Theo fought the uncomfortable feeling building in his gut. He was hardly a naïve or uninformed man. On the contrary, he was more than aware of the abundance of unfortunate people struggling to survive in Los Angeles. He’d never seen anything like it in the neighborhoods he’d been raised in or where he had spent his time as a youth. But Theo had reconciled himself to the fact that not everyone could be as fortunate as he was, so he tried not to think about it.
However, as he stared into the eyes of the young man who was offering to suck his cock or bring him to completion with his hands for a mere dollar, as Theo faced the reality that the boy would debase himself for an amount of money that wouldn’t even pay for a weekly room and one meal, that he’d likely have to do the same thing again that day to have both—Theo thought he might be ill.
And he’s relieved that I’m not angry with him. How many others in this poor man’s life had hurt him? Maybe not physically, but by being cruel? And yet, he stood before him with a smile that reached his eyes, as if just being alive was happiness in and of itself. Theo swallowed the emotion clogging his throat.
“Listen mister, if that’s too much, I can give you a discount. You know, because you told me I wasn’t a deevee ain’t and all. Seventy-five cents?” He punctuated the question with a happy grin.
Theo put his hand to his forehead. Even if they were at the edges of the outdoor market because the young man had been prudent enough not to approach him until he’d moved away from the crowds, Theo still worried that others meandering by might overhear.
“Would you care to have a seat with me on one of the park benches?”
The young man let out a loud guffaw. “You are thick in the head, if you don’t mind me saying so.” He brought his voice down again. “I can’t be friendly to you over there. It’s right out in the open!” Then he snickered behind his hand.
Theo had to admit it was a bit amusing, even though the consequences wouldn’t be the least bit funny. “You don’t need to be ‘friendly’ with me. I only want you to join me for a bit, get to know each other perhaps?”
He inclined his head to one side again. “Gee, are you lonely or something? Because I know how that is, yes I do. It’s not very nice at all. I guess I could sit with you for a little bit, but I don’t want you to think I’m being mean if I don’t stay for very long. I…” To Theo’s surprise, the boy’s cheeks reddened. “Well, it’s after noon and I still haven’t found anyone to take me up on my offer and I used my last nickel for a cuppa joe earlier.” He smiled. “But let’s go sit down first so you aren’t sad.”
A jumble of more emotions filled Theo’s heart. He couldn’t reconcile the boy’s circumstances against what seemed to be genuine concern for someone else. He must be running a grift. Trying to get me to lower my guard.
The young man furrowed his brow as he regarded Theo with careful scrutiny. “Yes, we definitely should. You look very blue and there’s no reason for you to be down.” He gave Theo a slight punch in the arm, grinning as he did. “Come on now, perk up! You have nice clothes and a spiffy motorcar and I bet you have a big fancy house too. Not only that…” Theo watched as he bit his plump lower lip and glanced down. He was back to kicking at the imaginary rock with his hands folded behind his back, his face flushing once more. “Well, I bet the fellas—and probably the ladies too—tell you all the time what a sheik you are, so I don’t suppose hearing it from the likes of me would matter all that much.”
“Don’t say that about yourself. You’re—” Theo’s voice cracked and he swallowed hard. “You’re a wonderful young man and you honor me with your kind words.”
The boy gasped, his eyes rounding. “Honor? I honor you?” He hugged himself and the hint of a smile danced on his lips. “Gee. I’ve never done anything like that before. I’ll sit with you on the bench for as long as you want. I like you and I don’t like anybody.”
Theo sucked in a deep breath. “Thank you, I appreciate your generosity. Before you join me, may I ask what your name is? Mine is Theodore Huntington.”
“Ooh, that’s a snazzy name. Mine’s Francesco.” He smacked his chest with one hand and grinned. “Francesco Rossi. Nice to meet ya.”
Francesco shot out his hand and grabbed Theo’s before he’d had a chance to react. He gave it an awkward shake, the action obviously not a familiar one. Theo slowed the gesture and gave Francesco a slight squeeze before letting go. He ignored the spark of lust that had briefly shot through him, as well as Francesco’s pronounced blush. He wasn’t about to take the boy up on his previous offer, so what was the point?
They made their way over the grass to the nearest unoccupied bench. Theo removed his hat as the breeze picked up and held it in front of him, worrying the brim. “Francesco. That’s a lovely name as well. You don’t have an accent, so I take it your family came to America a while back?”
Francesco shrugged. “I guess. Mama speaks one way, but Papa spoke another. I think maybe he hadn’t been here very long, but he left when I was six, so I’m not really sure. Plus, he sometimes talked in Italian which made Mama throw things at him. Then he’d throw stuff back and yell at her that she was a no good sleazy whore from the Bronx who would never amount to nothing.”
They arrived at their destination and Theo rubbed at his forehead as Francesco plopped down on the wooden seat. The more Francesco shared with him, the more his heart ached. He couldn’t grasp how Francesco could be so jolly despite his abysmal circumstances.
“Aren’t you gonna sit down with me after all that?” Francesco gazed up at him quizzically.
“Of course.” Theo joined Francesco and reclined against the back of the bench. “Tell me Francesco, when was the last time you had anything to eat?”
“Well, like I said, I had some coffee this morning. What did you have? Do you eat the same thing every morning, or do you try new things? I’ve always wondered what that would be like. Do you eat gruel?” Francesco pursed his lips. “I hate gruel. It’s disgusting. If we had enough money for breakfast, that’s all we’d ever eat. Mama was a terrible cook. If I lived the way you do, I’d never eat gruel and no one could make me.”
The thought passed through Theo’s head that Francesco would do well to learn some patience and manners. His parents had obviously been useless in teaching him how to operate in society—in addition to being useless in many other ways—and he suspected it was because they hadn’t had the slightest inkling how to behave either.
“I agree. I don’t eat gruel. However, I’d like to request something from you, a favor if you will.”
Francesco regarded him warily. “Will there be any funny business?”
Theo crossed his heart the way Francesco had done earlier. “No funny business. I promise.”
“Okay then.” Francesco tipped up his chin as he stared back at him with confidence. “What sort of favor could a mongrel such as me do for a fine society gentleman such as yourself?”
Theo resisted the urge to growl. The man before him didn’t deserve to have anyone show him anger ever again. “To begin with, please don’t refer to yourself as a mongrel. But what I’d really like is when you’re talking, could you pause after you ask a question and let the person you’re asking have a chance to answer? Do you suppose you could give that a try for me?”
Francesco’s shoulders fell. “I was blathering, wasn’t I?”
“That’s all right.” Theo fought the urge to wrap an arm around Francesco. “You’ve never been taught how to interact with other people in social situations.”
Francesco stared at him, his expression somewhat blank. “Did you mean I shouldn’t be allowed in polite society?” He nodded. “Boy, you hit the nail right on the head with that one. I’ve heard that from a lot of people before.”
“No, Francesco, that’s not what I meant.” Tears burned in his eyes, a phenomenon that hadn’t happened to him for as long as he could remember, perhaps not since he’d been a small boy. He swallowed them down. “I meant that it isn’t fair that yo
u weren’t properly educated on how to have a conversation with others. The blathering, as you call it, isn’t your fault. But if you’d like to, you can learn how to control it better.”
Francesco’s expression clouded again. “I guess you don’t like me how I am. I’m sorry. I wish I was an educated fella, but if a dirty rag stuffed in my mouth for hours at a time couldn’t fix it, I doubt you can get me to change.”
“Oh, Francesco.” Theo wasn’t sure how much more he could stand of hearing about the events from Francesco’s horrid life before he really did break down into tears. “I don’t want to change you. You’re a very special man all on your own, and I do like you. I only thought that since you seemed unhappy with how you carry on when you speak, if it’s something that makes you feel self-conscious, or bad about yourself in some way, that maybe I could help with that.”
What was he thinking? Francesco was a stranger, a street hustler who would probably rob him given half the chance. He had no idea why he felt compelled to offer him any assistance.
Francesco chuckled. “Boy, you really must be lonely, mister. Helping me to talk better sounds boring as well as impossible.”
Theo barked out a laugh. “You might be right, Francesco. Maybe I’m quite lonely after all. Would you give it a try? You don’t have to, I won’t be angry with you if you’re not interested.”
Francesco tilted his head from side to side, his gaze traveling upward as if he were giving Theo’s request some serious consideration. At last, he returned his attention to him. “Would it make you happy if I gave it a try?”
“Yes.” Theo cleared his throat. “Yes, it would.”
“Okay. I’ll do it for you. I’d like to make it so you’re not sad.”
Theo cleared his throat again and absent-mindedly smoothed his thin moustache with thumb and forefinger. “And why is that, Francesco? What difference does it make to you whether or not I’m unhappy?”
Francesco shook his head slowly. “I’m not sure I understand you very well. Don’t you know it’s not nice when people are sad?”
Theo inhaled deeply as he became more desperate to control his feelings of despair over Francesco’s plight. He couldn’t fathom how such a sweet and gentle person could remain so cheerful.
“You’re right, Francesco. Forgive my thoughtless question.” He offered him a smile. “But that was very good what you just did.”
Francesco’s eyes widened. “What did I do?”
“You asked me a question then let me answer it without carrying on and on.”
Francesco’s grin lit up his face, and other than one crooked tooth which overlapped the other on the bottom, he had a lovely, perfect smile. “Are you proud of me? And see? I didn’t ask another question then either.” He straightened up, his posture almost regal with his shoulders back and chest puffed out. “Hey, I’m getting good at this.”
Theo didn’t want to take Francesco’s victory away by pointing out that he’d asked another question, nor did he wish to indulge the urge to take Francesco under his wing as a submissive, due to the young man’s behavior. It was time to make his goodbyes.
“You most certainly are, and I would say you did wonderfully. You make me very proud.”
Theo fiddled with the brim of his hat as he gazed down at his hands. He’s not a stray dog, he’s an adult. At least, I’m almost sure he is. And anyway, it’s not my place to rescue him. Theo snapped his head up and offered Francesco the professional smile he’d perfected while doing business. Francesco narrowed his eyes.
“Are you done with me now?” Francesco’s words gave off an accusatory tone.
“I…” Theo shifted on the bench. He’d been taken aback by the astute query. Quite observant. Regardless of his lack of formal education, Francesco had proven to be inquisitive and aware throughout their conversation. He was not a stupid man. “It’s not about being done with you, it’s the fact that I’m on the way to my office and I hadn’t planned on being sidetracked by such a lovely young man.”
Francesco shrugged as he glanced down, his legs swinging as he kicked at the dirt. “That’s okay, I get it. You don’t have to pretend. I know when people are sick of me, happens all the time.” He jerked his head up, his eyes wide again, his body language telegraphing that he’d shoved his pain aside. “Hey, do you think I can have my dime back? I haven’t eaten yet today.”
Theo’s chest felt tight and heavy. He struggled to keep his voice from shaking as he responded to Francesco. “I thought you said it was my dime?”
Francesco chuckled. “Yeah, I know. But I’ll tell you a secret. I spotted your snazzy motorcar and thought I’d check you out to see if I could guess whether you might like another fella to be nice to you. I couldn’t tell, because sometimes you can’t and such, but you’re so handsome, I thought I’d take the chance anyway. I use the dime thing a lot.” He nudged Theo with his elbow. “It works pretty good too. Gotta find an excuse to chat a guy up, if you know what I mean.”
Have to get away, not my business. “I see. Well, I’ll tell you a little secret too. I knew it was your dime, but I took it so I could discover what it was you were up to. I never planned on keeping it.”
“That’s why I like you. You’re a stand-up fella and there ain’t many of those out there, gosh no. Only Mr. Guildenstern at the bakery who gives me the day-old rolls or sometimes even a glazed donut if I knock on the back door before they open, or one-eyed Chester, the ticket-taker over at the picture show palace who sneaks me in if his boss ain’t around. Until I met you, I never met no one so good before. I’ll sit with you anytime, Mister. And I don’t want no dime or nothing. I’d do it just because I want to.”
Theo couldn’t stand it any longer. He had to make his excuses before his heart broke any more. “Thank you, Francesco. And please call me Theo.” He frowned to himself. It wasn’t as if he’d ever see him again, so why had he said such a thing? “I think you’re very nice too and that was quite brave to admit that you were trying to trick me. But I would be careful not to say that to other men who might get angry and possibly hurt you.”
“Oh, don’t worry Mis…” Francesco blushed again, the color deepening the rich tones of his skin. “I mean, Theo. And you’re not mad at me, are you? Cuz of the dime thing? Now that you’re my friend, I don’t want you to be upset with me.”
Theo quickly rose. The more that Francesco shared with him, the more uncomfortable he became. “No, Francesco. Not at all. As I said, you’re a lovely young man, but I do have to take my leave.”
Francesco jumped up as well and Theo had a flash of having to run from him so that he wouldn’t follow. Theo plucked the handkerchief he had carefully folded in his breast pocket then dabbed at the beads of sweat on his brow. He stuffed it into his trousers. “Hold on, Francesco, I have something for you.” Theo reached into his suit jacket to retrieve his billfold. “How about I trade you the dime for this?” Theo removed a five-dollar bill from his wallet. He presented it to Francesco, whose mouth formed an ‘O’.
“Gee, I ain’t seen one of those in a long time. I don’t wanna question how your brain works again, but I’m gonna be much better off than you with this trade.”
“That’s all right, I want you to have it. But can you promise me something?”
Francesco had been just about to grab it but he snatched his hand back, his eyes narrowing like before. “What kinda promise?”
Theo kept his voice soft. “No funny business. That was a promise I made you.” He hoped to convey to him that he meant what he was saying. “It would greatly please me if you would use this to stay somewhere for the week, buy yourself some shoes, and perhaps a new shirt as well.”
Francesco considered the bill then peered up at Theo. “Can I also get something to eat? I’m awfully hungry.”
Theo knew the poor thing had to be starving. He sported a small frame, but he also appeared very thin. Theo pushed down the nagging thoughts that plagued him over Francesco’s malnourishment. “Of course, Francesco. Of c
ourse you should have something to eat. I only meant that it would be good if you also did the other things I mentioned.”
“Okay.” Francesco plucked the bill from him, a smiled dancing on his lips. “It’s a deal.”
“Well, then.” Theo deposited his fedora back on his head, then gave it a quick pat to better secure it. “I’ll be off. It was a pleasure meeting you, Francesco, and I hope…” Theo shuffled his feet, not sure what one said to a man in circumstances such as Francesco’s. “I wish you all the best.”
Francesco nodded with enthusiasm then stuck his hand out again. Theo accepted the gesture. He could tell he was trying to please him.
“I wish you all the best too, Mister Theo. You’re a nice man and you sure know how to make a fella feel better. And I’ll be sure to work on my blathering so maybe if I see you another time, I can make you proud of me again.”
Oh God. Must leave. “That’s…” Theo made a sound of frustration. “Thank you. Uh…” He gently extricated his hand from Francesco’s soft, warm grasp. “Take care of yourself.”
Theo whirled around then picked up a brisk pace as he hurried away.
“I will, Theo,” Francesco called after him. “I promise.”
Theo reached the corner of Wilshire Boulevard where he typically turned to the right. Instead, he crossed the street and headed farther south. He no longer needed to go to his office. The speakeasy located less than a mile away seemed like a much better option.
Chapter Two
Francesco hid in the bushes at the edge of Westlake Park, seated cross-legged on a pile of leaves to keep his trousers from getting too grubby. He’d chosen to conceal himself near the fountain where he sometimes took a bath when no one was around. It was a trusted location, but he’d only chance a dunk if he didn’t think he’d get caught. Once, a flatfoot had beaten him with his billy club and his shoulder had hurt real bad for two whole weeks. He’d almost outrun the copper, but the guy had gotten in one good swing first.
Finding Sanctuary Page 2