The Problem With Mistletoe

by Kyle Baxter

  It was a nice surprise that Alex bought a large TV. It signaled that he was taking the live here advice seriously. Maybe he could get him to stay, after all. Maybe all Alex needed was some reassurance. We need to talk about us. Give the man a reason to stay.

  He chuckled to himself as dirty thoughts filled his head. He wanted to do more than talk.

  “What’re you laughing at?” Eric lifted his face from his tablet. He made that spot on the newly delivered couch his own. His schoolwork was spread out around him and the delivery Chinese food lay half-eaten on the coffee table.

  “Is it even?” David indicated the television.

  “Isn’t that what the level’s for?” The boy tilted his head to one side.

  “Smart aleck,” he said, making Eric giggle. “You are just like Alex, and by that, I mean you’re a pain in the butt.” The qualifier only made the boy laugh harder. Max sat up and snuffled.

  David surveyed the room. All of Alex’s deliveries had arrived, but he didn’t have a stereo. He needed a stereo. We’re helping him set up house! And he laughed to himself again.

  #

  “That was a good movie,” Eric chirped as David tucked him into bed.

  Star Wars: A New Hope was their movie that night. David was embarrassed Eric hadn’t seen it yet. After all, his son grew up with the Star Wars cartoons.

  “It’s one of my favorites,” David said.

  “You and Alex?” Eric asked. “Do you like-like Alex?”

  Uh-oh. “Why do you ask?”

  “Brandi has two dads.” Eric looked up at him with a knowing eye.

  “That’s neat.” David hoped it would end there.

  Eric nudged him. “You like him, right?”

  “I do,” David said with a deep breath.

  “Did you like-like my mom?”

  “Of course I did.”

  “But—”

  “Buddy, some boys like boys, some boys like girls, and some like both. Do you understand?” David booped his son’s nose.

  “I guess.” Eric shrugged.

  “If you don’t, it’s okay. I didn’t for a long time either.” They talked about this before and he related to the boy’s confusion. David only came to terms with his sexuality during the divorce. In retrospect, it was obvious all along he liked men and women, but it was easier dating women. Even now, it was what society expected of a man, especially an athlete.

  “Story time. What are we reading now?” They finished Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr. Fox last night.

  Eric bounced excitedly, pulling the book from off of his nightstand. “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.”

  David grinned. “And who wrote it?”

  “Jeff Kinney,” Eric read off the cover.

  “Excellent, let’s do this.” They read for half an hour until Eric got too drowsy. Alternating back and forth, David would read a page and then Eric would read one.

  After putting the book away, David pulled the comforter up to cover his son’s shoulders. Tucking the blue-footed booby bird under the boy’s arm, he gave him a kiss on his forehead, turned off the light, and left the room.

  He went into his bedroom and got ready for an early night. He put on his favorite winter underwear, a red button-up union suit, and settled under the covers. He pulled out his tablet and started reading. It wasn’t long before his thoughts drifted to Alex. His hand moved down his torso. As he thought about Alex’s plump little rear end, his fingers teased their way to his crotch.

  The dinging of his phone derailed the thought and made him jump.

  “Hey?” he asked, seeing Alex’s name on the caller ID. “Did you just get home?”

  “Yeah, I stopped at the restaurant and checked on them.” Alex sounded tired to David. It was a long day for all of them. “Thank you for setting all that up this afternoon. I really appreciate it. I can watch TV now.”

  “Our pleasure.” He propped his arm behind his head. “Eric would’ve been happy to stay until you got home, but we had chores.”

  “Hah! I’ll bet,” Alex said.

  David heard the mirth in his voice. This was nice, especially after the day he had. He shied from asking how he was. Alex learned his aunt was dying. That was how he was. It sucks.

  “Is there a gym around here you recommend?” Alex asked. “I’ve been running in the morning but it’s getting too slick. I fell right on my ass the other day. The weather is getting bad.”

  Please don’t hurt that ass. David chuckled. “And there’s more on the way. I’ll text you the details on my gym. It’s not far.”

  “Thank you. You have a good night.”

  “You too, babe,” David said, and they hung on in silence for a minute until they both hung up. David curled up with warm, happy thoughts.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Last Dance

  The next day, David dropped Eric off at the Orpheum after work. The lobby was a bustle of activity. Though most of the construction work was complete, there was now painting going on. Drop cloths covered the floor, and the carpet layers were hard at work on the second-floor landing.

  Floor fans helped with circulation, and the heat was blasting to allow everything to properly dry. Construction in cold weather was dicey, but the crew members knew what they were doing; they lived here.

  Alex stood at the candy counter in short sleeves, with drywall residue on his jeans and his hair a muss. Is Alex helping with the work? David wanted to run his hand through his friend’s wavy hair. He looked delicious.

  Stop that.

  Eric ran over and took position at his elbow.

  “This is a lot.” David walked around the lobby, taking stock of the work. Is the CYA paying for all of this?

  “The owner of the property is footing the bill,” Alex volunteered, reading his face. There was something in the way he said owner that caught David’s attention while the black Labrador Retriever trotting over captured Eric’s.

  “You brought Max!” The boy gave the dog a hug. Max immediately rolled over for belly rubs.

  Bracing himself, he asked the next question. “Are you sure you’re okay babysitting him?” Flinching, he waited for a reprimand . . . or a sigh. He loved Alex’s sighs.

  But he barely gave him an eye roll. “David?” He did sigh, and David exulted.

  “Yes?”

  He sidled over and straightened up David’s winter coat. “Good luck with your interview.”

  “Thanks. Maybe I’ll get a haircut on the way over.” He ran a hand through his dishwater mane.

  Alex eyed him critically. “Tell the stylist to give you a razor-cut fade, a number two on the sides, but keep some length on top.”

  “I’m getting a trim.” What was wrong with him?

  “Listen to Alex, Dad,” Eric said from his place with the dog.

  “It’s my hair,” he protested. They were ganging up on him.

  Alex grinned. “But we have to look at you.”

  “Yeah.” Eric laughed.

  “Besides, ‘Your hair looks good pushed back.’” Alex tilted his head.

  David glared at him. “No.”

  “What?”

  “No Mean Girls quotes.” He moved to the door.

  “What’s Mean Girls?” Eric asked.

  “We’ll watch it later.”

  “No.” David jabbed a finger and scowled in their direction, but they only laughed. No respect at all. He chuckled to himself.

  An hour later he walked into the hospital for his interview. He checked his watch. Time enough to grab a quick coffee in the cafeteria. Zooey was sitting there eating. She waved at him and he joined her at the table.

  “Ready for your interview?” she asked.

  “I am, thank you.”

  “Nice haircut,” she noted.

  “Thank you. Alex suggested it.” He almost did a spit-take watching her reaction. “I dropped Eric off with him.”

  He was deliberately baiting her, hoping for a smart-ass remark. Zooey’s nose crinkled, but she kept her mouth shut and to
ok a bite of her sandwich. Maybe she learned.

  She sat her sandwich down and looked him square in the eyes. “Could you do me a favor? Would you please apologize to your friends the Capilis for me? I had no idea they hadn’t told Alex her prognosis. I would never have said anything—he’s in here all the time. I thought he knew!”

  She looked sincere, but with her polished professionalism, it was hard to be sure. He wanted to believe her. “I will pass that along,” he said stiffly. “I should go.”

  “Of course,” she said between bites. “Good luck with your interview.”

  There was a glint in her eyes, something like amusement. He hoped the well-wishes were sincere, but something was off with her. Was it just jealousy or something more? Was her apology about Alex’s request that she not be involved in Mama’s care? That surely put her nose out of joint.

  On his way, he stopped in Mama’s room. He knocked on the door and entered.

  She put her knitting down. “Mi ángel, how are you today?”

  “I’m well. How are you?” He walked to the bed, and bending down, he gave her a kiss on the cheek.

  With a sigh of exasperation, she said, “I’m ready to get out of here. Why aren’t you in your work uniform?”

  “I have an interview today for a nursing supervisor position here.” Beaming, he straightened his tie.

  Her face lit up. “I’m sure you’ll get it. Have you talked to your Pinoy?” Smoothing her hospital gown, she looked up at him with twinkling eyes.

  He couldn’t help but smile. “Yes, he’s watching Eric. They’re at the theater getting it ready for the party next week.”

  “I’m so glad.”

  “Can I ask you something?” He reached over and took her hand. “Why did you wait so long to talk to him about this?”

  “Denial and foolish hope?” Mama wiped a tear away.

  “There’s nothing foolish about hope.” David stayed with her until it was time for his meeting.

  Chapter Forty

  Come to My Window

  “Your stance is good, but turn your whole body into the punch.” Alex put his hands up and demonstrated a right cross. “Keep your other hand over your face.”

  Eric huffed with frustration. “Okay.”

  They practiced self-defense routines in the lobby while the carpet-layers worked on the second floor. It amazed Alex that Eric had no problem rehearsing these routines in front of the construction workers but didn’t want his father to know. He reminded himself that it was not about him being shy; it was about worrying his father.

  The boy tried the punch again but didn’t keep his hands up. Realizing his mistake, he stormed around. “I can’t get it,” he cried.

  “Nugget, you’ve never done this before. It takes practice. You have to do it over and over. Trust me, you’ll get there.” Alex pulled him into a hug. “You’re doing good.”

  Eric dried his eyes. “Really?”

  “Even Max thinks so.” He indicated the dog watching them from his perch by the door. The dog wagged his tail hearing his name. “But what do we use it for?”

  “Self-defense,” the boy said with a groan.

  “Exactly.” It was the qualification he made for keeping quiet about their sessions. He was teaching him self-defense. “What else do you do?”

  “Carry a few pennies to throw in their face.” Eric mimed the throw.

  “Very good, and what else?”

  The boy held a finger up for emphasis. “Make as much noise as possible.”

  “Yes, make sure an adult gets involved. And be ready to run.”

  Eric held his hands up. “But we’re doing this so I won’t have to run.”

  Squatting down, Alex looked him in the eye and said, “No, we’re doing this so you can protect yourself, but sometimes the only thing you can do is run.”

  “He’s right.” Bert pointed at Alex. He was one of the carpet-layers working on the second-floor landing. “Sometimes you can’t do anything but run. Standing your ground is good, but don’t be stupid. If someone hassles you, throw your pennies and run.”

  The affirmation from the burly man impressed them both.

  “They bullied my little brother in school,” he said. “I didn’t know it at the time, and I wish I’d taught him to defend himself.”

  Alex gave him a nod and turned back to Eric. “That’s your homework, keeping your hands up.” He nudged the boy. “You’ve got to protect that pretty face.”

  “It’s the money-maker.” Bert laughed and went back to his work.

  Eric blushed but put up his hands nonetheless. They both got into fighting stances.

  “What’s going on in here?” a familiar voice asked, and they found Tandi Cooper watching them from the door with a smile.

  “Hey, Grandma,” Eric shouted and ran to give her a hug. “Dad’s at work. He has an interview.”

  “Yes, I know.” She let Eric escort her to Alex. “I came to take you home. We’re meeting him for dinner.”

  “Can Alex come?” He beamed.

  “Of course he can.”

  “I’m afraid I can’t,” Alex said. “I need to get some work done.”

  “Come on,” Eric whined and stomped his feet.

  He fixed the boy with a stern eye. “You know I have work to do. Now, go get your coat, okay?”

  Eric lumbered away in a sulk. “Fine.”

  “You could come,” she said once he was out of earshot.

  “I actually do have work to do, here and in New York. Plus, I should go over to the restaurant to help with Aunt Claire out of action.”

  “I’m going to go check on her later.”

  He gave her a thin smile. “She’d appreciate it. Thank you.” It still surprised him that they were something of friends.

  Taking a little stroll around the lobby, she examined the ongoing work. Finally, she turned to him. “What were you two doing when I walked in?”

  He walked to the candy counter and leaned his back against it. “Just showing him a little self-defense, the kind of thing every kid should know.”

  Tandi gave him a sharp eye. “Is there something for his father to be worried about?”

  Alex shrugged. He didn’t want to lie to her. “I’m trying to get Eric to talk to him about it. He confided in me.”

  “I understand.” Coming over, she put a hand on his arm. “You’re very good with him, you know.”

  “He makes it easy. He’s a good kid.”

  “Yes, he is. So were you, if I recall.” She reached up and ran a hand through his hair, straightening the muss out. It felt motherly and he blushed.

  “But you didn’t like me.”

  “Nonsense, it wasn’t you, dear.” Her tone was pointed. It was his father she objected to.

  “Well, I don’t fault you for your circumspection.” It surprised him when she gave him a hug.

  “We’ve missed you,” Tandi said. “You and your unconventional vocabulary.”

  “Unconventional? Me?” Gasping, he held a hand over his chest in mock outrage.

  She walked to the staircase, examining everything. “I heard you moved back into your old house.”

  “I’ll be there for the next several weeks and get it ready to rent out before I head home. I had your construction team head over and do a little work.” If I head home. Mama’s illness and his growing closeness with David put everything in doubt.

  Tandi took a turn around the room. “Well, they certainly did a good job here.”

  “How is the PR for the party going? Did that press release drop?”

  “It did. And interest is picking up,” she said. “We’ve had a number of RSVPs confirmed. The mayor is coming, and if I can swing it, we may even get a congressman.”

  “Well done, Mrs. C.”

  She flashed him a toothy smile. “Thank you. It’s nice to feel appreciated.”

  “You don’t feel appreciated?”

  “We all have our moments.” She shrugged. “Our social media manager started
her big push. So expect her to check with you about dropping by and taking more photos.”

  Alex snapped his fingers. That’s right. It’s Bonnie. “I’ll call her. I start decorating tomorrow. Everything is right on schedule.”

  She gave him a sly smile. “Yes, I think it is.”

  Before he could ask what she meant, Eric barreled over for a last-minute hug. Giving him a kiss on the head, he pushed the boy to his grandmother. Eric raced past her to give Max goodbye scratches behind the ears.

  “You really are very good with him,” Tandi said from the door. “It suits you.”

  Chapter Forty-One

  I Like Me Better

  Alex stopped at Capili’s and loaded up the decorations he bought at the SuperStore. Then he made a quick stop at the hospital to visit his aunt. He was disappointed not to see David, but he wasn’t sure of his schedule. Papa was there. He sat with Mama every day before heading to the restaurant.

  Alex felt a pang of guilt that he didn’t check on his uncle more. He was all caught up in the CYA party and playing house with David. The older man was the rock of the family, steadfast but quiet. His work often went unrecognized.

  After the hospital, he headed to the Orpheum. Opening the double doors of the theater, he was struck by its grandeur. The new paint and carpet did their magic; the lobby had never looked this nice, even when he worked here. Pulling off his rubber overshoes, he set them on a drop cloth at the entrance and hung his gear in the coat check.

  Cold winter air leaked in through the crack between the double doors, making him shiver whenever he passed near. Opening up a box, he pulled out decorations and lay them out.

  An hour in and hanging garland, he was surprised when Eric, Brandi Wu, and a short, fit man with thinning hair walked in the front door. He recognized him as one of the faces in the car Brandi climbed in.

  Eric waved. “Hey, Pop!”

  “Mini Coop, what are you doing here?” Climbing off the ladder, he went to greet them.

  The man extended his hand. “I’m Brandi’s father, Kevin Pierce.”

  “Merry Christmas. To what do I owe this honor?” He gave Brandi a wink. The young girl giggled and nudged Eric.