Gunner
The line moved slowly, but I wasn’t about to turn back around. As much as I wanted to be upset about it, I could understand why so many people stood in line.
After around fifteen minutes, we finally made it to the front. The man smiled as he greeted us.
“I see you boys could use a drink. What’ll it be?”
“I’ll have a Pina Colada slush, please.” Desiderio reached for his wallet.
“And, for you?” He asked.
“Do you possibly have a drink in a coconut?” I asked curiously.
“It’s your lucky day; I have one left. Would you like to try the pineapple, coconut mocktail?”
I nodded. “That sounds great.”
“Alright, pay the lovely lady to my left, and I’ll get these going for you.”
Desiderio gave her the cash, and we stepped to the side. It thankfully only took a few minutes before he walked around and handed them to us.
I grabbed the coconut with both hands in amazement. I’d never seen one before, much less held one.
“Well, are you going to try it?” Desiderio asked.
I took a long sip. The sweet, refreshing taste was everything I’d imagined it would be.
“What do you think?” He asked.
“I’m only drinking from coconuts from now on!” I gleamed.
He laughed. “Okay, let’s get back to our umbrella.”
We people watched as we sipped on the drinks. I felt relaxed for the first time in as long as I can remember. Everything I’d been dealing with didn’t seem to matter. I will leave a part of me in this sand when I return to daily life.
“Want to go for a swim?” He asked.
I quickly took my shirt off and turned to him.
“Does that answer your question?”
“Heh. More than.”
“Your turn.” I smiled.
He winked before removing it. His skin was caramel and smooth. He was skinny, but didn’t have abs. I knew my mouth was open, but I couldn’t close it.
“What?”
“Nothing.” I quickly replied as I turned my head.
He winked again as he stood and grabbed my hand to help me up.
He ran to the water with me hot on his heels. He dove in and stayed submerged momentarily. He came up and brushed his hair back.
“Your turn!” He yelled, waving for me.
I ran and jumped in. The water was cold and soothing to the heat on my skin. I swam to where his feet were and grabbed his ankle. I pushed up, causing him to fall.
I stood as he lifted himself back out.
“Hey!” He quipped. “I’m going to get you for that!”
I laughed as I attempted to run. He grabbed me from behind and lifted me before falling backward.
We wrestled around for a while before taking a minute to catch our breath.
“Told you I’d get you.” He teased.
“Now I have to get you back.”
I jumped into his arms, planting my lips on his. He wrapped them around my back and gave one fiery kiss after another.
He parted and held our foreheads together.
“I’ll never get tired of that.” He chuckled.
“Me, either.” I whispered.
“Gunner?”
“Yeah?”
“I need to tell you something.”
“What is it?”
“Something in me changed the day we met in the café. It was like a part of my heart returned and made it complete again. You are funny, charming, sweet, and the most beautiful boy I’ve ever seen.”
“Oh, Desiderio…”
“I mean it. I feel like I can be myself around you and that putting my wall down is okay. I don’t know what will happen after tomorrow, but… I love you.”
I closed my eyes and took in the words he spoke. A blissful feeling ran through me, and I knew this may be my only chance to tell him.
“I love you too, Desiderio.”
We stared into each other’s eyes, basking in the warmth of our newly spoken words. Even in the silence, our hearts radiated the love we had.
The sound of salsa came from the beach. We looked to see a band playing and walked back. We danced for a while as they played a set of four songs.
During the final song, I found myself melting into his arms. We held each other close, swaying to the rhythm of the melody. I never wanted to leave him. If I had my choice, I’d stay in Havana for the rest of my life to see his smile every day.
Love is a strange thing. It comes at a time we don’t expect, and heals the old wounds we’d bandaged up before. Every smile is a gift, and every laugh is a Polaroid instilled permanently in our minds.
We parted as the song ended. He pointed to a large, wooden chair across the sand.
“Want to watch the sunset with me?”
“That sounds amazing.”
We walked over and climbed onto it. I placed my head on his shoulder as he put his arm around me.
The sun slowly descended and painted the sky in orange and pink. I was mesmerized. No matter how many sunsets I’ve seen, none have compared to this one.
He placed his cheek on my head and sighed.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?”
“It sure is.” I softly replied.
The beach began to clear as people packed and headed to their cars. We remained where we were, quiet and content.
The small street lights flickered on as the sun disappeared into the horizon. As we sat up, a light breeze began to blow.
“I’m not ready to go back.” I said somberly.
“The night doesn’t have to end yet.”
“What do you mean?”
He jumped down and held his arms out for me to fall into. He leaned into my ear.
“We can have one more magical moment before it does.”
He ran his fingers across my cheek. My eyes met his. They were gentle and full of desire.
“Can I have you? Even if it’s only for this one night?”
I nodded. He gently grabbed my fingers and led us to a small, sanded area under a dock that spread across the water.
Once we were there, we kissed with every ounce of passion we had in us. Our bodies held so close that even the breeze couldn’t seep through. We lowered ourselves onto the sand and let our bodies move with each other to the beat of our hearts.
It was blissful. It was everything we’d both wanted.
We fell asleep after it was all done and woke up a few hours later. We scrambled to put our clothes back on and walked to the car.
Neither of us spoke during the drive back to the hotel. Even though we shared a moment of magic, we knew what tomorrow would bring.
He parked and turned the car off. He sighed before looking at me.
“Can I take you guys to the airport tomorrow?”
I nodded, trying not to cry.
“Yeah, that would be great.”
He smiled and kissed my forehead. “I’ll be here at eleven.”
“Okay, I’ll see you then.”
“Good night, Gunner.”
“Good night, Desiderio.”
I got out and watched as he drove back onto the road. I ran through the lobby and up the stairs. After I stepped into the room, I began sobbing.
I slowly fell down the door and covered my face with my hands. Dad ran down the hallway and knelt in front of me.
“Gunner? What’s wrong?”
“I don’t want to leave!” I cried out through sobs.
He grabbed me and threw his arms around me. He didn’t speak, he just let me cry into his shoulder.
“Going to miss Desiderio?” He asked gently.
“I love him, Dad.”
He lifted my chin and wiped the tears with his thumbs. He looked into my eyes before talking again.
“I’m sorry, son. I understand how it feels to leave someone you love.”
“How did you deal with it?”
He sighed. “One day at a time. I learned in time that love will always find a way if it’s meant to be.”
“What if it doesn’t happen with us?”
“Then you will find the person to whom you’re meant to give your heart.”
I tightened my hug as my thoughts raced. After I let out every tear, we parted, and he patted my shoulder.
“Get some sleep, Gunner. The answer will come when the time is right.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
He stood and walked to his room. I sat a while longer before walking to mine. I couldn’t fall asleep, so I put in my earbuds and listened to my Dan and Shay playlist. Whenever I felt down, their music calmed me. I imagine everyone has an artist like that.