Hearts Repaired

by Caraway Carter

  “What was wrong?” Harvey asked.

  “I hate typing with one finger, so I just called the rental company. The car should be here in an hour or so.” Lawrence said.

  “You have the number memorized,” Harvey said.

  “Yep.”

  “And that hot piece of ass you were telling me about – excuse me, ‘Dr. Fielding’ – is real.”

  “I told you he was real, and I reacted to his hand on my chest.”

  Harvey nodded. “If he’s as sexy as you act, I’m sure you’ll be in luck.”

  “What makes it better is he was mutually aroused.”

  “What’s this class you’re going to?”

  “It’s an art appreciation thing we signed up for. So maybe I’ll get to know him better. He said he’d take notes.” Lawrence sat back and felt the sun on his face.

  “Did you say you were planning on selling this place? And weren’t you talking about selling the shop to Mario?” Harvey took a sip of the coffee and moved his chair to be in the shade.

  “I have been thinking about it. How is my portfolio doing?”

  “You’ve got profits from several properties coming in, and even without selling this house or the auto shop, you’re doing quite well.”

  Lawrence nodded, his thoughts anywhere but the backyard. He was thinking about Curtis, with his grown-up job. Thoughts were on his hand and thoughts were on tonight.

  There was a honk outside. “That’ll be the car,” Harvey said. “Call me when Marla is finished, and I’ll drop this thing off.”

  Lawrence got up and followed him out the door. His bandaged hand made it difficult, but he signed the paperwork and handed the key to Harvey. “Take care, friend. Thank you for everything you’ve done today.”

  “Certainly. Keep me updated with your decisions. I’ll talk to a real estate agent I know, and we’ll see what this place is worth.” Harvey got in the rental car and drove away.

  Lawrence looked in his closet for something to wear. He chose a baggy gray sweatshirt that he could push up his arms if it got too warm, a pair of jeans that were a struggle to pull up, and mahogany loafers, because it was just easier. There was another honk out front, and Lawrence walked out to see his taxi waiting for him.

  Twenty minutes later he’d tipped the driver and walked inside the Brass Lamp. The place was bustling with people, but there was a sign on the door that said the art appreciation class would be held in the back room by the bar. He looked around to see if he knew anyone else, and his eyes landed on the good doctor. Curtis stood there in white jeans and a white polo shirt, a sweater hanging off his shoulders. He looked like every preppy boy Lawrence had lusted after when he was younger. Their eyes caught at the same time. Lawrence raised his bandaged hand and waved.

  His favorite server stopped him. “What in the hell did you do to your hand, Lawrence?”

  “I burnt it on a car engine today. Shouldn’t take too long to heal.”

  “It had nothing to do with that hottie over there, did it?” She handed him a glass.

  He placed his good hand on her shoulder. “You’re a knight in shining armor. Thanks for the Guinness.”

  She laughed. “Anytime, but he paid… Oh, oh…” She winked.

  Lawrence chuckled and headed toward Curtis. “Am I late?”

  “No, I think the class starts at the top of the hour.” Curtis looked at his watch.

  “Good.” He sipped the beer, then winked over the rim of the glass. “I’ve been known to get tipsy from these.” Savoring the dark beer, he hoped the smile was more inviting than the goofy way it felt.

  “I know. Why do you think I ordered one for you?” Curtis was already on board.

  “Good thing I took a cab.” Lawrence laughed.

  A woman with black hair and a black pantsuit with a cream blouse entered the Brass Lamp and hugged Curtis from the back. “Henry is parking the car, but I’m glad you made it tonight.”

  Lawrence took another swig of the beer and smiled.

  “Marilyn, this is Law!” Curtis turned to kiss her, then placed his hand on Law’s shoulder.

  “This is the man who’s been on your mind?” Marilyn laughed. “I remember those early days.”

  Lawrence looked baffled and extended his bad hand; then Curtis took his beer, and he extended the good hand. “Yes, I suppose.” He looked at Curtis for confirmation.

  “Well, we’ve been together once, and I cleaned up his burn this afternoon. I’d say we’re still in the experimental stage.” He handed the drink back to Lawrence. “How are things with Henry?”

  “He’s been distant, but I’m not giving up.” Marilyn walked past Lawrence. “So, you’re the new guy.” She placed her purse on the chair beside her.

  A man with white hair and a beard entered the building and did exactly what Marilyn had done. He wrapped his arms around Curtis and smiled. “Curtis, it’s been such a long time. I didn’t think we’d run into you here.”

  “Law, I’d like to introduce you to Dr. & Mr. Hugger. Or as I like to call them, Henry & Marilyn McKissick. Marilyn is the friend I was talking about the other day, and Henry works for a bank.”

  Lawrence looked between the couple. “Hello.” He shook the man’s hand. “Hi.”

  “So, did Marilyn wrangle you into coming to this too?” Henry asked Curtis.

  “No, funny story, Law and I met the night after the party for Buchanan, and we got to talking. One thing led to another, and the owner told us about it.”

  “Marilyn, I’m getting a drink, do you want anything?” Henry asked as he turned toward the bar.

  “Sure, get me a latte with a shot of vanilla.” She turned to the others. “Ethan – the Brass Lamp’s owner – hit us up too. I figured it was the decent thing to do. I mean, we’ll be neighbors soon enough.”

  “Ooh, a good mind, Marilyn.” Curtis smiled. “But I don’t even know what it’s about at all, do you?”

  “Not really. Some sort of art appreciation class. I think he wants this to be more than just a neighborhood bar,” Marilyn said.

  “It’s so much more than a bar. It’s a gathering place, a hangout, a study room, a concert hall, and now a classroom. I think he’s a smart man,” Law said as he sipped the beer.

  “Do you live around here, Law?” Henry asked as he handed Marilyn her latte.

  “No, I’ve got a house in Belmont Park. Old place,” Lawrence said.

  “Pretty far. Do you work around here?” Marilyn asked.

  “No, I discovered this place when it first opened. I had a close friend who lived around here, and when he moved on, I just became a fixture on Sunday nights.”

  They smiled and nodded their heads. Law finished his drink and handed the glass to a server as she walked past. “Do you want another, Lawrence?” the server asked.

  “Yeah, I think. I mean, I took a taxi here. Just one more. I am on medication after all.”

  “I can see how that could be trouble… One more on the way, then I’ll switch you to the extra-shot lattes.” The server smiled.

  “You took a taxi?” Curtis asked.

  “Well, I didn’t know how late it’d run, or how much you and I’d drink. I figured better safe than sorry, and I didn’t want to leave my car here again.”

  “Well, the offer still stands from a previous night. You know the loft is just up the Promenade.”

  Law could feel his cheeks heating up. “Yes, I remember.”

  A tall man with long, dark blond hair slid open the curtain for the back room. The music lowered as his voice grew louder. “Excuse me, gang. Those of you signed up for the impromptu art appreciation class, we’re about to begin. Anyone else who hasn’t signed up, we’ll be there. We’ve got seats available for three more couples.”

  At the word “couples,” Curtis and Lawrence looked at each other.

  Lawrence said it first. “Wait, what?”

  The server handed the beer to Lawrence who asked. “Hey, uh, what’s that about couples?”

  “
Oh, the class? It’s something new that Ethan wanted to try, something to get newly dating people to do things together that should make things less uncomfortable.” She chuckled.

  “It’s new couples only?” Lawrence asked.

  “Well, I mean, the McKissicks aren’t a new couple. You folks have been married for a while, right?” she said.

  Marilyn laughed. “Right, we just thought it might be something fun to work on together.” She placed her hand on Henry’s thigh.

  Henry nodded and sipped his drink.

  “Well, from what I understand most of the ones who signed up are living together.” The server grinned. “Are you and your boyfriend planning on doing that?” She looked over at Curtis.

  Curtis leaned in. “We’re signed up. Ethan failed to say it was a couples’ class.” He looked at Lawrence. “Shall we?”

  “I don’t know… It was one night… Boyfriend? I’m hardly a boy.” Lawrence turned to the server. “Start a tab, my dear lady.”

  Marilyn and Henry moved toward the back room. Curtis slipped his hand through Lawrence’s arm. “And with you drinking beer, I can carry you home to my loft for another great night.”

  Lawrence stood up quick and lost his balance. “Too much beer and it won’t be that great.”

  Curtis patted his arm and motioned to the server. “I know… that’s why she’s starting you on coffee next.” He pulled Lawrence along. “Come on, I want to get good seats.”

  Lawrence accepted the pulling and then waited as Curtis scoped out the room before choosing a seat along the wall, at a small table with a couple of pads of paper and pens in the middle. He sat down across from Curtis. He noticed Marilyn and Henry at the table beside them, Marilyn already chatting it up with Curtis.

  There were two couples at tables, and a single woman showed up to sit at a table in the corner. It was a small group of people. Ethan looked around the room, left, and came back with two additional people, a man and a woman. He directed the two other people to the middle of the room with him. Lawrence saw Curtis wave at the guy up front, and he waved back, smiling.

  “Welcome to the first of what I hope will eventually be a series of classes for couples. Our class these next three weeks will be led by Dr. Helm and her assistant, Dennis Daniels. Dr. Helm is an art professor at Cal State University Long Beach, and Dennis is in the final process of getting his degree. They and I created this class, with the intention that it be a shared experience with one another. We hope that discovering what you and your partner love about art will enrich you and your relationships.”

  Lawrence looked over at Curtis and laughed nervously.

  “Let’s begin tonight with a handout. This page lists a few field trips. You don’t have to attend all of them, but at least one would be preferred. We understand you lead busy lives, so what you can make will only help you.”

  Ethan continued talking about notes and homework. The beer must have been affecting Lawrence, because one minute they were talking about museums, and the next there were voices around him stating their names and favorite art.

  The woman seated by herself was speaking. “… why my girlfriend couldn’t make it tonight.” She hung her head and then popped up. “Oh, and I love Cubism.”

  A young guy tapped his boyfriend’s hand. “We’re next! I know it’s not like… famous important art like Picasso, but I really love those comic book drawings—Yaoi? The Japanese drawings! And I mean, all art is art, right?”

  His boyfriend rolled his eyes and sighed. “I really love Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema.”

  The boyfriend turned and shrugged. “Who?”

  Lawrence sighed. A line from an old gay movie, in an affronted British accent, floated through his head. Leave this house!

  The art professor spoke up. “If you can make the field trip to the Getty Villa, we’ll see one of his most famous paintings.”

  “I’m a huge fan of Andy Warhol.”

  Lawrence was going to speak and get it over with, but Curtis spoke slightly before he did. “I love Andy… what?” He gawked and looked over at Curtis. “You like who?”

  “Andy Warhol.” As Curtis spoke, Lawrence mouthed the same name.

  “Me too.” And he smiled. Somewhere deep in his soul, Lawrence realized that perhaps this guy was better than he imagined.

  “I’ll take notes, since your hand’s messed up,” Curtis whispered across the table.

  “Sure, thanks.” Lawrence grinned.

  “I mean, your doctor should have had more sense, wrapping it up like that.” Marilyn smacked Curtis on the shoulder and smirked.

  Lawrence chuckled nervously. “I think he had other things on his mind.” He looked down into his beer, feeling his cheeks warm up. Things I’ve got on mine now.

  Twenty minutes of art appreciation later, they were given a break. Lawrence came back to the table with the server behind him, carrying a tray with two pear ciders and a plate of cheese, tapenade, and baguette slices.

  “What about switching to coffee?” Curtis asked.

  “I thought about what you said, and I’m not getting any younger, and I haven’t taken my meds in hours.” Lawrence winked.

  “Here’s to art and appreciating so much more.”

  Lawrence lifted his at the same time, and they clinked the bottles and sipped.

  Marilyn, Henry, and the assistant visited the table. “Dennis, I’d like to introduce my friend Law. This is Dennis. We go way back.” Curtis said.

  Dennis extended his hand. “Great to meet you. How long have the two of you been seeing each other?”

  “Since… last Sunday?” Lawrence said.

  “I meant you and I went way back, Dennis.” Curtis laughed. “We didn’t realize this was a couples’ class until tonight, but I am looking forward to seeing more of this guy.” He placed his hand on Lawrence’s knee. “Guys, have some food.”

  Marilyn leaned in. “Seriously, Dennis? You want us to go on field trips?” She smoothed some tapenade on a piece of toast.

  “Yes, it’s not mandatory, but we do have a scheduled trip for every weekend of the class. This Saturday is the Getty, like my mentor said. Next week is LACMA and its smaller offshoots, and the final excursion is a museum of your choice.”

  Henry sat back and nodded.

  “Of our choice? What if I choose a medical museum or a coroner’s museum?” Marilyn asked.

  Henry laughed nervously when Marilyn asked the question.

  “They exist, and I’d love to see what you learn and what you could teach others about them.” Dennis reached for a slice of cheese.

  “What types of museums do you like?” Henry’s voice squeaked as though he were an eighteen-year-old asking a girl out on a date. He stood and stepped a bit closer to Dennis.

  “I’m fond of specialty museums dealing with design. Mid-century is my kryptonite.”

  “Ooh, I love mid-century design,” Henry only had eyes for Dennis.

  Curtis leaned in to Marilyn. “He does?”

  Marilyn shook her head. “No… didn’t I tell you about our latest conversation?”

  “No.” Curtis sipped the cider and tossed a piece of cheese in his mouth.

  “Henry thinks he’s bisexual and wants me to explore an open marriage.”

  Curtis choked on the cheese. “Henry’s bi?”

  “Yes, he told me he still loves being with me. He wants to explore dating another man.”

  Curtis motioned to Dennis. “So is this flirting?”

  Marilyn nodded.

  “How do you feel about it?” Curtis put another piece of cheese in his mouth and placed a hand on her arm. “Let me chew this first, please.” He grinned.

  “I’m good with it. I mean we’re older, we’ve lived our lives without children for a reason, we played around for a long time before we got married. Maybe it’s time to give me a rest.”

  “Would you be comfortable with him in a relationship with a guy?”

  She tilted her head and looked across the room at Dennis and
Henry talking. “I’d be fine with someone like him. He’s got a steady job and seems stable. I’ll talk it over with Henry tonight and give it the go-ahead. I mean this Mr. Daniels might not be interested in him.”

  “I don’t think Dennis is any sort of relationship. He’s got a buddy, but they always seem like an on-again, off-again kind of thing.”

  “Sorry, Law,” Marilyn said, turning back toward Curtis’s date. “I didn’t mean to monopolize the conversation.”

  Lawrence gave her a brief smile. “It’s fine. I have a friend who’s in a poly relationship with his wife, so it’s not that big a deal.”

  “Oh?” Marilyn looked up.

  “Yes, currently they aren’t looking for another partner, but over the years they’ve had a partner they shared, and one or two that were their own.”

  “Oh, God!” Curtis exclaimed. “I can tell you that Dennis isn’t into women, so I hope you aren’t…”

  “No, I’m not looking to add another husband. I’m content with them being a couple, if they want to pursue that,” Marilyn said.

  “My friend doesn’t talk much about it, just that they haven’t had issues with jealousy, because they’re both aware of what the other person is doing.” Lawrence sipped the cider.

  “I get that. From what I’ve read, it’s not cheating if I’m told about it.” Marilyn sat back in the chair.

  “All right, gang, let’s get this class finished. We didn’t hear from Marilyn and Henry about their favorite artists,” Ethan said.

  Henry spoke up. “I love Jackson Pollock.” Dennis smiled.

  Marilyn tilted her head. “Those splotches? I’m a fan of Georgia O’Keefe. We couldn’t have more different tastes in art.” She shook her head. “Pollock?”

  Another thirty minutes and the class had ended. Lawrence finally felt relaxed from the hit of cider. Curtis slid up beside him, holding him steady, caressing his shoulders and leaving tiny kisses on the back of his neck.

  The couples all said good night and filed out as the two of them stood there. Ethan and the art professor were in the front of the room. Dennis was walking around picking up notepads and any handouts left behind.