Love Means Courage - Andrew Grey

she is.”
    Personally, he thought Sheila was a scene-stealing, over-acting cow, but he wasn’t about to tell Ruby that. He couldn’t afford for anyone to get the wrong idea. He knew he had to keep these feelings to himself. This may be 1979, but it wasn’t New York or San Francisco—it was Scottville, Michigan, and the very idea of anyone knowing he might be interested in boys was enough to send chills down his spine.
    “It’s going very well, don’t you think?” Ruby had scooted closer, leaning against the railing as the action continued on the stage. He kept his voice extremely low so it wouldn’t travel. “Yes, it is.” He smiled at her from over the spotlight and concentrated on the play and his cues. At intermission, he climbed down from the lighting platform and walked to where the drama teacher was standing near the stage. “Do you want any changes?”
    “No, everything looked great.” Len felt the man’s hand on his shoulder. “Keep up the good work.” Len was about to turn around and head back to the platform, when he saw Cliff at the edge of the 3
    Love Means Courage
stage.
    “Mr. Stevens,” Cliff called as he jumped off the stage and lost his balance, barreling into Len and knocking him flat on his back with Cliff landing on top of him. Len could barely breathe, and not just because Cliff had knocked the wind out of him. He could feel Cliff’s warmth through his clothes, and when he opened his eyes, he was looking right into Cliff’s. And to his surprise, Cliff was looking back and didn’t turn away. His eyes were soft and warm; his breath smelled like Tic Tac. Len felt himself react and began to squirm. It would be the ultimate in embarrassment—hell, he’d never live it down if Cliff felt him get a stiffie.
    “Cliff… Len… are you two all right?” The activity around them broke the last of the spell that had held them.

    Cliff lifted himself off Len and got to his feet. “I’m fine, but I landed on Len here.” He turned his attention to Len, who was still sprawled on the floor. “You okay?” He extended his hand, and Len took it, slowly getting to his feet.

    “I’m okay, just a little winded.” And immensely relieved that you aren’t reacting and apparently didn’t feel anything. “I’ll be fine.” The emphasis shifted from him to the second act of the play, and Len listened to the instructions before walking to the back of the gym and climbing the lighting platform.
    Ruby stood and met him as took his place by the light. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
    “Okay, boys and girls, let’s run through the second act!” The ceiling lights dimmed, and Len turned on the spotlight, trying concentrate on the stage. His mind, however, was definitely elsewhere. Cliff Laughton. He’d actually felt Cliff Laughton’s body on top of his. Granted, Cliff had fallen, but that didn’t really seem to 4
    Andrew Grey

    matter one bit to his active imagination and hormone-crazed body. It reacted with gusto, but luckily it was dark, and no one could see him except Ruby, whose attention was glued to the stage. He let his mind wander for a minute but then stopped himself as the guilt kicked in.
    I shouldn’t be having thoughts like this. I can’t. I just can’t.
Ruby turned her attention from the stage. “What did you say?” Len shook his head, and she turned back to the rehearsal.
    As the show progressed, Len remembered all his cues, taking a break as the scene was being changed to the drive-in. The lights were low with just his light shining on Danny and Sandy as he tried to make out with her in the car. Len’s mind took him on a flight of fantasy as he imagined himself in the car with Cliff, those hands all over him. As he watched the scene, he knew that he wouldn’t push him away, not if he thought he could get away with it.
    He almost missed his next cue and had to quickly change the filters and adjust the light, but he made it just in time. That near miss kept his mind sharp for the rest of the rehearsal, and everything went smoothly.

    At the end of the rehearsal, Len turned off the light, and let it cool before helping Ruby off the platform. Everyone was gathered around the stage, talking animatedly, the excitement in their voices plain to hear.
    “Len.” He turned and saw Cliff striding his way. Len stopped and waited for him to approach. “Just wanted to make sure I didn’t hurt you.” Len shook his head. “No, I’m fine.”
Cliff smiled a