Socially, David Karofsky was soaring high. He was popular, admired, and even interviewed by the local sports TV shows. He had verbally committed to attending the University of Missouri on a football scholarship several months before and was expected to participate in a signing ceremony soon. All the popular girls watched him walk down the halls, stared at him in class, hinted to be asked to this dance or that event. But, Dave would always turn them down, citing he had a "girlfriend" in Missouri. It was a convenient excuse and a good one.
Matt, of course, watched all of this with quiet admiration – and a little anxiety. He knew what the state championship game meant to their relationship. One hell of a surprise was about to be dropped on the school and the aftermath of the stunning revelation would rock the school and college sports world. But, that's why they call them 'bombshells.'
Autumn was rolling along as nature allows and the football team was undefeated by the end of the season. Two games into the tournament, Dave injured his thumb on his non-throwing hand. The head coach told his son not to be a "pussy" and play with the pain. So Dave did.
The whole rest of that game and into the next game, Dave played with that injured thumb. Matt treated it as best he could when they were together at Matt's house, but jammed fingers simply must take time to heal. Dave's Dad could've cared less.
But during a time out in a second to last tournament game, Coach Michael Ayres could see how painful Dave's thumb really was. Since McKinley's nickel defense was on the field and Dave's Dad was occupied with the defense, that gave Michael enough time to pull Dave aside and tape up his thumb in a different, more efficient way. He couldn't stand how cruel Dave's own Dad, the head coach, was treating his own son's injury. It didn't matter whether it was a mild injury or not. An injury is an injury. When the thumb was taped, Dave smiled and thanked the coach.
It's funny when you treat a teenager with respect. They tend to respect back.
Quite suddenly, it was state championship week. Dave was high. Matt was nervous. Matt's parents were supportive. Julius barked.
.
State championship week began on a Sunday. Dave was more than excited. He wanted to win the state championship so badly. But, he couldn't forget his promise to Matt. Everything was set. They would come out after the game. He was so excited.
So, on the Sunday evening before state championship week, he couldn't help but feel butterflies in his stomach, or even a little feverish anxiety. He went to bed that night in Matt's bed, wrapping up his boyfriend in his arms, with Julius lying on a makeshift dogbed of blankets and old pillows.
It wasn't until the next morning, Monday morning, that Dave's butterflies and feverish anxiety actually turned into more serious symptoms.
.
Matt was running. He knew he shouldn't be running down the halls at school, but this was important. Rounding the corner, he entered the business class hall. Finding his destination, he knocked on the Mr. Ayres' business mathematics classroom door.
Mr. Ayres opened the door to see somebody he didn't know.
"Mr. Ayres?" Matt asked, a little out of breath.
"My name is Matt Saranity." Michael recognized the surname, of course. "I need to talk to you right away."
With furrowed brows, Michael stepped outside into the hall, as Matt backed up a little bit, giving the football coach and business math teacher room to enter the hall. Matt fidgeted, antsy to tell somebody, anybody who would really care and be able to help.
"What's wrong, Matt?"
Matt took a second to compose himself before responding.
"I tried to find Mr. Karofsky, but I couldn't find him." Matt quietly said. "I don't even know if he'd really even care…."
Michael did not like where this conversation was headed.
"Mr. Ayres, Dave Karofsky is sick. He's at the nurse's office. He's got a fever and he's really weak."
Michael closed the empty classroom door.
"OK. Let's go take a look at him."
Michael and Matt left together. But as they were walking along, Matt would often get at least two or even three steps ahead of Michael. Matt would have to force himself to slow down. Michael saw this and recognized the worry in Matt's face. Matt wasn't an athlete and the business math teacher didn't have Matt is any of his classes. But he recognized concern when he saw it.
When they arrived in the nurse's office, Dave was sitting in a chair. Or, rather, Dave was slumped in a chair, wrapped in a thin blanket. Dave was pale and shaking a little. Sweat beads dotted his forehead and he looked flushed. Michael groaned.
When Dave heard a groan, he slowly raised his head, only to try his best at sitting up once he noticed his coach standing in front of him, Matt just to the coach's side.
"Coach…." Dave said weakly.
And just as Michael was about to approach Dave, Matt suddenly darted in front of him, sitting right beside Dave. Matt tucked Dave's blanket around his shoulders a little better, but Dave's shivering continued. Michael watched the scene in front of him, but didn't understand everything going on.
"You need to go home, son." Michael said quickly. "We need to tell your Dad that-"
"No!" Matt suddenly interrupted. "I mean, Dave and I are friends. I could take him back to my house, if you'd sign us out, and then he can get better at my house. You know, if you could. And then he'd get better…at my house." Matt was rambling, clearly nervous over the situation.
Michael didn't like this, but also didn't like the star quarterback being sick the week of the state championship game.
"We really should tell his Dad." Michael objected.
Matt snapped his head up at Michael, while Dave slowly raised his. Michael was engulfed with two pairs of pleading eyes. Michael sighed.
"You two are responsible for this if I release you to take Dave back to your house, Mr. Saranity." Michael said autocratically.
"Of course, Mr. Ayres. Of course." Matt said eagerly. "So, can I take him back to my house?"
"Alright. I'll sign you both out and then I'm following you back to your house, Matt. I need to make sure Dave is getting the best care. The team needs him." Michael added.
Matt frowned but proceeded to get Dave ready for the transport to Matt's car. Michael left to get the boys signed out.
Soon, the three guys were walking towards their respective vehicles. The chill in the November air made Dave's shaking even worse. The boys already had their backpacks slumped in the backseat and Matt was already leaving the parking lot. Michael had to hurry to his car to keep up.
Ten minutes later, two cars pulled into the empty driveway of the Saranity household. Matt was out like a flash, running around to open Dave's car door just as Michael was emerging from his car. He didn't even bother to grab their backpacks. Matt had a hold of Dave's shoulders, guiding him up the front porch and into the house, with Michael in tow.
The thin McKinley High School blanket was slowly falling off Dave's shoulders as Matt asked Michael to wait in the living room. Michael did as he was asked. But just as the boys walked out of sight down the hall, the blanket fell to the floor. The boys didn't even notice.
Michael jumped up and scooped the blanket off the floor and started to call out to the boys, only to see them turn to the left, entering Matt's bedroom.
Michael followed.
And just as Dave was being put to bed by Matt, Dave grabbed Matt's elbow, keeping him close to Dave's face.
"Matt, I can't get sick." Dave weakly said.
"I know, baby. I know."
Michael was just outside the bedroom door, watching out of the boy's sight.
"Don't worry grizzly. We'll get you better soon." Matt said, and knelt down, kissing Dave's cheek and lips.
Michael stared, wide-eyed.
.
Still wide-eyed, Michael quickly and quietly returned to the living room, where he was sitting very still. His mind was racing over what he just saw. But, he was also thinking. He had a plan.
He quickly composed himself when he heard footsteps coming down the hall. Matt briskly walked into the living room.
"Thank you, Mr. Ayres. I'm sure-"
"I want to talk to the both of you. Now."
Matt stared at the coach for a brief moment. Then, the offensive coordinator stood up and exerted his authority. Matt turned around and walked back towards his bedroom, Michael in tow.
The two entered the bedroom. Dave was now under the covers, shivering a little. Dave simply looked pathetic. Matt started to tend to something on the bed, but suddenly stopped. He didn't want to expose their relationship to one of the football coaches the week of the state championship game! He didn't know what that could do to Dave's relationship with the coach. Matt worried he'd done too much already.
But Michael's facial expression was calm.
"David? Matt?" Michael began, with an air of authority. "I have an idea. But in order for this idea to work, I must have permission from both of your parents."
Matt and Dave exchanged brief glances before Matt nodded for the both of them.
"OK. Dave, you will stay here and recuperate for as many days as you need. I hope you're better by Thursday, because you can't miss too many practices for the championship game. And, in order for you to even play in the game, you have to be at school on Friday. I will arrange for your homework assignments to be sent here and you will keep up with your schoolwork."
Michael paused, gauging Dave's reaction. Dave very numbly nodded.
"Matt?" Michael began, much to Matt's surprise, "You will stay here too."
Matt couldn't hide his surprise.
"But-"
"Hear me out, Matt." Michael ordered. Matt stopped talking.
"You will help Dave recover. Your homework assignments will also be dropped off and you will keep up with your schoolwork too."
Michael paused to gauge the boy's reactions and when he saw none, he continued.
"Look," Michael said, a little tiredly, "this school wants this championship bad. This is a lot of pressure on you boys, but this school needs you. This community needs you. I need you."
Michael shifted his weight a little, clearly uncomfortable with his proposal, but especially with what he was about to add. He felt like he had no other choice.
"And besides, Dave," Michael added, a little softer, "I can't think of a better caretaker than someone who obviously…loves you so much."
The boys' eyes bulged. Dave's shaking got worse.
"I saw how you two are towards each other. I just saw it with your affection, Matt." And with that statement, Matt started to shake. Both boys were terrified, their secret was revealed! But Michael simply remained calm, as he took a step closer to Matt, placing his hand on Matt's shoulder.
"I can't think of a better caregiver than a loving partner." Michael said with a little, slightly uncomfortable smile.
Matt couldn't help but smile back.
"Thanks Mr. Ayres." Matt croaked.
"What you boys do with your lives is your business, not anyone else's. If you need your relationship to stay a secret-" both boys nodded their head vigorously, "then I won't tell anyone. Not until you're ready…if you both ever are."
Matt slowly turned to look at Dave. Dave's wide eyes looked up at Matt, a quiet desperation in them.
"Th-thank y-you, c-c-coach." Dave struggled to say, between his fever and fear.
"Alright, then." Michael declared. "I'm going to talk to both of your parents and make sure I have their permission. But you two are signed out for the rest of the day. I'll arrange for your homework assignments for today only, to be brought here. After that, well it's up to your parents. OK?"
Both boys nodded.
"Alright then. I'm going back to school." Michael turned to leave, but hesitated, turning to Matt. "Matt, take good care of him."
"I w-will…coach." Matt replied, shakily.
And with a half-smile on his face, Michael turned and left the boys, finding his own way out of the house.
Coach Michael Ayres would find out that getting permission from Dave's father would disgustingly be no problem at all. Getting permission from Matt's parents placed him in unknown territory.
.
Around 5:30PM that same day, Michael made his second trip to Matt Saranity's house. Homework assignments and a football playbook in tow, he eagerly hopped out of his car and headed towards the front door. Just before he could knock, Eileen Saranity opened the door. She didn't look very happy.
"You must be Mr. Ayres." Eileen said, coldly.
"Y-yes, ma'am. I'm here with homework for Matt and Dave."
"Come in." Eileen said, coolly. "Mr. Ayres, I don't like this idea, but I understand the necessity. You are welcome here to enact your little 'plan.'"
And with that, Eileen turned around and walked away, leaving Michael to his own devices. Michael sighed, entered the house, shut the front door, and headed towards Matt's bedroom.
When he arrived, he quietly knocked and then opened the door. As the door opened, he saw Dave curled up on Matt's chest, sound asleep and snoring. Matt frantically held up his finger to his lips, indicating to Michael to be as quiet as possible. Michael complied, staying right where he was. Julius watched everything with his keen observation skills.
Matt then carefully and slowly slipped around Dave, guiding Dave to a couple of pillows. Dave stirred a little and then suddenly rolled over, freeing Matt. Matt immediately stood up and walked towards Michael, motioning for them to leave the room. Once outside the room, Matt slowly closed his bedroom door and escorted the coach to the dining room. The two sat down, Matt's parents in the nearby living room.
"That's the first time he's fallen asleep since we came home from school." Matt stated informally. "I didn't want to wake him."
Michael took a moment to study Matt. Matt looked frazzled – hair slightly disheveled, slumped a little in his chair, distracted with too many concerns for a teenager.
"I know this is hard, Matt," Michael gently began, "but you're really helping a lot."
"I know." Matt automatically replied.
"No, I don't think you do." Michael firmly said. "Dave is the key to winning this state championship. This community wants it so bad that they can't afford-"
"It's you that doesn't understand, Mr. Ayres!" Matt snapped. "You don't know what this damn game means to us!"
Michael narrowed his eyes a little before he responded.
"What do you mean?"
Matt slumped in his chair even further. Sighed, tried to sit up, and slumped back in his chair.
"This game…..this damn game….." Matt started.
Michael scooted a little closer to the struggling teenager.
"Dave and I can't hide anymore, Mr. Ayres." Matt quietly said. "You have no idea what it's like to hide a secret like we are."
Michael simply stared at Matt, waiting for him to continue.
"Dave and I have a plan. My parents are…ambivalent about our plan, but we're going to do it anyway. We just have no choice." Matt struggled to finish, fighting off tears.
Again, Michael waited.
"Dave and I are coming out as a couple after the state championship game. Dave then has nothing to lose. We've been dating for almost seven months."
Michael's eyes shot up. He wasn't aware of any openly gay people, let alone gay couples at McKinley High School. Stunned, he continued to study Matt, but Matt just stared back, revealing no further information. Michael sat back in the chair, contemplating the words.
"You are aware of the dan-"
"Of course we are, Mr. Ayres!" Matt snapped. "But hiding is so hard! You have no idea what it's like to deny who you are, to avoid your boyfriend, to not even hold hands walking down the hall…" And that's when Matt lost it. The tears flowed steadily and Michael shifted in his seat. Michael had never considered this aspect of gay life before and he wouldn't let them down.
"Alright. I'll see what I can do to ease this…transition." Michael tentatively said.
Matt's head shot up, tears almost instantly drying up.
"You…you'll…support us?" Matt asked timidly.
"Absolutely."
.
The next day, Tuesday, Dave still had a fever and chills. He was able to eat some tomato soup, a banana, about twelve cups of Matt's special herbal tea blends, and some history homework. Matt was keeping up with his studies as well. Michael was dropping off homework assignments dutifully every day after school.
Sebastian stopped by to offer his assistance in any way he could. His snarky energy made Dave laugh from time to time, but then a coughing fit would take over. Sebastian found he would just be a good support system for the boys and that would be it.
The school noticed Dave's absence, though. Word spread that he was sick and many students, faculty, and people in the Lima area were worried. But Matt was the only confident one of the bunch. Of course, no one saw this, but he didn't care. He loved Dave. He cared for Dave. He loved their plan.
By Wednesday, Dave could get out of bed on his own accord and the fever was gone. He was still very weak, but exhaustion was the only remaining symptom left. Homework assignments were returned by the coach to their teachers.
Every night, Matt would make sure Julius was fed and let in and out, like dogs should. And, every night, Matt would crawl into his bed and pull Dave to his chest, curling his thin, supporting fingers around Dave's wide back as best he could. It would never take Dave long to fall asleep, wrapped up in his boyfriends loving arms. Matt had never had this much responsibility before and found he loved it. He resolved that the two boys would proudly go to school on Thursday. He was right.
Thursday morning. Dave and Matt drove to school that day for the first time since Monday morning. Dave, still a little weak, was feeling much better. Matt loved this as he drove the country roads to McKinley High School. They held hands as they drove.
But that day, they did something they've never done before – they arrived in the crowded, busy, overpopulated student parking lot…together.
.