Charlie asks me if I would rub tanning lotion onto his back because he’s off to Barcelona again.

“You’re from France and are naturally brown,” I tell him. 

“I must look my best for the beach.” . 

We are in the kitchen and Charlie, in just his underwear, gives me a tanning glove and sprays Gatineau Golden Glow onto it. 

“Rub it all over my back please.” 

It feels like I’ve got a glove puppet on my hand, and he drops his underwear slightly so that I can see the crack of his arse. 

“Everywhere please,” he commands, and I’m obliged to rub lower until I’m stroking the tops of his buttocks.

The bossy boy has me at his command and he’s asking me to do something intimate. I have mixed emotions. Excitement and sadness.

I decide to test him.

“You should have asked Levi. He would do a better job.”

“I cannot ask him,” he replies, “because he will tease me and say that I am trying to seduce him.”

I think that Charlie might be afraid to ask Levi because he likes him… probably loves him… and I’m sparing his embarrassment.  

I feel jealous. That critical word which can have catastrophic consequences.

“Would you like to seduce him?”

“Never,” he says scornfully. “Levi is a clown.”

“Have a good time in Barcelona,” I say. 

“Thank you. I will do that, but I shall miss you.”