Call me Scott. This all happened back in the early eighties, before internet chat rooms made it easier to 'hook up' anonymously. Nearly thirty, I had been celebrating my two month-old divorce by doing something my ex detested, traveling from town to town in different states, visiting flea markets and antique stores. I had picked up some old radios, metal toys and album covers, now that I was again free to collect such things. One spring Saturday afternoon, I reached a shop in an old brick building in a little town in South Carolina.
A small cowbell clunked as the exiting postman hurried past me, nodding silently as I held the heavy wooden door open for him. This apparently masked my entry into the shop, as I could overhear a heated, dirty phone conversation resuming, one that was definitely intended to be private.
"I've held my nut for two weeks for you and..."
The unseen guy's voice, coming from the office behind the counter, was furious and seemed to have a New England accent, a contrast to all the southern drawls I had been hearing on this trip.
"Every time we talked I told you about that, and you said it wouldn't be a problem!... Yeah well those Polaroids were only a couple years old...No, you're a fucking liar!"
He wasn't speaking very nicely. I should have made some noise so he would know I was in the building, but it didn't occur to me as I continued to eavesdrop. Evidently they met via a personals ad for sex and the caller on the other end of the phone showed up but abruptly left. I was about to step softly back to the door and make the cowbell ring again to make it seem like I had just walked in. I froze in my tracks when he began insulting the caller's dick size and threatening to 'cut it off" if he ever saw him again. This failed rendezvous was with a another guy!
My mind raced. It had nothing to do with my divorce, but I always knew I was bi. Meeting a willing, discreet guy was another proposition. I had always hoped for an opportunity such as this. Now that it was upon me, I could feel myself making excuses to leave the building and stay in my safety zone.
Suddenly a huge man appeared from the back room. He looked Greek or Italian, with 1970s' length, dark, salt and pepper hair, thick glasses and a full beard. His blue tennis shirt clung tightly to his obese frame. About five and a half feet tall, he had to have weighed way over three hundred pounds. Body hair flowed out the side of his collar. I noticed several dark moles on his neck before he began yelling at me.
"How long have you been here? We're closed! Get out of my store you sneaky bastard!"
Not surprised at his mood, but insulted by his command to leave, I shrugged, turned and walked out. I could see why the other guy left. This antique dealer had no people skills. All thoughts of giving my first blowjob had vanished. My wimpy side was relived that I wouldn't have to admit my secret cravings, and they would have to wait. Again.
The Curio Shoppe, as it was called, was on a narrow lot between other buildings, and its parking was on a weed-bordered gravel patch behind the store. I had almost reached my Datsun pickup when a voice called out and the screen door to the back of the building slammed.
"Sir? Sir?" The big guy was rushing as best he could toward me, his hand extended to shake mine. "Hey, I need to apologize. I'm sorry. I was just having a crappy day. Ya know ya can't depend on some people. I'm Pete."
He said his multi-syllable last name but my mind didn't retain it as his huge, fat fingers surrounded my hand. He went on to complain about the downfall of society in general and eventually offered me a twenty percent discount on whatever I bought. He even managed to smile a little as he stood perspiring in his moistening shirt and olive green Bermuda shorts. His hairy calves were thick and he wore a large, wide pair of discount sneakers and battered socks. I introduced myself and we talked for a moment about my trip, and he seemed relieved that I was from out of state, that his secret was seemingly safe in this small town.
I consented to follow him back into the rear of the building, and entered a storage room, lit only by the open doors at either end. Boxes and stacks of books were everywhere, and overflowing, bare wood shelves lined the walls. In the midst of the chaos there was a sofa and coffee table across from an old TV and fridge. Apparently that was the 'employee lounge'. As I took all this in my mind and pulse raced. Should I ask him the question? Would he even like me enough to at least let me suck his dick? I was younger than him but I was no muscle hunk either, just average. Nearly trembling, I decided to take the dive, so to speak.
"Sorry I heard your phone call...uh.."
"Forget about it!" he said, irritated that I mentioned it.
I began to stutter nervously. "I could...um...you know.."
"What?" He turned around and glared at me. He smelled of cigarettes.
"Oh, you want his number?" Pete grunted sarcastically.
"No! I mean...I could do what he was going to...Fill in for...that guy...if you..." I said, unable to look him in the eye and losing volume in my voice. My pulse was racing.
"That guy," he said, mocking me, "was a slimy little faggot who said he wanted my cock, at least until he met me. I doubt that's what you mean."
"Um, yeah, that is what I mean," I said more assertively, the reference to his dick and the mental image it created bolstering my courage. There was a long pause. He looked me up and down.
"Humph, I didn't figure ya for a meat smoker." He turned and began walking away.
"It's my first time, but.." I admitted, relieved he got my message and flattered that he at least hadn't refused yet.
"Forget it! You'll run out of here just like he did. I repulse people."
"Nah! I'm sure he had some other reason for..."
"Here!" Pete spun around to face me again and lifted his blue tennis shirt up, revealing his body up to his armpits. "See ya later!"