New Years' Eve 1966-

After Christmas, the two settled into their routine of silence and few words exchanged with each other. The good news was that Chris lined up a temporary job at a legal office, the offices of Merveille and Shayne. He didn't start until right after school started back up but that was good.

Chris was excited about that since his main goal for the last year was to get into law school. Gordie however, was just trying to graduate with his Bachelors in English Education.

New Years' Eve however, people were celebrating in the streets, even if it wasn't as loud as it could be. Gordie wasn't sure if he wanted to go out, so he broke open a bottle of white wine that he had for such an occasion.

Chris knocked on Gordie's door, even though it was open, he wanted to make sure that Gordie knew he was there.

"Hey, Gordo, what ya doin?" Chris asked, leaning against the doorway, in denim jacket, blue tee and blue jeans. Gordie, who was wearing a large tee, and nothing but underwear underneath it was in bed, with a good book (Jane Eyre this time) and smiled.

"Just reading, what are you gonna do?"

Chris walked up to Gordie's bed and sat at the edge of it. He was invited in, but didn't want to overstay his welcome. "I wanted to see if you wanted to go out for a little while, its New Years' and I really dont want to be home tonight. Come with?"

Gordie looked at his glass of wine, and Jane was interesting. But, Chris was right, it was New Years' Eve.

"Let's go"

—

After about 30 minutes, Gordie was ready, wearing a red pullover sweater, with his tee underneath it, and slacks on, the two men were ready to go out into the night and see what kind of trouble they could get into.

They settled on Stuckey's, since it was open. Most of the patrons got started early however, and were sleeping in the booths or fighting out and around there.

Phil, one of the bartenders saw them come in. "Sober people, welcome." He waved Chris and Gordie in, who were now trying to avoid all the drunks in the place. "So for you, Chris, the typical Bud, while you, Gordon?" Gordie smiled and said "You must be popular here, huh?" Chris nodded and said flippantly, "well, at least people are nice to me here."

Gordie bristled but didnt show it. "Long Island, Phil."

The two sat in a booth in a dark corner of the bar. "So, how are your grades?" Chris asked, curiously, after he took a swig of the beer.

"They are good, three A's and a B, the B was in US History"

Chris remembered, Gordie didn't like history all that much.

"Why did you transfer to Orono anyway?" Gordie asked, drinking a sip from his tea.

"Well, I couldn't get my B.A there, and furthermore, I am planning on studying Law." Chris said, nervously.

"Law? That's phenomenal. But you do know the program here is quite brutal, right?"

Chris sighed. "I have heard."

Gordie slammed his palm down and said, with a hint of pride. "If anyone can do it, it would be you."

Chris smiled sheepishly. If Gordie believed in him, who was he to doubt.

—

Soon after, they left the bar, the drunks were getting rowdy and Chris was in no mood to break up fights. Gordie was in no mood to peel bums off the wall either, so the two went to a burger joint that was still open, went to a nearby liquor store and got each of themselves a drink (Chris and Gordie settled on a beer) and parked at a hill overlooking the town.

They sat in Chris's pickup bed, where he had put a blanket to sit on, overlooking the lights of the city.

The red transistor radio Chris still had from those days as teenagers was working, listening to Los Bravos, Black is Black.

Gordie stood up from the bed of the truck, and stared at the lights.

"This is so much different than Castle Rock, isnt it?"

"Where people dont have a clue who you are, and you can do much more." Chris replied.

Gordie sat on the tailgate, looking up at the stars. Chris got up and sat right next to him, and grabbed Gordie's hand, holding it tenderly. Gordie blushed a little.

"Can I ask you a question?" Chris said, wanting to know.

"If I still love you?" Gordie responded, fidgeting with his hands.

Chris stood up, and put his hand behind his head rubbing it. "Yeah." He turned around to see Gordie's face.

Gordie was looking down and said, very quietly, "Yes I do."

Chris looked at him, and kneeled down, to where their eyes could meet. Gordie still looked down, and Chris, knowing how Gordie is when he gets like this, lifted his chin up so their eyes could meet.

"I never stopped loving you." Chris said.

At that moment, a siren blared. The police.

"Fuck, I hope we dont get in trouble." Chris cursed slightly while Gordie recomposed himself to ensure nothing went sideways.

"You kids, what are you doing over there?" It was one officer, an older gentleman, who shone a light on them. "Gordon? Is that you?"

Gordie recognized the voice, it was one of the campus police, Officer Hewitt.

"Hey Mr. Hewitt, how are you." Gordie said, walking up to him. Officer Hewitt had always come into the bookstore and more than a few times, Gordie had to file theft reports and had to work with him, but for the most part, Hewitt was a nice guy.

The cop turned off the lights and got out of the car, and saw Chris with Gordie. "Everything ok? Usually catch teenage kids around here necking and doing god knows what around here."

Gordie blushed, Chris laughed and said "No necking here, we were just wanting to see a different sight."

Officer Hewitt smiled and said, "Ok lads, I'm letting you off with a warning, but clear on out of here in a few minutes ok?"

"Yes sir" Gordie said.

After the officer drove off, Chris said, "even the cops around here aren't complete dicks like at home."

Gordie sighed, "well lets go home."

—

Chris and Gordie got home at 11:50 pm

"Well, that was enough excitement for one day, wasn't it?" Gordie said.

Chris took off his coat, and flung it on the chair.

"I guess it was, wasn't it." Chris said as he went into his room, to get undressed.

Gordie went into his room to do the same.

A few minutes later, at 11:58, Gordie noticed the time on his clock.

In his large t-shirt, he waltzed to Chris's door and knocked.

"Hey can we do something, before its too late?" Gordie asked.

Chris came out, opening the door in just his boxer shorts and said "what?"

Gordie thumbed toward the clock and it said 12:00.

"Happy new year" Gordie said, and lifted himself up on tiptoes and kissed Chris on the lips. Chris without missing a beat, lifted Gordie up with both hands and kissed him back. From an innocent peck, to within milliseconds, a passionate open mouthed kiss, with their tongues, dancing around each other.

Gordie put himself back down on the ground and smiled. "Happy new year." he said coyly and walked back to his room.

"Dammit, he knows how to turn me on." Chris said, trying to ignore his now hot membrum virile.