NEVER
MATT
Sleep With A Porcupine
Coach caught them in the locker room. "Fellas, just want you to meet Matt. He's a senior transfer and just may be the savior our football team needs."
They all turned critical attention to the stranger in their midst. Tony, the team clown and kicker, was the first to break the silence. "So, what do you do, stranger?" he drawled in a weak John Wayne imitation.
The rest of the team muttered in questioning agreement. The boy standing by coach flashed a crooked grin, let a mock-serious firmness settle on his face and replied in a twang that was soft and natural.
"I'm the best damn quarterback this state has ever had the pleasure of seeing lead a team to the state championship. I can do it again; even here with you sorry clods. Don't you doubt it!"
It was a challenge but it wasn't bluster. "Is that guy for real?" whispered Tony leaning over toward Walter.
Recognition started gleaming in a few of the eyes focused on Matt. Walter was one of the last to figure it out. "He's transferring from Central City North," growled the coach. "You all've heard of Matt Rivers? Right?"
The locker room exploded. Heard of Matt Rivers? You had to be a hermit in the four state area to not have heard of this wizard of the high school gridiron. The team pressed around their newest member shouting questions. Those in back jumped up holding onto shoulders in front to get a look and let their views be known.
Walt hung back. As a loner he barely put up with the mob scene that was normal with any team sport. He was on the team as a favor to coach. With his running ability he was a natural pass receiver. It was also a fact that until now there had been little opportunity to receive a pass. Coach had been through a string of would be quarterbacks with no success in the past few years. Well, mused Walt, things sure sounded like they would be different this year.
Tony broke from the crowd milling around Matt. "Do you believe this?" he asked Walt. " Come on over and meet the savior, Hands. Would you believe it, he's heard of you. Doesn't know squat about the rest of us. He wasn't play acting with that Texas drawl either. It's real."
Letting himself be pulled upright, Walt was led into the throng. "Here's your receiver, honored touchdown king, your greatness." Tony sounded and looked like the typical sniveling court underling from a bad late night medieval drama.
The raven head turned with that crooked grin again in place. Matt shot out his hand. Walt shook it and mouthed what seemed appropriate at the time. He was becoming uncomfortable. Usually the locker room time was brief. On the field Walt was part of the team but self contained and also seldom needed due to coach's bad luck with quarterbacks so far.
The new guy sensed something was wrong. With his confidence he knew it had nothing to do with himself so let it drop along with Walt's hand. "See you on the field. Hope you're as good as coach says." He let his attention zero in on someone else.
"So coach used you as a sales tool. Looks like Hands is going to get his ass worked off this year." Tony smacked Walt on his shoulder and returned to the celebration.
Walt pondered, things just might be better this year. On the home front nothing had changed. He took care of Mom. She seldom left the upstairs sitting room, bedroom suite she loved. He spent the time he needed on his studies at school. When he wasn't finished before the end of the school day, he stayed late after practice using the library. Mr. Jarvis the custodian let Walt lock up if he was still there after that day's janitorial duties were done.
He saw to his own needs when the tension mounted too high and his groin ached. It happened frequently in the lazy warmth of an early morning wake up. He seldom woke without a growing erection that needed attention. Sometimes, when he studied late, he used the locker room or the adjoining showers.
There was always an illicit thrill in masturbating in the empty team rooms. He used towels or tees from his own locker when he cleaned up. He preferred the shower room; the results of his activities washed right down the drain and he was cool and clean afterwards.
With that new kid's arrival things did change. Football became a major part of Walt's life. By the third game of the season everyone in town knew things were different. The team had felt it after their first full practice. The student body quickly absorbed the team's conviction that this was a magic year. With the fourth overpowering win the rest of the world stopped and took notice.
Matt was everything he said he was. He was a captain, a general, a skilled player of the game. Before the first game the team knew he was fully in charge. Coach was there. But Matt was running the show. And what a show it became. Matt pushed Walt harder than he had ever pushed himself for football. Matt expected perfection. Walt was the same with football as anything else, once explained, once done, it was learned.
They became the state's highest scoring single season touchdown duo in history with the sixth win. The crowds overflowed the stadium. The noise levels were beyond anything ever heard on the north side. With each day that passed Walt became a little less a withdrawn loner. He was in the spotlight with Matt. They were famous. The pressure of fans and well-wishers surrounded them constantly.
Walt's boss loved it. His traffic for auto sales and repairs kept increasing as Walt's presence on his staff became a well known fact across the four state area. He soon had Walt assisting in sales. "Just meet and greet. Press the flesh, Walter, me boy." It wasn't hard. Most people were nice. Walt came even farther out of his loner shell.
Walt seldom saw Matt away from football. Matt was always in a crowd even when cruising town in his convertible. He quickly had become the most popular guy in the senior class. Girls fawned on him. Most of the male student body listened in awe to his every word. It wasn't the world Walt moved in; or even wanted in.
After overhearing a conversation Matt had with coach early in the season, Walt knew that Matt was struggling with academics and receiving extensive tutoring. Matt had family expectations that he must meet which included college back east. Matt's dad was a strong man. Matt's dad was a rich man. The family had moved to town because Mr. Rivers had bought the local newspaper and three others in the same corner of the state. They were just the latest additions to his empire, which he expected Matt to prove worthy of taking over.- o o o -
When Matt walked into the showroom that Saturday, he caught Walt by surprise. "Heard that you were a fixture here, Hands. Any possibility that they've got a convertible I can trade in my old clunker for?" The loopy grin was there beneath his violet sparking eyes.
Walt didn't know whether to take him serious or not. The 'old clunker' Matt had was last year's top of the line model. It became clear Matt was serious. Walter knew he could handle this sale on his own, and he did. The biggest and best model with all the latest luxury features was soon on order.
"Knew you could help me out, Hands. Just like on game days. Thanks." drawled Matt as he handed over a check for payment in full including title, taxes and license. "It's a gift from dad for the season so far. Guess it really should be half yours. Let me know anytime you want to use it. I'm serious now. O.K.?"
Walt didn't say anything as Matt strode out of the showroom. He should have said something. But what? His reply depended upon his belief in whether Matt had been serious or just being typical Matt. Walt wasn't sure how to take the offer, if it was a real offer. So he shrugged and forgot it. The topic didn't come up during practices or at the next game. He'd been right. It was just Matt being Matt, the rich kid, showing off his dad's money and his own glib winning way.
Because it was a prepaid rush special order the car arrived quickly. Walt had the honor of giving Matt the call to announce delivery of his dream machine. It had been prepped and moved onto the showroom floor. The boss wanted whatever mileage he could get from displaying Matt River's new car. "It's here in all its splendor, Mr. Q.B." Walt told the phone. It took a second for Matt to get the message.
"What? Splendor? Hands, is that you? Oh, yeah, the car. I'll be right down. Don't go anyplace."
Now, thought Walt, that was a silly request. He hung up laughing. He worked here. He couldn't just disappear. He waited for Matt.
"Did you try it out?" was the first think Matt said when he appeared. Walt looked at him with a quizzical shake of his head. "Why not?" Matt wanted to know.
"'Cause it's your car, Mr. Rivers. Not mine."
"Says who, Hands? And knock off the formal shit. I told you when it was ordered that it should be our car. I'm sure not making those touchdowns all by myself, asshole." Matt seemed almost angry. His voice was without the lightness that usually went with his drawl. His eyes had gotten flinty.
Walt soon understood that Matt was as serious as Matt could ever be. He expected Walt to come with him on the maiden run of the new River Boat. Matt turned and shook his head "No!" Quietly he explained. "This will not be the new River Boat. Since it's ours it's the River Runner. Get your ass in the car, Hands. It'll be all right with the boss man. I'll have you back within the hour. "
As they drove away Matt commented on the strangeness of this being the first time they had been together outside of football. "Don't you like me, Hands. And, damn it, do I have to keep calling you that? Your name's Walter, Walt, right? Do you mind if I assume and start calling you Walt away from the game? What do the other guys call you when you meet in the hall? What's your mother call you?
"At home I'm Matthew. Matthew Anthony if I'm in trouble, which is quite frequent. Do your teachers call you Walt or Walter? I don't know squat about you except for your ability to catch what I throw. Where do you live? You know where we Rivers live, right? Everyone knows where we live. Say something, damn it. I'm not talking to myself."
Walter started laughing, and gasped his reply. "You sure are -- talking to yourself. I was beginning to wonder how one turned you off. Yes, I like you. What I know of you. Two, you can call me whatever you damn please. Three, everyone else calls me Walt. When my mom's upset it's Walter Larimore Johnston. Four, we live up north of the stadium. And, finally, I am not an idiot. Of corse I know where you live. So what do I call you away from the game?"
It wasn't easy for Matt to translate this speech as Walt continued to chuckle.
Walt really didn't know for sure why Matt's outburst had hit him so funny. But he was enjoying the ride, and the conversation.
"Ditto, pardner. Whatever you feel like calling me, is all right with me. Sorta like the formal Mr. Q.B. you tagged on me, but it's your call." Matt's answer came after a brief studied analysis of what the hell Walt had said.
Matt took them through town, circled the shopping mall and glided into a parking slot on the edge of the lot. He insisted Walt take the wheel and refused to give directions on where to to next. Walt was initially tentative and fearful of every other car or immobile object within view.
"You drive like an old lady, Walt. Goose it and lets burn rubber. Where you heading, anyway?"
"I'll feel better out on the highway, Oh Exalted Tosser of Shit and Footballs," mumbled Walt, his concentration was on the safe passage through the obstacles of town. He slowly relaxed and started enjoying the thrill of control over the vehicle. He was exuberant as they left town and pulled onto the highway.
"Didn't quite get that last remark."
Walt repeated the glorious new title he had bestowed upon Matt as he finally felt free enough to take Matt's driving advise. He floored the accelerator and the car jumped into overdrive and streaked down the highway. At the same time Matt swung and Walt ducked and started laughing again.
Matt threw back his head and howled. He turned and faced Walt. He screamed against the wind, "Just wait till Friday and I'll show you more tossing than you can catch, smart mouth."
Walt tried to analyze what was happening and why. He was enjoying himself with another person. It seemed there had been a bond building as each game and practice session went by. He hadn't felt it then. He did now. Matt was a friend. Well not yet. It was that Matt could be, might be a friend. The friend he now was beginning to understand that he had been missing.
Why was Matt being kind? Did he want more than he now got in support on the football field? Could there be something more than what it seemed? Walt pushed the questions aside, looked over at Matt, honked the horn and yelled -- "Look out world, here come the Touchdown Kings." The power line poles beside the road whizzed by, a fence-like blur of brown.
It was a leisurely drive back into town and down to the dealership's showroom. Matt thanked Walt for the drive like it was all Walt's idea and Walt's car. "It was my pleasure. Hope I didn't scare the shit out of you on the highway, O Exalted One." replied Walt.
Matt took one more swipe at Walt which missed again. Laughing Matt shook Walt's hand, thanked him again -- this time for the delivery of the car and the mildly exciting drive. "See ya," he said and drove off with a wave.
Was that it? Walt decided to let be what would be. He'd been on his own for a long time. The afternoon had been grand. It had the aura of possibilities. There could be a new future. He was still a loner and now a part of a duo. That roll was played on the football field. Did he want it to grow beyond that? Was that Matt's intent? Was this just a thanks for handling the order for his new car? Loners know to wait things out. That he could do. Walt cleared his mind and got back to work.
Things didn't seem much different in practice. Then it was game time Friday night. Walt was surprised to find Matt waiting for him at the locker room door. "Ready to catch a lot of shit, Walt, my main man?"
"If you can throw it, I can catch it, O Exalted One."
Matt punched Walt a sharp knuckle on his arm. "You bet I can. Haven't I done it so far? Let's get ready. By the way, we're going out after the game, unless you've got other plans. Huh?"
Walt glanced at Matt. He looked serious. He sounded serious. He admitted there were no plans for the evening on his part. What was up? Would Matt care to elaborate?
That crooked smile crept onto Matt's face. "It's a surprise," he stated. He added with a knowing nod, "You'll thank me when it's over." With that uninformational note Matt entered the locker room and the ritual of game day preparation.
When the game was over Matt and Walt were carried off the field on the shoulders of the team, the cheer leading squad and anyone else who could get in on the triumphant parade across the field. They now had an undefeated record that put them at Number 1 in every one of the state-wide polls.
Emerging from the locker room together, Walt was still trying to get Matt to divulge his plans for the evening. "Here," Matt tossed Walt a key chain. "That's your set of keys to the River Runner. You are driving tonight, and here come our dates."
Walt nearly missed catching the keys. He was startled and still trying to absorb what Matt had said. Approaching them were two of the opposition team's cheerleaders. Walt wanted to cut and run. He knew he was blushing with embarrassment. It turned out the cheerleader Matt paired him with was a cousin of a recent graduate from the local high school. They had all been invited to a post-game party at her cousin's house. Walt felt he was all knees and elbows not sure of what to do or say. He knew if he drove the car he'd have a wreck in two blocks. Matt saw and understood Walt's discomfort.
Pulling him aside he gave Walt a fatherly hug and whispered in his ear, "Relax, I know you aren't crazy about crowds but this party was planned for us, you and me. We're famous now. It'll be just a small party. Try and enjoy it. By the way, your date is not only a swell looker, she happens to be their valedictorian. You should be comfortable with her. Give it a try, Walt, ol' buddy."
Walt relented and went with Matt to be introduced to the girls. He didn't wreck the car. And, at the party, after the first awkward fifteen minutes with everyone gushing over the two heros, he fond he was starting to relax. His date was an enjoyable conversationalist and didn't seem to mind that for most of the evening all Walt wanted to do was talk.
"You don't go in for this much," she stated gesturing at the milling party crowd. "I usually don't either, but since you won that academic athlete of the month award I was curious. Always wanted to meet a jock that could really think."
"Likewise, madam cheerleader," Walt replied. "I did prejudge you based on the outfit. Expected a giggling air head. Thanks for being you."
Matt dropped Walt off at home after the party. "It wasn't too bad was it, Hands?" Matt questioned. "I just thought you should see how us social butterflies flitter and flutter. We're not bad people you know. Please say you don't hate me for roping you into that party."
Walt turned, leaning back into the car. "It was a surprise. You said it would be a surprise. Damn it, Matt . . . " the pause filled the car with tension. Walt's face broke into a smile. " . . .I enjoyed myself tonight. Didn't think I could or would. Thanks. But, no more surprises, please? Ask me, don't blindside me. O.K., you shit slinger?"
"Sure, sure, no problem." Matt gave a sigh of relief. He waved and honked the horn as he drove away. Walt stood and watched and then turned and slowly ambled up the walk
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