Taste Test: Shades of Autumn

The Straggler
by Addison Albright

Blake Renner breathed in the crisp autumn air and took a few practice swings before addressing the ball hed placed on the tee. He was a straggler at the Towering Pines Golf Course and was killing time at the driving range, hoping to hear a page calling for him to join a threesome.

Unfortunately, none of his friends liked to golf. He often found himself showing up at the course, hoping to be able to join a group that showed up short a player. He usually managed to get in after a brief wait.

Blake was the brand manager for natural powdered drink mixes at Jensens Natural Beverages, Incorporated. Hed been promoted from marketing analyst over the summer and was working his ass off these days trying to build his credibility within the JNB organization.

Autumn was his favorite season and hed awoken this morning with a desire to spend the day outdoors. He loved the blaze of colors in the trees and the freshness of the air, so driving out to the golf course this morning had been a no-brainer.

He stepped up to the tee and swung his driver, connecting solidly with the ball. It landed about two hundred and fifty yards out. Not bad. Hed hooked it slightly, though. He reached into the bucket and placed another ball on the tee.

After going through about ten balls with his driver, he traded his club for the three wood. He practiced a while with that and then reached for his seven iron, but didnt get the chance to use it.

Jacobson threesome on deck for number one tee, announced the starter over the loudspeaker. Renner single join Jacobson threesome on tee number one.

Sweet, he was in. Blake picked up his golf bag and hiked over to the first tee. He spotted the trio on deck and walked toward them. As he approached, one of the men turned to look at him.

Damn, it was Frank Miller, the Chief Financial Officer at JNB. Thankfully he didnt answer to Mr. Miller and, in fact, never had to personally even deal with the man because Mr. Miller had a reputation for having unrealistic standards and was said to be cutthroat when dealing with his underlings.

Blake had been spotted so it was too late to remove his Gay Pride earring before joining the threesome. There were laws protecting him from discrimination, but some things werent very provable and it had just seemed better to fly under the radar regarding his sexuality at work.

Maybe Mr. Miller wouldnt recognize him as a fellow employee at JNB. It was a large company and their scopes of work didnt bring them into direct contact with each other. Hell, if coworkers hadnt pointed Mr. Miller out to him in the buildings cafeteria, Blake wouldnt have recognized him, so it didnt seem like a completely unreasonable hope.

Apparently, it was, though, because the look in Mr. Millers eyes made it clear that he recognized Blake at least on some level. Just how well Mr. Miller knew him was clarified as Blake drew closer.

Blake Renner. Mr. Miller smiled at him and held out his hand. Are you as good at playing golf as you are at landing new contracts?

Jesus. So much for hoping Mr. Miller wouldnt even recognize him as a random employee of the company. The man fucking knew exactly who he was.

Blake shook Mr. Millers outstretched hand. Oh, ah -- Im about average for a recreational player, I suppose. Its nice to meet you, Mr. Miller.

Frank.