Scrabble Part 1

“S-Q-U-E-L-C-H… squelch,” Robby said as he dropped each letter into the small boxes the covered the board.1

Brad looked up at him, surprised slightly that he put together such a large word. He fiddled with his letters, confused and intimidated. 2

“T-H-I-R-S-T… thirst,” Brad replied, watching as Robby moved his new letters around.3

There was a moment of silence, only the sound of the crackling fire and clanking of small wooden tiles was present. 4

“Your not much of a talker,” Robby said as he laid down three letters on the end of a word. “Robbed, that’s 12 points,” He said pointing to the pad.5

“I prefer to keep my thoughts to myself, especially in a game like this,” Brad retorted recording the score and watching his own letters.6

“So why’d you come here then?” Robby asked turning around to see if the fire needed to be tended to.7

“Because I can’t keep my thoughts to myself where I live,” Brad replied finally resorting to adding a Y to the end of thirst “Thirsty.”8

Robby watched him record the score before moving his letters. 9

“E-T-H-E-R… ether,” He said gently pushing each letter into its position. “Frat house?”10

“Yup,” Brad replied adding the score of his opponents word. “I try to avoid the Friday night parties,” he said. “Or rather the every night parties.” 11

Robby turned again, this time getting up to stoke the fire. Brad watched him, as his rough edged and somewhat bulky body leaned over into the fire pit.12

“You live here alone?” Brad asked trying to divert his attention.13

“No, me and 4 other girls,” Robby said looking up as Brad laid his word down and recorded the score. 14

“4 girls, lucky guy,” Brad said with a small smirk.15

“I guess so,” said Robby falling back onto the cushioned chair with an umf. 16

Robby studied his letters for a moment, his expression at first was confused, but in just a moment changed to mischievous smile.17

“Z-O-O-T-O-M-Y, zootomy on the triple word space,” He said grabbing his phone to calculate the points.18

“Bullshit,” Brad said, looking at the unnaturally long word. 19

“You challenge that?” Robby asked, dropping his phone on the coffee and reaching for the dictionary that they kept ready. 20

“I do indeed,” Brad replied, grabbing the dictionary from Robby’s hand. “I don’t trust you.”21

Robby smiled, thinning his lips.22

“Fine,” he said sitting back and running his hand through his short spiky hair. 23

Brad flinched, in a moment of panic he quickly opening the large book to a random page and started looking from there.24

“Zootomy, the dissection of animals other than human beings… son of a bitch,” He said dropping the large book. 25

They sat in silence again, this time just the crackle of the fire was there. 26

“4 girls?” Brad asked. “You fucked any of ‘em?” 27

“It’s not like that,” said Robby turning to watch the fire.28

“What do you mean?” Brad asked examining Robby’s build with more intensity now that he was looking away.29

“I just live with them,” He said looking back.30

He got up, once again leaning over the fire pit and poking at the slowly dying fire. Brad admired him, eyes wondering up and down, searching… exploring. 31

“Um…Do you mind if I play some music,” Brad asked, again trying to pull himself out of that trance. 32

“Go ahead,” Robby replied, picking up a large log and heaving it onto the fire. 33

Brad got up quickly, unsure on how to use the large old radio that sat in the corner of the room. Robby watched him, attracted by Brads average sized, very American features. 34

“Here let me show you,” he said walking from the fire and leaning over Brad to operate the radio. 35

Brad squirmed but then relaxed, comforted by the feeling of Robby so close. 36

“There you go,” Robby said standing up as the radio squeaked to life.37

Brad fiddled with the stations, eventually settling on a very mellow one. Robby walked back to the coffee table, picking up the game board and pieces.38

“So where you from?” Asked Robby in an effort to break the awkward silence.39

Brad looked at him, “Here, you?” He asked… he had been curios about Robby’s dark skin, and hair in a state so far north. 40

“Mexico, my real name his Roberto” he replied, pushing the lid closed on the game, and storing it under the couch.41

“Mexico,” Brad said surprised. “How’d you get so far up north?”42

“I needed an education, by the time I gained citizenship I was all the way up here,” said Robby tracing a path up a map of the USA and stopping on Washington.43

Brad walked over to the fire, warming his light skin against bright flames, watching as the embers glowed.44

“You just live with them?” Brad asked, turning to face Robby as he walked over.45

“Yeah, they don’t mind, we actually get along pretty well.”46

They stood next to each other, almost shoulder to shoulder. The sound of the radio and the fire filled the room in absence of their voices.47

“Are you gay?” Brad asked curious but cautiously.48

“Are you straight,” Robby replied almost immediately…Now looking at each other, noses almost touching.49

Robby leaned forward sliding his hand up Brad’s side, and leaving it on the back of his head. Brad leaned forward too, much more apprehensively; Robby confidently pulled him in, joining their lips. Robby held him close, placing his hand on Brads hip and pulling him in. Brad grabbed Robby’s back, for support in such a moment of ecstasy. They released, still holding each other.50

“You never answered my question,” Brad said smiling, and slightly out of breath.51

“You never answered mine,” Robby replied once again pressing there lips together.52

Robby pushed Brad onto the couch, sure that no one would be returning home soon, and began… the best night off their lives. 53