The River Runs Dry Ch. 01

Revised version copyright 2006 by the author.

This is the third of the "Steelman Tales," and a sequel to "Totaling the Balance" and "Settling Accounts."

ONE: FRIDAY EVENING, END OF MARCH, TEXAS

"Jesus Christ, why does someone always show up early when you give a party?" Kevin said. He was looking out the living room window toward the street. Darkness was beginning to fall on a pleasant spring day in Texas.

"Who?" Jon asked, as he set out bowls of snacks. He had come back late from his workout at the Steelman College gym and his hair was still damp from the shower.

"Well, it's a man and a woman. Must be Mary and Elden."

"Aha, the token straight couple." Elden Lewis was a senior colleague in Jon's department, and had received an invitation for that reason alone.

"Maybe they'll leave early too," Kevin said, rolling his eyes.

"Be nice. He did support me before the Tenure and Promotion Committee."

"So he says."

"What a cynic." At that moment the doorbell rang. "Just for that, you can answer the door."

"Anything I can do, Jon?" a voice asked behind him.

"Uh--actually, Ward, I forgot to empty that ice bag I just bought into the cooler. It's sitting on the kitchen floor. Would you mind?"

"Not a bit." Ward Childers strode toward the kitchen. Jon watched his retreating form, admiring the wide shoulders, long legs, and yes, his small, tight butt. Ward was handsomer now than when he had taught German for one year at Steelman. Was that really ten years ago? Some people aged well. He, on the other hand, felt gray and creaky these days. Maybe that was how a Professor of English was supposed to feel.

"Hello, Professor Evans." A hand touched his shoulder.

Jon turned. With an effort, he assumed the role of genial host. "Elden, Mary. Thanks so much for coming."

Elden Lewis shook his hand. "Congratulations. How does it feel to be one of the big boys?" He was a thin man, sixtyish, with gray hair streaked with its original blond and unstylish dark-rimmed glasses. His eyes were so narrow that after years of knowing him Jon wasn't sure what color they were. Mary, who sold real estate, was a largish blonde, frumpy despite her best efforts to look professional. As always when he saw them together, Jon felt a pang of sympathy for her.

"Feels great. And thank you again for your support."

The older man moved forward and his voice took on a confiding tone. "Jon, I was so glad your promotion came through. I suppose it won't do any harm now to say that some of us were, well, just a wee bit worried."

Jon raised his eyebrows. "Really."

"Your professional achievement and service to Steelman, of course, were never in question. Nor your teaching ability. There are always those who will insist on bringing up things that have nothing to do with anything."

"Such as?"

"Need I say it, Jon? Your--alternative lifestyle. The unusual nature of your household, with a former Steelman student, no less."

Despite himself Jon's curiosity was aroused. "So someone on the committee brought it up?"

Elden waved his hand in a dismissive gesture. "Not in so many words. But I took the bull by the horns. Defended you. Told them that as far as I was concerned, the private life of a faculty member was no concern of mine. Especially someone with as stellar a record as yours in every other aspect."

"Well." Jon kept his hands jammed in his pockets. At that moment the doorbell rang again. "Excuse me. There are drinks in the kitchen. Why don't you help yourselves?"

He flung the door open with such force that the two men on the doorstep took a step back, startled.

"I give up. Don't shoot," Philip Ramsey joked, raising his hands. He was almost as tall as Jon, with graying hair and vivid blue eyes, dressed as always in blue jeans and work boots. His partner Joe--Jon couldn't remember his last name at the moment--stood silent, blinking.

He sighed. "Sorry, guys. Welcome."

"I thought being promoted was supposed to be a joyous occasion. Of course, I wouldn't know." Phil shrugged.

"Long story. I'll tell you after a few drinks. Come on in."

"Thank God they left early. Elden Lewis is such an asshole," Jon said some time later. The party was in full swing, and to get away for a moment from the clamor he had slipped out to stand by the pool. Ward was already there, his long frame draped in one of the chaise longues, an empty glass on the metal table next to him. A slight breeze stirred the tropical plants in the back yard.

"Raising the issue of my lifestyle, as he calls it, right at the tenure meeting when no one on the committee even mentioned it. Kevin's right. He was trying to sabotage me."

"Relax, Jon," Ward said. "Who had the last laugh? He had to come over tonight and pretend to be happy you were promoted. Seems to me you came out on top. Then again, you always did like to be on top," he added, sticking his tongue out at Jon in a playful gesture.

Jon grinned. "Considering how often we've locked horns over the years, I'm surprised he supported me even as much as he did."

"Faculty politics, aren't they lovely," Ward said. He stretched and yawned. Since moving to the Bay area he had made do with part-time and visiting teaching positions, which left him ample time, apparently, to work on his body. When Jon and Kevin had met him at the Austin airport the previous afternoon they had been stunned by the brawny muscleman who had come striding through the security gate, smiling with dazzling white teeth from a model's face.

Jon squeezed Ward's knee. "It's good to have you back. How's the language conference going?"

Ward shrugged. "It's okay so far. The bars here aren't like they are back home, of course."

Jon laughed. "Aha, the truth comes out. Well, I'm honored that you stayed for this dull party tonight."

"You know I wouldn't have missed it. I'm really happy for you. A Professor of English living openly with his same-sex partner. Who woulda thunk it at stuffy Steelman."

Jon grinned. "Elden Lewis said more or less the same thing. I don't think he meant it quite the same way."

"It's nice to see Kevin again too. Though I'm not sure he thinks so."

Jon frowned. "He has been kind of standoffish. Maybe it's the candidacy exams coming up in his Psychology program. He's been obsessing about them lately."

Ward shrugged. "You and I have a history. He's a little bit jealous, maybe."

"He needs to stop it."

"Don't be too hard on him, Jon." Ward stood up. He smiled. "Maybe we should get back inside before we give him ammunition."

"There you all are," Kevin said, spotting them as they re-entered the house. "Just in time for the toast."

"Toast?"

"Phil Ramsey wants to toast you and me." Kevin put plastic cups of champagne in their hands. He avoided looking Ward in the eye.

"Oh Christ," Jon said. "I'm really not good at this shit."

"Come on, Professor," Ward said, clapping him on the shoulder, "It's your night. Go and greet your public. Right, Kevin?"

"Right," Kevin said. He took Jon's hand and pulled him ahead of Ward into the living room. Most of the guests were gathered there, holding glasses. They broke into applause. After a minute Philip held his hands up for silence.

"Before we hear from our man of the evening, I would like to propose a toast." He raised his glass in Jon's direction. "To our new Professor of English, and long may he continue in his heroic, though ultimately futile, role as Head Grade Deflator of Steelman College. To Jon!"

"To Jon!" They drank amid laughter and more applause.

Jon raised his hand. "Thanks for your kind words, Phil. They're really generous, when you consider that Fine Arts gives an A to anyone who can hold a paintbrush. Or these days, draw a stick figure with a mouse."

Raucous laughter erupted, mixed with mock booing. Philip Ramsey grinned, not offended. Jon waited until the hubbub died down, then spoke again. "In all seriousness, everyone, I don't mind admitting that this was a nerve-racking semester. I wasn't sure I'd be promoted. Your caring and good wishes meant a lot. Thank you very much."

"To us," someone said.

Jon smiled and raised his glass. He draped his other arm around Kevin's shoulder. He still felt daring when he did this in public, even though everyone present knew their relationship. "Some people might say that Kevin was the reason why there was a question about my promotion. They're wrong. It's his love and support since the day we met--and for anyone who doesn't know, it was the night after he graduated, so I did NOT seduce a Steelman student." There was a definite edge to the laughter this time. "It's his love and support that have kept me going, inspired me for almost eight years now. It's his sense of critical thinking, developed at Steelman by myself and others..." he poked Kevin playfully, "that's kept me from making even more mistakes than I have." He faced his friends and colleagues. "When you drink to me, you drink to Kevin Kuehlwasser."

"To Jon and Kevin," a voice said, and the toast echoed throughout the room. "To Jon and Kevin."

Jon turned to Kevin and embraced him as applause and cheers surrounded them. Under cover of the noise he whispered in his partner's ear, "I love you."

Kevin said nothing. An unexpected lump rose in his throat. Jon seldom verbalized his feelings about him, and never in public until now.

At that moment he caught Ward's eye. Their friend from California was standing, applauding with the others. The expression on his face, though, was not meant for Jon or anyone else except him. Kevin stiffened in Jon's embrace. He shook his head once.

"Kevin," Ward had said the previous afternoon, grasping his arm in the hallway a few minutes after his arrival. Jon was in the kitchen, out of earshot. "It's damn good to see you. How are you?"

He had shaken off Ward's hand. "This is your room here. Bathroom's right off of it."

Ward stared, then shook his head and chuckled. "Give me some credit, will you? I wouldn't come on to you in my old friend's house. I'm not a total sleazebag."

"He was more than just your friend. And he's my partner now."

"You never have told him about us, have you?"

Ward's bag was on the floor nearby. Kevin picked it up and opened the door to the guest apartment. "All that's in the past. Let's leave it that way, okay?"

The mischievous look in Ward's eyes further irritated him. "Have it your way." Suddenly Ward's hands were on his face and his lips were on his. Before he could struggle or protest he was released. Ward grinned.

"You deserved that. Now if you'll excuse me..." He took the bag from Kevin's hand, brushed past him into the apartment and shut the door, leaving him standing in the hall, mouth open.

Slowly he turned away and headed toward the kitchen. Jon was there, washing dishes from lunch. Kevin headed for the coffee maker, which held some leftover breakfast brew. He poured himself a cup and put it in the microwave to reheat.

"Ward settling in okay?"

"Guess so." The timer rang and he took the steaming cup out.

"You're sure you're okay with having him here."

"Jon, we've been through this already. I don't mind." He sat at the table and took a sip. It tasted awful.

"Well, I have to admit I'm enjoying seeing him again," Jon said, smiling. "He hasn't exactly gotten uglier."

"Nope."

Jon grasped Kevin's shoulder, "I'll always be grateful to him for bringing us back together."

Kevin said nothing. Jon looked puzzled. "He told you to go back to Texas when you met him in California, right?"

"It's all such a long time ago."

His partner patted him. "Anyhow, you came back. And the rest is history."

"Seems that long ago to you, huh?"

Jon clicked his tongue. "No. Cut me some slack, Kevin. What's gotten into you?"

He sighed. "Sorry. Just antsy about the candidacy exams."

Jon laughed. "My Lord, they're months off. Take it easy. Where's that laid back dude I invited over for dinner one fateful graduation night?"

Kevin turned away and picked up his coffee cup again. Those happy days seemed eons ago. When had this part of him that he didn't share with Jon grown to such a size?

He had thought his feelings for Ward were a thing of the past. Ward hadn't been in the house five minutes before showing him otherwise.

Sitting in the kitchen with his partner next to him, Kevin had never felt so alone.

As the laughter and clapping from the guests subsided, Jon let go of Kevin. He was a little hurt. He knew he didn't tell Kevin often enough how much he meant to him. Was he being a selfish jerk to want a little gratitude? His partner had already turned away and started picking up empty glasses and other litter.

The toast seemed to be a signal to many of the guests that the party was ending. Jon was soon engrossed in saying thanks, shaking hands, accepting and returning embraces.

"Congratulations again, Professor," Phil Ramsey said, wrapping him in a bear hug.

"Thanks, Phil. You'll get your turn one of these days."

Philip made a dismissive noise. "Well, maybe. Say, your visitor? Ward, is that his name? Joe and I think he's hot." He turned to his partner, who allowed himself a small smile and nod.

"He taught here years ago. He was my boyfriend, before Kevin, actually."

"Really? I thought he and Kevin used to be an item. Don't know where I got that idea. Well, thanks again."

Jon heard the phone ringing and said a hasty goodbye. When he got to the kitchen the Caller ID display showed an unfamiliar number and area code.

"Dr. Evans?"

"Yes." He couldn't immediately place the voice.

"This is David. David Mulroy."

"David! How are you?" At once Jon was alert.

"Okay. Dr. Evans, I have some news about Dad."

"How is he?"

Long ago, when Matthew Mulroy, married and with two young children, lived in Austin, he had sought out Jon online. Though their affair had been brief, they had never lost touch. When Matt's son David had reached college age he had enrolled at Steelman, where Jon was teaching. Matt's return to Austin on a visit to his son had rekindled their friendship and passion. Even so, he had seldom seen Matt since that time almost eight years ago. Matt had returned to Steelman only for David's graduation, and he had met Kevin only that once.

"Well, not good." A chill crept through Jon's body. "The latest drugs they've tried aren't working. Dr. Evans, Dad's not doing well at all."

"David, just how bad is he?"

Silence, then David said, "He's been asking about you. He wants to see you before... before..."

"David. Are you calling from San Francisco?" Having achieved success with his own software company, Matt had sold the business, moved to the Bay area, and come out all the way as a gay man. This had strained relations with what remained of his family, his children in particular. Jon knew that Matt's daughter had cut all ties with him. David was the one who had tried to keep the lines of communication open.

"No. I can't take off from work unless he gets really bad. He's getting good care at home. Dr. Evans, I think you should go see him. Soon."

Jon drew a deep breath and closed his eyes. "It's good of you to call, David. I'll go right away. Fortunately, we're on spring break."

He talked to David for a few more minutes, then said goodbye and headed down the hallway toward the study, where Kevin found him sometime later, hunched over his computer.

"But Jon," Kevin said when he told him the news, "Do you have to go right now?"

"Kevin, he's dying. It may be my last chance."

"Did David really say that?"

"He didn't have to."

Kevin said nothing.

"It's settled," Jon said, his jaw tightening. "I'll be back in a week, before the end of break."

"Where are you going?" Ward asked, poking his head in the door. "Everyone's gone. What's up?"

"Jon's going to see his ex in San Francisco."

"There's more to it than that." Jon explained the situation to Ward.

"Sorry about your friend. So you're leaving soon?"

"Tomorrow. I'll be back the next Saturday."

"Well, that's too bad, Jon. I'm leaving that day."

"There'll be other times for us. There won't be for Matt." He looked at them. "You and Kevin will have a chance to catch up."

Ward shrugged. "Guess we will. Though we'll probably both be pretty busy."

"We will," Kevin said. He turned and left the study. Jon turned to Ward to apologize, but Ward was looking at the empty doorway. Later Jon would remember the slight smile on his face.

TWO: SATURDAY EVENING, SAN FRANCISCO

Jon Evans stepped off the plane and into the crowd hurrying down the corridors of the San Francisco International terminal, exhausted and relieved that the journey was almost over. He had been lucky to obtain a seat he could afford. Now all that remained was to pick up his luggage and ride to Matt's house in the city, with his volunteer buddy from the Project.

Matt's voice had been excited when Jon had called the night before. "Jon, I can't believe you'd come all this way on such short notice. I'm so happy."

"I want to see you, Matt. I've been thinking about it for a while." He had not mentioned David's phone call.

"I'll get Boyd to pick you up at the airport."

"Boyd?"

"Boyd Wilkerson. He's my buddy from the Project. He's helped me out for almost a year now. I'm sure he'd be glad to come get you."

"Well, if it's not too much trouble." Emotion he could not quite identify rose in Jon. Why shouldn't Matt have a support system in place? Still, the thought of Matt depending on the charity of strangers disturbed him.

"It'll be fine. What time are you getting to the airport?"

At the baggage carrel Jon found his luggage. He turned, uncertain of what to do next. Some distance away he saw a man leaning against a large metal column, looking at him. He walked forward, raising his eyebrows, but the man gave no sign of recognition or welcome, though his steady gaze did not waver. Embarrassed, Jon almost turned away but decided at least to say something. He took a deep breath and opened his mouth.

"Mr. Wilkerson?"

The man nodded. His smile did not extend to his brown eyes, which remained level. His jeans set off his long legs and narrow hips. Boyd's reddish hair was clipped very short, one ear pierced with a gold ring. His mouth was framed by a neatly trimmed goatee. His arms were crossed in front of him, biceps bulging from the short sleeves of his black T-shirt. Jon caught himself wondering what Boyd's chest looked like under the tightly stretched fabric.

"I'm Jon Evans. Thanks for coming to get me."

"No problem." Boyd took one of Jon's bags and began walking.

"How's Matt?" Jon asked, as they wandered among the rows of cars in the parking garage toward Matt's vehicle, which Boyd had borrowed. He had hardly said a word so far and Jon felt compelled to make conversation.

"I'm not a doctor. Maybe you'd better wait and ask him."

Jon gave up. He sensed something more behind Boyd's stiffness than the awkwardness of new acquaintance. What had he done to offend him?

Despite his discomfort with Matt's buddy he enjoyed the ride to town. It was years since Jon had been to the Bay area and he had forgotten the intricacies of traveling in the city.

Boyd took them up and down the steep hillsides, past the downtown, toward Golden Gate Park. The streets took on a more residential look. At last they slowed down in front of one of a row of neat, white townhouses in the north part of the city. "It's this one," Boyd said.

He picked up a remote control and pressed a button as he turned the car. A door rose in front of them and they drove into a cramped carport.

"Not much space, is there?" Jon said.

"For San Francisco, this is gigantic. That's why the houses here cost a million." Boyd killed the engine and they got out of the car. Jon opened the rear door and retrieved his luggage. Boyd was already at the door that led into the house, looking back as Jon struggled forward with his bags, trying not to bump into objects hanging on the walls of the garage.