Something Like Lightning

by Jay Bell

Kelly was checking his cell phone, but he didn’t hear a peep from William. Not until late that night when the house had fallen silent. i need to see you Okay, Kelly texted back. Where? can I come over? Kelly hesitated. He didn’t have a strict curfew, so long as he didn’t abuse his freedom. But his mother preferred a quiet house at night. Even when Jared used to sleep over, they had to keep it down past a certain hour. Then again, he could hardly abandon his boyfriend at a time like this. Okay. Drive safe. He sat on the edge of his bed, deciding the news couldn’t be good. Otherwise, William would have texted him something cheerful before making plans for tomorrow. After enough time had passed, he went out to the driveway. A familiar car pulled up soon after. Kelly expected William to look downtrodden, but instead he glowered openly, as if angry with the world. Kelly even took a step back when William marched toward him. So much for his smiling saint. This was someone new. “He’s gone,” William said, his voice much too loud. “The bastard took off while I was in school.” “Easy,” Kelly said, glancing around. “Let’s go to the backyard. And try to keep it down, okay?” “Fine,” William huffed. He continued to do so as Kelly led him around to the gate in the privacy fence. Their property included a yard that could best be described as long and narrow. This was good, since it put distance between them and the house. They walked all the way to the end, where trees and bushes obscured ...