by Bradon Nave
***
Tyson’s reaction to the Holloway residence only reassured Bishop that the young man knew nothing about Bishop or his family. Seemingly impressed by the luxurious surroundings, Tyson was treated to a brief tour of the main floor, kitchen, and then the pool area. Within minutes of arriving the guys were cautiously entering the cool water. Bishop sported only his bright blue trunks. Tyson wore orange trunks, yet kept his t-shirt on.
A few minutes were dedicated to disclosing details regarding Bishops parent’s massive house and origins of his ‘funky’ accent. Bishop noticed Tyson’s near-defensive position transitioned only moments after Tyson enquired as to why Bishop had a meltdown at the apartment. Always one to air on the side of honesty, Bishop told Tyson the truth about Nathan as they waded in the water. The conversation left Tyson expressionless and hosting a trace of guilt in his eyes.
In an effort to lighten the mood, Bishop pulled himself out of the water only to cannonball right back in. A few more and both of them were drenched, as was the surrounding patio furniture.
“Have you heard from your sister?”
“Nope. She takes her work pretty seriously…but you probably already know that.”
As Tyson hoisted himself from the water, Bishop took notice of the scar peeking through his drenched and semi-transparent, white shirt. The conversation up until this point had been open and honest, Bishop felt no need to wonder when he could simply ask. “So, did you have an operation or something?”
“Huh?” Tyson sat poolside looking over the water while soaking his feet.
“Did you have surgery?”
The bizarre look Tyson offered gave Bishop the impression he’d said something wrong.
“Did my sister not tell you?”
“Tell me what?”
“About my operation?”
“Nope. Is that why you’re wearing that holy shirt?”
“It’s a pretty ugly scar, dude.”
Swimming toward Tyson, Bishop chuckled. “Come on, bud. Let’s check it out.”
Tyson removed the wet shirt and tossed it aside, revealing the ribbon-thin scar.
“Dude. That’s not that bad. No reason to deny your white ass a tan.”
“Really? People stare in the gym sometimes.”
“They’re probably scoping out what you’re benching. You’re fit, bro. You shouldn’t be ashamed by that badge of honor. Scars are like tattoos without words or pictures…they’re that much cooler. Their stories come from real shit—real pain.”
“I don’t know, Bishop. I’ve seen some tattoos that tell a pretty painful story.”
“Yeah. Heart surgery?”
“Um…no…lung.”
“Oh. How often do you go to the gym?”
“Couple of times a week. I go to the apartment gym with two dudes I met there.”
“Sweet. I go at least two or three times a week. You’ll have to check it out sometime.”
“For sure. Dude, I need to piss. I’ll be right back.”
Bishop floated on his back as Tyson dried off and disappeared into the empty house to use the restroom. What seemed like an eternity had Bishop wondering if Tyson were inside exploring or perhaps talking to Alex on the phone. Finally, nearly twenty minutes later, Bishop exited the water and grabbed a towel.
He briefly checked his phone, only to be disheartened by the message “phone temp too high for use.” He’d foolishly left the devise in direct sunlight.
Once dried, he made his way through the backdoor. Much to his surprise, he found a smiling Tyson seated at the granite bar across from Bishop’s doting mother. Tyson was being treated to lemon cake and a tall glass of milk while Constance smiled and listened to him talk.
“Hey, dude…I thought you fell in.”
With a mouth full of cake, Tyson turned to Bishop. “My bad, man. I kind of had to introduce myself when I bumped in to your mom.”
“I’m so glad you did.” Bishop’s mother’s voice was soft, her words kind and mothering as she watched Tyson eat.
“I’m gonna throw your shirt in the dryer and grab you one of mine.” Bishop held up Tyson’s wet shirt. Tyson only nodded as he downed his glass of milk.
Returning from his room with a dry t-shirt for Tyson, he found his mother smiling yet her eyes housed a certain sorrow as she and Tyson continued their conversation. As Bishop approached, Constance merely touched his shoulder, smiled and excused herself.
As she left the room, Bishop looked curiously to Tyson. “So…what’s with my mom, dude? She feeds you and then takes off without offering me anything?”
“Ha. I dunno, dude. She’s awesome though. That cake was legit.”
“I’ll be right back.”
Following his mother to the second den, he found her with her back to him.
“Mom. Mom what’s wrong?” His soft tone had her turning to him, her hand over her mouth and tears welled in her eyes.
“You should have told me, Bishop. I needed warning. You should have warned me.”
“Warned you about Tyson?”
“Yes.”
“I think he can be a little crass sometimes. Did he say something—”
“Don’t be coy with me, Son. Tyson is a sweet boy. You know what I’m talking about.”
Her gratuitous gaze harassed his for the truth. He had nothing to offer. “Mom, I don’t know what you mean. I’ll let you know before I bring people over but I just met the dude. It was a rough morning and I went there to—”
“You really don’t know, do you?”
“Huh? Know what?”
“I’d imagine he doesn’t either.”
“Mom…you’re acting bizarre. What don’t I know? Is Tyson a serial killer or some shit?”
“No, sweet boy. Tyson is beautiful. He’s welcome here always. Please, bring him often. Now I’m tired and am going to lie down for a bit. I’ll be out after a while. I love you, Bish.”
“Um…I love you too, Mom. Are you sure everything is okay? Is Tyson okay?”
“Yes. Tyson appears to be perfect. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to lie down.”
“Love you, Mom.”
“And I love you, my sweet boy.”
Bishop watched his mother leave the room and was quick to make his way to the kitchen to Tyson. “Dude, what did you and my mom talk about?”
Taken aback by the change in tone, Tyson set his plate and glass in the sink and approached Bishop. “Nothing really. Introductions, she asked me about school and Alex…she asked about my surgery and I asked if she knew my physician. She does, dude. Small world. It wasn’t anything too intense.”
“Oh. Okay. My mom is off sometimes. Maybe having a dude close to Nate’s age in the house is weird for her.”
“My bad man. I don’t have to come back if it bothers her having me here—”
“Not at all, Tyson. She said she liked having you here.”
“Sweet. I’ll take more of that cake anytime.”
Chapter
Twenty-Four
Since leaving the apartment for the office, the day had been nauseatingly dreadful. Alex was certain each secret had been divulged and both her budding romantic interest and her younger sibling would forever disgust her for her treachery. She’d tried multiple times to contact Bishop, yet the phone went straight to voicemail and Tyson wasn’t answering. This wasn’t her; she wasn’t a manipulative or conniving wretch. She was a woman who made innocently ignorant mistakes that landed her in love.
Her anxiety had her hands frigid, her fingers wrapped around her stirring-wheel as she raced home from Dr. Jones’ office.
Pulling into the apartment complex, the anxiety had reached a level of unmanageability—creating a dizzying vertigo. She found herself nauseated and on the verge of tears. There was no denying the loss of Bishop’s smile would be devastating, but losing the constant companionship of her baby brother had her heart pulsating in her ears and fingertips.
As she exited the vehicle and walked to the apartment doo
r, she nearly lost her breath at the sound of guys boisterously laughing from her home. Bishop was there, and he certainly didn’t sound angry.
As she cautiously opened the door she found her brother sporting her sports bra and a bright green wig from several Halloweens before. Bishop appeared delighted as Tyson modeled the ridiculous ensemble, complete with his orange trunks, snow boots, and the blatant purple scar on his chest. Alex hadn’t a clue what the hell to think as she entered the odd scenario.
“Um…hi, guys.”
“Hey beautiful!” A smiling Bishop rushed to her, planting a large kiss on her lips, providing instant tension relief she could actually feel.
As they separated, she instantly wrapped her hands around his core, pulling him into her as she rested her head between his pecks. “Is…is everything okay?”
“Yeah. It’s great.”
“You didn’t answer your phone. I tried to call—”
“Oh shit. My bad, Alex. My phone overheated while we were swimming and I forgot to turn it back on.”
“Oh. So today…today went okay? You guys just…just hung out and played baseball. Went to the pool here and—”
“Nah we went to my place to swim. Him and Mom hit it off.”
“What?” Her heartrate began galloping once more.
“Alex. What the hell? I put on this sexy shit and you don’t even give me a second glance?” Tyson approached making a duck face and posing preposterously.
“Oh my god, Ty. You look hideous. Why didn’t you answer my calls?”
“My bad, Sis. My phone’s in my room.”
The explanation offered all she could hope for at this point…a momentary reprieve.
“You seem really tense, Alex.” Bishop smiled down at her as she looked up to him. The fact that he was even speaking to her was bewildering considering she was sure she’d been shunned at this point. She hugged him tighter, thankful for every second she had in his embrace.
She then turned her attention to her idiotic brother. He was shirtless, this meant that they would have had to have discussed his transplant at some point. This she was certain. Regardless, he was smiling at her too. She walked to him and hugged him as well.
“What are you doing tonight, Ty?”
“Hopefully Becca.”
“Tyson!”
“You asked.”
“You’re just…crazy. But I love you, Ty.”
“Love you too. You okay?”
“Yeah. I’m good.”
“Well good. Do you wanna borrow my green weave for your date tonight?”
“Date?” Alex turned to Bishop. She’d been so affected by the idea of disownment that she’d failed to notice he was dressed sharply in pressed khaki shorts and a polo shirt, his hair was gelled a combed meticulously. “Oh, you look adorable.”
Removing her shoes, she looked toward the clock. “I’m not sure what we’ve got planned but just give me a few minutes to get ready, okay?”
“However long you need.”
Nearly thirty minutes later, Alex exited the bathroom to the guy’s laughter once more. She sported a yellow sundress and high-heel shoes. Bishops gaze appeared glued to her, his jaw agape until his pupils wondered in the direction of her feet.
“Oh. You might want some shoes you can um…walk briskly in.” He stood and stepped toward her. “You look gorgeous.”
“Thank you. But I’m kind of concerned with this brisk walk talk.”
“Trust me, I am too after I annihilated my ankle.”
***
Bishop
As the car crawled toward the shadowed destination at the end of the tree lined blacktop, Bishop looked toward his curious date. Her eyes held a fanciful excitement.
“You’ve really never been down here before, Alex?”
“Nope. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever been in this area of town.”
“It’s a little rough if you look at it that way but there’s good stuff down here.”
Nearing an open gate, Bishop reached for Alex’s hand, she eagerly accepted.
“Good stuff? Are…we’re not…we’re not eating down here are we?”
Bishop chuckled. “Nope. We’re feeding. And walking. And petting and just…I dunno…just dishing out some love.”
“What?”
Bishop was certain it would make sense as the Honda approached the moderately sized, aged brick building boasting the ‘Second Chance for Chance’ sign. But she appeared at a loss.
“What is this place, Bishop?”
“It’s an animal shelter. It’s the animal shelter. It’s no-kill and all the animals are walked daily by dedicated volunteers.” Bishop put the car in park and turned to Alex.
“Badass. I’m assuming you’re the most dedicated volunteer they have?”
Bishop smiled and shook his head. “Nope. I wanna show you something.”
Walking up the cobblestone to the front of the building was a deafening experience as they were met with boisterous barking from large pens—all clean and adorned with pans of fresh water.
As they reached the heavy front door, Bishop held it open as Alex entered the building. The smell of animals was present, but not in a bad way. It smelled of cedar chips and dog food.
Hand-in-hand, Bishop walked Alex to a large bulletin board near an office door. On the board was an eight by ten inch color print picture of none other than his favorite person in the world, surrounded by seven dogs of various sizes—Nathan Holloway. Below the picture was a small epitaph and several folded notes tacked to the board. It was his own shrine.
“Nate was the most dedicated volunteer. Every week, twice a week…sometimes more.”
Alex stared at the board in silence, her mouth open and her eyes glistening. “He was…he was beautiful, Bishop.”
“Yeah, he was quite the ladies’ man.”
“I mean he had a beautiful soul. He seems so kind.”
“Bishop!” A portly, elderly African American woman approached, her arms extended.
“Edna! You’re still here?”
She rushed to him, hugging him tightly. “You know me, Bishop, I can’t leave this place.”
“Alex, I’d like you to meet Dr. Malicoat. She’s the best veterinarian on earth.”
“Please, call me Edna.” Rather than extend a hand to shake Alex’s, Edna hugged her as well.
“Just what the hell are you two doin’ out here today? You here to walk some pooches?”
“You know it.” Bishop smiled largely and walked toward a tall coatrack with several leashes of various sizes.
“Thank heavens. I have three more neuters to do before I can help with walking and Beth is stuck in class and Derick’s practice ran late.”
“Well, we’re here.” Bishop grabbed several leashes and turned to Alex. “Is that cool?”
“Totally. This is awesome.”
Two small, long-haired mixed breeds and a friendly, spotted Australian shepherd were leashed and led from the building down a worn and haggard path, clad with thick vegetation and a canopy of trees hanging above. Alex led the smaller dogs and Bishop led the larger one as they continued through the low-hanging limbs and thick muggy air.
They were soon walking parallel to a stream of clear water. The trees were numerous and ivy had all but taken the path.
“Bishop,” Alex pulled back on the leashes, allowing the animals to drink from the soft-flowing water, “it’s beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful.” He stepped closer to her, pushing her hair from the side of her face as his canine companion watched curiously. As their lips met, Bishop noticed he couldn’t contain his smile while he kissed her. His lips curled so that it made the lip-locking nearly awkward.
“What the…is something funny, Bishop?” Alex pulled away slightly.
“Nah, not at all. You make me feel…good again. I feel good when I’m with you.”
“Me too.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear it. My mind was thinking the worst today, Alex.”
“You never told your brother about me. Tyson said you literally tell him everything and even he was surprised I hadn’t been mentioned. I was worried maybe you thought we weren’t a good idea.”
“What? Oh my god, Bishop, no. We’re a beautiful idea.” Her arms wrapping around his waist provided a solid, comforting feeling he couldn’t get enough of. She was complete comfort. Her scent, her smile, her mannerisms were all comforting.
“Bishop…please know that no matter what happens, I would never intentionally hurt you. You’re the best idea.”
As their lips met once more, he felt he wanted more of her. His hand slid under the back of her hair—he pressed her into his kiss.
Lost in the excitement, Bishop was suddenly yanked away from Alex by his leashed friend as the dog went in pursuit of some small furry creature. Thankfully Bishop was able to contain the dog, but Alex was unable to contain her laughter.
“Ha. Hilarious. Dumbass dog.” Bishop smiled as he leaned down to pet the dog on the head.
“You wanna get these guys back, Bishop?”
“I do.”
The walk back was brisk as the dogs basically dragged the duo to the final destination. Once there, Bishop and Alex fed, brushed and loved on their new friends for at least an hour before leaving. The idea of a watching a movie at the theater was trumped the second Alex learned Bishop’s mother was out the house.
The couple made it back to Bishop’s house, and Alex claimed to want a tour of the home’s grand library.
They now stood surrounded by grand, dark-wood shelving and books from the marble flooring to the ceiling. Bishop watched Alex trace the hardbacks with her fingers, reading some of the titles aloud.
“They’re not all medical…I’m impressed, Bishop.”
“My parents love fiction.”
“Who doesn’t?”
Bishop walked behind her, purposefully breathing hot breath on her neck. “I do.”