The Gay Ones

By Eve Linkletter

Were they pranks of nature? Or were they the third sex--the gay ones?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Olympia Press
• Release date: Dec 7, 2015
• ISBN: 9781608728060

Book preview

Table of Contents

The Gay Ones

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

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The Gay Ones

Eve Linkletter

This page copyright © 2007 Olympia Press.

http://www.olympiapress.com

CHAPTER ONE

Jerry Kenmore sat at the front window in a quiet Philadelphia suburban home. He was lonely and unhappy, a frail little mama's boy of ten. He had no friends, as the boys in school shunned him as a sissy who wouldn't participate in the rough games boys usually play. So he took refuge in remaining as closely as possible to his mother, helping her with the housework and dishes, and learning how to sew.

Many times, when his mother was out, he'd open her dresser drawers and take her silken underwear and don it. At other times he'd use her lipstick and powder and pretend he was the girl she'd wanted so badly.

As he sat there, he was thinking about the arguments he'd overheard between his mother and father. Although he'd been rather young at the time, they'd left an indelible impression upon his mind.

Mary, you've gotta stop spoiling that boy. I know you always wanted a girl, but that's no reason for me to stand by and see you making a panty-waist out of my son!

Your son! she'd replied in anger. "Remember, he's my son, too! What companionship do you ever give him? You've got a nerve criticizing me, when all you ever think about is drinking and chasing cheap women! If you'd think more of his welfare instead of hunting for some strange, you'd let up on me!"

You're just growing into a suspicious, nagging woman! I play cards with the guys, and that's all!

Yeh, that's your story! I've found lipstick on your shirts, and it wasn't mine!

"What's the use, Mary—think what you like—I'd be around more if I didn't have to get out of the house to escape your damned nagging!

It'd be more than nagging if I didn't think so much of Jerry. I'd divorce you. But he won't have a broken home, not if I can help it.

Oh, shut up, you stupid jerk! Sometimes I wonder why I ever married you. I should've just let the kid be a bastard!

You knew he was your kid; you didn't have the guts to deny it!

Oh yeh, you were willing enough, and you'd been around plenty! I just happened to be the poor sucker you were lucky enough to rope in!

Oh shut up, Harry, you make me sick.—Then the door slammed, with his father going out, and his mother cried until Jerry crawled into her arms to comfort her.

Your father's no good, she'd say. And Jerry would also hate his father and be content to remain close to his mother.

When his father had died, two years before, his mother had free reign to shape Jerry's life as she saw fit, and she released all of her desires on him that had been to raise a girl.

Tonight, she had gone to visit a neighbor. Jerry pressed his face against the window pane to see if she was returning home. A moving van pulled up to the curb, obstructing his view. The FOR RENT sign had been taken down on the house next door, so he guessed that the van must contain the furniture of the new occupants. He watched the unloading process with interest. A car drove up in back of the van, and a tall thin man and a small girl got out. She started to follow him into the house. Then she turned and saw Jerry at the window. Her hair was red and was tied back with a bright blue, satin ribbon. She had a cute little pug nose with freckles that matched her hair.

She smiled at Jerry and motioned for him to come outside. The moving van pulled away, and the moonlight came through the trees and shone on her hair. Jerry thought she looked like an angel must look. As bashful as he was, he went outside and stood on the doorstep, watching her shyly. She walked up to him.

My name's Norma—I want to be your friend— I'm going to live next door. What's your name?— I'm nine years old and I like you,—she rattled off all in one breath without hesitating.

Jerry forgot his shyness.

My name's Jerry, and I'd like to be your friend, too.

Her father called, and she ran toward the house calling back over her shoulder.

I'll see you tomorrow, Jerry!

That was how Jerry found the first real playmate he'd ever had. His entire little boy's world changed after that. He went with Norma to dancing school. They also took singing lessons together and were inseparable. The only disagreement they had was one afternoon when Norma wanted to play house. She put her doll in a carriage, and said to Jerry, You're the daddy. Now you go out and pretend you're coming home from work and I'm trying to make the baby go to sleep.

I don't want to be the daddy, Jerry said. I want to be the mother!

Norma laughed.

But Jerry, you're a boy—silly—boys can't be mothers!

Then I don't want to play house! Jerry said, pouting.

Okay, then. If you want to act like a sissy, I'm going home! And she left, taking her dolls and carriage with her.

Jerry's new little world was short-lived because a year later, Norma's father, who was a widower, married a California girl and she persuaded him to get transferred out there.

When the time came for Norma to say goodbye to Jerry, she clung to him and cried as if her heart would break.

Write to me, Jerry—:always—will you promise? she asked, with the deep hurt that only a child can feel.

Always—I promise—don't cry, Norma! Some day when I'm big, I'll marry you! He stood on the doorstep, tears streaming down his cheeks, waving to her until her father's car was out of sight.

After Norma had gone, Jerry crawled back into his lonely little shell again, and as the years went by he became more introverted and effeminate. He shied away from the other fellows and busied himself with his studies, dancing school, and his mother. Even she started to grow worried when her lady friends would drop sly remarks about her son being so girlish. Jerry had overheard some of these remarks, and had even heard the word FAIRY—

It was the year when Jerry was seventeen that the incident occurred that was to change the entire pattern of his life. The weather was unusually warm for that time of the year. It was May, and summer was already in the air. When classes were over at school, several of the fellows suggested going swimming.

One of them, a stockily-built youth named Ted, had befriended Jerry. He'd persuaded him to go on double dates a few times, and Jerry went because he was lonely and it gave him something to do. Ted had a late model car, as his folks were wealthy and gave him everything he wanted.

The fellows all piled into Ted's car and headed over the Delaware River bridge for Jersey. They drove to a lake that was hidden by trees.

This looks like a good private spot to swim, Ted said. Everyone disrobed and jumped into the water— all but Jerry. Ted stood at the edge of the water, lingering behind, as the other fellows were already swimming across the lake to the opposite shore. Ted waited, then called out, Come on, Jerry, whatcha waiting for? The water's great!

Jerry stood there feeling foolish. He wondered why he should feel embarrassed about undressing in front of the fellows. Slowly, he disrobed and jumped into the water to join Ted.

Let's swim across the lake, Ted said.

It's too far for me to swim, Jerry said.

Okay, then let's race to that log over there. It isn't very far!

Jerry was a fair swimmer, but not a powerful one. The log was actually farther away than it appeared to be. Ted got there first. He looked back for Jerry, then saw him sinking. He swam back to him and reached out to assist him.

It's a cramp in my leg, Jerry said.

Don't worry, just hold on to me and I'll get you to the shore.

When they reached the shore, Ted was exhausted. He lay back on the grass, and Jerry sat down beside him.

I'm sorry I caused you so much trouble, Ted. My leg is still cramped. It feels awful.

Don't worry, I'll rub it for you, Ted said, sitting up.

Jerry lay