Rafael backed away shaking his head.Rafael backed away shaking his head. "Jerry don't be mean,... I just don't wanna okay. I keep thinking of Grant, I miss him so bad. I just don't wanna do this stuff now." He pulled his jeans up and then turned and bolted from the room, leaving his socks and shoes on the floor. He didn't want Jerry to see him crying. ++++ A few days later Rafael was assigned to Calvin's room. It was not his choice but at least he would not be by himself. For the first few nights Rafael cried, still missing his best friend badly, still wishing that he had said good-bye, wanting only to hug Grant and press into his friend's naked warmth and fall asleep. He did not sleep much. The house parents tried to comfort the boy with little success. With twenty three other boys to take care of, there was little time for Rafael and his problems. Over the next few weeks Calvin slowly became a friend. The night that Rafael lost his virginity was a night he would never forget. It was a cool Spring evening, a Saturday, and without the rigid schedule of homework the Baker-House boys had played outside until it was too dark to see. It was nearly ten o'clock when the game stopped, only a few minutes before 'lights out'. The boys had played tag football, a game that Rafael was very good at, his lithe body able to dart and twist and easily escape the other boys. Although he was smaller than almost of the boys in Baker House he could run fast. Rafael was always a 'hot favorite' when the teams were picked. That evening Cal was one of the 'team captains'. Rafael was pleased when Cal selected him as his very first choice. All through the game Rafael did his best to show that Cal's choice had been a good one. He scored twice, in fact it was his last victory that gave Cal's team the win it deserved. The boys had played hard and fast and there was more than one bruised knee or scrapped elbow. As the twenty four boys came into the dorm they were laughing. Rafael was the 'star'. His team mates slapped him on the back and teased him playfully while the other team wished that the good- looking, young Puerto-Rican boy had been on their side. |