Love Means No Boundaries - Andrew Grey

as Joey staked his claim. He could almost feel the testosterone in Joey’s touch—it 72
    Love Means … NO Boundaries
was a little more insistent than it usually was—but the electric attraction was instantly present.
“Are you sure? That would be very nice. Thank you.” Robbie heard a hint of surprise in his friend’s voice, but let it go and allowed Joey to lead him toward the house. “What about the kittens?”
     
“They’ll be fine. They’re having a ball with Rex.” Joey’s voice felt so close, so intimate all of a sudden even though what he was saying was so ordinary.
    Lunch was pleasant, though a little rushed, with people entering, eating, and then leaving again. At one point Robbie told Geoff he should consider a revolving door on the kitchen. Geoff had laughed along with the others at the table. Robbie gave up trying to keep all the hands voices straight and concentrated on those he already knew.
    “Do you need anything?” Eli asked as he cleared the table.
“No, I don’t think so.”
“We’ll be out for most of the afternoon, so call if you need anything.” He felt the man’s touch on his shoulder, and then the touch faded, and the back door opened and closed, leaving him alone with Joey and Arie.
     
“I’ve got work to do this afternoon.” He heard Joey push back from the table.
     
Without thought, Robbie asked, “What are we doing?” He could hear the pleasure in Joey’s response. “I’ve got a field that’s fallow, and I need to spread some organic fertilizer.”
    “Do you mean manure?” He heard the surprised revulsion in Arie’s voice. “How can you stand the smell?” 73
Andrew Grey
Joey scoffed lightly, “You get used to it. When you have over a thousand head of cattle, you get a lot of manure.”
“Will you use the tractor? Can I ride along with you?” Robbie asked excitedly.
“You want to spread manure?” The disbelief in Arie’s voice was priceless.
“No, I want to ride in a tractor.”
Arie began stuttering. “B-but….”
Robbie scowled at him to remind Arie of his earlier promise, and he wisely stopped talking.
“I have to get some things ready and check on the kittens. I’ll come get you in half an hour.” Joey touched his shoulder and then left the room, the screen door banging loudly.
     
“What’s going on with you and him?” It came out slightly accusatory.
    Robbie exhaled loudly. “I’m not sure. I like him, Arie, and I think he likes me.”
“You mean likes you or likes you?” His voice did this weird swoopy thing.
“Arie, I know you’re gay. You told me years ago.”
“And you said you weren’t.”
He didn’t know what to say to that. He was just beginning to understand his feelings. “I like him.” A thought crossed him mind. “If you tell anyone, I’ll rip your nuts off.”
“Wh-what about your parents?” Robbie liked that Arie was getting nervous. It helped keep him in control.
“Look, Ma Bell, this concerns me and me alone.” Arie could be such a gossip. “You say anything, and I’ll never speak to you again.” 74
Love Means … NO Boundaries
“You know they’ll love you regardless of whether you’re gay.”
“Yeah, but….” Robbie swallowed. “Think about it.” He tried to imagine Arie’s expression but failed.
“Ohhh.”
    “Yeah, so keep your sweet little Dixie mouth shut.” He heard a heavy sigh. “I won’t say anything, don’t worry.” Robbie felt Arie take him by the hand. “I promise.” There was something strange in his voice, something Robbie couldn’t place, but the back door opened and closed before he could ask.
    “I’ll be just a few minutes.” Robbie heard Joey’s footsteps through the house heading upstairs.
“You do know what he looks like don’t you?” Arie whispered.
“He was in an accident. I know his face has scars, but they’re not as bad as the ones on his spirit. He thinks he’s ugly, and with the way other people treat him, it’s no doubt why he feels that way.
    After all, I heard how you reacted.”
“I know. I’m not proud of it, and I don’t think he’s ugly.”
“He’s really nice.”
“I can see that.” Footsteps approached, and their conversation tapered off as Joey entered the kitchen.
“I’m ready. Arie, do you want to go along?” A chuckle followed. “Goodness no! I’ll see you tomorrow at rehearsal. And Joey, it was nice to meet you.” Arie said his goodbyes and left.
    “How’d he get here anyway?” Robbie wondered out loud.
“He