Arrivals and Departures
Gabriel retrieved his phone while exiting the meeting. Checking notifications, he noticed a single text from an unknown number.
Unknown: Been missing you like crazy. Hope you didn’t forget me.
“Not staying for the luncheon?”
Gabriel looked up. “Afraid not. Flight to catch.”
“Gotcha. Have a safe trip.”
Grabbing his luggage from an unoccupied office, Gabriel followed business partner, Claire, outside to an awaiting shuttle.
Gabriel: Who is this?
A response appeared moments later.
Unknown: Paulo.
Gabriel had last seen Paulo when ICE raided a pool hall, detaining two dozen men for deportation. Rushing over after a frantic call, Gabriel spotted Paulo just before he was shoved into a van and taken away.
“Be seeing you, mi amor,” was the last words Gabriel heard before the van doors slammed shut.
That was nearly four years ago.
“You alright? Looks like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“I’m fine, Claire.”
“You sure?”
He nodded, lost in thought.
Paulo: Gabriel?
Gabriel: Yes?
Paulo: Is it really you?
Gabriel: Yes.
Several heart emojis appeared.
Paulo: Glad you didn’t change numbers.
Gabriel: It’s been years, Paulo.
Paulo: I know. Sorry.
Gabriel: I thought you’d died.
Paulo: Never! We’re not done yet.
The last letter he’d received was two years prior.
Paulo: Can I call you?
Gabriel: In shuttle to airport.
Paulo: Where to?
Gabriel: Atlanta.
Paulo: From where?
Gabriel: Houston.
The shuttle entered the ground transportation area. The group filed out, Gabriel exiting last as he anticipated the next text.
Paulo: Wait for me.
Gabriel: What?
Paulo: In Corpus Christi. I’m coming.
Gabriel checked the distance between the two cities.
Gabriel: We’re four hours apart.
Paulo: I know.
Nearing the security checkpoint, Gabriel tapped out a message.
Gabriel: Paulo, my flight’s in two hours.
Paulo: Please. For me.
Quickly, Gabriel considered his options. “Claire?”
“Yes?”
“I need to reschedule my flight.”
Panicked, she asked, “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I’ll explain later.”
She wasn’t convinced. Gabriel touched Claire’s shoulder, assuring her he was fine. They hugged before he headed to the car rental area.
* * * *
Two and a half hours later, Gabriel pulled into the rest area on US-59. While he parked, his phone rang. It was Paulo’s number.
“Hello?”
“Hola, papi. You near?”
Hearing Paulo’s voice after so long still warmed him. “Almost.”
Gabriel focused on the people cycling in and out of the facility. He excitedly exited the rental and scurried through the grass, remaining out of sight.
“Can’t wait to see you. Hurry.”
Gabriel crept up behind Paulo, whispering, “This fast enough?”
Paulo spun around. They embraced before kissing.
“Let me look at you.”
Gabriel stepped back, both men taking each other in.
Paulo sported a pair of dingy dungarees, construction boots, and a faded T-shirt in contrast to Gabriel’s suit.
Both were a little heavier, grayer than the last time they’d seen each other, but the thing that mattered most hadn’t changed a bit, their feelings for one another.
“How long have you been back?”
“Three weeks.”
“It took three weeks to call?”
As Paulo responded, Gabriel shushed him with a kiss. He was only joking. They hugged again before Paulo grabbed Gabriel’s hand, leading him down the sidewalk.
“Hungry?”
“Always.”
“Good. Got your favorite sub.”
Gabriel recited the ingredients. Paulo nodded.
“You remembered?”
“Of course.”
They stopped at an old truck. Paulo reached through the passenger window and retrieved a cooler. Inside were two subs, sodas, and a bag of chips. Pulling down the tailgate, they sat and ate, while catching up on lost time.
“Did you miss me, Mr. G?”
“Sure did.” Gabriel rubbed a finger over a deep scar on Paulo’s cheek. “What happened?”
“Guatemala.”
“Was it that bad?”
He changed the subject. “You found another?”
“Absolutely not.”
Paulo grabbed Gabriel’s hand, touching the gold band. “What’s this?”
“Look closer.”
Examining it, Paulo smiled. “Mine.”
“I had it resized.”
Paulo pulled him closer. “God, I missed you.”
“I missed you more.”
They sat silently, watching the sun set.
“Know what else I missed?”
Gabriel turned towards Paulo. “What’s that?”
A hand grazing Gabriel’s crotch answered the question.
“Is that right?”
Paulo tugged at the zipper of Gabriel’s slacks.
“Here in the open?”
Paulo pointed to the nearly deserted truck/RV lot. “There.”
The pair hopped off the tailgate and entered the truck.
Paulo backed out and navigated to the larger lot, parking in an unoccupied corner.
Paulo exited. Gabriel followed. At the back of the truck, Paulo pulled at Gabriel’s slacks until they slid down his thighs along with his boxers.
Paulo dropped to his knees and eagerly sucked Gabriel’s dick.
Gabriel checked for onlookers. They weren’t any.
He relaxed with a hand atop Paulo’s head, guiding him back and forth.
“Feels amazing.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Paulo continued for a bit longer before he pulled away, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. Before Gabriel could question why he’d stopped, Paulo lowered his jeans. He bent over onto the tailgate next to Gabriel and glanced up at him.
“Take it.”
Gabriel stood, positioning himself behind Paulo. “You ready?”
“Been ready.”
He eased inside as Paulo exhaled deeply and wiggled his rear.
“Start slow.”
“I know.”
Sliding in and out of Paulo, Gabriel closed his eyes. The familiar moans, the way Paulo moved beneath him, slowly coaxing him to keep going took Gabriel back to the many times they’d sexed each other over the years. Gabriel held tightly to Paulo’s hips while Paulo clawed at the bed of the truck.
“Oh, papi.”
“You like?”
“Mm-hmm. Deeper.”
A RV approached. Gabriel panicked, slowing his strokes.
“Should we stop?”
“No. It feels so good.”
Gabriel watched the vehicle. An older couple exited, followed by three small dogs. The man noticed them and immediately rushed the woman towards the building, the dogs running behind them.
“Keep going.” Paulo reached back, grabbing Gabriel’s ass. “I waited so long for this.”
“Think they’ll report us?”
“I don’t care.”
Gabriel heard the agitation in Paulo’s voice and continued. Paulo’s body relaxed, his moans intensifying. Gabriel closed his eyes again, focusing all his attention on Paulo. They grinded their bodies against each other, Paulo masturbating himself in sync with Gabriel’s strokes.
“Papi!”
“I’m coming.”
They erupted simultaneously, Gabriel collapsing atop Paulo. Minutes passed before they climbed into the bed of the truck, resting.
“I needed that.”
“Me too.”
Gabriel popped up at the sound of the RV. Their departure reminded Gabriel of his own.
“I gotta get going.”
“Why?”
“Rescheduled for the last flight out.”
Gabriel could see Paulo’s sadness in the dark. It stung.
“I gotta get back, too. Borrowed this truck…”
Gabriel sat up and gathered his clothing.
“Walk you to your car?”
“Sure.”
Paulo grabbed his hand, both walking leisurely through the nearly empty parking lot to Gabriel’s rental. Tossing his suit jacket inside, they hugged again before kissing each other goodbye, temporarily.
“Be seeing you real soon, mi amor.”
“I’ll be home waiting.”