An Unexpected Gift

by Brandon Carlisle

  I couldn't believe what I was hearing. This was a kid who lived on the streets a few months ago. Lost, alone, with no one to care for him. There was such life in his eyes now. That the three of us could bring that out made my heart swell with pride.

  "Andy?" Sebastian's voice shook me out of my thoughts. "If that is what you want then that's what you'll have."

  "Yes! Yes. Sebastian and I will support you in any way we can, Andy." We would do everything we could to make his dream come true.

  A bus boy was clearing the table when our waiter returned. "Can I get you anything else? Coffee? Dessert?"

  Andy and Abby were discussing different art supplies or something and I motioned for the waiter to come closer so I could whisper.

  "Of course, sir."

  The bus boy returned with four cups and poured coffee. Andy was a coffee drinker, and we were fine with that. A minute later the waiter returned with half of a sheet cake, setting it down in front of Andy. When he read the inscription, he began to cry.

  It was only two words, "Congratulations, Son."

  I heard sniffling next to me and knew Sebastian was as overcome as I was.

  "Guys." Andy was wiping his eyes. Abby slipped her arm around him, pulling him close.

  I slipped my hand in Sebastian's. "Andy, always remember you are family, and you have a place with us." We ate our cake in silence at first, giving Andy a chance to recover. I'm sure this was overwhelming, coming from his experience.

  Glancing around at us as he wiped the remaining tears from his face, he gave us a weak smile. "You guys are more family than my parents ever were. Thanks."

  Sebastian cleared his throat. "We… if… I mean… if we ever had a son, we would want him to be just like you."

  "And I have a grandson. Someone to spoil."

  When he turned to Abby, there was such affection in his eyes. "I never knew my grandparents. Thanks, Abby."

  *****

  After dinner we took a walk around the Embarcadero Plaza. We were full from a wonderful meal and decided we could use some exercise, but Andy was still buzzing and full of energy from the news. By the time we reached home Abby said good night and went upstairs while Andy crashed and we had to put him to bed. The house was quiet, and we went into the kitchen to put the rest of his cake in the refrigerator. Sebastian grabbed a bottle of chilled Riesling.

  “Something sweet after the cake?” I asked in disbelief.

  He gave me the stink eye. “Yes. I want a nightcap. Join me?”

  “Hell. Why not?” I grabbed two wine glasses from the cupboard and set them on the counter.

  He poured the wine and when I tried to grab a glass, he slapped my hand. "Not yet. Now that we are alone, I want to do something. He slipped his arms around my neck. "You are the most amazing man I have ever met. I love you. I love you Isaac Ambrose Browne. Promise me you will be quiet and I can thank you properly when we get behind our closed bedroom door." His hand glided over my crotch and I was hard in an instant.

  I undid the top button of his shirt. “May I suggest we take the glasses and the bottle down the hall?”

  “I wondered if you might take my blatant and extremely obvious hint.”

  He took my hand and led me to our bedroom.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Reality Check

  Sebastian

  “Brilliant!” Looking at the clock, we slept past the alarm. So much for a little playtime this morning. “Isaac. Isaac! Wake up. We overslept.”

  “What?”

  I climbed out of bed heading for the bathroom to start the shower. “We overslept!”

  “Crap!” Isaac scrambled from the bed. He rummaged through the dresser for his underwear while I went to the closet trying to decide on an outfit for today. Heading into the bathroom he grabbed me around the waist and placed a kiss on my cheek. “Last night was amazing. I was hoping for a little reminder before work.”

  By the time we dressed and arrived in the kitchen we found Andy having breakfast, reading another book on art, and a fresh pot of coffee brewed. “Morning, guys.”

  I brushed a lock of hair from his eyes and he ducked his head. “Good morning.” I went to the fridge for creamer while Isaac grabbed the bread to make toast.

  “I would’ve made breakfast, but I didn’t know when you would be up. You must have been tired from all the noise I heard.” Wiggling his eyebrows, he grinned.

  Isaac stopped in his tracks. “You were supposed to be asleep.”

  “I was close, but I still heard, 'Sebastian!'”

  I smiled at him while I stirred my coffee. “Brat.”

  “We’re late. Don’t encourage the eavesdropper.” Isaac handed me a plate with buttered toast. “Drink your coffee and eat.”

  We sat at the table rushing through our breakfast when Isaac slapped his hand on the table. “Damn!”

  I looked at him wondering what now. “We have to meet Jason after work to canvas again.”

  “Can I go?” Andy’s remark caught both our attention.

  “You want to join us?”

  Isaac elbowed me, “Stop. I think it's a good idea. You can join us as long as you finished your homework.”

  “Cool!” He added more sugar to his coffee, and I cringed.

  *****

  The day proved to be uneventful and my being late wasn't an issue. When I arrived at home Isaac was already there explaining to Andy what we would do once we met Jason. Isaac suggested we have a snack before heading out. We would stop for a late dinner on the way home when we finished.

  We met Jason at Haight and Cole Street and he gave us the blocks we were to cover. It wasn’t a large area, and we planned on being done in two hours, still allowing for a meal at a reasonable hour. We started at the end of Haight Street on Stanyan and began canvassing. On the first block hardly anyone was home, and we left leaflets in mailboxes if there was no answer. When we rounded onto Waller Street, we walked up to the front door of a very elegant Victorian. When there was no answer, we started to put a leaflet into the mailbox when I heard a voice behind me.

  “May I help you?”

  We turned around and a woman wearing a white pantsuit outfit was holding a leash with a beautiful afghan hound attached. “Good afternoon. We were just about to leave information on Harvey Milk, who is campaigning to be the Supervisor for your district.”

  “Please don’t bother. I won’t support that kind of man for any kind of office, let alone for the Board of Supervisors.” Andy was standing behind us and she must have just noticed him. “What are you doing with that child? Exposing him to all types of perversity.” She pointed a finger at Andy. “Young man. Please step away from those men.”

  I was about to say something when Isaac stepped forward. “I don’t want to be rude, but our family is none of your business.”

  “Two men? That is not a family.” She huffed at his statement.

  “Listen, lady.” Andy stepped between us. “They are my family. More than my parents ever were. They took me in when my family threw me out. My so-called parents were people like you. They would rather put me out on the street because of who I am than accept me. So why don’t you fuck off!” He went storming down the walk. “Come on guys. Don’t we have real people to talk to?” He kept walking. Leaving the uptight bitch with her mouth hanging open.

  We both burst out laughing as we stepped around the shocked, bigoted snob and made our way to the next house. When we rang the doorbell a man about our age answered and looked past us. “I see you met the bitch next door. My boyfriend and I are voting for Harvey so you can save your handout.” As I thanked him, we began to leave for the next house when he called out. “Most people around here don’t think like her, but then if you live in this area you already know that.”

  Isaac turned around. “That’s what we love about this neighborhood.”

  *****

  After canvassing, when I asked Andy what he was in the mood for, the bottomless pit suggested pizza. Isaac and I looked at each ot
her and shrugged our shoulders. Our favorite pizzeria was only a few blocks away, and we decided to walk it. Neither of us had spoken to Andy about his outburst earlier, and I thought enough time had passed to address it. “Andy, even though the woman earlier was being rude, we need to stay calm and do our best to be polite. Remember, we aren’t out here for ourselves, we represent Harvey.”

  “Yeah. I know.” He shrugged his shoulders. “You know that bitch… I mean lady, wouldn’t vote for him so why bother?”

  “Well….”

  “Andy.” Thank heavens Isaac stepped in. “We represent Harvey. We need to try, at least when we can, to be professional.” He wrapped his arm around Andy’s shoulder. “Although, you did say what I was thinking.”

  “I have to admit I was thinking the same thing.” I couldn’t believe how pissed I was at that woman, or that I held my tongue. She had the airs and attitude of my mother, who, thankfully, was on the other coast. I hadn’t heard from either of my parents since I moved, and it suited me fine. Snobs, filled with attitude and entitlement. People for whom the image was everything. Beyond their surface was nothing.

  We ordered an extra-large pie at the restaurant and Andy had half while Isaac and I shared the rest. There was a slight chill in the air when we left the restaurant and I was surprised when a familiar voice called my name. I turned around and saw Leland and Ryan coming up behind us. “What are you guys doing in our neighborhood?” They rarely spent time in the Haight.

  When they caught up, Leland slipped his arm around Ryan’s waist. “Ryan decided he wanted to explore the second-hand shops and antique stores here when he got off work.”

  “Are you looking for anything in particular?” Isaac chimed in.

  “Nah.” Ryan shrugged his shoulders and the slightest hint of pink shaded his cheeks. “Just thought it would be fun to look. Maybe find a little piece for the house.”

  “When Ryan called me at work with his idea, I thought it was nice out and left early.

  When I first saw them together, I hoped I would have a relationship like theirs someday. I never thought it would happen so soon. It had been ages since we had gotten together. “Would you guys like to come over to dinner soon?”

  Leland looked at Ryan who smiled before he turned to us. “Why don’t you guys come to our house for dinner? Andy hasn’t been to our house yet. Leland can entertain, while I can try a new recipe I found for fajitas.”

  “What’s a fajita?”

  Andy’s question reminded me that we had to expand his horizons on food beyond Italian and Chinese and make a trip to the Mission district. The first time Isaac took me there we went to a little family restaurant. I wanted to bring the woman home with us. It was the first time I ever ate a burrito, and I was in heaven.

  I was about to explain when Ryan ruffled Andy’s bright red locks. “It’s a Mexican dish. It’s a flour tortilla that’s like a skinny pancake. You layer with different meats and vegetables and top with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream. Salsa is a sauce and guacamole is…,” he looked to Leland who shrugged his shoulders. “You’re hopeless.” Ryan smiled and turned back to Andy. “Guacamole is made from avocados and spices and a whole bunch of other stuff. Trust me, you’ll love it.”

  “I’m in. When can we come over?”

  Andy’s enthusiasm was contagious. “Yes, Ryan, when can we come over?”

  “Friday?”

  “We’ve got nothing planned.” Isaac looked at me.

  “What time should we be there, and what can we bring?” My mother taught me little, but arriving empty handed was always considered gauche.

  Leland whispered in Ryan’s ear before answering. “Seven o'clock, and just bring yourselves.”

  *****

  Friday arrived and when I opened the front door, Andy was ready to leave. “You better hurry. We don’t want to be late.”

  Isaac was finishing dressing when I stepped in the bedroom. “Water’s hot. If we’re late, Andy will kill us.”

  “What has Andy so excited? It can’t only be the food.”

  Sitting on the bed, putting on his socks and shoes, he looked embarrassed. “I told him about their house, how it was on a hill overlooking the bay and he can’t wait to see it.”

  “Well, we can’t disappoint our little charge, so I’ll hop in the shower. Don’t let him near the keys to Betty.” He seemed a bit down, but was trying to hide it. “Is everything all right?”

  “Just a rough day at work.”

  It seemed like he had been having more of those lately, and I was getting concerned. He didn’t seem as happy at the center lately.

  He rubbed his face and let out a deep sigh. "A woman was living in a small apartment building for years. The landlord wanted his brother to move in and we were helping to fight it. Unfortunately, there is a law that allows a landlord to evict someone and move in a family member if the building has less than a certain number of units. The woman is older, has no family and has lived there for a real long time. It’s just really crappy, you know. I feel like I'm in that story where, you know… where someone plugs one leak in a dam with their finger, then a bunch more start, and you can’t stop it, and then the whole dam is ready to break."

  I knew what he was trying to say. “Isaac, I think I understand. Try to forget about it, just for tonight.”

  Once I was undressed, he cupped my ass from behind with both hands. Isaac nuzzled my neck, “You are such a good daddy and husband. I love you, Sebby.”

  Isaac went into the living room to rein in Andy until I was ready. I stood there, frozen in place. Daddy? Was I? Sort of, I guess. Well, Isaac and I are responsible for Andy’s upbringing now. I guess, in a way, I was. I never thought about it. It just felt like the right thing to do in the beginning, and I… I mean we did it.

  Warmth flooded my being at the thought, and I smiled. We are a family. I mean I said we were many times before, but they were words to describe this relationship. Yes, it felt like a family before, but now, if anything ever happened to Andy, if he were taken from us or something physically happened to him, I don’t think I would ever recover. Now I realized that the words applied to us in every way. He was ours and no way in hell would anything come between Andy and us. I knew Isaac felt the same.

  Once I dressed, I found them both in the living room with Andy grinning. “Can we go now?” There was the slightest whine in his voice and he sounded younger than his sixteen years.

  I schooled my expression. “There are just a few things I need to do before we leave.”

  “Sebastian!”

  Isaac looked at Andy and burst out laughing. “Yes, Andy. We can leave now.”

  While I gathered my wallet and keys, and checked myself in the mirror one last time, Isaac pulled Betty out of the driveway to the curb. I opened the passenger door while Isaac stepped out of the driver’s side and folded the seat forward, motioning for Andy to get in.

  “Yes, Daddy.” He kissed him on the cheek and grinned.

  *****

  We crested Russian Hill in our orange Bug and began the descent to Leland and Ryan’s home. The view was breathtaking with the clear sky and a breeze churning small whitecaps on the water. The bay was awash with sailboats and speed boats enjoying the early Friday evening.

  “Wow!” Andy exclaimed from the back seat as he leaned between our seats to take in the view. “They get to see this every day?”

  I turned around and pinched his chin. “This is the view from their bedroom window.”

  “If I could see this every day, I’d never leave home.”

  “Anything is possible if you work hard enough.” Little did Isaac know of my plan, and I still needed to talk to him about it. I already knew he’d say yes, but I still needed to ask him.

  We pulled up in front of a pale blue and white house with decorative shutters. There was a black wrought-iron fence and a beautiful garden in late bloom with honeysuckle, roses, and a dwarf lemon tree in front.

  Isaac looked at me, puzzled. “I don�
��t remember a lemon tree.”

  I chuckled. “That was Ryan’s idea. He wanted fresh lemons for his iced tea.”

  “Will you get out of the car?” An impatient voice groaned behind me.

  Isaac pointed behind us. “We better let him out before he tries to climb between us.”

  “Funny, guys. Can we hurry up?”

  Once we were out of the car Andy opened the gate and rushed up the stairs, ringing the doorbell. Leland answered the door.

  “Uh… hi! We’re here.” Andy gave him a wave.

  Stepping up behind him I waved. “He’s just a bit excited.”

  “Come in. No standing on ceremony. Come in.” He stepped aside to let us in.

  “Man, that smells good.”

  Leland grinned at Andy. “Ryan is in the kitchen. Why don’t you see if he needs any help?” Leland pointed to the living room. “You’ll see the dining room, and there is a door on the other side leading to the kitchen. He’ll be glad to see you.” Andy darted into the living room.

  Alone in the foyer Leland gave me a hug, and shook Isaac’s hand. “Ryan has been looking forward to this. It’s been too long since we’ve gotten together. I have to agree.” He turned to Isaac. “Sebastian and I used to be joined at the hip. I miss the spoiled, self-indulgent princess.”

  “Leland!” I punched him in the shoulder.

  “I don’t.” Isaac slipped his hand in my back pocket.

  “Neither do I.” Leland’s’ voice grew quiet. “I always loved Sebastian, and you have brought out the beautiful and caring man I knew was somewhere deep inside. The old Sebastian would have never noticed someone like Andy.”

  I cringed at the remark because I knew it was true. I never wanted to be reminded of who I was. It will take a long time for me to make up for the callousness of my past life. “I would love a glass of wine. Anyone else?”

  “Ryan says dinner will be ready in thirty minutes.”

  Andy burst through the door holding a large bowl of tortilla chips and a smaller one of salsa, followed by Ryan with a tray of cold bottles of mineral water.