Fire and Agate

by Andrew Grey

  “What about Nanna?” Pavle asked, and Briggs agreed to give her a ride as well.

  Briggs got up to leave, and Pavle walked him out. Chris closed his eyes and tried to think who the leak could possibly be. There were some deputies he didn’t like and he wanted it to be them, but it could turn out to be just about anyone. Still, there had to be a way to figure it out. Hell, maybe it was easier than he thought.

  “You sleep?” Pavle asked as he sat back down. “Marie coming.”

  “Okay.” Chris opened his eyes but didn’t move until he heard the doorbell. Then he went inside, letting Pavle get the door, and Marie joined them in the living room.

  “I thought we should go over everything that will happen,” Marie explained as Pavle sat next to her. Chris got comfortable in the chair next to his, listening as she took Pavle through the process step by step. “Just answer all of the judge’s questions honestly.” She went through what she thought would be asked. “I’ve done this many times, and the immigration lawyer will be there to represent you. These hearings are mostly procedural, and we have a really good case.”

  “Okay.” Pavle held his hand as Marie went through the entire process a second time.

  “Briggs is going to pick up all of us and bring us down there in the morning.” They were both nervous, and holding Pavle’s hand was the only thing that calmed him. There was a great deal riding on this hearing.

  Marie stayed until Pavle felt more comfortable, and then she left them alone. Chris made dinner, and he and Pavle watched television before going up to bed, where Chris held Pavle all night. At times Pavle shook, and Chris held him tighter, trying not to let his own nerves show.

  CHRIS NEVER liked going to court much. It was a lot of sitting around and waiting. Since they all were going to be speaking on Pavle’s behalf, they sat outside the room, waiting for their case to be called and then for them to be asked to come in to speak. Pavle was inside with Marie and the attorney for quite a while, and then each of them was brought in.

  When his turn came, Chris walked in, wearing his uniform, and took an oath to tell the truth before taking a seat behind the table in front of the room. The judge sat at the head. This wasn’t a courtroom, per se, but it held the same weight in law.

  “Mr. Kasun has plenty of support, it seems,” Judge Vander-Lynde, according to the name plate in front of her, said.

  “Yes, Pavle is quite a man.” Chris met her gaze evenly as she folded her hands. “Pavle saved my life.” Chris told her what happened at the church. “He helped control the bleeding until help arrived. I was told directly by the surgeon, as well as other doctors, that without him I would have bled out. I know that might be hearsay, but it’s what I believe.”

  She made a few notes. “We understand from other witnesses that Mr. Kasun is very well thought of, and I take it you echo that sentiment.”

  Chris cleared his throat. “Yes, but….” He paused a second to clear his throat and continued. “Mr. Kasun, Pavle, is one of the most amazing people I have ever met in my life. Being well thought of is an understatement. I know the file in front of you explains how Pavle was brought here, but does it explain how he was freed?” He waited while the judge went through the pages. “After four years of being held and having his freedom ripped away, he was the one who sent a message for help.” Chris explained how Pavle loosened the screws and threw the message. “The minister and his family—they found the note—are outside waiting to speak to you next. Pavle has a heart of gold and a backbone with more steel in it than I could ever hope for.” He turned to Pavle and then back to the judge.

  “So, you believe Mr. Kasun, if given the chance, will be a productive and useful member of society?”

  “Yes. Pavle has been living with me for weeks now. He helps around the house. My garden has never looked better, and neither has my grandmother’s. We have made initial inquiries with garden services, and they have shown interest in hiring him… once he’s able to work, of course.”

  “Yes,” Marie interjected. “As soon as he is able to work, we will help Pavle become self-sufficient.”

  The judge looked up from her notes. “You speak very passionately about Mr. Kasun, and that’s to your and his credit.” She turned to Marie. “Where will he reside? Do you have housing for him long-term?”

  “Pavle is going to live with me,” Chris said. “He and I have become very close. My grandmother has already been in to speak with you. She has become close to Pavle as well.” He took a deep breath. “To be fully honest, I love Pavle. He makes me happy beyond words.” Chris took a deep breath and held it. “I sincerely hope you grant him asylum. But as I told him the other night, if he has to go, then I’ll go with him.”

  Judge Vander-Lynde cleared her throat. “I somehow don’t think that’s going to be necessary.”

  Reverend Tyrone came in and told her how Pavle had become a member of his church community and how the kids there loved him. He laid it on a little thick, and if the judge was surprised that Pavle attended a mostly black church, she didn’t show it.

  At the end, she closed her notes and took off her glasses, setting them on the table. “Few times in my career in this area of law have I had a petitioner with this many people not only willing to speak, but passionate and truly caring in their attitude. The law in this area is fairly clear, and I’m happy to say that all conditions have been met. Therefore, I am going to grant Mr. Kasun asylum in this country. I will request to see him in two months to review the case.” She sighed. “Thank you all for your candor. You helped make my decision much easier.” She stood, and they all did the same. The judge stepped out, and Chris smiled as they left the room as well.

  “I stay,” Pavle said, and was surrounded by everyone. Tyrone and Nanna each hugged him, as well as Marie and even Briggs. Pavle then stood next to Chris and slipped his arm around his waist.

  “Well, what’s the first thing you want to do now?” Marie asked.

  “Eat,” Pavle answered with a grin.

  “Yes. Let’s celebrate. Do you have time?” Chris asked Briggs, who nodded. “Then let’s go to Café Belgie for lunch. This is worth doing up right.”

  Once they got to the car, Chris called ahead and then made a few other calls. Red and Terry were able to join them, and it became a regular party. It was about time they all had something to truly celebrate, and Pavle seemed happy as the center of attention.

  “What’s next?” Terry asked once they’d all placed their orders and Billy, the café’s usual waiter, brought them drinks, worming the entire story of why they were there out of Pavle with the greatest of ease.

  “A green card,” Chris answered. “We need to start the process so he can stay here permanently. That takes time, but it’s the next step.” He drank his water, and Billy refilled the glasses and continued on to the other tables.

  “I can help with that too,” Marie offered.

  “We’ll write statements of support.”

  Pavle seemed a little overwhelmed. “I get job now?”

  “Yes. The judge also approved a work permit, so you can get a job and earn your own money. I’ll help you with that, and I’m sure Chris will as well.”

  Everything was falling into place, and Chris was thankful for each and every person sitting around the table.

  The food came out, and it was amazing as usual. What Chris didn’t expect was the cake that Billy brought out and set in the center of the table for dessert.

  “A real celebration needs cake. I called over to A Slice of Heaven and asked them to send over one of Marcus’s creations.” He passed out plates and served up a slice for everyone.

  “Thank you for come and for help. I no know what I do without. You help give me life and make me happy.” Pavle stammered over a few words, but the meaning was clear. “I no think I have this life. You make possible.” He leaned closer. “Especially Chris.”

  “You were always more than worthy.” Chris stood and kissed Pavle gently. “You are the one who is ama
zing.” He motioned to the others, and they all raised their glasses. “It is our pleasure to know you.” And just like that, Chris’s heart was full to overflowing. He had everything he could possibly want right next to him.

  Pavle blushed, and Chris held his hand as he turned toward the guests. “I thank you all.” He sat back down and leaned against Chris as though a little overwhelmed. It was going to take time for Pavle to fully realize just how much he was worth and how wonderful he was. Chris intended to make it his mission to see to it that happened.

  Once the amazing meal was over, Chris paid the bill, and he and Pavle decided to walk home. It was only a few blocks. Nanna accepted a ride from Briggs, but saying goodbye took a while, as Pavle hugged and thanked each and every person there at least twice.

  Then they did something they hadn’t been able to do before: they walked through town, hand in hand, so Pavle could see everything and smell the roses in the courthouse square. They stopped in the candy store so Chris could buy Pavle everything that caught his fancy. Then they walked the final distance.

  “Home,” Pavle said as they stood outside the house. “This home.”

  “This is our home, and upstairs is our bed.” Chris leaned closer for the last part. “You can build a life here with me.”

  Pavle grinned like a Cheshire cat. “I want to work with flowers like you say.”

  Chris could see him working to make the entire town pretty.

  “Then we’ll contact the places that were interested and see which one you think will make you happy.” Chris closed the door behind them and sat down on the sofa to rest a little.

  Pavle sat next to him, holding Chris’s hand. “I get to choose, right?” Pavle threaded their fingers together, and Chris gazed into Pavle’s brown eyes. He leaned closer until their lips met, knowing he’d spend the rest of his life thankful that in the end, Pavle had chosen him.

  Epilogue

  “THE SNOW stopped,” Pavle reported, letting the front window curtains fall back into place. “Do you want me to build a fire?”

  “Please. That would be great,” Chris said as he wheeled the vacuum cleaner into the room. He plugged it in and cleaned the carpet to get things ready for the party. It was nearly February, but in a way, it felt like Christmas. The holidays had been very hectic, and even though Chris had intended to have a party, it hadn’t worked out, so he and Pavle had decided on an after-the-holidays party to get them through the doldrums of winter. “I brought wood in earlier to dry off. It’s by the back door,” he called over the whine of the motor, and Pavle hurried away.

  Chris couldn’t help watching him go. The months hadn’t dulled his fascination with Pavle one little bit.

  “Are you looking at my butt?” Pavle asked at the doorway.

  “Yes,” Chris answered honestly, then finished up the last of the vacuuming before putting the machine away. That was just one of the beauties of living with the man of your dreams. The other was sleeping with him every night and waking next to his smile and heat each morning.

  Pavle was still chuckling when he came back in the room with wood and newspaper, and carefully laid a fire. Once he was done, he opened the flue and struck the match. The paper flamed and built, engulfing the wood and already filling the room with toasty warmth. Chris left Pavle to finish up, went to the kitchen, and put nibbles and munchies on the table in the center of the room.

  “Hi, boys,” Nanna called as she came in the front door. Chris hurried over to her, ready to scold for driving in this weather, but Richie came in behind her.

  “Nanna,” Pavle gleefully intoned, and he hurried over to kiss her cheek and share a hug. He shook hands with Richie and hung up their coats. “Did you bring them?”

  “They’re in the car, honey. Can you bring them in?”

  Pavle hurried out the door, and Chris raised his eyebrows until Pavle returned with a casserole dish of ćevapi. The rich, savory scent was a clear giveaway.

  “Just put them in the oven to keep them warm.”

  Pavle half skipped to the kitchen.

  “Can I get you something to drink?” Chris asked as the doorbell rang.

  “I can get what we need,” Richie offered.

  “Everything is in the dining room. Help yourself.” Chris hurried to the door and ushered Marie in from the cold, along with Jordan and Pierre coming behind her, and Red and Terry as well. He took care of their coats, and the house filled with warmth and friendship.

  “I love this idea for a party,” Terry said. “No one has them this time of year, and we’re all stuck inside because of the cold.” He snagged some veggies on one of the small plates Chris had put out for munchies.

  “The holidays are always so busy, and Pavle wanted to have a party himself after attending a few during the holidays. So this seemed like a good idea.” Chris took Pavle’s hand when he stood next to him, squeezing his fingers lightly until the doorbell sounded again.

  “Anika, Reverend, please come in,” Chris said as they stepped inside. She carried a plate of cookies, which Chris thanked her as he took.

  “Are those your anise cookies?” Pavle asked, snagging the plate with a gleeful grin. They were his favorite.

  “Of course they are,” she said with an equally brilliant smile.

  “Come on in. We have plenty to drink, and there are snacks and….” Pavle’s voice faded as he led both of them away, and Chris answered the door yet again.

  Within half an hour, the house was full, and Chris placed the last of the food on the dining room table. Everything was perfect, with candles and Nanna’s borrowed trays and crystal bowls. Just as he finished, the doorbell rang once more. Chris answered it.

  “Welcome, sheriff,” Chris said as Briggs and his wife stepped inside.

  “Interim sheriff,” Briggs corrected, but he was clearly pleased. In the end, the sheriff had run unopposed, but revelations during the election period regarding lax handling of sensitive materials and the fact that his mismanagement of that information resulted in the compromising of witnesses had forced him to step down. “Thanks to you.” Briggs grinned.

  Chris colored and took their coats to cover it. He had provided some information that the sheriff had written down on his damned Post-it Notes. From there they had been able to trace who had been in his office when juicy, false gossip spread through the station. That had led to the exposure of their leak, as well as proof that the sheriff had been the inadvertent source of the leaked information. That sunk his battleship and he’d had to resign. A new election was set for the spring.

  “We’re so glad you could come,” Chris said, motioning him and Gretchen into the living room. “The food is ready, so please help yourself.” The others had already found the buffet, and most had already gotten plates. Chris stood back, making sure their guests had eaten before getting a plate of his own.

  Conversation swirled around him and Pavle as they sat together on the sofa, talking, Chris’s leg bouncing a little, until he could wait no longer. “I have an announcement.” Chris opened the top drawer of the desk in the corner and pulled out an envelope. He glanced at Marie and then at Pavle. “Something very special came in the mail two days ago, and I wanted to give it to Pavle tonight. See, at some point, all of you had a hand in making this happen.” Chris handed Pavle the envelope.

  “What is this?” Pavle whispered, reading the sender, his body tensing.

  “Honey, it’s your green card.” Chris waited for that to sink in and the smile to light his face, reaching all the way to his eyes.

  “I am official. I am an American?” Pavle’s hand shook.

  “The next step is to apply for citizenship, which can take a while,” Marie explained. “You have plenty of people to help you. But there won’t be any more asylum hearings, and this says you’re a permanent resident. You can work here.”

  “So I can stay?” he asked.

  “Yes. You can stay,” Marie told him. “God, I love it when I get to tell people that.”

  Chris
left the room and hurried downstairs. He yanked open the second refrigerator and grabbed the bottle he’d had chilling. When he returned upstairs, he popped the champagne, and Richie passed out glasses so they could have a toast and truly celebrate and share in Pavle’s unabashed joy.

  THE PARTY continued well into the evening, with the last person leaving at eleven. Chris closed the door after saying good night to the last of their guests. Pavle sat in the living room, staring at the fire, holding the green card in his hand. “I can stay.”

  “Yes.” Chris sat down next to him. “That card means that the country says you can stay here.” He gently took it and set it on the table. “But this….” Chris reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. “This says ‘will you stay here with me forever and make this house… and me… your forever home?’” He opened the box, and Pavle gasped. “I don’t want you to doubt in any way what you mean to me.” Chris slid off the sofa, getting down on one knee. “Pavle, will you marry me?” He held up the ring and waited for an answer.

  Pavle’s lips moved, and he nodded. “I never thought this possible…. Yes… I will marry you.”

  Chris slid the gold band inset with diamonds onto Pavle’s finger.

  “But you were already and always my forever home.” Pavle leaned forward and kissed Chris with enough heat to warm their hearts for the rest of their lives.

  More from Andrew Grey

  A Carlisle Deputies Novel

  Jordan Erichsohn suspects something is rotten about his boss, Judge Crawford. Unfortunately he has nowhere to turn and doubts anyone will believe his claims—least of all the handsome deputy, Pierre Ravelle, who has been assigned to protect the judge after he received threatening letters. The judge has a long reach, and if he finds out Jordan’s turned on him, he might impede Jordan adopting his son, Jeremiah.