Chapter 26 

 

The sun was rising on Saturday morning when Nick opened his eyes. He turned and looked at Billy and he felt such heavy feelings toward him. He moved across the bed and he gave him a soft kiss on the lips that did not awaken him. His feelings for Billy were growing and he could not imagine how he had existed without him in his life. It seemed incomprehensible that there ever should have been a moment that they were not together. It was intriguing to Nick because only a few days ago he was a different man. He had been so bound up in his head and his emotions, which as Eric had put it, he would not have known a relationship if he tripped over it. Now however, regardless of everything that had happened, the sound of Billy’s voice or the feel of Billy’s touch or even the sight of him asleep beside him, made Nick feel like he finally had a home within the world, a place he felt he belonged.

 

Rolling onto his back, Nick looked out the window at the blue sky. He was actually smiling and when he suddenly realized he was smiling, it shocked him in the best possible way. He knew all the reasons why he was smiling but he knew that the main reason was the young man lying beside him.

 

Nick suddenly thought he wanted to do something special for Billy, to let him know how he felt. Even though he had opened up to Billy, Nick was still struggling to express his feelings and thoughts in words. It was all so new to him and he was learning that things were not necessarily the way he imagined or dreamed. He had always wanted to be able to say I love you to a man but he had never realized that irrespective of the importance of those words, saying them would not quite cut the mustard. Sure they were powerful words when said with honesty, integrity and sincerity but even so, what was happening inside of him seemed so much bigger than the words. It made them seem inconsequential. He thought that maybe if he did something special, his feelings and thoughts and their true meaning would be elaborated upon, in a way that Billy would know. Nick had often heard people say that actions speak louder than words. If it were true then he had to do something out of the ordinary. He wondered what he could do.

 

Unexpectedly he remembered that his father was coming that day. He was about to meet the man he had hated for two years, since the day he spoke to Mary. Nick knew that since the phone call on Thursday, Tim was suddenly important. He knew that just how important Tim would be to him, would be discovered during the coming day but right now, he was hoping the man would move up in importance, equal with Billy and Eric.

 

“Eric and Michelle, Tim and Honey and Ann? Shit,” he thought.

 

It was Saturday and he was supposed to be entertaining Eric and Michelle for their third anniversary. He slid from the bed quietly so as not to disturb or wake Billy and he left the room, closing the door behind him. He walked into the bathroom and cleaned his teeth with the new toothbrush Billy had given him. He slid into the shower and stood beneath the hot water and he began to think.

 

Nick thought he would have to talk to Billy when he woke up and see what he thought he should do. Maybe Billy could help him with a solution. He was not prepared to cancel with Eric and Michelle but he did not know how to deal with Honey and Ann in his apartment. He also did not want to call his father and put it off for another time. The feeling he felt was of being out of control. Everything had crept up on him so unexpectedly, as so many things bombarded him in a short space of time. He had not connected the dots to everything and now the circumstances overlapped.

 

Friday had occurred like a tornado. It had come, happened and then was over. Nick had briefly thought about so many things throughout that day and night, however, the simplicity of sitting around and talking and laughing with Billy, Ann and Honey, had swept him away with no thought or discomfort about doing nothing or not caring about anything. It had been peaceful and enjoyable without a care in the world.

 

“Damn it, you wanted to buy Eric and Michelle a gift and you haven’t done that. You wanted to buy your new car and you haven’t done that either. You also haven’t bought any food for the dinner party and you don’t even know what you need to get. You’re an idiot Nick and this is so unlike you to let things get so out of hand. You always stay on top of things so you need to start pulling things back together,” he thought.

 

With a nod of the head that agreed with his silent words, he finished showering and then got dressed. He wrote Billy a note and then left the apartment. He felt like he had lost something by not maintaining his constant routine and he felt like he needed to get things done, which he had decided days ago that he needed to do.

 

Nick had no idea that living a life without people was in some way easy. There was nothing to juggle except for his thoughts, decisions and actions. When he only had to think about himself, things were simpler but when he had to think of others, to consider their feelings and the influence they had on his choices and his circumstances, life suddenly became all the more complicated. He was getting his first taste of reality for everyone else but still he viewed it as a one off situation and thought he had just been thoughtless and forgetful.

 

Sneaking into his own apartment, he tiptoed into his bedroom. He looked at the two women sleeping soundly in his bed. Ann was spooned against Honey, her arm embracing her and her face pressed into her neck. Nick smiled at the obvious love and closeness but immediately went about his business quietly. He retrieved several huge folds of cash he had hidden and then a set of fresh clothes. He glanced at the women again, making certain he had not disturbed them, before moving back out into the main room of his home. He changed his clothes, put the old ones in the laundry and then headed for the front door. He left the block, got into his car and drove toward the city. As he drove to do the things he had not done, it made him feel a sense of comfort that not everything was so unfamiliar. His life had really changed and as much as he liked what was happening, he felt a little like he was losing himself.

 

After stopping to buy a coffee and a bagel, he wasted some time thinking about what sort of gift he could give to Eric and Michelle. His mind went to things for use in a home but he really had no idea and so he decided he would have to look around and see if he could find something really special.

 

Soon enough Nick was in a car yard and wandering about looking at new vehicles. He had an idea in his head of a shiny, black truck with a flat bed and lots of cabin space but when he unexpectedly came upon a deep, metallic blue Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, he instantly fell in love with it. Somehow it seemed to be calling to him and before he knew it he was sitting in the drivers seat.

 

“I have to say either it suits you or you suit it,” a car salesman said as he appeared unexpectedly.

 

Nick wondered if it was just salesman rhetoric but the truth was he did not care because it felt like home within the comfortable interior. Every cell of his being told him this was it. He really did not need a flatbed. He had only thought he would get one because of his job but it was not like he was going to use it for work. They had vehicles specifically for that purpose. He turned and imagined Billy beside him and he could see Billy laughing as the wind rushed through his hair.

 

The salesman offered, “Take it for a spin?”

 

Lost in his thoughts, Nick asked, “Pardon?”

 

The man adjusted his words and said, “Would you like to take it for a test drive?”

 

Nick answered, “Yeah, I would.”

 

“Let me get the keys,” the man said and Nick nodded, as he slid his hands around the thickness of the steering wheel.

 

Nick loved everything about the car. He loved the sound of it, the feel of the gears, the torque and the comfort. He really had already purchased it before he had the keys in his hand. He drove around a couple of blocks but he did not need the test to be any longer. It was perfect and it was perfect for a man his size. Nick did not know it but the salesman had been right on the money when he said that Nick and the Jeep suited each other.

 

When they arrived back at the dealership and Nick told the salesman he wanted the Wrangler, the man asked, “You got a trade-in?”

 

It was at that moment that a thought occurred to Nick. Billy had said he would love a car but that he could not afford one and so Nick said, “No,” before he then asked, “How much is it?”

 

“Almost twenty-six thousand, approximately,” the salesman said.

 

Nick asked, “”Does it come with everything, all features and accessories included?”

 

“Sure does, all included,” the man replied.

 

“Make it twenty-three and I’ll give you cash on the spot,” Nick said.

 

Stunned, the salesman said, “Cash?”

 

Nick said while grinning, “Is there an echo?”

 

“No, it’s just that’s a lot of money to be carrying around in cash,” the salesman replied.

 

Nick said, “You want the cash or should I give it to another dealer?”

 

“No, there’s no need for that but I’ll need to clear it with my boss,” the man said.

 

“Then go and get it cleared. I’m in a hurry and I’ve got things to do,” Nick replied.

 

The salesman looked at Nick with surprise. He nodded and rushed away to the building behind them. Nick walked around the Jeep and he felt excited. He could not believe the way he felt about a vehicle but out of the blue it felt important to him. Eventually the salesman returned with a counter offer of twenty-three five but Nick said forget it and started to walk. A couple of seconds later the salesman called out to him and when Nick turned back, the salesman nodded yes.

 

They went inside and filled out the paperwork and soon Nick was in his Wrangler and driving away. He had decided he wanted to give Billy his old car as a surprise and so he decided he would need to get someone else, maybe Eric, to come and drive it home for him. He certainly was not worried about someone stealing a car that was nearly nine years old, even if it was in good condition.

 

From the car yard, Nick drove to the mall to look for a gift for Eric and Michelle. He looked at so many different things but nothing really jumped out at him and he was not certain about anything that caught his eye. However, as he was leaving the mall, he stopped abruptly as he looked into a window and saw a litter of Beagle puppies staring out at him. As soon as he looked at them they began to jump and prance and Nick fell in love for the second time. He wanted one and he felt certain that Billy would love one too.

 

Nick went into the pet store and after seeing the dogs and petting them, he decided to buy two of them and give one to Eric and Michelle. The sales girl told Nick the dogs were pure bred with pedigree but even so, he was surprised by the exorbitant amount of money to buy a puppy. He did not care though as he looked at them and before he knew it, he was handing the girl just under a thousand dollars and exiting the store and mall. He immediately made his way home and on entering Billy’s apartment, he found him and the girls seated in the living room.

 

Nick walked into the room and put the two carry cages down and let the puppies out. There were no questions as suddenly three adults were down on the carpet smiling, petting and making weird baby talk noises. Nick stood above them watching and his heart was full but then one of the puppies walked or sort of waddled over to Nick and jumped up onto his leg. He leaned down and picked it up, his huge arms folding around it and cuddling it to his chest. The puppy licked its tiny pink tongue over his chin and Nick began to laugh.

 

Billy asked, “Nick, where did the puppies come from?”

 

“Well Billy, when a mommy puppy and a daddy puppy fall in love…”

 

Billy looked immediately irritated and said, “Nick?”

 

Nick laughed and said, “This one in my arms is mine and yours and the other one the girls are falling in love with, is our anniversary present for Eric and Michelle.”

 

Billy questioned, “Do they even want a dog?”

 

“I don’t really know but I think they will,” Nick replied.

 

Billy sighed and said, “You think?”

 

“Well, something tells me they will so I guess I know they will,” Nick said confidently.

 

Billy nodded and stood up. He walked over and slid his hand around Nick’s waist and he kissed him but instantly there was a puppy tongue between their lips.

 

“Hey, get your own. He’s mine,” Billy said as he looked at the puppy and began to laugh.

 

“Billy, don’t speak to our son that way, he’s just a baby and he doesn’t know any better. You should be proud of him, though, at least he is attracted to the right sex,” Nick said.

 

“Matter of opinion,” Honey said.

 

“Honey, they’re so beautiful. We should get one too,” Ann suggested.

 

“Oh yes and while you are operating on peoples brains into the night, I’ll be the one who has to come home from work and deal with the mess of a destroyed home. You’ll just come home and say aren’t you beautiful and cuddle and kiss without responsibility,” Honey replied.

 

“I already do that,” Ann said sarcastically.

 

Honey asked, “Are you suggesting I’m a dog?”

 

“It’s better than being compared to a donkey but no, I’m not,” Ann replied.

 

Billy asked, “What are you going to call him, Nick?”

 

Nick said, “You mean, what are we going to call him?”

 

Billy’s smile grew and he said, “Thanks, Nick.”

 

“You’re welcome, Billy. As for a name, I don’t know. How about we think about it for a while. It has to be something we both like and something that suits our boy.”

 

“You’re a big softy,” Ann said and Nick chuckled.

 

“Actually, Ann, I need a hand with something. Any chance we could leave the two invalids on their own and you could come and help me out?”

 

“Of course, Nick,” she replied.

 

Billy queried, “What are you up to, Nick?”

 

“Mind your own business, nosey parker,” Nick said.

 

“Nick, you are my business so tell me.”

 

“No,” Nick said.

 

With a frustrated voice Billy said, “Nick, tell me?”

 

“All right. I need to go and get the food for tonight. Would you like to make a list for me so I know what to buy?”

 

“Oh, is that all. Sure Nick. Now I understand why you want Ann to go with you. Don’t want to come back here with a dozen Burgers from McDonalds.”

 

“Billy, you’re forgetting I could squash you with my thumb.”

 

“It’s okay Nick because you want to do something else with me, so I don’t have to worry.”

 

“I’d squash him anyway, Nick,” Honey suggested.

 

“I’m thinking about it, Honey. There are plenty more fish in the sea after all, bigger and better I might add,” Nick said, looking directly at Billy.

 

“You keep dreaming, Nick,” Billy said and walked into the kitchen.

 

Ann whispered, “You have something else in mind, don’t you?”

 

Nick nodded and said, “Yeah but I still wouldn’t mind a hand with the shopping, though.”

 

“Of course, Nick,” Ann replied.

 

Nick smiled and thanked Ann and then put the puppy down. He then wandered into the kitchen and walked up behind Billy. He leaned forward and kissed Billy on the neck and his head fell to the side as he sighed quietly.

 

“You are so easy,” Nick said.

 

“I am not easy. I’m hard to get,” Billy replied.

 

“Billy, you practically turn into a sex whore every time I kiss your neck.”

 

“Just feeding your ego, Mr Rawlins.”

 

“Of course, my mistake, Mr Jackson. Listen, Billy, while I’ve got you alone, what am I going to do about tonight? It was supposed to be just the four of us in my apartment and now I have Honey and Ann staying there and I also have my father coming and I don’t even know when he is going to arrive. I have totally screwed everything up.”

 

“Nick, nothing is screwed up and the night will be perfect. Leave it all to me and I’ll sort everything out. I’ve already thought that your father may turn up but if he does, I’ll be certain to make sure there is plenty of food if you want him to join us. All you have to do is go and buy the food on this list. Buy the brands I write and nothing else. I’m very fussy about my ingredients.”

 

“Whatever you want, Billy.”

 

“Then kiss me, you big hunk,” Billy ordered.

 

“Slut,” Nick said and then he kissed Billy hard until they were both hard.

 

“Nick, I tell you, the day I’m healed, you’re not getting out of our bed without a fight.”

 

“Our bed? I like that but Billy, you won’t get any fight from me, particularly after your friends stayed here so late last night that I didn’t get to be your test dummy.”

 

“Maybe tonight or tomorrow but no matter what, at least one blowjob each tonight, even if it is five o’clock in the morning,” Billy said.

 

Looking like a deviant and desperate man, Nick said, “Fuck, you want to go into the bathroom now?”

 

“Here’s the list, Nick, get to the shopping centre,” Billy ordered again.

 

Nick kissed Billy again and rolled his eyes in dismay and then he turned and went back to the living room and said, “Are you ready, Ann?”

 

“Not as ready as you are,” Honey said. “It looks like Billy was right about you.”

 

“Shit,” Nick said and spun around with his back to the women while he adjusted his extremely noticeable erection, as Honey was laughing loudly.

 

Ann said disapprovingly, “Honey?”

 

“Ann, you can be so conservative at times. It really is hard to believe when you come from a family with four brothers. I think one day we’ll have to go to Australia so I can see you in your original environment with your family. I’m sure it will tell me if this persona is real or whether it’s all for show,” Honey said.

 

“I’m refined, respectable and I see no reason to be crass, thank you very much. Come on, Nick, let’s go before I release my apparent Mr Hyde,” Ann said, rolling her eyes.

 

Once they were outside the building, Nick told Ann where he had been and what he had done. Though she was not really the Jeep type, she loved the new vehicle and was quite impressed with it.

 

“It’s funny, you know but I always associate the word Jeep with American war movies of old. When I even hear the word I think of dark green and soldiers. I know it probably sounds stupid but it was as a child where Jeeps first came to my attention. I guess it just stuck. Even though there is such a similarity in look, the difference is so far removed. It is so comfortable and the interior is incredible. I also love the color you’ve chosen. It’s really nice, Nick.”

 

“Thanks, Ann. I have to say it was the color initially that caught my eye. I know it’s new and it won’t look like this forever but there is just something about it that grabbed my attention. I was going to buy a four wheel drive pick-up but there was something about the new Wrangler that drew me in.”

 

“Well it’s a very masculine vehicle and you’re a very masculine man. It really suits you, Nick.”

 

Nick laughed. “Actually that was what the salesman said to me. I worried it was just talk to get me to buy it. Not that it mattered because I had already decided it was mine before he even spotted me,” Nick said.

 

“Well Nick, rhetoric or not, he was right and it does suit you.”

 

“Thanks, Ann. Anyway the point of my needing your help is because my old car is still at the dealership. I was going to trade it in but I decided to give it to Billy as a gift.”

 

“My goodness. What a wonderful gift,” Ann said.

 

“It’s an old car and nothing spectacular,” Nick replied.

 

“I really don’t think that matters, Nick. People don’t go around giving cars away as a general rule.”

 

“Yeah, I know but Billy told me a few days ago he wanted a car and the trade-in would have probably only brought me a couple of grand off. Apart from anything, I wanted to do something special for him to show him I really care about him.”

 

“Nick, it’s a wonderful gesture and I’m sure he will be very happy but Nick, Billy is madly in love with you and he doesn’t need you to give him anything but your love and respect.”

 

“I know Ann but I’m not what you would call familiar with intimate relationships and love. Honestly, I feel like a fish out of water and I just wanted to let him know in an obvious way.”

 

“Well you certainly will achieve that with a car. I will say though, Nick, since I met you the other night, I can already see the difference in you. It shows in the way you look at him and in the little things you do and say. For no other reason than to take away any uncertainty you have, I’ll tell you that I’m sure Billy can see how much you love him. Honey noticed it as well because we talked about it last night in bed.”

 

“Well that’s very reassuring,” Nick said. On another note, though, you do drive a stick, don’t you?”

 

“Yes, Nick. My parents were adamant back in Sydney that my brothers and I learned to drive a manual before we set foot in an automatic.”

 

“Good for them. From what I can see and make out, the way this world is going, everything is about making everything simple but it seems to me that important skill sets are being removed in the process. Apart from anything, I think hand/eye/foot coordination are strengthened by driving a car where you have to manually change the gears, use the clutch and also drive and be aware of what’s going on around you.”

 

“I agree Nick and that was how my parents saw it as well.”

 

“What’s Australia like, Ann?”

 

“Much like America in many ways.”

 

“The only thing I know about it is from watching Crocodile Dundee,” Nick explained.

 

“Oh, well Nick, the outback definitely looks like that but the country contains every type of landscape and environment you can find in the world. There’s arable and arid, there’s city and country and there’s tropical regions and mountain regions, which are harsh, peaceful and beautiful. There is basically everything. Sydney for example is enormous with way too much traffic and too many people. It’s like many other cities around the world. Honestly, Nick, America and Australia are quite similar in many ways. We just don’t have anywhere near as many people.”

 

“I find that strange considering the size of the continent,” Nick said.

 

“What many people around the world don’t realize is that only a third of the continent is suitable for comfortable living. The rest is desert and extremely harsh and uninviting.”

 

“I love Uluru, the big rock in the red centre,” Nick said.

 

“I love that you know it’s correct indigenous name, although, here’s a little piece of information that not everyone knows. Uluru is not just the name of the rock but also the area surrounding it. Think of the rock like a house in the middle of a property. I don’t know how far the property goes without a fence line but it’s true,” Ann explained.

 

Nick said, “Thanks. I didn’t know that but tell me, you said its correct name, so does that mean the rock has another name?”

 

“Yes. It was named Ayers Rock by a man named William Grosse in eighteen seventy-three after Sir Henry Ayers.”

 

Nick asked, “Who were they?”

 

“William Grosse was commissioned by the South Australian Government to find a way to the west coast. He came upon Uluru thinking it was another site altogether and named it after the South Australian Premier,” Ann said.

 

Nick asked curiously, “What’s with the negative tone of voice?”

 

“I guess it has always bugged me a little. Strangers walk into a country and then despite its indigenous people, they don’t try to learn and also assume they have the right to name anything and everything they please. People older than me, like my parents, didn’t even know the original name until the sixties or seventies. I find it offensive and so I can only imagine what the indigenous must have thought. Anyway, sorry Nick, I’m on my soapbox because I find that whole past to be outrageous.”

 

“Don’t apologize, Ann, I understand but tell me, have you been there and seen it?”

 

“Unfortunately no. One day though, I hope to,” she replied.

 

“I looked at the picture I saw and it looks so big but it’s hard to get any scale when it sits alone on nothing but a desert plain,” Nick said.

 

“It’s just over three hundred fifty meters or just over eleven hundred foot high but that’s all I can tell you from memory. It’s very big,” Ann explained.

 

“You know, Ann, I can see why Billy likes you so much. You’re really easy to talk to,” Nick said.

 

“Thank you, Nick. You’re easy to talk to as well. I like Billy very much, too. He makes me laugh and always manages to put a smile on my face,” she said.

 

“I know what you mean, Ann, even though there are times I wouldn’t mind giving him a good slap,” Nick said with an amused snort.

 

“I don’t believe that at all,” Ann said.

 

“No, you’re right, I don’t. It’s just he can be such a smartass at times but I love that side of him too. It’s strange but I think I could put up with almost anything from him,” Nick clarified.

 

“I understand,” Ann said. “I think that’s why Honey and he get on so well. Sometimes I can’t believe what they say to each other.”

 

“Yeah, I must admit it’s eye opening at times,” Nick said agreeably.

 

“Definition of understatement, Nick,” Ann said and they looked at each other and laughed at the thought of Billy and Honey in close proximity.

 

After picking up the old car, Ann followed Nick to the supermarket where they picked up everything on Billy’s list. While Nick was at the checkout, Ann wandered off and returned shortly after with a carton of wine. Nick looked at her with curiosity and she told him she suspected Billy had forgotten to write it down and because she did not know who or how many were going to be at the dinner, she decided to just buy the dozen.

 

When they arrived home and walked through the door, Nick was stunned to see Billy’s table was suddenly twice the size with eight chairs instead of four around it. It was also set with a white table cloth and shining cutlery. Tall red wine glasses also decorated with a polished appearance. Nick looked at Ann with surprise and she shrugged her unknowingness. They walked into the kitchen and Billy turned to see them and gave Nick a grin.

 

“I told you I would sort it out,” Billy said before he asked, “What’s with the box of wine?”

 

“Ann said you would’ve probably forgotten and so she bought it for us,” Nick replied.

 

“Ann, you’re a savior. I did forget and I was going to send Nick out again.”

 

“Oh were you? It’s nice to be your slave,” Nick said.

 

“You’re welcome Billy,” Ann said with a smile.

 

“Honey is waiting next door for you. The puppies were getting under my feet and apart from that she wasn’t feeling the best. I told her to go into Nick’s place for some rest and some quiet time. She agreed but offered to take the puppies with her to make things easier for me,” Billy explained.

 

“I wondered where she was,” Ann said and then turned and left the room.

 

“What’s going on, Billy. Where did that massive table come from?

 

“Nick, no offence intended but your place isn’t really, well, um…”

 

“I get the picture, Billy.”

 

“Yeah, well, I decided we should have dinner in here. As for the table, it’s mine and it’s the same table but it’s an extension table. I had the other four chairs stacked in the storage room on the landing down stairs.”

 

Nick asked, “Are you allowed to do that?”

 

“Who knows, it isn’t like anyone ever goes in there,” Billy said.

 

Curiously, Nick questioned, “So what else have you changed about tonight?”

 

“The party is for Eric and Michelle but instead of four people, I’m preparing for seven. Before you get angry, Nick, I invited Honey and she of course will bring Ann. Additionally, we don’t know when your dad is going to arrive and so I planned on him as well.”

 

“Billy, I’m not angry and I’m not going to get angry. You’re amazing to do all of this for me. I really would have preferred it to be just the four of us but I’m sure it will be a lot of fun and Michelle and Eric will get a surprise and have a good time.”

 

“I think they will too but you know I’d do anything for you, Nick.”

 

“Right back at you, Billy.”

 

“Then Nick, where is that manly kiss I was expecting.”

 

“Right here,” Nick said and then took Billy into his arms.

 

“When Nick walked out of the kitchen and into the living room he looked momentarily disappointed. He wanted to cuddle the puppy that he felt had chosen him but with a look of resignation, he walked toward the couch and then fell into it. His phone began to ring before his body had stopped bouncing from momentum. He reached for it and picked it up from the coffee table and immediately saw Eric’s name on the display.

 

Nick asked with a huge smile on his face, “Hey buddy, how are you?”

 

“Good Nick. You?”

 

“I’m apprehensive but other than that I’m pretty good,” Nick replied.

 

Eric asked, “Why apprehensive?”

 

“I’m meeting my father today,” Nick clarified.

 

Eric queried, “No shit?”

 

“No shit,” Nick replied.

 

Wondering, Eric said, “It’s probably a dumb question but how did the phone call go?”

 

“No Eric, it isn’t a dumb question. To be honest with you, it was really difficult.”

 

“Explain that to me, Nick. What in particular was difficult about it?”

 

“I was an asshole, Eric.”

 

“How so, Nick?”

 

“I guess I was still carrying a lot of resentment, Eric. As soon as I heard his voice, I got really pissed off with him and I made it all the more difficult than it should’ve been.”

 

“Well Nick, I can’t speak from experience but I would think after all the years alone and all the things you thought about him, I suppose an emotional reaction isn’t all that surprising.”

 

Nick smiled and said, “You think so?”

 

“Yeah, I do, Nick.”

 

“Well I guess we’ll see how it goes today, Eric. I was really shocked when he said he wanted to come to see me today.”

 

“Nick, I’d take that as a confirmation of how much he wants to meet you, although, he could be hoping to meet the incredible man that made it all happen.”

 

Nick laughed and shook his head and said, “Actually, he told me on the phone he would never forgive you for sticking your nose into his business and turning his life upside down.”

 

Eric asked, “Really?”

 

“Absolutely, Eric. He seemed like a very wise man.”

 

“Fuck you, Rawlins.”

 

“Dream on, Eric,” Nick said.

 

“Don’t tempt me, Nick.”

 

“So why the call, Eric?”

 

“Segue’s and subtlety are not your forte, are they, Nick?”

 

Nick asked, “What are you talking about?”

 

“Never mind. I was just wondering if the dinner was happening? You never called last night to confirm or cancel. How’s Billy?”

 

“Oh shit,” Nick said.

 

Billy asked as he appeared in the kitchen doorway, “What’s wrong?”

 

“We forgot to call Eric and Michelle and this is Eric asking if dinner is on.”

 

“Oh shit,” Billy echoed.

 

“Nick, just a yes or a no will be fine. It isn’t a problem if you can’t do it but you will owe me if you cancel and I’ll want to take it out of your hide,” Eric said, the last half of his remark made with a deviant tone of voice.

 

“Thank god the dinner is still on,” Nick replied.

 

“Ass,” Eric said.

 

“Nick, tell him to come for a seven-thirty dinner and that it’s semi-formal.”

 

Nick said, looking at Billy with a surprised expression, “What?”

 

“I heard him,” Eric said.

 

Nick said while looking uncomfortable, “What am I going to wear?”

 

Billy started to laugh and then Eric started to laugh as well.

 

“Stop it, both of you. What exactly is semi-formal? I don’t have any sort of suit or really good clothes.”

 

“Nick, don’t worry. It means in between formal and casual. “I’ve seen your clothes and you’ll be fine. Daddy will dress you, boy, don’t worry.”

 

“Fuck you Billy and fuck you Eric. The two of you stop using me like a battering ram for your amusement. You both know why I’m the way I am, so you could at least give me a little slack.”

 

“Sorry, Nick,” Billy said sincerely.

 

“I’d prefer to give you a lot of hard,” Eric said and then whispered, “Come on Nick, fuck me again.”

 

“Billy, now that we’ve met and we love each other, do we really need other people in our life? What say I dispose of Eric for good?” Nick said and Billy chuckled.

 

“Nick, you know you adore me and you couldn’t live without me,” Eric said and chuckled.

 

“Keep it up and that reason won’t last very long, Eric.”

 

“Nick, you’re my man and I don’t need to keep it up because you keep it up for me,” Eric said, again in a subdued voice.

 

Nick said, “Do I have to speak to your wife?”

 

With an instant change of tone, Eric said, “Okay, so dinner is at seven-thirty and so we should arrive thirty minutes or so before that?”

 

Nick smiled and said, “Sounds good but come to Billy’s door, it will be in his apartment.”

 

Eric replied, “Okay. Should we bring anything?”

 

“Maybe a baby blanket,” Nick said enigmatically.

 

Eric asked, “What?”

 

“Nothing buddy, see you tonight,” Nick replied.

 

“Looking forward to it, Nick.”

 

“As are we,” Nick agreed.

 

“See you then,” Eric said.

 

“Bye,” Nick followed and ended the call.

 

Nick put his phone on the coffee table and he turned to see Billy suppressing his laughter.

 

“Billy, it isn’t funny. The only clothes I have are for work, for sport and for casual situations.”

 

“Nick, you know those black jeans of yours?”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“You know the deep blue, button up shirt?”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“You know that light-weight, black jacket you wear, the one that you roll the sleeves up almost to your elbows?”

 

“Yeah?”

 

“Well, if you put those three things together and the new runners you bought two weeks ago, then trust me, Nick, you will be dressed semi-formally and you will also make everyone here want you to fuck them.”

 

“I don’t want to fuck anyone but you, Billy.”

 

Billy looked at the expression on Nick’s face and said, “Jesus, you don’t even realize when you say the right thing, do you?”

 

Nick asked, “What did I say?”

 

“Never mind,” Billy said.

 

“Billy, how do you know about my clothes?”

 

“Nick, I’ve seen you wearing all of them on separate occasions.”

 

“But Billy, how did you remember them so specifically?”

 

“Nick, I was fucking obsessed with you for three months. I took mental photographs of you every time I saw you.”

 

“Well I appreciate the compliment but how did you know I bought a new pair of runners? No wait – don’t answer that, Billy. I’m not sure I want to know. Are you sure I’ll look okay in those things?”

 

“Oh Nick, trust me, you’ll be the belle of the ball,” Billy replied.

 

“Well, I better go and get them and bring them back so I can get dressed later on, Nick said.”

 

“Bullshit. You want to go and see the puppies,” Billy replied.

 

“I don’t think I like that you know me so well or that you can already read me the way you do, Billy.”

 

“You better get used to it, Nick,” Billy said and then wandered back into the kitchen.

 

Nick picked up his phone and headed for the door to go and see the puppies. When he reached the front door he turned and looked back at the kitchen doorway in disbelief. It seemed impossible that someone could know him the way Billy apparently did. He turned and walked out the door.

 

“Hi ladies,” Nick said as he walked into his living room and found them both on the floor with the puppies.

 

“Hi Nick,” they both said in unison but just as Nick began to walk toward them, his phone rang. “Excuse me,” he said and then turned to go into his bedroom.

 

“Hello?”

 

“Nick?”

 

“Speaking.”

 

“It’s Tim.”

 

“Hi,” Nick said, his voice exuding a slightly excited tone.

 

“I’ve just landed and I’m about to hire a car and then go find my hotel but I thought I should let you know I’m in Michigan.”

 

Nick’s face lit up and his eyes were bright with a medium though happy smile. He could feel the excitement coursing throughout his body. There was also a little anticipation from the thought of meeting his father. The confirmation that Tim was in the city made the reality of what was happening seem more real.

 

Nick swiftly thought his father should not have to hire a car or check into a hotel and that he should offer to look after him during his time in Detroit. He quickly remembered he was staying at Billy’s while Honey and Ann were staying in his apartment. He felt a sense of disappointment but then negatively, he thought it was probably for the best if things did not work out.

 

“Nick, are you still there?”

 

“Yeah. Sorry. Why don’t you call me as soon as you’re settled and then we can meet up,” Nick suggested.

 

“Okay,” Tim said.

 

Nick said, “I guess I’ll hear from you in about an hour or so?”

 

“Yeah that sounds about right,” Tim replied.

 

“Okay, well I’ll be waiting,” he said.

 

“Sure,” Tim replied.

 

“Bye.”

 

“Bye.”

 

Nick let his body drop onto his bed in a seated position. He was not certain exactly what he was feeling. He knew he was excited and anticipative but he was also feeling fear again. It made him feel like calling Tim back and telling him to go back to California but he knew deep down he did not really want to do that. His stomach began to swirl and he felt so nervous but then his attention was taken by an odd scratching on his bedroom door.

 

Nick stood up and he slowly opened the door. Seconds later an expensive, pure bred but very cute Beagle puppy, waddled excitedly through the opened door. It was the one that Nick said was his and Billy’s and the sweet bundle of joy jumped up onto his leg again. Nick smiled and he lifted the puppy into his hands and held it against his chest. The puppy wriggled around until its paws were on Nick’s chest and then its tiny pink tongue was again on Nick’s chin. Nick chuckled and with the growing happiness that filled him, his fear washed away like he did not have a care in the world.

 

***

 

It would have been amusing if anyone had been watching, to see three adults sitting on the living room carpet in Nick’s apartment, acting like children in response to the puppies they were playing with. In a way it was very understandable where Nick was concerned, as the nature of a little boy who had nothing, appeared like magic and his heart was filled with excitement, love and joy. For Ann, the conservative, highly intelligent and controlled Neurosurgeon also vanished, the little girl easily returned from the past and memories of past pets in the land down under. Even though Honey was more forcibly controlled, even her façade was beginning to melt away. The softer side Ann had come to know was revealing itself as well.

 

Nick was laying flat on his back, his puppy squatting high on his enormous chest and growling cutely, as Nick played with his tail. Glancing across, Nick saw the look on Ann’s face and then he looked at Honey. He thought it was curious that she had seemed so anti the idea of having a puppy and taking it back to Cleveland with them, particularly when he watched as she cuddled and kissed it like it was her very own child.

 

Nick said, “I can’t believe you wouldn’t want one, Honey?”

 

Honey looked up at him, the huge smile on her face dying a forced death and the required adult demeanor appearing. Her feelings and her thoughts were a contradiction in terms. Her heart wanted a puppy just as much as everyone else did but her mind was filled with rules her mother had instilled into her, rules about the responsibility required when owning a pet. It had been how her mother had dismissed the idea of having a dog or a cat but thirty-five years later, it was a controlling part of Honey’s psychology. Innately, something told her she would not be able to look after a dog and that she would somehow let it down.

 

“It isn’t that I wouldn’t want one, it’s just that Ann and I both work and no one would be there to look after it for a huge portion of the time. It wouldn’t be fair to the puppy.”

 

“Hon, we could do it. It isn’t as if the animal would die of loneliness while we weren’t at home. We’ve got that huge backyard where it could play and keep itself amused and we would be with it at nights and on the weekends,” Ann said.

 

“Well I certainly would be. I don’t know if the word ‘we’ is appropriate with you on call twenty-four seven,” Honey replied.

 

“It would keep you company while I wasn’t around,” Ann suggested.

 

“I don’t know,” Honey said, her heart pleading with her to say yes.

 

“We could get you a girl puppy,” Nick said and Honey chuckled.

 

“I don’t know,” she repeated and then the pup lunged up and licked her face.

 

“Come on sweetheart, let’s get us a little girl,” Ann pleaded.

 

“I’ll think about it,” Honey said.

 

Nick sat up but as he did, he felt something in his pocket stick into his side. He reached in and withdrew the offending item and his eyes showed recollection.

 

Ann asked as she looked at the small, velvet-covered box, “What’s that?”

 

“It’s for the car keys. I guess I should get this happening,” he replied.

 

Honey looked at the box and then at Ann with a curious expression, wondering what the secret was that was going on between her girlfriend and Nick. Ann looked at her and thought she should let her in on what was happening.

 

“You’re not going to believe this, Honey. Nick bought a new car this morning. He’s giving his old car to Billy as a gift. Billy has no idea and I can’t wait to see the look on his face.”

 

“My god, Nick that’s incredible,” Honey said.

 

“It’s an old car and it isn’t that special,” Nick said.

 

“I don’t think that’s the point. Billy has wanted a car for years and this gift is going to blow his mind. It is such a generous gift. You really are quite an extraordinary man, Nick,” Honey said.

 

“That’s what I tried to tell him,” Ann said.

 

“Well thank you Honey but I think you are both over reacting. Anyway, you want to join the party and watch his reaction?”

 

Absolutely,” Ann said.

 

“I’ve got an idea,” Honey said and then suggested Nick and Ann go downstairs to the foyer while she got Billy with a false intention.

 

Nick was not certain what Honey had in mind but he trusted she knew what she was doing. The three left the puppies and the moment Nick and Ann were downstairs, Honey knocked on Billy’s door. He opened it moments later.

 

“Billy, quickly, you have to come downstairs, Nick needs you. Hurry,” she said with trumped up urgency.

 

Billy’s eyes filled with fear and he immediately said, “What?”

 

Without questioning further or waiting for a reason, he moved through the doorway and slid passed Honey and then he was rushing down the stairs.

 

Honey smiled, though it was more an amused grin and then she rushed after him but as Billy turned to descend to the foyer, his speed slowed to a crawl, his expression confused, as he looked at Nick and Ann looking up at him and smiling.

 

“What’s going on? Was this Honey’s idea to give me a hard time? I’m busy and I’ve got things to do and food to prepare,” he said, looking irritated.

 

“No, Billy,” Nick said. “Come here, my savior.”

 

Billy ground to a halt three steps from the bottom. Nick had called him his savior and it had stunned him. Honey’s hand was suddenly on his shoulder, tenderly squeezing and then she nudged him forward. When he reached Nick, Nick wrapped his arms around him, held him warmly and moments later he kissed him heatedly. When Nick finally broke the kiss, Billy was standing there looking extremely confused.

 

“I love you so much, Billy. The thing is, those words don’t feel like they’re enough. I wanted to explain how much you mean to me but we both know expressing exactly what I’m feeling is not something I’m good at. I thought maybe this would help me,” he said and then handed Billy the little, green velvet box.

 

Billy accepted it, looking at it and wondering if Nick was proposing to him. It was a fleeting thought only and then he opened the lid slowly. He looked at the two keys on a key ring containing a sterling silver heart. His eyes moved up to Nick’s eyes, his expression uncertain.

 

“Come with me,” Nick said, as he wrapped his arm around Billy and led him out into the daylight.

 

Honey and Ann followed closely behind, holding hands and grinning at each other with anticipation. They all walked off the property and approached Nick’s old car and then Nick stopped and turned to face Billy. Both Ann and Honey stood a couple of feet away while watching.

 

“Billy, I know it’s old and isn’t anything special but I wanted to give you this car and I hope it might say some of what I want you to know,” Nick said with a tone that obviously came from the heart.

 

Billy turned and looked at the car. It took a few moments for it to begin to dawn on him what was going on and also for his reasoning to kick in. He looked down at the keys in his hand and then he looked back at the car. He looked at Ann and Honey and then turned back to Nick. The stunned look grew and then grew some more. Nick smiled at him as he fell more in love with Billy. Ann and Honey were already smiling but then they began to laugh happily.

 

Billy asked, “Nick, are you serious?”

 

“With all my heart,” he replied.

 

Billy threw his arms around Nick and crushed him against him. He groaned when his chest hurt but he dismissed it and looked like he never wanted to let Nick go.

 

“This is too much,” he said as the side of his face pressed to Nick’s chest, his eyes looking at the car that in his mind was a treasure beyond imagining.

 

“No, it isn’t and it could never be enough,” Nick replied.

 

Billy pulled away and as he looked into Nick’s eyes, he raised his hand, hooked it around Nick’s neck and pulled him down to kiss him. Just before their lips met, he glanced at Honey and Ann and said, “Can you believe this man?”

 

A moment later the kiss happened.

 

Ann turned and looked at Honey and as she in turn looked back, Ann kissed her as well. As she pulled back and saw the shock on Honey’s face she said, “because he shows me how I feel about you” and then she kissed Honey again.

 

“Thank you, Nick,” Billy said, still absolutely amazed.

 

“You’re welcome, Billy,” Nick replied and hoped that what he viewed as a second-hand gift would be capable of speaking to Billy in the way he felt he could not.

 

Billy walked away and opened the car. He may have seen it a thousand times before and he may even been a passenger in it a few times but suddenly it was like a different car. He got in and sat behind the steering wheel. He started the vehicle and listened to the purr of the motor and then he ran his hands around the steering wheel.

 

“My own car,” Billy said excitedly.

 

When they were walking back to the building to go back inside, Billy suddenly stopped abruptly and questioned what Nick was going to do without a car.

 

They all stopped and turned to look at Billy but Nick just grinned and said, “You could be my chauffeur, Billy. You could be at my beckon call.”

 

Billy looked at Nick with a bemused expression, knowing he was playing with him in the way they so often played with each other. He held out the key toward Nick like he was returning the gift. Nick laughed and shook his head and then he told him to turn around. He pointed at the gleaming, bright, metallic blue Jeep, which was parked behind the older car. Nick turned and watched as Billy looked at the Jeep, his mind ticking over before his expression turned once again to shock.

 

“Nick. What else have you been up to behind my back? I think I’m going to have to keep a close eye on you for the next ninety years.”

 

“Maybe two years, if you’re lucky,” Nick replied and Billy punched him in the arm softly.

 

They all went back down to look at the Jeep but ten minutes later they were back upstairs. The women had returned to Nick’s apartment and the puppies while the men had returned to Billy’s apartment and were firmly locked in an embrace.

 

Honey was again holding the puppy that was the gift for Eric and Michelle but she was staring at Ann and thinking about the kisses on the street and the words she had said. She was also thinking about Nick’s gift to Billy and she was now considering that perhaps she should agree to Ann’s desire to get a puppy.

 

Meanwhile, after checking his preparations in the kitchen, Billy was now back in his living room wrapped in Nick’s arms once again. They were kissing and cuddling, grinding sexually and also telling each other how much they loved each other. To both of them at that moment, they were thinking things could not be any better in their respective lives. However, interrupting their intimacy harshly, Nick’s phone suddenly rang.

 

To be continued...