Read Online Dream Boy by Jim Grimsley - Free Book Online Page A

Nathan over Burke's shoulder. Nathan shakes his head emphatically.
    Burke
says, “That was a pretty nice dive, buddy” “Yes, it was,”
Randy agrees. “You was pumping them legs.”
    “What
did you think?” Roy asks Nathan.
    “It
looked like something was chasing you all the way down.”
    Roy
laughs a little and Randy joins him.
    The sun
hangs low, soon to be swallowed by the line of trees at the horizon. Randy and
Burke dive from the trestle again, the low part, and Roy and Nathan sit on the
rail and watch them swim. A peaceful charge crosses the space between them, and
they are aware of each other with special sight. Below, Burke is pretending to
drown Randy, who pushes back with fury. The game goes too far and Randy nearly
fights with Burke as they leave the river. But even this commotion fails to
alter the stillness between Nathan and Roy. Roy says, “I like this
place.”
    “I
do too.”
    A soft
splash echoes from someplace down river. The gray of dusk swarms. “I wish
I could swim.”
    “I'll
teach you. In the pond at home. It's easy”
    Nathan
accepts the proposition and secretly cherishes it. He says nothing more since
Burke is running toward them, lumbering along the rail, surefooted.
    “I
got some beer,” Burke says, “you want to drink one?”
    “I
got some too.” Roy reaches for his jeans. “It's in the truck.”
Burke gestures. “You reckon we ought to go back?”
    “I'm
ready. I've had all the swimming I need.”
    Randy
halts some distance from the center of the bridge. “I'm right thirsty
too.”
    “You
going to drink a beer?” Burke asks Nathan.
    “He
don't need to” Roy says.
    “I
know he don't need to. But I might ought to pour one down his throat just to
see how he would act.” Laughing with an edge of meanness.
    They
leave the bridge and find their way along the tracks as the sun eases behind
the trees. Nathan feels as if he has been away from home forever already. Every
moment echoes of Roy. They walk side by side up the tracks, steady presence, as
Burke and Randy weave in and out
    Burke
has beer in a bucket of ice in the back of his truck. He hands one to each of
the others, also offering a can to Nathan, who shakes his head no, but with
respect. They drink. Glimpses of the beer and hints of the acrid smell remind
Nathan. When his father swallows liquor, his throat moves in the same snakelike
motion, the undulating of long, smooth muscles. Nathan shakes his head, focuses
on the moon in the fender of the truck, the sound of a river, the shadowy
trestle, and the closeness of the three boys. The four. He can include himself.
He stands near Roy as Roy swallows, his smile a little softened by the beer,
and the curl of last evening light in the sky.
    Burke
has draped a flannel shirt loose over his shoulders. He is lacing heavy work
boots over his ankles. He sips from the beer can like a suckling. Shadows
obscure his eyes.
    Randy
dresses watching Burke's back. In Randy's eyes is a round blankness.
    Roy
drinks. “What are you boys up to the rest of the evening?”
    “Riding.”
Randy buckles his belt and adjusts the silver buckle to get it properly
centered. “We'll probably run around in Hoon Holler a little while.”
    “See
if we can't get us some.” Burke aims his voice into the grass. “You
going out with Evelyn?”
    Roy
shifts uncomfortably. Nathan stares into space behind Burke's head. “No.
We ain't going out tonight.”
    “She
running around on you?”
    “Hell
no. We ain't going out tonight, that's all.” His tone is meant to warn
Burke off the subject
    Burke
watches Nathan with cool deliberation. “She's a hell of a good girl.
Evelyn.”
    This
falls into silence. Nathan finds himself unable to look at Roy.
    Finally
Roy says, “We ought to go camping before it gets too cold.”
    “You
reckon?” Randy inspects his countenance in the side mirror of Burke's
truck. “Where you want to go?”
    “Up
toward Handle. You know where I mean? Past the Indian mound, up Old