Kendall folded his arms over his chest, causing his pecs to swell. “And the weight rack doesn’t have enough heavy weights.”
Phoenix sat back in his chair. “Anything else you don’t like about our gym?”
“Yes. The seat on one of the rowing machines is loose. And the fly rack squeaks.”
“Is that all?”
Kendall leaned on the desk, and his biceps expanded. “The running machines need to be wiped down, and you should get the elliptical machines with movies about nature on the screens.”
Phoenix rose and sat on his desk. “Is there a reason why you’re telling me all this?”
“You’re the assistant manager of the resort.”
“Couldn’t you have told the gym manager?” Phoenix smirked. “Or were you too busy doing squats on his lap?”
Kendall’s eyes narrowed. “Hey, I don’t hook up with every guy I meet.”
“That’s not what you said at lunch—between complaining about the restaurant’s menu, décor, music, and my clothes.”
“You sound like my brother.”
“Why didn’t you tell him your various complaints about the gym? Or complain to your brother-in-law?” He smirked. “Or the masseur.”
“For someone who is in the hospitality field, you’re not very hospitable, dude.”
“Maybe I should follow you for a day and learn how to be hospitable to people—like the masseur, the—”
Kendall threw up his hands. “What’s wrong with a single, healthy twenty-five-year-old guy having safe sex?”
“Nothing. If you really are having sex.”
“Excuse me?” He sat on the desk.
“You’re not excused.” Phoenix stood and pushed him off. “I can’t help wondering if all your talk about sex is actually a cover for not having sex.”
“I have sex, believe me.”
Phoenix sat on the sofa. “Yet you talk about it so much, I’m guessing the sex can’t be very gratifying. And I’ll bet afterward you feel lonely, empty, and maybe even hate yourself a little.”
“Why are you obsessed with my sex life?”
“I’m not. You seem to have that field covered all on your own.”
Kendall sat next to him on the sofa.
“It’s polite to ask if you can sit on someone else’s furniture.”
Kendall groaned. “Can I sit here?”
“No.” Phoenix stood. “I have work to do. Mature people don’t spend their days talking about their sexual conquests or fantasies thereof.”
Kendall joined him. “How old are you?”
“Twenty-seven.”
“That’s only two years older than me.”
“I’m way older than you.”
Kendall squared his shoulders. “I’m a third petty officer, and a damn good one.”
“Whatever.”
“You don’t know me.”
“I don’t? How’s this?” Phoenix walked him backward. “You turn your nose up at everyone’s clothes, taste in music, and dining selections because it makes you feel superior to guys who are insecure. But the joke is on you, since it’s actually you who are the insecure one. And you flirt with guys because you think their adoration will make you feel better about yourself. And you believe it will get back at Jamison for being the more responsible and successful brother who doesn’t accept you. But again the joke is on you, since after your encounters with these men, you feel even worse about yourself.”
Kendall seemed like a lost child. “How do you know so much about it?”
“Because I was you… once.”
“You were never like me.”
“Guess again.”
“Prove it.”
Phoenix said, “When I was on leave from the Marine Corps, as they say, I had a guy in every port. In my case, I did it in a pathetic attempt to get back at my parents for not approving of my sexual orientation. However, the joke was on me. After all that sex, my folks still didn’t approve, and I continued to rage at their ignorance and bigotry—and hate myself even more.” He sat behind his desk. “So, I gave up all the guys and directed my energy into my career.”
“How’d that work out for you?”
“Fine, at first. All my list-making, schedule creating, and regimented operations from the Marines came in handy. The more I led a structured and planned life, the more success I had at feeling in control of everything and everyone around me. Then I fell in love. But the guy didn’t like being controlled. So he left me. After that happened with two more men, I realized relationships weren’t for me.”
Kendall glared at him. “Looks like we have something in common after all.”
An administrative assistant glanced up at me. I smiled and waved. Then I headed down the hall to Asher’s office. When I knocked on the door, he welcomed me inside. After I was seated on an armchair opposite his desk, he asked, “How was lunch?”
“A bit like going to war. Jamison’s brother, Kendall, and Phoenix are continuing their… discussion in Phoenix’s office.”
Asher smiled. “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.”
“Asher, thank you again for confiding in us about your past.”
“Thank you for listening.”
“Jamison and I are saddened by your story about Armando Caro.”
“I am too.”
“Did you ever try to search for him—physically?”
“No.”
“Because you can’t forgive Armando for betraying you to the Navy officers?”
He sighed. “It isn’t only that. I wonder if my memories of Armando would hold up to Armando today—wherever he is.”
“But you can’t exist on memories.”
“Sometimes I think it’s best to leave well enough alone.”
“And other times?”
His eyes softened. “I’m curious as hell to find out what happened to him. It’s totally irrational, but lately all I can think about is Armando. I’m making mistakes at work, not sleeping at night, unable to eat. I catch myself sitting and staring for hours at a time.” He blushed. “And lately I’ve been… crying for no reason at all.”
“Asher, as you know, Jamison and I want to help you.”
“I appreciate that, Theo, but things may not turn out as well as they did for your friends Nolan and Giorgio.”
“Or they may turn out better. Do I have your consent for us to try—and your help?”
Asher thought a moment before replying, “Sure.”
“Good.” I tented my fingers. “Can you recall where Armando lived with his family prior to his entry into the Navy?”
Asher nodded. “Reading, the home of the defunct railroad.”
“Why is it defunct?”
“Because Reading transported polluting coal.”
“You mentioned Armando was from a poor Catholic family, and his father was a mechanic. Did Armando have any brothers or sisters?”
“He spoke about his sister. As I recall, they were quite close, and he wrote her every week.”
“Do you remember her name?”
He grimaced. “I’m afraid not.”
“You also told us Armando was a boxer in high school. Is there anything else Armando said to you about his life?”
Lines grew on Asher’s forehead. “He mentioned his mother did their laundry at a laundromat.”
“Anything else?”
“Armando’s parents didn’t know about his sexuality.”
“Is that all?”
“I’m afraid so.” He exhaled. “I know it’s not much to go on.”
“Do you have a picture of Armando?”
Asher opened a desk drawer, reached in, and handed me a photo of two young, good-looking men in uniform sitting with their legs dangling over the edge of a boat.
I spotted Asher right away. “You were pretty hot.”
“Were?” He winked at me.
Next, I took in Armando’s wavy black hair, handsome face, and powerful build. “Your Armando was quite the looker.”
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“Agreed.”
“May I borrow this? I promise to return it.”
“Of course.”
Standing, I said, “Thanks for the information.”
He rose and walked me to the door. “Thank you and Jamison for caring. It means a great deal to me.” His eyes filled with moisture. “I don’t have anyone else who understands.”
“You have us. And whatever the result of our search, I hope you find closure with Armando.”
After leaving the administrative building, I stopped at the greenhouse to pick up a red rose. Then, back at the cabin, I sat at the desk with my laptop—ignoring the messages from persistent salespeople—and did some research on Reading, Pennsylvania. I perused websites on the Reading Public Museum, the Mid-Atlantic Air Museum, Nolde Environmental Forest, and the Daniel Boone Homestead. I couldn’t help thinking how much Selah would love to visit them, and I hoped we might be able to take her there someday.
When Jamison arrived back, we had a late-afternoon tryst in our bedroom. Then we changed into dress shirts and pants and headed over to the employees’ housing unit, where I knocked on Grace’s door. Selah answered, looking cute in a summer dress and matching sandals with her hair in a half ponytail. When I offered her the rose, she said, “It matches my dress! And your shirt!”
“I feel left out,” Jamison grumbled, pointing to his lavender shirt.
“Red and purple are next to each other on the color wheel. So we’ll let you come to dinner with us.”
I broke off part of the stem and placed the rose in Selah’s hair. “How’s your mom?”
“She’s still in bed. But she said I can go to the restaurant and the show with you guys.”
“Should we bring her back something for dinner?” Jamison asked.
“Millie already did that.”
Selah entered the hallway and closed the door behind her. “Let’s go.” Taking each of our arms, she led us down the hall.
Sitting at Selah’s favorite table again, we let Selah order for the three of us. She selected something from the “light and healthy” menu for me. As we ate our dinners, Selah told us about her school. I glanced over toward the other end of the restaurant and spotted Kendall and Phoenix having dinner together. When I nudged Jamison and pointed their way, he whispered, “I guess they’re having a rematch. I wonder who will win.”
After dinner the three of us headed to the theater, where Selah giggled and gaped at the magic show. She was ecstatic when the magician called her up onstage and sawed her in half. Thankfully he put her back together by the show’s conclusion.
As we strolled down the brick road leading out of the theater, Selah said, “My father was a famous magician.”
“I thought he was a famous author,” I said.
“He was. And a wonderful singer and dancer too.” She taught us a song she had learned at school, and the three of us sang and danced together. At the song’s conclusion, Jamison spun Selah and she landed in my arms. Then she reached around me and rested her head on my shoulder.
Jamison placed a hand on her tiny back. “Everything okay, Selah?”
She looked up with eyes brimming with tears. “Tonight was the best night of my life!” She kissed each of our cheeks.
Jamison melted. “I’m glad you enjoyed it, honey.”
“Me too,” I added.
“Me three!”
We all laughed.
Selah asked, “Can we go to dinner again tomorrow?”
“If your mom says it’s okay,” Jamison said.
“She will.” Selah took our hands, and we continued toward the employees’ housing complex. “When you guys get your baby, you should take it to a magic show.”
I chuckled. “I think we’ll have to wait a while for that.”
“Why? It was a great show.”
Jamison explained, “Babies need time to grow up before they can see shows.”
Selah asked, “Do you guys have schools where you live?”
“Sure,” I replied.
“And theaters and restaurants too?”
“Quite a few,” Jamison said.
Selah smiled. “And it’s good that you have a pool and so many bedrooms.”
“We think so too.”
Jamison added, “So you and your mom can visit us.”
Selah’s face saddened. “I don’t think so.”
I stopped. “Why not?”
“Mom doesn’t go out much.”
Jamison said, “Your mom gets a vacation.”
Selah stared downward.
I kneeled next to her. “Why can’t your mother go out?”
“She doesn’t feel good.”
Jamison replied, “She’ll get better.”
Selah didn’t respond.
Jamison knelt on Selah’s other side. “What’s wrong with your mom, Selah?”
“She gets tired a lot, and she stays in bed.”
“Maybe she works too hard,” I offered.
“She goes out to appointments.”
“Then maybe she’s feeling better,” Jamison added.
“She asked Reverend Gertrude for prayers.”
“Why does your mom need prayers?”
She cocked her head at me. “Mommy asked Reverend Gertrude to pray for me.” Selah walked on and we followed.
After we dropped Selah off at her apartment, Jamison and I held hands in the moonlight, wandering slowly to our log cabin. I enjoyed the fireflies’ rainbow show around us.
Jamison squeezed my hand. “I hope Selah remains a part of our lives after this week is over.”
“Me too.” I didn’t mask my concern. “I wonder what’s wrong with Grace.”
“Hopefully it’s not too serious.”
“Shouldn’t we ask her?”
“I’m sure Grace will tell us if she wants us to know.”
“Maybe Grace needs some time off. Or help with Selah.”
“Then she’ll ask us.” He kissed my hand, changing the subject. “Are we setting out tomorrow on our quest to find Armando Caro?”
“Asher gave me his consent. So Holmes and Watson live again to reunite lost lovers!”
“Let’s get an early start.”
I kissed his cheek. “That’s why I love you.”
“Because I’m nuts enough to drive all over Pennsylvania searching for someone Asher knew decades ago?”
“There’s that.” I pinched his butt. “And you’re totally adorable.”
He put his arm around me. “Do we know anything about Armando, other than his past in the Navy and that he’s from a poor Catholic family headed by a mechanic?”
“Asher told me Armando is from Reading, he has a sister, and his mother did their laundry in a laundromat.”
He groaned. “That narrows it down.”
“And Asher gave me an old picture of himself with Armando.”
“Is Armando hotter than me?”
“Way hotter, but I’ll keep you.” As we approached our cabin, I said, “Asher is a good man who is putting up a good front, but inside he’s crushed about losing Armando. He desperately needs to find his lost love. And he deserves to find happiness.”
“Like us.” He kissed my cheek. “I hope we can help him.”
I recalled something. “Before I found Asher, I overheard Kendall in Phoenix’s office.”
He did a double take. “My brother was in Phoenix’s office? And they had dinner together tonight. Some people are gluttons for punishment.”
“Maybe.”
Once Jamison and I were back at the log cabin, we stripped to our T-shirts and boxers and headed into bed. Kendall appeared from his bedroom in fuchsia briefs. He sat at the edge of our bed. “You guys aren’t tired, are you?”
Jamison smirked. “Why would we be tired at bedtime?”
I added, “We’re getting up early and taking a ride tomorrow.”
“To find your manager’s old flame?” Kendall asked.
“Hopefully,” I replied.
He
leaned his elbows on his knees. “If you two guys hadn’t met in Nolan’s nursing home, your lives would be totally different now, right?”
I nodded. “I’d be miserable.”
Jamison kissed my neck. “And I’d be worse.”
Kendall said, “But when you guys got together, you lost your independence.”
“Actually, we gained it.” I explained, “It can be fun doing things on your own. But there’s nothing better than sharing experiences with someone you care about.”
Jamison sneered at his brother. “Why are you asking about this? You trying to hook up with a psychologist?”
Kendall shook his head. “I was wondering what it’s like.”
“To have a partner?” I asked.
He nodded.
Jamison asked him, “Are you thinking about having a relationship that lasts longer than a half hour?”
“No worries, bro. I know it’s not in my DNA. Besides, no guy in his right mind would want to saddle himself with me.”
After Kendall disappeared inside his bedroom, Jamison whispered in my ear, “I wonder what that was all about?”
“I think your little brother may have growing pains.”
He kissed my forehead. Then we cuddled in each other’s arms. As I fell asleep, I worried about what would happen to Asher if we couldn’t find Armando.
Chapter Five
I OPENED one eye. The view outside the window greeted me with bursts of scarlet and jonquil. By the time I opened the other eye, the sky had settled down to a calm blue. I woke Jamison, and the two of us groggily washed and dressed in polo shirts and slacks. When Jamison headed to the restaurant for our takeout breakfasts, I sat at the living room desk to check a map of Reading. Then I shut the computer and left the cabin.
As I walked outside, I spotted Asher on the rock at the lake. My heart broke at the sight of a tear sliding down his cheek. Moving on, I spotted Kendall at the foot of the lake. I was about to call out a good morning when I saw Phoenix heading toward him.
Phoenix said, “Kendall, you’re up early.”
“The early bird catches the worm.” Kendall asked him, “Aren’t you going to make a snide comment about me catching a lot of worms?”
Finding Armando (Found At Last Book 2) Page 6