Finding Armando (Found At Last Book 2)

by Joe Cosentino

  “I know!”

  “I should have seen this coming.”

  “Me too.”

  Phoenix flailed his arms. “Ever since we met, we’ve been talking… together. And when we’re not talking in person, I’ve been talking to you in my mind. Even in my sleep—when I can sleep!”

  “Then stop talking to me, dude!”

  “I can’t!”

  Beads of sweat broke out on Kendall’s forehead. “And I slept well last night because right before bed, I thought about you!”

  “Then stop doing that!” Phoenix grabbed him by the shoulders. “Kendall, I think you’re fantastic-looking, smart, and amazingly stimulating.”

  “I feel the same way about you.”

  “And we obviously made a connection.”

  “Clearly.”

  Phoenix sat on the window seat with his head in his hands. “But I know where this could go.”

  “So do I.”

  “And it would never work between us.”

  Kendall nodded like a rag doll. “Never!”

  “For many reasons.”

  “Many, many reasons.”

  Phoenix rose like a lawyer making a case in a courtroom. “For example, you’re one of three children. I’m an only child. You value your freedom, and I’m a control freak. You’re a party boy who drinks and likes rock music, and I drink and listen to pop.”

  Kendall was at his side. “I’m Navy. You’re Marines. And you’re two years older than me.”

  “You said in my office that wasn’t a lot of years.”

  “Stop confusing me!”

  “I can’t help it, because I’m totally confused.” Phoenix rubbed his forehead. “Part of me… all of me wants to throw you onto that bed and ravage you.”

  “I feel the same way about you.” Kendall added, “Only I wouldn’t use the word ‘ravage,’ dude. ‘Bang the hell out of me’ works better.”

  “See? You’re also quite critical, and you’re messy. I’m neither. And I don’t want to have a one-night stand.”

  “I don’t want that either—with you.”

  “And a relationship between us would clearly never work.”

  “Totally.”

  Phoenix plopped down in the armchair. “So, we’re at the bottom floor and going nowhere.”

  “No.” Kendall collapsed onto the bed. “We’re headed straight to hell.”

  “You’re even criticizing my analogies?”

  “It’s what I do.”

  “Another reason we can never be together.”

  “Agreed.”

  Suddenly, they leaped to their feet, their bodies flying together as if caught in a magnetic field. Kendall wrapped his arms around Phoenix, massaging his back muscles. Phoenix slid his hands under Kendall’s shorts and squeezed his firm buttocks. They shared a deep, sensuous kiss.

  Phoenix said, “I want you so much I’m ready to explode.”

  “I want you even more.”

  “Really? Are you going to be competitive right now?” Phoenix asked.

  “I’ll try to stop.”

  Phoenix gazed at him. “Be as competitive as you like.”

  They kissed again and again.

  Suddenly, Phoenix pulled away. “What the hell are we doing?”

  “Committing suicide, I’m guessing.”

  “But what’s so bad about suicide?”

  “Damned if I know.”

  They kissed again, more forcefully.

  When they separated, Phoenix said, “I’m too controlling.”

  Kendall replied, “And I’m totally out of control.”

  They embraced again.

  Phoenix said, “It will never work with you in the Navy and me here.”

  Kendall nodded. “My leave time and your vacation days won’t coincide.” He took Phoenix’s face in his hands.

  After they shared a longer, even more passionate kiss, Phoenix broke away. “I’m sorry. I’m flattered you like me. And I like you more than you know, but this can’t happen!”

  “I absolutely agree!”

  “So I should go.”

  “You should.”

  They smothered each other’s faces with kisses, walking toward the bed. Suddenly Phoenix stormed out of the room. I hid behind the door as he raced through the living room and left the cabin.

  Kendall flung himself onto the bed.

  I knocked on the door and entered slowly.

  He gazed up at me. “Did you hear all that?”

  “Most of it.”

  “It’s pretty messed up, huh?” Sitting up, he laughed sardonically. “The critic has been reduced to a babbling idiot.”

  “I don’t think it’s that simple.”

  “It seems pretty simple. Just like me. Phoenix was smart to run away. I’d be a disaster in a real relationship, and we’d end up hating each other.” His eyes filled with moisture. “The bizarre thing is, normally I wouldn’t give the guy a second thought. I’d just move on to flirting with the next dude.”

  “And now?”

  “I feel as if the world has shifted—with me dangling off it.”

  I sat next to him. “Falling in love can feel like that, especially the first time.”

  “I’m not falling in love with Phoenix.” He sounded unconvincing.

  “Are you sure?”

  “No.” Kendall rubbed his face. “But it doesn’t matter anyway. Phoenix isn’t falling in love with me.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Nobody has ever been in love with me before.”

  “Then it’s time.” I smiled. “Everybody deserves love. And it can be terrifying, but it can also be wonderful.”

  Kendall pulled his knees toward his stomach. “When did you know you were falling in love with Jamison?”

  “The first moment I met him in Nolan’s nursing home. It took us a while to admit it, but we were both smitten. After that, our love grew and matured day after day and month after month.”

  Jamison entered the cabin and stood in the doorway of Kendall’s room. “Should I be worried?”

  I elbowed Kendall’s side. “I think your brother should hear the good news.”

  Kendall snickered. “The good news is I just got rejected by someone, Jamison. I’m sure you’re not surprised. Though I’m guessing that’s never happened to you, since you’re the perfect brother.”

  Jamison ran to the bed and yanked Kendall up by his shoulders. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

  “Everything, just ask your employee Phoenix, who just stormed out of here in repulsion.”

  “What did you say to him—or do to him?”

  “You won’t want to know.”

  Jamison asked me, “What’s he talking about?”

  I explained, “I think Phoenix and Kendall are experiencing growing spurts.”

  Jamison pushed him away. “The only one around here who needs to grow up is my brother.”

  I stood, touching Jamison’s arm. “We can all use some growing up.”

  Both brothers stared at me.

  I explained, “My sister and I competed all the time as kids—at games, for our parents’ love, and for each other’s attention. Then we realized we could both be successful—if we stopped competing. Now I revel in Ari’s achievements as a detective, wife, and soon-to-be mother. And she brags about her brother the accountant, resort owner, husband, and hopefully soon-to-be father of our adopted baby Nolan.”

  Kendall sounded younger than his years. “Mom and Dad worshipped you and tolerated me.”

  Jamison glared at him. “They pampered and fussed over you and gave me all the chores to do.”

  “Everyone in the neighborhood fell all over you.”

  “I thought they were trying to get close to my cute little brother.”

  Kendall groaned. “Kit adores you.”

  “She never stops talking about you.”

  “You and Kit were always tight.”

  “Maybe that’s because you’re so loose!” Jamison retorted.r />
  Kendall whined, “See how he talks to me?”

  I stared at Jamison. “When we first met and you spoke about your little brother, I could tell how much you loved and respected him.”

  Kendall asked Jamison, “Is that true?”

  Jamison nodded.

  “But you call me an immature screwup to my face.”

  “That’s what older brothers do to keep their younger brothers in line.”

  “Well maybe I don’t need to be kept in line.”

  Jamison folded his arms over his chest. “Fine. Keep getting drunk, being a wiseass, and hooking up with random guys. See where you end up.”

  “I don’t want to do that. Not anymore.” Kendall came face-to-face with his brother. “But I don’t know how to have a relationship!”

  “Is it Phoenix?” Jamison asked him.

  Kendall nodded. “But he’s not interested, anyway.” He waved at Jamison. “Go ahead, make jokes about how ridiculous it would be for a stand-up guy like Phoenix to be interested in a messed-up piece of crap like me.” He turned away.

  Jamison rested an arm around his brother’s shoulder. “Kendall, Phoenix would be lucky to have you.”

  Kendall asked him, “What do you mean?”

  Jamison said, “You’re my little brother. My first friend. The guy who shared secrets with me all night while Mom and Dad hollered for us to get to sleep. Nobody knows me like you. And I think I know my brother pretty well too. You put on the wild dude act, but I’m not surprised you finally fell for a terrific guy.”

  Kendall softened. “Thanks, bro, but Phoenix and I are so different. It would never work. Besides, he wants nothing to do with me.”

  “Or so he says.” I smiled. “Be patient with Phoenix. I have the feeling the stirrings in his heart will take care of the butterflies in his stomach.”

  Jamison winked at Kendall. “My brother is a good catch. If Phoenix doesn’t get it together soon, some other amazing guy will come along.”

  I left Jamison and Kendall in Kendall’s bedroom and exited the cabin. After hurrying to the administrative building and running up the stairs, I knocked on Asher’s office door. I wasn’t surprised to find him sitting behind his desk staring off into space. He came to as I entered the room. “Asher, I have some news about Armando.”

  His face lit up. “Did you find him?”

  “Not yet. But we made some progress.”

  “Sit down.”

  Once I was seated across from him, I said, “Like you, Armando was discharged in 2004 under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

  He frowned. “Obviously naming names didn’t save him.”

  “If Armando in fact did name names. Nobody we talked to mentioned anything about Armando doing that.”

  Asher rested his elbows on the desk. “It’s not exactly something you’d talk about proudly. Who did you speak to?”

  “Armando’s boss—after Armando left the military—and Armando’s husband.”

  The color drained from his face. “His husband?”

  “Ex-husband, actually.” I slid to the edge of my seat. “It won’t come as a surprise to you that with a dishonorable discharge, Armando had difficulty finding work. He sold real estate, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, and bicycles in his hometown before getting a job in sales at Edington Department Store in Allentown. That’s where he met the head manager, who he later married.”

  Armando’s eyes widened. “I see.”

  “But their marriage lasted only six months.”

  “Why?”

  “Because Armando was still in love with you.”

  “How do you know?”

  “Armando wrote about it in his diary.”

  Asher leaned back in obvious relief and elation. Then he leaped from his seat. “When can I see Armando?”

  “We haven’t been able to locate him, at least not yet.”

  “Doesn’t his ex-husband know where to find him?”

  “Unfortunately not. He hasn’t heard from Armando in two years. But he did lead us to Armando’s father and sister. Jamison and I are meeting with them tomorrow morning.”

  Asher hurried toward me, lifted me from my seat, and placed his arms around me. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

  “Our thanks will be seeing you and Armando reunited.” I returned the hug.

  As we separated, he said, “Nobody has ever done anything like this for me. I will never forget your kindness.”

  “You are a good man who was robbed of his first love. Armando and you deserve to finally be together. The military took that away from you. And I want to correct that wrong.”

  He smiled. “You’re an amazing man, Theo.”

  “Right back at you, Asher.” As we walked to the door, I said, “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but I can’t help wondering why you are so intent on seeing Armando now after all this time.”

  He held my hand. “As you get older and achieve what society labels as success, the things that are really important seem to haunt you, especially if you don’t have them.”

  “And Armando is one of those things?”

  He squeezed my hand. “Just like good friends.”

  I sped back to the cabin. By the time I washed and changed into my teal dress shirt and black slacks, Jamison was next to me in our walk-in closet. He brought me in close for a warm embrace. “Where’d you go?”

  “To see Asher.”

  “How’s he doing?”

  “Much better after getting my progress report on Armando. He seemed so grateful and even joyful.”

  “I hope we don’t disappoint him.”

  “We won’t. We can’t.” Before Jamison could deliver a lecture on not getting my hopes up, I changed the subject. “How’s Kendall doing?”

  “Better. Thanks to you.” He kissed my cheek. “Do you think I should talk to Phoenix?”

  I shook my head. “I think Phoenix is falling just as hard for Kendall. Let them fall into each other’s arms their own way.”

  He glanced at his watch. After grabbing an apricot dress shirt and dark blue slacks from the closet, he dressed quickly. “We don’t want to be late for our date with Selah. Should we ask Kendall to join us?”

  I shook my head. “I have the feeling Kendall will have other plans very soon.”

  When Jamison and I knocked on Grace’s door, Selah opened it, looking sweet in an apple-red dress and matching shoes. Jamison asked her, “How’s your mom?”

  “She’s in bed.”

  “Isn’t she feeling any better?” I asked.

  “I’m taking care of her.”

  “That’s good.”

  “And Millie brought over soup.”

  Jamison asked, “Does your mom need anything else?”

  Selah shook her head, and blond hair enveloped the red bow in her hair. “She said we should enjoy our dinner.”

  “Are you sure it’s all right to leave your mom alone?”

  Selah nodded. “Millie’s coming back later.”

  “Then shall we go?” Jamison and I offered our arms, and Selah took them. As we walked down the stairs of the employees’ housing unit, I asked Selah, “Does your mom have the flu?”

  Selah shook her head again.

  “Is it a stomachache?” Jamison asked.

  Selah nodded.

  “Has she seen a doctor?”

  “He told Mom to stay in bed.”

  When we were outside walking to the restaurant, I said, “Tell your mom if she needs to take more sick days, that’s not a problem.”

  “I will.”

  Once we were seated at Selah’s favorite table in the restaurant, as usual she ordered for me. As Jamison enjoyed his lamb l’arabique and Selah and I ate our zucchini pasta in pesto sauce, she asked us, “What was your wedding like?”

  I twirled a zucchini string. “We were married by my minister at my church. It’s a cozy little place with stained glass windows, a pipe organ, and twenty pews. We wrote our own vows.”

  “What did you say?
” she asked.

  Jamison smiled at me. “We talked about how we met—thankful to have found each other on our journey to find our friend’s first love.”

  I added, “And we promised to love and take care of each other on each journey after that.” I couldn’t help thinking about Asher and Armando.

  Selah swooned. “I wish I was at your wedding.”

  “We wish you had been there too,” I replied.

  Jamison added, “If you like, someday we can show you the film of it.”

  Her face lit up. “I’d love that!” She sipped her raspberry juice. “When I get married, will you come to my wedding?”

  “We wouldn’t miss it.” I reached for a piece of bread to dip into my pesto sauce, but Selah moved the bread basket away.

  Jamison said, “Our parents walked us down the aisle. I’m sure your mom will be proud to do the honors for you when the time comes.”

  Selah asked, “If my mom can’t do it, would you guys walk me down?”

  Jamison chuckled. “That’s really advanced planning!”

  I asked Selah, “Are you going to have a big party after your wedding?”

  “The biggest,” she said. “I’m a princess!”

  “Our party was really big too.”

  I explained, “We put up a white tent in our backyard with the view of the river and mountains behind it. There was lots of food.”

  “I’m sure.” She glanced at me.

  “And an orchestra played.”

  “What kind of orchestra?” she asked Jamison.

  He replied, “We had violins, harps, and flutes.”

  I added, “And people danced, ate, talked, and even sang until late into the night.”

  “It sounds great.” She asked Jamison, “Is your party a film too?”

  “Some of it.”

  “I want to see it.”

  “Then you will.”

  “Good.”

  After dinner, we strolled around the lake watching the sunset skate circles of persimmon and amethyst in the water. When we arrived at the gift shop, I had an idea. “Let’s buy a gift for your mom. I’ll bet that will make her feel better.”

  Selah took our hands and led the way. After entering, Selah ran to a bin and selected a small stuffed elephant. “He’ll keep Mommy company when I’m not there.”

  “What should we call the elephant?” Jamison asked.

  She thought a moment, then smiled from ear to ear. “Jameo, the head elephant in the circus.”