"Perfection" -- A New Short Story

Ladies and Gentlemen, my new short story is one of two that I worked on.  Both are gay-themed, so consider yourself warned.  I'm not going to say what I think about it, but only this...  It seems and feels true.  I think even though it is gay-themed, you might relate to it. So here it is...

Perfection

Jordan was too tall.  Ryan was too geeky.  Joe didn't like to travel.  Alex didn't like to camp. Michael had dark hair.  Not one of them was perfect.  I wanted only perfect.  I deserved it.  Those guys and numerous others lacked qualities that I wanted.  Pure and simple.

I was thirty-seven years old and still single.  I had decided many years ago never to just settle, but to find my perfect match.  Why just chose someone with no similar interests than mine?  And just when I thought I would never meet the one.  I did.

Just after work, I had decided to stop in Barry's for a drink.  It was one of those exclusive membership clubs right off of Castro Street, just gay men.  It wasn't a sex club.  In fact, it was a select club to keep the fags out.  Besides, if I wanted sex I could hit any of the baths or find someone on one of the apps.

It was about nine o'clock and the usual crowd was there for their Saturday night follies.  As I perused the boys at the bar, some smiled, others turned away.  I had dated them all.  I sat down and ordered my Scotch and soda.  I sighed and fidgeted and twiddled my thumbs.

Only Robert spoke to me.  He wasn't too bad.  He had dogs that he would have given a kidney to, if it meant keeping it alive.  I don't hate dogs; I don't want to be second.
"How are you?" Robert asked.

"Fine, thanks for asking," I said.

"Good to hear.  Still dating what's his name?"

"Do you mean Tom?"

"That's doesn't sound right."

"Maybe you're thinking of Ron.  Or maybe Quinton. There was Chico.  How about Guy?"

He shook his head.  I noticed he grimaced. "I've got to hit the bathroom."  He left.

I proceeded to order another drink, when the crowd parted.  That's when I saw him.  Sitting alone along the wall, he was a god.  His hair was blond and curly.  He looked fit.  His clothes were perfect.  And forty points right there. He glanced my way and smiled. Add another five points. I picked up my fresh Scotch and soda and walked over to him.  I didn't bother to ask.  I just sat down.

"Hi, my name's Craig Samuels." I said and put my hand out.

He said "I'm Russell Williamson" and shook my hand. It was a strong masculine handshake.  That was worth ten points.

"Are you new in town?"

"I am."

"Where are you from?"

"I moved here last week from San Diego. I started a new job."

"Ah, what do you do?"

"I'm an investment counselor."  Ten points.
"Interesting.  I have some money that I need to invest.  Maybe you can help?"

He gave me his card.  Russell Williamson and listed the bank.  I love his name.  Russell.  I asked if he was single.  He was.  I told him I was.  I couldn't help but stare at him.  He noticed.

"What do you do?"

"I work at home.  I have a travel business."

"Must be nice.  Not to have a boss or be bothered by anyone.  You probably can set your own schedule."

I laughed.  "I do.  I get lots of quiet time."

"Perfect." Ten points.

I chuckled.  "Yes you are."  A little flirting I thought might stimulate him more. He grinned.  Oh god, his smile was wonderful.  I wanted to run my fingers through that hair. He asked me about my favorite places to travel.

I said "I love Europe.  Germany and France are beautiful countries. The scenery is gorgeous."

"Both my favorites.  I would travel back there.  Wouldn't it be great to camp there?" Twenty points

"I love camping. I have never camped in Europe. I would love to sometime."

He kept smiling.  "Are there any great camping sites here?

"I often go to some great camp grounds and just spend my time reading and relaxing."

"So are you into any sports?"

"No, not really."

"Me neither.  How about music?  Who's your favorite bands?"

I listed out every type of music and musician I liked.  He loved ninety-percent of what I liked.  He kept getting more and more points.  He had no problem getting to one hundred points and beyond.

"Excuse me, but I've have to... Powder my nose."  I went to the lavatory.  I was standing face to the wall when I heard the door open.  Russell stood next to me.  There were no privacy panels so I hoped that he didn't see that I was getting turned on.

"Looks like someone's excited," he said.
Oh god, that smile.  I couldn't help but get even more turned on.  I finished and washed my hand and went back to the table. I had a smile that wouldn't stop.  Russell returned to the table.

"I think we should go back to your place."

I didn't argue.

We were together the rest of the night, the next morning, and well into Sunday afternoon. He finally had to go home and get ready for the work week. I had business to take care of, not much since it was a slow time for travel.

We saw each other every night that week.  Friday night, we met for dinner.

"How about tomorrow we go pitch a tent and hang out for the day?  We'll come back Sunday."

"I love the idea."

"I'll pick you up in the morning. About ten?"

"Are you coming over tonight?"  I already guessed the answer was no, but I didn't mind. It was just one night.

"No, I can't.  I have to finish up one small project and I'll get my camping gear packed.  How about you get the snacks?  Whatever you want.  Get your favorites."

The  next morning, Russell picked me up in his jeep. We drove out of the city and up into the hills.  I had never been this way and it was a beautiful day and I could see the Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the smell the ocean.  He drove about an hour before he declared "We're here." We finally parked.

"Let's hike this way."  Russell pointed up a path. We went right out to a cliff that overlooked the San Francisco Bay.  I started to say "What an awesome view", but before I could, Russell grabbed me and wrapped his arms around me and kissed me.  Oh god, he was perfect.  His kisses were perfection.  Everything about him was perfect.

"Let's set up camp."

"We are really out here, aren't we?"

"I love it.  I can crawl out of the tent in the morning and don't have to worry about clothes."

I giggled. "Ah, a nudist."

Russell didn't say anything. He only winked.
I said "This is going to be interesting."

"Just think.  I'll be able to do you right here against this tree... and this tree... and that tree... and that one over there... and no one will see us."  He added "Hopefully" to be cautious.  Wow.  The thought of having wild passionate sex in the woods with the man of my dreams was unbelievably hot.

"Just think.  You can moan and groan and pant and scream all you want." Russell laughed.  "No one's going to hear us doing it."

"Hot." That was all I could say.  "Hot."  He was mine.  All mine.  I had found my perfect man.  All my waiting and patience had paid off.  All those other guys who weren't perfect were now in my past.  I was in love with the perfect man.

*****

Monday morning came around.  The door bell rang.  Russell answered it.  On the front step stood a man in a suit.

"Russell P. Williamson?"

"Yes."

"I'm Sergeant Conrad.  I have a warrant for your arrest."

Russell glanced at the policemen on the sidewalk then dashed towards the kitchen to the back door where two policemen stood with guns pointed at him.  Russell put his hands up.  Sergeant Conrad and the other policemen came into the kitchen.

"Russell P. Williamson, a.k.a. William P. Pearson, a.k.a. Peter P. Bryant, and P. Lars Straus.  You're under the arrest for the murders of seven gay men in the past six months."

"You can't pin any of them on me."

"Like hell we can't. We've been tracking you for the past six months since the second murder.  We have witnesses and a lot of evidence.  You've become known as "The Gay Strangler" in the FBI office. Read him his rights. And by the way, we'd like to talk to Craig.  Any idea where we can reach him? Since you were seen with him the other night."

"I've never meet Craig Samuels."

"Really.  I don't believe I mentioned his last name.  Any idea where we can find him?"

"No."

The policemen handcuffed him. Russell gritted his teeth.

"By the way, what does the 'P' stand for?"

Russell grinned.  "Perfection.  It's Perfection.  I am perfection."
Sargent Conrad chuckled.  "Sir, there is no such thing as perfection."

CSM

Wow! That Long!

Check out the date on that last post!  June 9th!  It's September 14th.  I can't believe it's been that long since I last posted.  Well, dear readers, it's not because I'm twiddling my thumbs. I've been working on a new book, two short stories, researching agents, and working on a certain part of my life.

Let me tell you about my new book.  It has nothing to do with The Time Savers Club. It is not a children's book.  It is about two people having an affair for the last thirty or so years.

Bea and Adam fell in love in college and parted ways and broke each other's hearts.  Bea went her way and Adam his.  A few years later, they met by accident and the flames re-ignite.  Their story goes from there. Bea is married to "The Ass" (as she likes to call him) and has three children.  Adam is a widow and has a daughter.  I have based them on a variety of people I know (or have known) and loved...  And yes, even hated.  There's some hell and some heaven. It is a little autobiographical. Some parts are hard to write.  But I can do it!

Anyway, we'll see how it goes.  I've got several chapters written, some outlined, and, yep, there's a few blank ones.  I have no idea what to to with those.  I'm sure sometime in the middle of night... or in the shower which happens a lot... that they'll start talking to me and away we'll go.

As for the two short stories, they are both gay-focused.  I really try not to throw my preferences out there, but these two short stories really reflect my thoughts and ideas about what it means to me.  I have completed one; the other's on its way. It's longer and will take a while.

One last thing.  Rejection.  I am coming to terms with my overwhelming fear of rejection. I mean the BIG FEAR of rejection.  In fact, it keeps me from going after what I want (or think that I want... well as least interested enough in to find out if it's what I really want... It's complicated.)

I have a list of agents for The Time Savers Club but have yet to email them.  I've been going out more and I'll see someone I think is really cute or interesting or whatever, but do I say "Hey" or "How's it going?"  Nope.  I just stand there. Horribly tongue-tied.  A big bundle of fear of rejection!  I think "Why bother? It's just going to be...  Well, yet another rejection."  So, I just move on.

*Sigh*  I'm working on it.

Thanks for reading.  Hugs to all.

CSM