The Boy Next a Door

When I was growing up, there was a family across the street. They were good people, but I never knew them too well. The son was a different story, I wanted to know him more. I never knew him well and he was five years younger, and he did make my gaydar go off. We just didn’t associate much, even though we literally lived across the road from one another. Though my parents still own our old house, they don’t live their anymore, just spend nights there occasionally to check on things.

Over the weekend, I set up a profile on Grindr. The responses have been pretty good. One of the messages was from a guy who was within 6 miles. Now when you live in the country like I do, that’s pretty damn close. We were chatting a little and I asked where he was, since it was so close. Then he named the road that I grew up on. I looked back at his profile and replied, “OMG, you grew up across the road from me.” His response was basically, “Huh, what are you talking about?” Then I said his full name and told him mine. Then it dawned on him, we really did grow up with our houses basically facing each other.

We began to talk about family and what we were doing now. Then he said he’d always found me attractive and even said that I was “Sexy, very sexy.” I told him I always thought he was very cute too. He was five years younger than me, which was a huge difference growing up, but I’m glad we’ve connected now and maybe will become friends.

I’ve chatted with a few more guys on Grindr, some not worth more than a few words, but others, I’m hoping my turn into more. One in particular will at least be a good friend to hang out with. Another, I think could be more; we connected on a deeper level. Both are very easy to talk to. One is a few years older than I am, and one a few years younger. I met the older one for drinks and we talked for hours. The younger one and I have talked quite a bit on the phone and through texting. We will get together Tuesday. I’m very excited. I am trying to be bolder and take more steps to help myself be happier.