The Boomerang Kid

by Jay Quinn

  Before he’d even finished his first cup of coffee, he heard Heidi’s claws along the bare terrazzo on her way to the kitchen. She appeared, followed by Robin who sleepily searched the kitchen looking for Kai. More modest than Kai, he’d blindly groped the floor in the dark for underwear and had found Kai’s first. The larger boxers billowed out from the elastic clenching his waist, giving him the endearing look of a small child. He found Kai sitting at the table on the other side of the counter and wandered toward him wordlessly. He came to stand by Kai’s chair and placed his arm on Kai’s shoulder to hug him briefly before he returned to the other side of the table and drew out a chair. As he sat, he said, “Bad dreams, baby?”

  “Yeah,” Kai replied softly “but I’m okay now. You should go back to bed.”

  “No. I’ve missed this, getting up with you when you can’t sleep,” Robin said lovingly.

  Kai’s painkiller opened a sluice of emotion from his brain to his heart and he felt a rush of love for the slight, blond man sitting across from him. He said, “Baby, it’s going to be a long day today. You should enjoy your sleep. I’ll wake you about seven. Go back to bed.”

  “You come too,” Robin said, only half-awake.

  “I can’t, baby.” Kai said as he stood and walked to the other side of the table. “I can’t go back to sleep. Let me do my thing and you rest,” he said as he placed his hands under Robin’s armpits and lifted him firmly.

  Robin obediently stood and leaned his head on Kai’s shoulder. Kai hugged him before taking his hand and leading him back down the hall to the bedroom. When they got to the bed, Robin sank down on it and curled on his side. Kai stroked his hair and said, “Sleep now. I’ll wake you at seven, okay?”

  Robin nodded contentedly and slipped back into sleep before Kai turned and went back into the kitchen. Heidi couldn’t be so easily put back to bed. She was too used to keeping her master company on these predawn vigils. Kai took her bowl to the garage for her dog food and made her gravy before setting the bowl down for her to eat.

  Once Heidi was tended, Kai walked back to the kitchen cabinet and found the brown bottle once more. Without any reproof from his subconscious, he took another pill and reheated his coffee. He returned to his chair at the table knowing he now had three hours to himself to sit and dream the day into being. He felt like the wizard in the old story who conjured a castle from thin air. His demons were now silenced, the jazz played on the radio, and Kai began his day.

  From this rocky start, the hours unfolded and tasks began to be accomplished. Heidi got walked, showers were taken, food was prepared, and as Kai sorted through an unpacked box full of his CDs looking for Christmas music, the front door bell sounded. Robin walked into the living room from the kitchen dressed in a pair of worn white jeans and one of Kai’s cotton sweaters. He looked at Kai expectantly and Kai gave him a smile. “Here we go, Robin,” he said as he put down the box and started for the door.

  Robin joined him in the foyer. Kai gave him another significant look and shushed an excited Heidi before he opened the door to his mother and Matt. “Happy Thanksgiving,” Kai said, nearly shouting in his nervous excitement. “Hey, Happy Thanksgiving back,” Matt said. His mother leaned in for a kiss, made awkward by the pecan pies she was juggling. “Happy Thanksgiving!” Kai said excitedly as he watched his mother and Matt lift hands occupied with pecan pies in greeting.

  Heidi whined and danced among their legs as Matt and Maura came into the house. Robin stood shyly to one side and grinned while Kai casually introduced him, leading their guests to the kitchen to put down their desserts. Once they had free hands, Maura hugged her son and Matt reached to shake Robin’s hand. As Robin shook hands with Matt, Maura looked around the kitchen and out into the living and dining room beyond. “You’ve rearranged,” she said approvingly. “And I see some new art on the walls. I want to check it out once I’ve given Robin a hug,” she said as she took two steps to enfold Robin in her arms in a sincere embrace. “Let me look at you,” she said as she took him by the shoulders and gently pushed him back a step. “I can’t believe I’m finally getting to meet you. You’re as cute as a bug’s ear!”

  Robin blushed becomingly and looked at his feet, saying, “It’s good to meet you. You’re as lovely as Kai said you were.”

  “Sounds like they already have a fan club going, Kai,” Matt said drolly.

  “Yes, it does,” Kai replied as he patted Matt’s shoulder and passed him to take a bottle of Champagne from the refrigerator. “We’re going to go ahead and open this,” he said as he wrapped a clean white dish towel around the bottle and began tearing at the foil covering the cork.

  “Shouldn’t we wait for Bill?” Maura asked gently as she continued to look Robin over.

  Kai twisted the cork free of the bottle with a resulting pop and said, “We’ll just pour him a glass when he gets here. Robin, give everyone a glass.”

  Robin turned to the counter behind him and passed Matt and Maura tulip-shaped glasses which Kai then eagerly filled.

  “Champagne? What are we celebrating?” Matt asked curiously.

  “Well, Thanksgiving for one,” Maura answered happily. “We always had Champagne at our house on Thanksgiving. My parents love a mimosa and we would start with them as the Macy’s parade came on. We’re actually starting late for us.”

  Kai took his glass from Robin and filled it two-thirds full before setting the bottle on the counter and laying his arm over Robin’s shoulder. “We also have something else to celebrate,” Kai announced. Maura and Matt exchanged a quick glance before looking at him expectantly. “Mom, Matt. I’ve asked Robin to move down to live with me and he’s very generously said yes. Lift your glass to toast all my dreams coming true.”

  “Here, here,” seconded Matt and clinked his glass against Kai’s.

  “To new beginnings!” Maura said as she clinked her glass against Robin’s and Kai’s in turn.

  Kai tightened his embrace of Robin’s shoulder briefly and looked at him significantly before sipping his Champagne.

  Robin returned his look, and, somewhat embarrassed, saluted him with his glass before taking his own sip.

  “So, Robin, when are you going to move down?” Maura asked pleasantly.

  Robin looked around the small circle of faces waiting for his answer and said shyly, “Soon. Within a couple of weeks. I’ll need to give my boss notice, but most likely he’ll be happy to see me go. One less mouth to feed over the winter.”

  “So it’s slow up your way as well?” Matt asked.

  “Well, it always is in the winter,” Robin replied. “But this year, it’s especially slow.”

  “Tell me about it,” Matt said. “Last month we only had four closings. This time last year we had forty-three.”

  “That’s enough about business,” Maura said calmly. “Today is a happy day. Kai, where are we sitting?”

  “How about the living room until Bill comes,” Kai suggested. “That way you can check out the new paintings.”

  As a group, they moved from the kitchen into the great room that held the dining and living areas in the house’s central space. As Kai and Robin sat on one end of the generous leather sectional, Maura and Matt strayed to look first at the picture of Heidi, and then on to the grid of Robin’s portraits. Heidi nosed them along, herding them toward the sofa.

  “These are really good, Kai,” Matt commented, obviously impressed. “I don’t know anything about art, but these were obviously done by someone with a lot of talent.”

  “It’s a new style for you,” Maura commented as she perched on the edge of the sofa and reached to pet Heidi who laid down at her feet. “Were you just in a hurry to finish them, or were you trying a new technique? I mean they obviously look finished, but your usual style is much tighter, less brushy than these.”

  “I was trying something new, Mom,” Kai said seriously. “The ideas were coming hot and fast. It felt really good to be painting again.”

  “Where did you find those
frames?” Matt asked as he sat next to Maura at the other end of the sofa.

  “I made them,” Kai answered simply. “It’s just l x 4s with a little bit of trim and some gold leaf.”

  “They’re incredible,” Matt said admiringly. “You know your way around a compound miter saw, I’ll give you that.”

  “Thanks,” Kai said easily.

  “Robin, what do you think of your portraits? It’s really something to be all over a wall like that,” Matt teased.

  “It’s pretty intense, actually,” Robin admitted. “I mean, I got used to Kai drawing me when we lived up on the beach. I had no idea all those sketches would become paintings. I was really humbled to see them all together like that. It’s like I’m an obsession or something.”

  “No. You’re a muse,” Maura said seriously. “Isn’t that what you call it, Kai?”

  “Yes,” Kai agreed. “I guess I was just missing the real thing,” he said as he lifted his hand from Robin’s shoulder and rubbed the back of his head teasingly.

  “Stop,” Robin protested mildly. “Jeez…”

  “So Robin, tell us about yourself,” Maura said and took a sip of Champagne.

  “Oh, I’m not that interesting,” Robin demurred. “I grew up in Charlotte. I have four brothers and sisters—I’m the baby in the family. They’re all married and have kids of their own. My family all live within a few miles of one another. I’m the one who struck out and left town.”

  “How did you come to live in Kill Devil Hills?” Maura asked curiously.

  “While I was a senior at Carolina, I got my real estate license. When I graduated, I went to work for a realtor in Raleigh. This couple who were my clients got transferred to Fort Worth. I was handling the sale of their house in Raleigh. Anyway, they also own a house in Kill Devil Hills and offered me the key to visit one weekend a couple of springs ago. Long story short, I fell in love with the Outer Banks and ended up getting a job and renting their beach house.”

  “I see,” Maura said evenly. “And now, my son has convinced you to move down here. It’s a pretty big move for you.”

  Robin looked her directly in the eye and said, “Not really. It’s the logical next move. Kai and I lived together for a year on the beach. The way I feel about him, it makes sense to take this next step.”

  “Of course,” Maura said quickly “I just meant it’s a whole change of climate, lifestyle, everything—moving to Florida, that is.”

  “Well, I’m not quite twenty-five. If I’m ever going to make a bold move like this, now’s the time to do it,” Robin said easily. “Plus, I pretty much know I want to be with Kai, regardless. I’m just glad he’s from Florida and not someplace like Oklahoma or Idaho.”

  Matt laughed and said, “Yeah, you lucked out on that score. Fort Lauderdale isn’t exactly a hard-luck place to be.”

  Robin smiled and nodded.

  “So where has Kai taken you since you’ve been down?” Maura asked with interest. “Have you been over to the beach or on Las Olas Boulevard? That’s such a nice part of town, and not far from here, really.”

  Robin blushed and looked at Kai.

  Kai laughed and said, “About all of Fort Lauderdale Robin’s seen is in a four block radius from where we’re sitting. We’ve been getting reacquainted; I think that’s the best way to put it.”

  Matt snickered, which he tried to cover by pretending he had coughed instead. Maura rolled her eyes and shook her head. “Kai, you could have at least taken the poor boy for a drive on AiA. You haven’t been fair. You’ve got him moving down here and he hasn’t even seen the city. Shame on you.”

  Kai laughed and said, “There will be plenty of time for that once he gets down here.”

  “Do you have to fly back tomorrow, Robin?” Maura asked gently. “Couldn’t you stay for a few more days, and I’ll make sure my son shows you around the place you’ll be living.”

  “Umm… no. I can’t,” Robin said quietly. “I have this couple who’ve been looking at beach houses since last spring. They’re coming down for the holiday and have sworn to me that they’re going to buy a house during this visit. To be perfectly honest, if they do, the money will come in handy while I’m getting on my feet down here.”

  “What will you do if they do buy a house? Fly up in thirty days for the closing?” Matt asked practically.

  “Yes. I’d do that for sure,” Robin said. “Both of the places they’re looking at are oceanfront. I’m not bragging, but my commission would be pretty significant.”

  “I’d imagine so,” Maura said encouragingly. “Do you intend to stay in real estate once you move down here?”

  “I’d like to very much,” Robin told her. “I enjoy the business a lot. Of course, I know the market down here is as slow as in the rest of the country, but I have some money in savings. I’m sure I’ll land on my feet.”

  “I can see why you’d be good at selling houses,” Matt observed. “Once you get your Florida Real Estate License, you’re welcome to use me as a resource. I always hear of people looking for someone sharp. I’d hire you myself, but you wouldn’t be happy selling what I’m building right now.”

  “Matt’s company is building affordable townhouses,” Maura explained.

  “I see,” Robin said. “I’ll really appreciate your advice once I get down here. It’s a whole new market to learn.”

  “We’ll take good care of you, don’t worry,” Maura promised him.

  “Look! I think Bill Kellogg is pulling up right now,” Matt said.

  Everyone looked out the generous windows lining the living room wall that faced the street to watch the last guest park and get out of his car carrying a bottle of wine. Unaware he was being watched; Bill locked his car and made his way to the front door.

  “You guys sit,” Kai said as he stood. “I’ll let him in.” With that, he moved quickly to the front door along with Heidi who followed him. Before Bill could knock, Kai had the front door open. “Welcome, Bill. Happy Thanksgiving,” he said as he stepped out of the way to let Bill in.

  “Happy Thanksgiving to you,” Bill said with a smile. “I really appreciate your invitation.”

  As he closed the door, Kai said, “We’re happy to have you. Come in, everybody’s in the living room. Can I get you a glass of Champagne?”

  “Champagne? That would be great,” Bill said as he extended the bottle of wine in his hand to Kai. “This is my contribution to the feast. It’s Graves. It’s excellent with turkey.”

  “Thanks,” Kai said as he took the bottle and examined the label. “Do I need to chill it?”

  “Couldn’t hurt,” Bill said shyly as he peered around Kai to look into the living room. “Hello, everybody. Happy Thanksgiving!”

  “Go in and sit down,” Kai urged him. “I’ll pop this in the fridge and get you that glass of Champagne.”

  “Robin, this is my boss and good friend, Bill Kellogg,” Maura said as Bill entered the area bound by the sectional sofa.

  “Nice to meet you,” Bill said and he extended his hand to Robin.

  “Nice to meet you,” Robin said as he shook his hand. “Kai recently did some work for you, didn’t he?”

  “He sure did,” Bill said happily. “Beautiful work. To tell you the truth, I almost hate to clutter the shelves with all my books. I’ve put the stereo in its place and have the CDs shelved, but to tell you the truth, I’ve enjoyed just sitting in my new library and looking at it.” Bill turned from Robin and said, “Matt Jenkins, good to see you,” as he extended his hand to Matt.

  “Bill,” Matt acknowledged him as he shook his hand. “Good to see you. I was delighted when Maura said she’d invited you. You’re like a member of the family after all the years you two have worked together.”

  “I feel like an uncle, at least,” Bill said as Kai walked back into the living room with his glass of Champagne. He took the glass from Kai with a nod, and said, “I’ve known this one since he was not quite six, I believe.”

  “God, that’s a
long time,” Kai said as he sat down next to Robin and placed his arm across the back of the sofa behind his shoulders. “Robin, this man used to let me sit at the drafting table in his office and play with his Rapidograph pens. I remember thinking all I ever wanted to do when I grew up was sit at a desk like that and draw all day.”

  “You were very good,” Bill said genuinely. “You were so careful with those delicate pens. I couldn’t believe how neatly you worked on that mylar. Not even seven years old and you could lay down a line my drafters would be envious of.”

  “I’ve always loved tedious, detailed work,” Kai said easily “Thanks for all the faith you put in me back then—and since I’ve gotten back,” he said as he lifted his glass of Champagne to Bill.

  Bill tipped Kai’s glass with his own and took a sip of Champagne as he looked around the large room at the brightly colored art work on the walls. “The art you have in here is impressive. You have great taste in paintings.”

  “They’re his work,” Maura said proudly. “The dog is Heidi here, and the ones in the Warhol-esque stack are all Robin. Did you notice that?”

  Bill peered at the paintings myopically and then looked at Robin, who smiled shyly. “My God, they are! Kai you really are gifted. I didn’t know you did painting like this. I’m almost embarrassed I asked you to paint my walls.”

  Kai laughed and said, “I make more money painting walls and bookcases than I ever have off my artwork.”