Coda Josh Grant

Ben arrived in the morning. I was surprised how much I’d missed him, it having just been 4, or 5 days. He smiled his handsome smile when he saw me. “Hey.” I grabbed him and kissed him. Butch followed him in. He and Harley kind of bumped faces then headed to Harley’s bed and collapsed into it together “I missed you.” “I missed you too.” I pushed him backwards onto the couch, “What?” I grabbed his belt buckle. “Hey!” Ben exclaimed. I undid his belt and his jeans. “Oh, okay,” he said. I pulled down his stripey jocks and his … ...and the doorbell rang, and rang again. as I began to...  and the doorbell rang, and rang, and rang, again I was just about to, with my hand… “That was the door bell,” Ben said. "Jesus fuck," I said.  I let go…  "Oh what!" Ben said.  I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and headed to the door. I swung the front door open and... "Hello darling, you father and I have come to wish you happy Xmas." "Mum. Dad." "I guess ...

We all took Monday off. And we all left at varying times after breakfast. It felt like we’d been on camp and I felt a certain kind of sadness to leave and go home.  Oh, I missed Ben, of course, but I could have sent for him. (sent for him, do you like that) All that sand and surf, wouldn't it be a nice lifestyle, isn't it a nice lifestyle. I could have romped with him in the shallows, got him all covered in sand... Anyway, against everything I was feeling, I packed myself and Harley up in the car and drove away. "I looked at Harley, in the rear vision mirror, and he looked at me. "Let's go kiddo." I slid the sunroof open and selected 1st gear. He looked out the car window like he was taking one last look. There is that certain melancholy which is specific to the conclusion of time away with friends. We all had such a good time, we want to hold onto the carefree feeling. You don't want to leave and head back to your life, to the grind and routine of it all...

We all looked hung over Sunday morning, because we all were.  Jed made a big breakfast for everyone, which was nice.  I drank coffee, and gazed out the window, as my first joint kicked in.  It really is beautiful up there by the lake. Jed’s grandfather built the cottage however long ago and it had been in his family ever since. George and Chip came out like they were best buddies and drank coffee and ate a big breakfast. I don’t know, they seemed more chummy than usual. “One guess why they looked so pleased with themselves,” said Jed. “Do you reckon?” I asked. “A-ha,” said Jed. “I told you last night,” said Evan. “And what about you two?” said Jed. “Evan’s my baby bro,” I said. “Isn’t that illegal.” “It hasn’t stopped the two of you in the past, if I remember rightly.” “Have you been telling secrets, Ev,” I asked. “Nah, unless there is video evidence, it never happened,” said Evan. “hey, big bro.” “Oh, stop it, you two,” said Jed. “You are getting me going.” Luke and Jare...

Chip was up early in tiny black shorts with his weights out on the lawn. Apparently, Chip never misses a gym day. Evan and I stood by the front windows and did our morning exercise, with a fat doobie between us. “He looks good,” says Evan. “Would you like a tissue for that drool?” I asked. “Shut up,” says Evan. “I’m sure chip would accommodate you Ev, I hear he’s very accommodating.” “Ha ha, I just said he looked good,” said Evan. “Can’t a guy pay someone a compliment without it meaning anything.” “Yeah, sure,” I said. “But it isn’t usually paid breathlessly in another room with their tongue as good as hanging out.” We all made our own breakfast. Jed and Trent had it all laid out. “Stop mentally stripping that boy of what little he has on and come and eat something,” said Jed having quietly walked up behind us. We skied all day Saturday, with Trent’s boat and Chip’s boat we all got a lot of skiing in. They all looked sexy in their wetsuits. We’re all good water skiers, something we sta...

Me and the guys went away water skiing. We try to get away skiing often, but it doesn’t always work out that way. We're all busy. This particular weekend Ben didn’t want to come. He’d had really busy weeks and he just wanted to catch up on sleep, see his family and generally piss around. I tried to talk him into coming, but he wouldn’t be convinced. Boyfriends? There’s just no controlling them sometimes. Ha, ha. The ski weekend was with a number of my old uni buddies, up to Jed & Trent’s ski shack on Lake Eppalock. So, it was me without Ben, George without Sophie, Evan Carmody, Chip Bellamy Roche, Jed & Trent, Luke without boyfriend Scott, and Jared without boyfriend Lincoln. And the token straight boy Carl Freeman.   Jed & Trent had both their cars up there, Jed’s Range Rover and Trent’s Focus RS. George and Evan drove up together in Evan's brand new Alfa Gulia Quadrifoglio. They've been best mates forever. Apparently, Evan drove at the speed of sound, accordin...