, it pulled to a halt and the driver blew the horn repeatedly.
They looked and saw a bronzed, blonde young man seated behind the wheel of a sports car. He grinned at them and yelled warmly, "Give you a lift into town?"
Gail liked his looks. He was stunningly handsome, she thought, with his blonde, Nordic features and his broad, muscular chest. She exchanged a glance with her brother and he shrugged. "Okay," she agreed.
They both climbed into the front seat with him, and he wasted no time in introducing himself. "I'm Rick Hale. My folks have a cabin around the bend of the lake. You two live here?"
"No," Gail said, somewhat awed by his easy manner. "I'm Gail James and this is my brother, Bryan." Bryan waved a casual greeting, and Rick beamed at Gail, not missing the nice cleavage which showed in the vee of her blouse.
"We're just visiting. We used to come up here every year, when we were kids. I don't ever remember seeing you."
"No," Rick said. "My folks just bought the place a couple of years ago. I've been away at college. This is my first look at it. It's beautiful." As he said it, he let his glance rove over Gail's body, a roguish glint making his eyes sparkle.
"Glad I met you guys," he said happily as he started the car again and pulled out into the road. "I had begun to think I'd have to spend the whole summer up here with a bunch of old fogies. Not that I don't like old folks-" He grinned, "but it's nice to meet a good-looking girl and a guy nearer my age."
His manner was disarming, and even Bryan smiled as he included him in his own age bracket, although he guessed Rick to be well over twenty-one.
"Say, you guys water ski?" he asked enthusiastically.
"I've never tried it, have you, Bryan?" Gail answered, catching Rick's spontaneous enthusiasm.
"Nothing to it. .You'll both have to come over and try it. I've got a new boat, too. Or if that's too fast for a start, I like to fish, too. How about you, Bryan?"
"Yeah, I like fishing," Bryan said, eyeing Rick's profile closely. He liked this fellow instantly, he decided, yet, he resented his moving in so easily. After last night, Bryan had looked forward to the next quiet days with only Gail. This fellow posed a distinct threat to his newly discovered passion for Gail.
Gail and Rick babbled merrily on as they drove, she telling him she wanted to get some supplies at the store, and he quickly offered to bring them back to their own cabin.
He had to take his car in for an oil change, and after he left it, he joined them in the very modern, though small, supermarket. He babbled happily away while he pushed the shopping cart about, and Bryan felt as if he were being ignored. Gail was obviously taken by the gaiety and easygoing manner of Rick Hale, and Bryan sensed that much of her time at the lake was going to be taken up with him. He consoled himself by telling himself that there would be the nights, when they would be alone in the cabin, and that the spark would come alive again brightly, once Rick was not in the immediate picture.
As they were piling the bags in the rear seat of his car, Rick snapped his fingers in sudden remembrance.
"Say-" he bubbled, "there's a dance at the Legion Hall here tonight, Gail. How about it?"
She responded without a thought about Bryan. "I'd love it."
"Good. I'll run back to the gas station and get tickets." He started away, then turned, frowning. "I'm sorry, Bryan. I forgot to ask if you'd like to go, too."
"I don't dance yet." Bryan was pouting, and his tone was surely.
"Good time to learn. There might be some young girls there." Rick was sincere, but Bryan was nettled when he had said "young girls," as if Bryan were a small boy.
"Yes, Bryan," Gail added, realizing that she had not included him in her thinking when she had accepted the date offer. "You'd have fun."
"No, you two go ahead. I'll find something to do. I'll get a couple of magazines back in the market and read, or something." He made no pretense of covering his irritation and disappointment.
"Say," Rick said, his bright smile returning after the awkwardness of the past moments, "Tell you what! I've got a battery TV set. It picks up three channels real good. I'll bring it over tonight when I pick up your sister. How's that?"
"You don't have to worry about me," Bryan said. He was impressed by the gentlemanly thoughtfulness-that Rick displayed, but he still was unsure about his liking for him, because of the threat he posed.
"No bother!" Bryan waved his hand casually as he climbed in and started the car.
He and Gail talked about what kind of music there might be at the dance, and he told her he had heard that it was a pretty good trio that came down from the city. They played plenty of rock numbers, he had heard, as well as the smoother dance music that a lot of the older dancers preferred.
As he carried the grocery bags into the cabin, Rick was struck by the fact that there seemed to be only the two occupants.
"Boy, I'm dumb!" He smacked his forehead with the heel of his hand. "I should have asked if I could get tickets for-for your parents."
"There's just Bryan and me." Gail said quickly.
"You mean-all the time?" Rick said soberly.
"Oh, no-my mother, well-" Gail struggled to choose the right words, "-she's partially crippled. You see, I'm home for summer vacation from college, too, and she was nice enough to stay alone while we enjoy a few weeks up here."
"Oh-" Rick said, smiling pleasantly. "Well, I'm sure glad she did."
Gail was disturbed with herself. For some reason, she had handled it badly. She had not even mentioned Bradley. She felt as if she were on the defensive, and she didn't know why. But when her eyes fell on Bryan's cold face, she knew that it was her acts with him the night before that were now upsetting her equilibrium.
"Oh-we have an older brother-older than Bryan-" she stammered, "but he's-he's away."
Rick sensed that she was upset by the conversation and he grinned. "I didn't mean to pry, Gail. I was just afraid I'd missed somebody on the dance."
She smiled weakly, nodding. She wondered why she had lied and said that Brad was away. Was it because of her feeling ashamed of him and his homosexuality, she wondered.
Rick paused at the door and said with his warm smile, "Pick you up at eight?" She nodded, and he pointed a finger at Bryan, cocking his thumb as if he were firing a pistol. "And I'll bring the TV for you, Butch!" He grinned. He left, and they heard his car start, then fade into the silence of the woods that surrounded the lake.
Gail busied herself putting away the groceries, and Bryan flopped on the bunk. He had been taken down a peg by the intrusion, and he still wasn't certain of what he could do to regain his former position of number one with Gail.
Gail came in and stood beside her brother. She felt that he did resent Rick, and she tried not to sound defensive as she remarked, "He's nice, isn't he?"
"Who?" Bryan pretended to be dumb.
"Rick, of course. Come on, Bryan, he was very nice. I think that we'll have fun trying to water ski or fish. You aren't jealous because I'm going to the dance with him?"
"No," he sneered. "Why should I be jealous? Who am I to tell you who to go out with?"
Gail felt anger forming, but she fought it down.
"You're right!" she snapped. She walked out on the porch and got her swimsuit and his trunks. "I feel like a swim," she said upon returning.
'How about you?" She smiled at him.
He shook his head, not meeting her eyes. Gail was puzzled at his peevish mood. Rick's coming couldn't change what had happened last night, but Bryan acted as if his big love affair had blown up.
Gail reached down and touched his hand. "Bryan-" He still didn't look at her. "Remember what you told me last night?" Gail said softly.
Bryan nodded, still unyielding. "I still mean it."
His wondering gaze finally rested on her eyes. He half sat up, and he reached out and touched her leg. There was a boyish panic in his face, and his voice caught when he pulled her close and held his head to her thigh. "I was afraid, Gail..." He couldn't put his fear into words, but she understood.
"It's all right, Bryan. I understand. He's just a date."
He lay back, smiling gently, gratitude in his eyes. "I guess I knew that, but I'm glad you said it. It's okay."
"Swim?" Gail said in relief, glad his mood had passed.
"Sure!" Bryan said, jumping up and taking his trunks. He headed for the bathroom, then whirled, his old devilish grin on his face. "No need to dress or undress in private, I guess." Before she could say a word, he had quickly peeled off his shorts and trousers and stood there exposed, quickly donning his swim trunks.
Gail felt ashamed, suddenly, yet she didn't want to hurt his feelings again. She turned her back and took off her slacks, blouse and panties, and quickly squirmed into her suit, conscious of his burning eyes upon her back.
They raced toward the water and dove in, Gail first. When she surfaced, she swam a long way out toward the center and Bryan followed her at a more leisurely pace.
Rick could be a problem, she was thinking. He was so handsome, so easy to like. Yet she was looking forward to being with him that evening.
The camaraderie and daring recklessness of their swim the evening before was gone, and, after a few moments, she said she was cold, swam to the dock, and got out. Bryan swam for a few moments longer, and as she was getting into her clothes, he came into the cabin.
He dressed in the bathroom, then lay on his bunk, the radio on low. Finally, he drifted off to sleep, and as she showered and preened and set her hair, Gail tiptoed and moved softly so as not to awaken him.
They ate a late supper, and it was after seven when the dishes were done. Bryan was fidgety, and he left, saying he was going to walk down by the lake. As Gail prettied herself for Rick, she fell to wondering just what she would have to tell the man who might become serious over her-who might propose marriage.
During her time at college, she had dated frequently, taking sex pitches as they came. She followed a simple rule: if she really liked the man she dated, and he wanted sex, she gave it to him. If he didn't turn her on, that was that. As her thoughts returned to Rick, she warned herself to be cautious, because he definitely did turn her on. He hadn't even touched her in a sexy way, and she could feel the chills go up her body.
He arrived, early, lugging the portable TV set inside proudly, looking disappointed when he didn't spot Bryan. He set it on a small stand and turned it on, adjusting the pull-out rabbit ears carefully, bringing in a channel very clearly.
"There, that ought to keep him happy!" he said enthusiastically.
He turned and gave his attention to Gail for the first time. She had on a mini-dress that showed her shape off to perfection, and it brought a low wolf whistle from Rick. He was wearing a sport coat and slacks, and a shirt and tie. He looked casual, yet well-dressed, and she admired his taste as well as the way he wore clothes.
"We'll knock these hicks dead!" he enthused as he walked about her in a circle, eyeing her curves. "Wow!"
She beamed at the compliment and said nervously, "You look very nice, Rick."
Their eyes locked and that thrill came to her as his face grew serious. "You're a beautiful girl," Rick said.
Gail blushed. "Thank you," she said demurely.
"Shall we go?" he asked, breaking the spell.
"I'd like to wait a moment or so until Bryan gets back," Gail said quickly. "He can't be too far. I'll call." She stepped to the door and called Bryan's name. She heard his muffled reply come from the edge of the lake a hundred yards or so away, and in a moment, he appeared, shambling idly to the cabin.
He waved without enthusiasm to Rick, saying, "Hi."
Rick pointed to the TV and said, "Hope there's some shows you like on tonight."
"Yeah. Thanks." It was flat and somewhat cold, indicating lack of interest.
Rick turned to Gail. "Well ... ? " he asked.
"Yes, let's be going." Gail felt bad, leaving Bryan in this foul mood, but she knew that he would soon be lost in one of his TV programs. She kissed him lightly, patting his shoulder and saying, "Have a good time. We won't be too late, I don't think."
Rick waved and they left. As the sound of the car's motor died into the still night, Bryan felt strangely alone. He wandered about for a few moments, then adjusted the set to a program that was just beginning, and settled himself comfortably before the set.
At home, Brad, too, was restless. He too had tried to take his mind off his problem by watching TV, but he just couldn't get into the drift of the corny movie he had tuned in. He missed Bryan, for some odd reason. He finally concluded that he felt too much alone with Hazel, and he had to give almost all his attention to her whims.
Since Gail and Bryan had been gone, Hazel seemed to have contrived things for him to do, to see to, to bring to her-anything to create a situation where they would be in constant contact. So far, she had made no sexual demands nor had she even tried to wheedle him into personal body contact, where she would try to use her sex appeal to melt him.
He finally faced the fact that he was horny. He wanted to be with Hal. They had had no contact for over a week, and Brad was edgy, needing sexual satisfaction-his way, with his lover. Nothing else would satisfy him.
Hazel was in her bedroom, having showered. She was preening before her mirror, admiring the body she loved so, humming softly to herself. It was going fairly well, she thought, between her and Brad. At least, they had been together almost all the time, and at one point last night, she had brought up the subject quietly, about his ideas about what college he might like to attend. Hazel had dreamed up a final, last-ditch plan to thwart Gail. Or Brad, if he threatened to leave.
She had decided to swim with the tide, and let Brad choose a college of his choice, if it were not too far distant. If he insisted, and Gail appeared to be winning him to. her side, Hazel had determined that she would sell the house and move to the college town of Brad's choice!
He would have no objections to that, she felt, once he admitted that the college was his own choice, without her influence being a factor.
She was toying with the idea that he might like to see a movie. He had seemed so confined, like an animal in a cage, the past few hours. She laid it to the fact that a wet blanket had been thrown over his plans to run off, with Gail's help. It never crossed her mind that he might actually be lonely for Hal.
She heard the door chimes, and she crept over to her door and opened it a crack. She knew it would be Hal.
"Hi, Brad," he said warmly as he entered. "Where have you been keeping yourself? Anything the matter?"
Brad shook his head and they went into the living room. She could hear their muffled voices but couldn't make out their words. She closed her door and hurried to get fully dressed. She hobbled oyt into the living room, pretending she did not, know he had a visitor.
"Oh, Hal," she simpered. "I didn't hear you come in. I was just going to ask Brad if he'd take me to a movie."
"Oh, Mom-not tonight!" Brad couldn't keep the animosity out of his voice. He knew that she was deliberately doing this to keep him and Hal apart.
"Honey," Hazel cooed, "I got all dressed up. I've wanted to see that picture at the drive-in for so long." Her face was drawn into a picture of disappointment.
She saw them exchange glances, and then Brad said firmly, "I can't, Mom. I just promised Hal I'd go out with him."
Hazel bristled, but she kept control of herself:
"Well, I would think, with all summer to be with Hal, and with you planning to leave to go to college-" She didn't have to finish it. She knew she had made her point.
"Hal is welcomed to come along if he'd like," she said frigidly.
"Hey!" Hal said when he had recovered his wits. "You mean your mom is going to let you go away to college, after all?"
He was genuinely surprised, but Brad sounded unenthusiastic as he said, "Well, we've talked about it."
"Hey, that's super!" Hal bubbled. "Now, if I can just talk my old man into it, maybe we can go to the same one."
Brad tried to signal Hal to change the subject, but Hazel cut in sharply: "Yes, we have only talked about it a little. If I have my way, Brad will go to school right here." She meant it as a reminder to her son that he was walking a tightrope.
Brad waved a weary hand. "Okay, we'll go to the movie, Mom."v
"Oh, that's nice of you." Hazel tried not to sound too jubilant. "Would you like to go, Hal?"
"No-I guess not." She had put the damper on even his enthusiasm. He rose and headed toward the door. He stopped as he opened it, and Brad followed, saying to his mother over his shoulder, "Go ahead and get your purse. I want to talk to Hal a second."
As Hazel disappeared into her room, he said to Hal in a whisper, "I want to see you later. Be up after the movie. I'll meet you in the park, near the pool."
Hal's quick smile told him that he too, felt the need for some loving, and he quickly shut the door, calling loudly, "So long. See you tomorrow, maybe."
Brad brought the car around and-helped Hazel into the seat beside him, hating her overbearing manner. She had won again, and he hated himself for always being a loser.
At the drive-in, he sat glumly ignoring her, trying to get interested in the film they were seeing. He was too tensed up, too needful of a time with Hal. Hazel tried to felt the ice between them, but he rebuffed her with cold silence.
Hazel grew quickly bored with the movie, and she moved close to Brad and began to try to cuddle up to him. As she put her hand on his, he rudely took his away. "Brad-" She said reprovingly, "don't be so mean and cold. After all-"
"You said you wanted to see a movie. I gave up my plans to bring you. Now, you're not even watching. It was just one of your old tricks." Brad surprised himself at the vehemence of his accusation.
Hazel pouted for a few moments, then asked him to drive her home. The movie was only half over, and they arrived home less than two hours after they had left.
As he put the car away, Brad felt better. He was beginning to take a lesson from his sister, and stand up to Hazel. As her name crossed his mind, he wondered what she and Bryan were doing up at the lake. Probably driving each other crazy, due to the boredom, he reflected.
He went into the house, wanting to be sure his mother was safely in her room before he sneaked out to meet Hal. As he drank a glass of cold milk in the kitchen, Hazel hobbled into the room, clad in a filmy negligee that revealed her body to his gaze. Brad turned coldly away, almost sickened by the look in her eyes as she tried to look alluring and sexy.
"After you've undressed, Brad, dear," Hazel said in a honeyed tone, "come in and talk to me for a while. We need to talk..."
Brad set the empty glass on the table and walked to the doorway, passing close to her without touching her. "I'm tired, Mom, I'm going to bed early. Talk to you tomorrow." He went into his room quickly, not giving her a chance to coax or rant. He locked the door and lay on his bed, listening to her hobbling about her room, finally turning on the TV and settling in her bed.
An hour later, he quietly opened his bedroom window wide and left.
Hazel was restless. She couldn't get her mind off Brad and his coldness toward her. She felt that if she could get him alone a few times, and get him back into the old swing of things as they had been before Gail returned, he would become his old self once more. She climbed out of bed, snapped off the TV and went across the hall to his room. She tried the knob, and finding the door locked, she rapped softly on it. She ended up rapping as hard as she could, growing angrier by the moment.
By the time it dawned on her that Brad was not in his room, she was seething. He was going too far, jilting her for a fag! She returned to her bed, determined that tomorrow there would be some new rules for her bullheaded son, rules that would be obeyed, or else!