Are You Nuts? Read Online Free PDF Page B

of naked teenagers?”
    â€œAre you going to be seducing them?”
    â€œTeenagers aren’t my thing.”
    â€œGood.”
    â€œHow can I not look?”
    â€œMy suggestion is to avoid staring. They’ll notice. Homophobia tends to run most strongly in exclusively male teenage groups.”
    â€œDo you think I should try and be completely in the closet, at least until I get tenure?”
    â€œI can’t make that kind of decision for you. How much do you think hiding your sexuality is worth to your psyche? What price are you willing to pay? You’re right, I don’t have to worry about making the rent like you do. You have my sympathy. My suggestion to you as a union official is—be a good teacher. Don’t molest any kids and don’t give anyone a reason to be suspicious of you.”
    â€œWhat do you mean don’t do anything suspicious?”
    I gave him the standard pitch any teacher would get—straight or gay, tenured or not. “Don’t touch them for any reason. Don’t be in a room alone with any student, male or female. If that happens, at the very least, make sure the classroom door is open.”
    â€œThat sounds terrible.”
    â€œI’m surprised no one told you last year. Teachers have to be careful today. Probably kindergarten and first-grade teachers can touch the kids without suspicion, but not after that. It’s too easy for some loony parent or child to make a wild accusation. It didn’t use to be like that, but that’s the way teaching is today.”
    â€œThanks for the advice. I appreciate it.” He smiled shyly and asked, “Could I buy you a drink sometime up in Chicago?”
    He had a great smile. I wondered if his shyness was an act or if this was another mode of seduction. I didn’t know if he had planned the outfit and his presence here, or if it was really due to the “accident” of hearing people talking in the lounge. Maybe I’m too suspicious. I said, “I’m sure Scott and I could try to fit it into our schedule. Although, after he gets back, I expect his and my life will be hectic for quite a while.”
    His smile remained, but I thought I caught glimmers of worry and shyness in his eyes. He said, “Maybe just you and I could go?”
    Back when I was dating, I never knew what to say to someone who I suspected was coming on to me, but who I didn’t want to date. Certainly, Trevor might simply be a friendly guy making an innocent offer. As he grabbed the front of his shorts and readjusted himself, I thought—then again, maybe not. But I didn’t want to give unclear messages either. As gently as I could, I said, “If you’re asking for a date, I’m sorry, I love Scott and that is not possible. If you’re being friendly, I appreciate it, and if the opportunity ever came up for the three of us to go, that would be fine.”
    He gave me a thin smile. “I understand.”
    But he didn’t look look satisfied. If there was a nicer way to say no, I wasn’t aware of it. I didn’t need more distractions at this moment. I could have used less. With a cheery wave and passing closer to me than necessary, he left the room.
    Celebrity seduction? My first groupie or a lonely gay guy who wanted to be friends? Scott talks about the people who hang around the baseball players. Male fans desperate for a touch of the magic. Female fans often eager for more. I think I was flattered more than annoyed. But I have been faithful to Scott since the day we met, as he has been to me, so Trevor wasn’t even a remote possibility.
    I hunted for any random custodian. I discovered most of them were at the new high school. Benjamin Harrison High was supposed to be ready to open in a few days. The population of River’s Edge had more than doubled in the past few years, as had that of most of the southwestern suburbs of Chicago. It had taken them three tries,