Chapter 15: A New Year
"Come on Rob, we've got a long day ahead of us." I said as Rob finally finished getting dressed.
"Sorry Bobby, I'm just being lazy." Rob answered as he followed me out the door and out to my Jeep. I opened the passenger door for Rob and gave him a wink before I walked over to jump in on the driver's side. This would be the first time I would be heading back to my hometown since I'd moved. I decided to drive north and head up the Delmarva Peninsula on the way to visit my grandma. The scenic route would be more relaxing than the interstate. Thankfully there wasn't much traffic and we made the rural drive with relative ease. Rob was thirsty and I needed to use the bathroom so I pulled into a gas station, we were only 10 or so minutes away, but this would give us a chance to stretch our legs.
Rob followed me into the bathroom and we walked to neighboring urinals. I couldn't help but glance over at his flaccid penis as the strong flow eased out of it. I don't know why but my bladder got shy and couldn't use the bathroom. Rob winked at me and went to wash his hands. The sound of the running water finally eased my shyness so I could take care of business. When I exited the restroom, Rob was getting a fountain drink and I walked over to join him.
"Bobby! Bobby Thompson!" Startled, Rob and I turned around to see who was calling me.
"Hey Lisa, how've you been?" I asked, surprised to see Lisa from my old school's swim team.
"I'm pretty good Bobby. What brings you back in town?" Lisa asked.
"Rob and I are just going to go visit my grandma." I replied and watched a devilish smile cross Lisa's face.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Rob." Lisa purred to Rob. Rob held out his hand and Lisa shook it. "You single Rob?" She asked continuing her seduction. I looked at Rob and he grinned and nodded his approval.
"Actually Lisa, Rob's my boyfriend."
"Get out!" Lisa exclaimed. She surprised me when she shoved me against my shoulders and forced me back into Rob's grasp. He held his hands on my hips, steadying me while I tried to compose myself.
"I'm sorry Bobby, I just... I just had no idea. I mean... Wow." Lisa stammered. "Good for you Bobby." She added as she eyed Rob up and down.
I heard Rob chuckling before I spoke. "It's okay Lisa. It was good seeing you, but we need to head out."
She gave me a quick hug. "Bye Bobby, it was good seeing you too. Nice to meet you." She added to Rob as she blushed and turned her head. Rob quickly paid for his drink as we headed out to my Jeep.
I decided to fill Rob in on some information on my grandmother before we got there.
"My granddad died before I was born." Rob nodded and intertwined his fingers with those on my right hand. "She's hilarious. She's always been very supportive of me, but she's very conservative. I don't know how she will take this." Rob pulled my hand to his face and kissed my knuckles.
"It's okay Bobby, we'll get through it." I was reassured by Rob's confidence as I pulled into the driveway. The neatly manicured lawn and flower beds complemented the two story Victorian style house. She hired neighborhood kids to cut the grass, but she meticulously maintained her flower beds to perfection. Rob retook my hand as we headed up the driveway. I reached out and rang the doorbell as Rob released my grasp. I shook my head and took his hand.
"Let her see." I said. Grandma opened the door with her typical effervescent smile.
"Bobby! Come here my boy." She said as she pulled me into a tight embrace. If she had seen us holding hands, she didn't let on. I squeezed her back until she finally relented. Her white hair was done in perfect curls and she had a slim figure, but wasn't frail. She was a several inches shorter than me.
"Grandma this is-," before I could introduce Rob she had pulled him into an embrace. Rob's face was a mix of shuck and humor. "Rob this is my grandma."
"Nice to meet you ma'am." Rob said smiling down at my grandmother. She quickly rushed us inside and we were sitting at her kitchen table where she had an assortment of cakes and cookies.
"You boys want lunch? I can make you something. I have some country ham biscuits." She quickly placed a platter in front of us. Rob happily took an offered biscuit.
"These are delicious." He said looking warmly at grandma. We exchanged small talk and ate entirely too much food before I decided to let her know about my relationship with Rob.
"Grandma, I need to tell you something." I nervously said.
"Okay Bobby, go ahead, you can tell me anything." She encouraged, the smile never leaving her face.
"Well the reason we didn't come over for Christmas... Well I didn't want to do this in front of everyone. I thought it would be better if we told you one-on-one." She looked excited but nodded for me to continue. I looked at Rob and was rewarded by a strong, secure smile. "Rob is my boyfriend." I almost blurted it out anxious to share the news.
"Oh Bobby. I've been waiting for you to tell me." Grandma got up chuckling and walked across the room to her refrigerator. I watched as she removed a magnet and retrieved the piece of paper that was under it. She smiled as she sat down at the table placing a photograph in front of me. "I'm so happy you've found someone Bobby. I prayed for years for you to find a nice girlfriend, but I'm so happy you found Rob." She gave Rob a sincere smile as I looked in shock at the photograph. It was from the state championship football game the previous day. Rob was holding me as I gazed into the endless depths of his eyes. Thankfully, it was before the infamous kiss.
"How? Where did you get this?" I asked dumbfounded as I handed the picture to Rob.
"Can I get a copy of this?" Rob asked and grandma laughed. I smiled at Rob's humor and let the nervousness leave my body.
"I'm sure Emily will print one out for you." Grandma answered smiling at Rob.
"Emily..." I was dumbfounded that she had shared this secret with grandma.
"She emailed it this morning. Don't be mad at her Bobby." Grandma started. "Last Christmas when Emily stayed with me for a week I learned a lot about you. I was trying to figure out why you didn't have a girlfriend, and she finally broke down and told me that you weren't "into girls." She made me promise that I wouldn't say anything to you or your parents. I've been waiting for you to tell me Bobby. She's been keeping my abreast of you two for a couple months now." Grandma got up and motioned for us to follow her into the living room.
Rob was trying to hide his smirk and I was just shaking my head. We followed her into the other room. She was sitting down in the middle of the couch.
"Come sit beside me boys." She said as she patted either side of her. We took the seats sandwiching her between us.
"Bobby is very picky Rob, so I know you must be something special." She gazed at Rob with an intense gaze. "If you do anything to hurt him, you'll have me to answer to." I chuckled and Rob smiled and nodded. "Bobby." She said as she turned her gaze to me. "I'm so glad you've shared this part of your life with me. Remember this, no matter what happens, I love you." I could feel my eyes starting to water as she pulled me into a hug. "I'm so happy for you Bobby. Love is a beautiful thing." She patted my back as I tried unsuccessfully to fight the tears from escaping.
The remainder of the visit was very upbeat, but it was starting to get late so we said our goodbyes. We headed back to the kitchen and I watched as grandma proudly displayed the picture on her refrigerator.
"You boys come back and visit." Grandma said giving us each a hug and a kiss on the cheek before we made the journey home.
***
Rob suggested that we all ride to school together, and it made no sense for us to take two cars. Emily decided she was going to catch a ride with a friend and I rode to school with Rob in his truck. It had been a fun and eventful winter break, but it was time to get back in the daily grind of school. There was a fresh coating of frost on the grass as we headed into the school. I didn't hear any sneers through the commotion that came with the first day back. Rob swatted me on my butt and headed off to his locker as I stopped at mine.
"Hey Becky, how was your break? " I asked my locker neighbor.
"Fine." Becky's response was short and she immediately closed her locker and trotted down the hall without another word. The first half of the day went as usual. It wasn't until lunch when I noticed some changes. Rob and I sat in our normal seats. I was happily enjoying my grilled cheese sandwich when I noticed a few people who used to sit at our table were no longer there. Katie sat beside me and her boyfriend Billy had joined our table for the first time. He sat across from her and beside Rob. I looked around wondering where the others had gone. I was surprised to see Becky and two of the guys who usually sat with us sitting next to Eric. I cringed inwardly and nodded for Rob to look.
"If they want to sit and be hateful with Eric, there's nothing we can do about it." Rob said as he placed his feet on either side of mine under the table. I was sorry that some of Rob's friends didn't want to hang around with us anymore. Becky was alright sometimes, but to be honest, I was glad that she wouldn't be stalking around Rob anymore.
*
We were about to pull into the driveway when Rob noticed something odd.
"Why is my uncle here?" He asked as I noticed the old red and white Chevy pickup truck pulled in the driveway behind my Jeep. I shrugged as we pulled into the driveway and parked. Rob's uncle was in the driver's seat of the truck, seemingly waiting for Rob to show up. Rob opened his door and I slid out and waited by the passenger door as Rob headed towards the back of the truck and towards his waiting uncle.
"Uncle Charlie, what're you doing here?" Rob asked as his uncle got out of his truck and reached for Rob's hand. Rob obliged and they politely shook hands.
"Can we go somewhere and talk Rob?" His uncle asked as I nervously shuffled to the front of the truck.
"Sure come on in." Rob said smiling and I followed them into the house.
"Can I get you something to drink sir?" I asked trying to be a good host.
"I'd love a Coke if you have one, and please call me Charlie." Charlie said and I quickly went to the fridge and pulled out a Coke for Charlie and Rob.
"I'll be upstairs." I whispered to Rob as I handed him the drink. I started to walk out of the room but felt Rob's hand grab the waste of my jeans, stopping me before I could exit the scene.
