Rainy Days

by Victoria Zagar

  He arrived home and ate dinner in a muted mood, picking at his potatoes and pushing his vegetables around the plate like a child.

  “You’re quiet,” Michelle said.

  “I’m just tired,” Michael replied. He left half of his dinner and went upstairs, his appetite diminished by the thought of Ash’s room, the bars on the windows and the bare mattress on the floor. “I’m not going to break, so don’t get freaked out, okay?” Ash’s words came back to him as he undressed and climbed into bed. I know that. I know you’re okay now. It still hurts to know you went through that. If I could go back in time I’d save you, but there’s no going back, for either of us. There’s only forward, and who knows where that will take us?

  Chapter Seventeen

  Videotape

  Michael woke to find his head in Ash’s lap. They were in Ash’s apartment, lazing on the sofa. May had turned to June and then July in a flash, and now August was looming. Six months goes fast when you’re trying to make it last. Ash’s hand caressed his hair and he remembered they were watching a movie when he had fallen asleep.

  “What time is it?” Michael grumbled, half-asleep.

  “Time for you to leave, soon. Did you see much of the movie?”

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to fall asleep on you. I can do that at home.”

  “I don’t mind,” Ash smiled. “It’s nice. You’re cute when you’re sleeping.”

  Michael reddened, sitting up. “I’m not cute, ever. Taryn’s cute. Bunnies are cute. I’m not.”

  Ash laughed, almost losing his popcorn. “I’m sorry I injured your masculine pride.” He grinned. “Handsome, then. Is that better?”

  “That works.” Michael looked up at the clock and sighed. “I swear time goes faster when I’m with you,”

  “It certainly goes faster when you’re asleep,” Ash joked. Michael cut off his laugh with a deep kiss.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow. If it rains, I’ll pick you up, okay?”

  “It will,” Ash said. “That’s all it ever does. Wettest summer ever. I’ve been waiting for the lake to flood into the city for months now.”

  “Don’t say that. My house would definitely be under water.”

  “Yeah, I guess so. Well, you’ve always got a home here. Taryn’s welcome too.”

  “Thanks. Hopefully it won’t come to that.” Michael kissed Ash and left. He was driving along the main road when he saw an electronics shop. “FLOOD SALE: VIDEO CAMS MUST GO,” the sign said. He pulled his car over on a whim and went inside, browsing through all the models. I don’t have a computer, but Ash does. This is crazy, isn’t it? I didn’t even ask Ash. He might not even be willing to appear on camera again.

  “All our stock has to go,” the sales assistant said. “We’re moving all our stock before the upcoming flood ruins it. You can have that model for ninety-nine dollars.”

  “I’ll take it,” Michael said. He stowed the camera in his car and headed home, eating his dinner, reading a bedtime story to Taryn and heading to bed, trying to push away the dirty thoughts that threatened to flood his mind and betray him.

  The morning was clear, and so Michael headed straight to work. Ash passed him on his motorcycle and they waved to one another. Michael headed to work and wished the day away, punching out in a hurry and racing to Ash’s apartment.

  Ash opened the door to see Michael standing there with a carrier bag.

  “Oh, what’s in the bag?” Ash asked, letting Michael in and closing the door behind him.

  “A present of sorts. I dunno, though, I mean, if you don’t like it, it can go back.”

  Ash looked in the bag. “A video camera? Oh, it’s one of those that hooks up to the computer. That’s pretty neat.” Then it hit him and he chuckled. “Could it be that you have a dirty mind, Michael Williams?”

  “Me?” Michael attempted to look innocent. “I would never dream of filming us having sex.”

  “You miss me that much when we can’t get together, huh? You shouldn’t push it, Michael. You already took my porno DVD home, you really want this as well?”

  “Hey, there’s only so many times I can watch that. Besides, I’d prefer something that doesn’t make me jealous.”

  Ash laughed, shaking his head. “You really are one of a kind, Michael. All right, all right. I’ll be a porn star just one more time, just for you. I want something in return, though.” He walked over to Michael and whispered in his ear. “You, naked, on the bed, playing with yourself. A video just for me.” He put his hand on Michael’s crotch and felt his cock pressing into his jeans. “How about we do that one now?”

  Ash played with the video camera. “There. Got it.” He pointed it at Michael and Michael chuckled.

  “Now I just feel silly,” he said. “Maybe this wasn’t such a great idea.”

  “Relax. Pretend the camera isn’t there. Strip for me. Nice and slow. Tease me.”

  Michael slowly pulled his shirt off, then went for his belt buckle. He started to relax as he pulled down his zipper and freed his cock, slowly stroking himself as Ash pointed the camera at him. He could see that Ash was aroused. You like this, huh? Well I got a few more tricks for you. He lay down on the bed and stroked himself slowly, letting a gasp escape his mouth as he looked up at Ash, who had one hand on the camera and one hand down his pants.

  Who’s teasing who here? I’m not even sure, Michael thought, as he jerked himself off. Ash stopped teasing him and moved closer, capturing the look on Michael’s face as he neared completion and then came on his stomach. “Ash!” Michael cried. That’s right. I want you to know that I’m all yours.

  “Nice,” Ash smiled, moving to put the camera down. Michael shook his head and eased his hand up again. “There’s still another scene,” he whispered huskily, unzipping Ash’s pants and taking his cock into his mouth. Ash turned the camera on and filmed as Michael sucked on him, moving in and out.

  “Fuck,” Ash gasped, struggling to keep the camera still as Michael worked him with his mouth. His hair fell in front of the camera and he moved it away angrily, wanting nothing to come between the camera and Michael. He felt himself getting close and then Michael moved off of him, grabbing his cock and working him until he came all over Michael’s face.

  “Jesus Christ,” Ash gasped, turning the camera off. Michael grabbed a towel and wiped his face.

  “Anybody would think you were the former porn star,” Ash laughed. “That was quite a show.”

  “A show for you only.”

  “Don’t worry, I wasn’t planning to put it on the Internet,” Ash smiled. “I want you all to myself.”

  Michael’s phone rang. He sighed and pulled it out of his jeans pocket, answering reluctantly.

  “Yeah? Yeah honey, I’ll be right home.” Michael sighed and hung up, turning back to Ash. “I’m sorry, I have to go.” He pulled his jeans on, tugging his shirt on over his head.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “Michelle got home to find the basement full of water. The city’s starting to flood.”

  “Let me come and help,” Ash said, throwing his clothes on. “You can’t do all that cleanup by yourself.”

  “You’d be okay with that?”

  “I’ve got nothing better to do. It means I get to spend time with you.”

  “Thanks. I really appreciate it.”

  Ash grabbed his keys and they headed out to Michael’s car.

  “I’d bring the bike but I’d like you to have an excuse to take me home,”

  “You bet,” Michael said. “We have a videotape to finish.”

  “Damn right.” They sped through the city streets, the sunlight turning to grey skies and drizzle as they drove. They reached Michael’s house and hurried inside.

  “Oh, hello Ashley,” Michelle said. “You came to help?”

  “Yeah,” Ash grunted.

  Taryn shyly emerged from behind the sofa. “Mr. Ash!” She hurried up to him and hugged his leg.

  “Hey, Taryn,” Ash said. “Now
you be a good girl and stay out of the basement, okay?” Taryn nodded and hurried over to Michael, who picked her up.

  “Hey, honey, listen to Ash. He knows what he’s talking about.” Michael kissed Taryn on the cheek and put her down. She ran back to her mother, who took her into the kitchen. Ash was looking out of the kitchen window.

  “Damn, the whole garden’s flooded. It never occurred to me that you lived so close to the lake.”

  They headed down into the basement. “Damn, it’s a mess down here.” The water was waist height and Ash waded in, while Michael nervously stood on the steps.

  “You okay?”

  “I don’t like water,” Michael said, stripping off his shirt and tentatively stepping in. “I’m scared it’s going to pull me under. I can’t even swim.”

  “For real?”

  “I was on a fishing trip with my dad when I was a kid, and I fell off the boat into the lake,” Michael said. “I almost drowned. My dad pulled me from the water, but I wasn’t breathing by then. Good job a passer-by knew CPR, or I wouldn’t be here. I spent a couple days in the hospital. I’ve been scared of water ever since.”

  “Jeez. Well, maybe you better leave this to me, then.”

  “I can’t do that,” Michael said. “I’m an adult. I have to face my fears.” He tentatively stepped into the cold, dirty water. He made it to the back door and headed out into the water-laden yard. “If we set up sandbags here, we can pump out the water.”

  “Michael!” Michelle called down from the steps.

  Michael waded back inside. “What’s wrong?”

  “There was an emergency broadcast. They’re evacuating this area.” Michelle was crying. “I don’t want to sleep in the community center. I’m packing up the car and heading to my mom’s until this blows over.”

  “Wait,” Michael said. “What about the house? What about your job?”

  “My job will be underwater by tomorrow, and as for the house, you’ll stay here to guard it from looters, right?” Michelle said, her hands on her hips.

  “If the water gets too high, I’m out of here. You know how I feel about water.”

  “Oh, be a man!” Michelle yelled. “For God’s sake, Michael! I’m not asking you to drown here, just hang on as long as you can and get as much stuff onto the third floor as possible.”

  “I could really use your help here.”

  “Yeah, well I’ve got Taryn to take care of,” Michelle said. “This is a man’s job.” She stalked away, shutting the door behind her.

  Michael went to follow, but Ash grabbed his arm. “Let her go. I’ll help you get everything upstairs and then you can stay with me.”

  “Thanks,” Michael sighed. “I hate that shit. It’s a man’s job, my ass. She should be helping. It’s her house too.”

  “Come on, let’s get back to work,” Ash started fishing items out of the water.

  Michelle emerged an hour later, two suitcases in her hands. “Call me at my mom’s if you need anything. Bye, Michael.” She kissed him quickly and then headed inside. Michael followed, his wet clothes dripping on the carpet and hugged Taryn tightly.

  “Be good for your mom. See you soon, honey, okay?” Taryn waved to him and he watched her as Michelle strapped her into the car and drove away.

  Ash was standing behind him, his jeans dripping onto the carpet. He slipped his arms around Michael and drew him close. Michael shrugged him off. “We shouldn’t. She could have forgotten something. She might come back.”

  “I guess we have work to do anyway,” Ash kissed Michael’s neck and pulled away. “I guess I should go to the hardware store.”

  “No,” Michael said. “Fuck it. That stuff’s done for anyway. What’s the point? We pump the water out, it’s just going to come back in again. Let’s just move as much stuff as we can to the third floor. The rest’s not my problem.”

  “You’ll get in trouble.”

  “So what if I do? I’m tired of putting so much effort into this life. Days like this I just want to tell her it’s over. If it wasn’t for Taryn--”

  “Shh.” This time Michael didn’t argue when Ash held him, just relaxed into his embrace. He turned and kissed Ash, gently pressing him into the wall.

  “We’re all wet. We should get a shower.”

  “Sounds good,” Ash said. Soon, two pairs of wet jeans adorned the bedroom floor and they stood in the shower together.

  “Should have brought the camera,” Michael said, as Ash kissed down his body, lathering him up with the soap. “Oh shit, don’t stop.”

  Ash chuckled to himself, a wicked smile on his face. “Too bad. We don’t have the camera. So we’ll just have to wait until we get back to my place.”

  “You’re evil,” Michael said, but Ash silenced his protestations with a kiss and then turned off the water. He dried himself with the towel that Michael offered him and looked at his wet jeans. “Do you have a dryer?”

  “Yeah,” Michael found a pair of jeans for himself and slipped them on. Ash followed Michael down to the kitchen where he threw the jeans in the drier.

  “So, you’re just going to roam my house naked?”

  “Got a problem with that?”

  “God, no. You’re still a huge fucking tease.”

  “You bet,” Ash went into the living room and started to pick stuff up. He carried some chairs upstairs and Michael slapped his ass, laughing as he nearly dropped the chairs.

  “Don’t look at me like that. Don’t put it on display if you don’t want me to touch it.”

  It took several hours, but they finally finished putting as much stuff on the third floor as they could fit. Michael slumped down tiredly on a sofa and Ash sat next to him.

  “I feel like I’m packing up my life for the last time. There’s a weird sense of finality in the air, you know?”

  “We still have time. You don’t have to make your decision yet.”

  “I know,” Michael said. “I know they’ll come home and everything will go back where it belongs, it just... I don’t know. I felt like I was saying goodbye to Taryn for the last time, and it scared me. Michelle left so suddenly, like I’d just told her about us or something. This is what it’s going to be like when it finally ends, isn’t it?”

  “Yeah. Probably,” Ash leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees and folding his hands together. “Michael, what happens, happens. You can’t worry about it.”

  “I guess. Well, your jeans should be dry by now. Let’s go back to your place, shall we? Before I say damn the video camera and fuck that fine ass right here.”

  Ash chuckled and they headed downstairs. Ash retrieved his shirt and jeans. He slipped them on and they headed outside. Michael locked the door behind him.

  “It’s all up to fate now,”

  “Won’t she call you at the house? She’ll want to know where you are.”

  “I’ll tell her I left. I’m not playing her games any more, Ash.” The rain poured down as they headed to Ash’s apartment.

  They hurried inside and shut the door. Michael pounced on Ash at once, kissing him and pressing him into the wall, grinding his hips against Ash as Ash moaned.

  “Okay, okay, I’ll get the camera,” Ash said, smiling as he made his way to the computer desk. He picked up the camera and they headed into the bedroom. Michael stripped himself and Ash as Ash tried to set up the camera.

  “Okay, there. It’s recording, so you can go ahead now.”

  Michael kissed down Ash’s back as he guided him down to the bed. Ash rolled over and pulled Michael down into a passionate kiss. Michael kissed down his chest to his cock which he took into his mouth.

  “Fuck me,” Ash gasped. “Please, Michael.”

  Michael felt his breath catch in his throat. We’re not just filming a porno. We’re filming us making love. Christ. He reached for the lube and coated his cock, probing Ash’s ass with practiced ease. Ash squirmed beneath him, clutching at the sheets as Michael pressed his cock inside of him. Michael gasped at the feeling
of Ash squeezing his cock like a vice and moved slowly in and out, building up a rhythm. He forgot about the camera as the pleasure built up inside of him. He seized Ash’s lips in a deep kiss as they moved together.

  He came with a primal cry, Ash right behind him, their moans a kind of harmony. Ash looked up into Michael’s eyes as Michael crawled on top of him for a kiss.

  “I love you,” Ash said, a sweet smile on his lips. Michael caught those lips with his own.

  “I love you too, Ash,” Michael said. He came to rest beside Ash before Ash reached over and turned the camera off. Ash lay back down, holding Michael close.

  “It’s nice to be able to relax. I don’t have to worry about going back. I’m home.” He let out a contented sigh and dozed off.

  Ash watched him sleep. I hope all our days will be like this soon, but I have my doubts. When it comes down to it, can I really ask him to leave his daughter for me?

  Chapter Eighteen

  Hydrophobia

  Michael woke to an empty bed. He heard the TV from the living room and relaxed, pulling himself out of bed and heading to the bathroom, where he relieved himself and flushed the toilet. He wandered into the living room where Ash was sitting on the sofa, watching the news.

  “They’re evacuating more of the city,” Ash said. “Still not our jobs, though. I called my boss. Naturally, he expects me to go in.”

  “Bet you ten bucks mine does, too,” Michael sighed. He sat down on the sofa and watched the news.

  “The lake has reached levels not seen in a hundred years and is flooding houses on the lower side. All residents from Sixth down are advised to evacuate to the community center on East Avenue. The river has also reached dangerous levels. Officials are warning that if the the river banks burst, Main Road could become inaccessible. Residents are advised to stay at home unless otherwise directed.”