Stranded

by Andrew Grey

  “I think I’ve almost got it,” Guy said. “Wasn’t getting enough air—damned dust.” He banged what seemed to be the air filter, and a cloud of crap filled the air and then blew away on the wind.

  “Here.” Kendall handed the water to Guy and took the filter, hitting it gently to dislodge the dust. Guy upended the bottle and then set to wiping out the inside of the filter housing. “It looks better,” Kendall said, not really sure what he was doing, but getting that junk out should be good.

  “There’s something that’s letting the dust in. I’ll have to tell the studio people when we get back. But cleaning this out should be enough to get us home,” Guy explained as he began to put everything back together. “I appreciate the help,” he added once he had the cover on the filter housing. “Try to start it,” Guy said, and Kendall climbed into the driver’s seat and turned the key. The engine started immediately and stayed running. Guy ran to the back, the tools thunking and clanking as he set down the box.

  Kendall moved to the backseat, and Guy slid into the driver’s seat. They all closed their doors, and Guy turned onto the side road.

  “Well, that was a bit of an adventure,” Lyman said. “I tried to get some help, but there was no signal.”

  “That’s why I always have tools on these trips. I also left word with your office with exactly where we were going and when we’d be back. There’s no one out here and the nearest town, once we get to the main road, is Las Vegas.” They bounced around for a while before reaching the main road and finally the highway. Kendall had never been so grateful to be back on smooth pavement in his life.

  Kendall sighed as worry about the vehicle having further troubles became less urgent. The other guys talked and reviewed what they’d seen. Kendall was pretty sure Lyman had liked the third location, but the final decision would be his. All Kendall could do was offer his opinion. They crossed back into California and continued driving. After about twenty miles, they came to a combined gas station, convenience store, and restaurant at a turnoff. Guy pulled in and got gas. Lyman headed inside, and Kendall went inside to use the restroom. He was getting a soda when his phone chimed. He pulled it out of his pocket and saw a message from Johnny. “Miss you too.” Kendall smiled and sent a quick reply before heading into the tiny bathroom. He’d hoped for something else from Johnny, but no further messages came. He did his business and washed up, passing Guy as he left the bathroom.

  He wandered through the small store, which had a Burger King in one corner with a few booths, shelves of basic necessities, food, soda, candy, and, of course, a section with condoms and aspirin, as well as a large area of auto repair supplies.

  “Can I get you anything?” the woman behind the counter asked. Kendall ordered a soda and paid for it before sitting across from Lyman at one of the booths. Lyman didn’t seem to be in the mood to talk, so Kendall sat quietly, waiting for Guy, who got something to drink as well and joined them in the booth.

  “This was productive,” Guy observed, and Lyman nodded once.

  “I think we can cancel the trip for tomorrow. We have what we need,” Lyman said and pulled out his phone. He began a texting conversation that seemed manic for a few minutes; then he looked up at Kendall. A few seconds later, Kendall’s phone rang.

  “Hello?” Kendall asked when he saw the strange number.

  “Hi, it’s Juan. Are you going out again with Mr. Davidson tomorrow?” he asked frantically.

  “No,” Kendall answered, and Juan sighed softly.

  “I went ahead and made appointments with all the departments for you tomorrow. They’re anxious to get their hands on you,” Juan said with a snicker.

  “Fine, I’m all yours. You’ll be able to show me where to go?” Kendall asked, suddenly worried he would have to find his way around the labyrinth of studio buildings.

  “Of course. I’ll meet you at your hotel in the morning,” Juan said and then hung up.

  “Looks like I’m booked for tomorrow,” Kendall said to the group, and Lyman nodded.

  “There’s another script revision coming on Friday,” Lyman said matter-of-factly. “We were to start shooting on Monday, but I think it will—No… no… no,” Lyman blustered as he gave up texting and dialed the phone. He stood up and headed toward the door. Kendall assumed that meant they needed to go and got up to follow.

  Once they were on the road, Lyman spent most of the time on the phone. “I need a date,” he said emphatically at one point and then lowered his voice. Kendall checked his phone once again, but there were no messages. He thought about calling, but Johnny was probably working. He got comfortable, and it wasn’t long before he began to feel sleepy, so Kendall rested his head back against the seat.

  KENDALL hurried to get ready for his date. Johnny had called the morning after walking him home from the theater and had haltingly asked him out for dinner. “It’ll have to be Sunday because I only have a matinee, or Tuesday, because that’s the day the show is dark,” Kendall had said.

  “Okay, then, this Sunday?” Johnny asked, and Kendall agreed. “Should I meet you at the theater?”

  “My apartment would be better,” Kendall said. He figured that way he could shower and change before Johnny saw him. So now Kendall expected Johnny at any minute, and he’d just stepped out of the shower five minutes earlier. Kendall pulled on his pants and shirt, relieved that he’d had the foresight to lay out his clothes before going to the theater. He’d pulled on his socks and one shoe when the buzzer sounded. Kendall hopped into the other shoe as he walked the few steps to the door. “Johnny?” Kendall said into the intercom

  “Yes, it’s me,” Johnny said, and Kendall buzzed him in before checking himself out in the mirror near his bed. He looked okay, and opened the door as he heard Johnny’s footsteps. “You look nice,” Johnny said, and Kendall smiled as he stepped back to let Johnny into his studio apartment. “This is really nice,” Johnny said, looking around.

  “It’s tiny, but it doesn’t take me forever to get to work,” Kendall said. He shut the door, and Johnny moved close. “I kept thinking about you all week.”

  “Me too,” Johnny said, and Kendall angled closer and kissed him. There was no chocolate this time, just Johnny, and Kendall liked it better. “I kept thinking about that kiss.”

  “No chocolate this time,” Kendall said, and Johnny kissed him again.

  “I almost didn’t call,” Johnny admitted when he straightened up again. “I couldn’t figure out what an interesting guy like you could see in me. I’m boring and spend my days researching dead guys.”

  Kendall chuckled as he shook his head. “You’re intense and you’re passionate about your subject, which isn’t boring.” Kendall hoped Johnny might eventually throw a bit of that passion his way, and he shivered with excitement. “The subject might be boring, but passion never is.” It took Kendall a second to realize what he’d said. “Not that I think what you study is boring,” he added hastily. “I didn’t mean that….” God, he’d really stepped in it.

  “It’s okay, I know what you meant,” Johnny said with a grin that included a soft chuckle. “You’re cute when you’re flustered.”

  Kendall turned away so Johnny wouldn’t see him roll his eyes at the cute comment. Cute was the dating kiss of death. He didn’t want to be cute. Dashing, yes, handsome, hot, even adorably sexy would work, but cute….

  “You should get your coat,” Johnny said, pulling Kendall out of his woolgathering.

  “Is it still snowing?” Kendall asked as he pulled his heavy coat out of his closet. He also found his nice scarf and gloves.

  “Yes, but not too hard, and the wind died down, so it’s pretty,” Johnny told him. Kendall bundled up and turned off the lights. They left the apartment, and he locked up. Once they’d descended the stairs, they stepped out into a Christmas card. Fresh snow glittered in the lights around windows and from the pine trees in small pots. “I always wondered what a Winter Wonderland looked like,” Johnny commented softly and turned to Ken
dall.

  “It is pretty with the fresh snow and lights,” Kendall said.

  “Yes, it is,” Johnny told him without breaking his gaze. Kendall instantly warmed, and Johnny kissed him there on the street. A car honked as it passed, and Johnny moved away and then guided them down the sidewalk.

  “Where are we going?” Kendall asked as he licked his lips, trying to get the last taste of Johnny left on them. “I’m not really hungry yet.” It always took a while after the excitement of a show for his appetite to kick in.

  “Perfect,” Johnny said, and they began walking toward the center of the city, where he hailed a cab. “Take us to the park, please,” Johnny instructed, and the driver began moving once they were in.

  The ride didn’t take long, and the driver let them out at the south corner of Central Park right near the Plaza Hotel, which was all decked out for the holiday. “I thought we could go for a ride,” Johnny said, and he engaged one of the horse-drawn carriages. Kendall almost shook his head, thinking those were for tourists, but he got in. The driver handed them a thick blanket to put over their legs and started the horse moving. “I always wanted to do this on a date,” Johnny told Kendall in a whisper.

  “You’ve never done this before, then?” Kendall asked, and Johnny shook his head slowly.

  “I haven’t been on many dates,” Johnny confessed. “Have you?”

  Kendall didn’t know how to answer and decided on the truth. “I’ve been out with guys, but on very few dates,” Kendall began, and Johnny moved closer, putting his arm around Kendall’s back. “And certainly no dates like this,” Kendall added, looking up at the trees covered with snow, flakes falling and melting on his face.

  “So this was a good idea?” Johnny asked.

  “This was a magical idea,” Kendall told him and snuggled closer. What a way to sweep a guy off his feet. The snow seemed to be letting up, and the car-horn blares and engine revs faded into the distance as they traveled the park road, leaving most of the world behind and entering a world of snow-covered lampposts and lawns turned to blankets of white. In the morning it would be trampled and messy, but right now, from a slow-moving carriage, everything was pristine and unspoiled.

  The ride lasted almost an hour and then the driver pulled up where they’d started. Kendall blinked a few times as he stepped out of the carriage. They’d been in a cocoon for the past sixty minutes, and the harsh world had suddenly invaded once again.

  “Our restaurant is within walking distance,” Johnny said, and they walked with the holiday shoppers and New Yorkers rushing home for the evening. Johnny led him down Fifth and then up one of the side streets to a small bistro. They stepped inside from the cold into a room filled with warm scents that seemed to surround Kendall. A server led them to a table, and Kendall took off his coat and draped it over the back of the chair.

  “This is perfect,” Kendall said as Johnny sat down, and they shared a smile. “Did you plan this whole thing?”

  “Of course. I put in my order for fresh snow as soon as you said yes,” Johnny quipped, and Kendall grinned. “I did know about the carriage rides and I made the reservation, but the rest just sort of happened.” The weather had conspired to provide a romantic evening. At least it felt that way to Kendall. Everything was perfect. And of course perfection never lasted. The waiter brought menus, and they ordered hot chocolate and then placed their food orders. The hot chocolate tasted like it came from a can, just like the whipped cream and later the soup. Kendall’s chicken was overcooked, and Johnny’s beef nearly raw. The only things that were right were the salads, which probably came out of a bag, but at least they weren’t mushy or brown. The manager apologized when Johnny complained, and their plates were taken away.

  “I’m sorry,” Johnny said, and Kendall leaned over the table while they waited.

  “I barely noticed,” Kendall said as their gazes met again. He would have eaten chicken-flavored shoe leather if it meant he got to spend time with Johnny. This sweet, gentle man was quickly stealing his heart. Their replacement food arrived, and they ate. Kendall hardly tasted anything.

  At the end of the meal, Johnny paid the bill. They bundled back up and left the restaurant. “I should get a cab to take us home,” Johnny said, walking toward the Fifth. Kendall caught up.

  “It’s okay,” Kendall said. “We can walk. They’ll be skating at Rockefeller Center, and the tree will be lit. The buildings will be decorated.”

  “If you’re sure,” Johnny said, and they began walking down the avenue. They watched the skaters for a bit and then continued on, cutting across town and continuing away from the commercial areas. Kendall was shivering a little when they finally reached his building, and he knew Johnny had to be cold as well.

  “Come up and I’ll make you something to get warm,” Kendall offered. He opened the door, let them both inside the building, and then led the way up to his apartment. Once in the apartment, Kendall hung up their coats and went right into the kitchen, where he heated some milk to make proper hot chocolate, which he brought to where Johnny sat on the sofa. “This should do it,” Kendall said with a grin.

  “Little marshmallows,” Johnny said happily and sipped from his mug. Kendall did the same, the smooth sweetness warming him all the way down.

  “Are you warmer now?” Kendall asked, and Johnny set his mug on a coaster. He took Kendall’s mug, placed it next to his, and then leaned close.

  “I’m getting there,” Johnny said and kissed him softly at first.

  Their kisses had been chaste up till now, but Johnny deepened it, and Kendall moaned softly, wrapping his arms around Johnny’s neck. Kendall felt Johnny’s weight shift, and then he was pressed back onto the cushions. Intensity built quickly in the touch of their lips, but there was no urgency, no need to rush. Their fires were banked, and for now Kendall was content. He’d rushed into things with too many guys, and all it had gotten him was sex and a quick “see you later” as the guy rushed out the door.

  “I’m warm now,” Johnny said.

  “I’ll say,” Kendall said before tugging Johnny into another kiss. “I think you taste best covered in chocolate.” Kendall licked his lips, and Johnny smiled and sat back up. Kendall swallowed hard and straightened up as well. They picked up their mugs again, and Kendall leaned against Johnny, soaking up his warmth.

  “I do, huh?” Johnny said.

  “The chocolate tastes sweeter when it’s on your lips,” Kendall said and angled for another kiss, which he got. “Is this okay?” Johnny turned to look at him, seemingly a bit puzzled. Kendall continued, “I mean, this is nice, but I mean… well… you know… without sex right away.”

  “There goes that cuteness again,” Johnny told him. “There’s no rush. This isn’t about sex, or maybe I’m hoping it’s about more than that.” Kendall shifted closer, rested his head on Johnny’s arm, and softly hummed his agreement. He certainly hoped so. Kendall turned on the television. A Christmas Story was on. Kendall reached for the remote, but Johnny stopped him.

  “I always liked this as a kid and haven’t seen it in years,” Johnny told him. The two of them laughed through Ralphie’s antics as he schemed to get his “Red Ryder BB gun with a compass in the stock and this thing that tells time.”

  “YOU still with us back there?” Guy asked, and Kendall lifted his head off the back of the seat. Housing developments and strip malls dotted the side of the road as they approached the edge of the city.

  “I’m fine, just thinking,” Kendall said. Lyman was on the phone, and Kendall wondered if he’d stopped talking since they’d come back into cell range. He checked his phone, but there wasn’t a message. He decided to call before it got too late, and Johnny answered.

  “How was the trip?” Johnny asked, sounding tired.

  “I think it was good,” Kendall said, catching Guy’s eye in the rearview mirror for a second before he looked away. Kendall knew to be careful about what he said. “The director seems pleased, so that’s good. Tomorrow I have
a million appointments at the studio.”

  “‘Hurry up and wait’ type stuff?” Johnny asked.

  “I hope not. From what I’m told, I’m booked back-to-back with the various departments all day,” Kendall explained, but he didn’t want to talk too much about movie stuff where he could be heard, so he changed the subject. “How is the book coming?”

  “I made my deadline, but just barely, and now I’m starting on a new project.” Johnny sounded excited.

  “Does this one require a lot of research?” Kendall probed.

  “Nope. For this one I know all the material I need. But I’m researching some ideas for the next story that’s working its way into my head.” For a second Kendall wondered just what kind of research Johnny was doing with the guy who’d answered Johnny’s phone and with the guy from the cab. He was starting to get paranoid.

  “When do you think you can come out for a visit?”

  “I’m not sure. This book is flowing pretty quickly and I don’t want to break the rhythm,” Johnny said.

  “You can work from out here,” Kendall told him.

  “I know. Why don’t you see what your schedule is going to be like? And when you think you might have a break, I’ll make arrangements to fly out.”

  “You don’t have to come if you don’t want to,” Kendall said quietly, and Johnny sighed.

  “It isn’t that,” Johnny said. “I don’t like to travel much, you know that. And if you’re going to be busy, there’s no use in me coming out if I’m not going to be able to see you. I’ll only end up sitting around waiting for you to come home.”

  “It just feels wrong being apart like this,” Kendall said.

  “It’s not going to be forever, and when you’re done, you’ll come back here. We’ve been together for a long time, and yes, this will be the longest we’ve been apart, but you’ll make it, and so will I.” Johnny paused. “I do miss you. This place just isn’t the same without your clothes falling on the floor of the closet and shoes left everywhere.”