An Unexpected Gift

by Brandon Carlisle

  Thankfully, there was nothing pressing going on at the foundation. I kept popping in on Isaac, trying to make idle conversation, and he would chase me out. I finally tried to be productive and began a list of possible new ventures we could involve the foundation in. We could look at exploring the need for children’s parks, additional shelters, and youth centers for after-school activities. I was sure Isaac was already looking into some of these and maybe I could see how I could help him.

  Making a call to the medical clinic to check if they needed anything and finding they were doing well, I noticed it was four thirty when I hung up the phone. I closed my office door and went through the connecting door to Isaac's office.

  "Enough! I can't take it anymore. Let's go home." I grabbed his coat and threw it at him, opening his door. On the way home there was a new pizza place that opened and we stopped and picked up two pies for dinner. Isaac was carrying the pies, and I was in front as we went up the steps. I noticed the drapes were closed, so I knew something was wrong. Opening the front door, I went to the living room and found Andy curled up on the sofa with the throw over him. Isaac took the pizzas to the kitchen.

  Sitting on the edge of the sofa I reached out and hesitated. He was completely covered. "Andy?" I ran my hand along his shoulder and along his side. "Isaac and I are home now. We want to be sure you are okay. Sweetheart, we love you, please talk to us." I could hear him sniffling.

  "It hurts." He sniffled. "I know it was right. But it still hurts."

  "Um…" Shit! Where was Isaac? "Andy, you care about Elias. Just because you aren't right for each other doesn't mean you stop caring. At one time I thought I was in love with Leland. When I saw how right Ryan was for him, I knew I had to let go."

  The covers shifted slowly and Andy popped his head out before he sat up. "Leland?"

  "Yes, Leland." I smiled. "Leland and I have been friends for years. I had a crush on him for a long time."

  He wiped his eyes and then his nose with the sleeve of his sweater. "Really?"

  "Really. It hurt for a while. But I realized over time it was for the best. If I never let go, I would have never met Isaac. He is still my best friend, and he and Ryan belong together. If Isaac and I never got together we wouldn't have you." I felt a hand on my shoulder and lips pressed against my scalp.

  Isaac sat on the bed next to me. "Sebastian is right. Things happen for a reason. If he hadn't moved to the city, I never would have fallen in love with the man sitting next to you, or have the young redhead with the snotty sweater on our sofa."

  He winked at Andy and squeezed his leg.

  *****

  Andy was in a slump for a while but, between throwing himself back into his studies and working with Abby, he slowly became his old self. It took a few months before he spoke about their last conversation, but when he did, he spoke to Abby. It seemed Elias thought they could have separate friends and all would be fine. Andy, thankfully, stood his ground and said it would not be healthy for either of them. Now Elias avoided him in school, but Andy was doing fine. He still had his friends from his art class and was socializing more.

  It was a Friday evening in April, just as we were sitting down to dinner when Abby knocked on the door. Not waiting for anyone to answer she burst inside waving a letter excitedly. "Gretchen's coming!"

  "Wonderful! She's going to visit?"

  "No! She's planning to move her business here from Arcata! Oops! Sorry." She looked at us seated around the table and looked embarrassed. "I didn't mean to interrupt."

  Isaac laughed and went to grab another place setting. "We're having spaghetti. Join us."

  Grinning, she sat down. "Well then. I don't mind if I do!"

  "Um…, Abby?"

  "Yes, Andy?"

  "Is Patrick coming with her?"

  When I looked at Isaac, he gave me a little smirk. I guess Andy was recovering.

  "I'm not sure. He probably will be watching the store during this trip."

  "Oh." He couldn't hide his disappointment and Abby just patted his hand.

  "Andy, I'm sure he'll be moving down here with Gretchen." I could see his expression lift a bit at the news. "When we've talked, she's said he's keen on moving to the city, so I'm sure he will be coming with her. She's decided she is ready for the change now that Alec's gone. The winters are rough on her arthritis living up by the Oregon border."

  "Does she want to move into this area?" Isaac was holding the pasta bowl out for her to serve herself as he spoke.

  "Thank you, dear. It would be perfect for her with her lifestyle and being close to everything she needs. It would mean finding a shop with living quarters. They did rather well over the years. When they moved up there, they bought a few acres and built their home. They were in a good location where they could keep adding more land to it. Alec was an accountant and took care of a lot of the local businesses out of their home. Gretchen ran a gift shop downtown selling her own jewelry, crystals, gifts, and art on consignment. She was a smart businesswoman. She laid everything out in her letter for what she is looking for so I could keep an eye out for her."

  Abby handed the letter to Isaac, and he looked it over. "After dinner we'll copy her requirements. Sebastian and I, and Andy, of course, will keep an eye out."

  "Abby, you never told us how you knew her?"

  "Sebastian, you're right. Well, she was one of my students. Her main interest was in jewelry, and while I couldn't help her much in that area during class, we would get together outside of school and I would help her where I could. Once she graduated, we kept in touch and became friends. Alec was a student at San Francisco State when he and Gretchen met and, after graduating, he asked her to marry him. Alec loved the outdoors, and they moved to Arcata. We've kept in touch over the years." She looked over to Andy and gave his hand a squeeze. "I think you and Patrick have a lot in common. He's very artistic."

  Andy blushed, but I could see a twinkle of hope in his eyes.

  *****

  Andy didn’t want to make a big deal of his graduation so it was a simple gathering. Isaac, Abby, Leland, Ryan, Paul, Diego and I arrived early in the parking lot. We were glad we arrived early because the crowds were already forming when we got there. Finding seating several rows back from the front, we made our way just off center and took our seats. Andy was no honor student, just average in his grades. He excelled in his art class and did well in history, and English. The last class was the surprise. But then he did enjoy reading his art magazines, and the related text books.

  When he stood to make his way to the podium, my heart leaped. The young boy we took in who became a part of our lives was now a man. He stood tall and proud among his classmates. Andy had a broad but nervous smile on his face as he proceeded in his cap and gown to the podium to accept his diploma. I heard cheering and whistling from my right and turned to find Isaac standing and yelling, “That’s my boy!”, with Paul and Diego whistling. Leland and Ryan were laughing as they applauded. Abby gave me a warm smile and nodded.

  Whether I chose the right family, or they chose me, this was my family.

  Once the ceremony was over, Andy came bounding down the stage to us. “You guys embarrassed the hell out of me but I forgive you, you dopes!” There were hugs all around. “Now, let me get out of this thing so we can go eat. I’m starved.” He handed me his diploma and dashed off to the locker room. “Wait for me in the student plaza.”

  Isaac turned and blushed slightly. “I didn’t embarrass him, did I?”

  The look on his face was priceless. I pinched his cheek. “Do you think he cared?”

  “Nah.”

  “Now everybody. Head over there and let them know we’re coming. They delivered the cake earlier today. We’ll meet you once Andy is ready.”

  Abby pulled a brownie from her sweater pocket and took a small bite. “Does he have a clue what we’re doing?”

  “Not a clue unless one of you spilled it.” I pointed at each of them.

  Ryan and Leland left for thei
r Jaguar XKE while Abby turned to Paul and Diego. “Come on boys, you can ride with me.”

  Paul looked at her and waved his finger. “Girl, if that’s one of your famous brownies, I’ll drive.”

  She grinned and reached back into her pocket. “Fine with me. I can have more then.”

  Diego reached out his hand. “Would you mind sharing some?”

  I slipped my hand around Isaac’s waist and we headed to the plaza to wait for Andy. “It would have been something to have had a grandmother like Abby.”

  “Yeah. Let’s be thankful Andy has her.”

  Andy met us and we headed to the car. He looked around, surprised, trying not to show disappointment. “Where’d everybody go?”

  I looked to Isaac and gave a wink. He tried to act casual and spoke. “Oh, Abby had a date, and Paul and Diego had to work. Ryan and Leland went to grab a table and will meet us at the restaurant.”

  “Where are we going?”

  I put my arm around his shoulder. “Ryan and Leland are holding a table for us at Hamburger Mary’s.”

  That brought a smile to his face. “All right!”

  *****

  We parked across the street and I saw Ryan run inside the restaurant. He must have been waiting to announce our arrival. Inside I screamed "YES!" It was going as planned. Once the traffic cleared, we made a dash across the street and Isaac held the door as we walked in. "Pomp and Circumstance" came over the sound system and the wait staff came out wearing graduation caps outrageously decorated with everything from glitter to Barbie dolls holding mini diplomas. The one waitress in drag had the cap on top of her Marilyn Monroe do with the Coit Tower and a Ken doll in a leather harness covered in glitter. They were parading down the center of the restaurant to greet him before they led him to our table. Everyone in the restaurant stared at the parade and clapped.

  Andy was in hysterics, laughing, with tears running down his cheeks. After a minute he noticed the rest of our group and was crying. The lesbian wearing the leather outfit, who wore a sash with his high school name and a cap covered in red and white glitter, put her arm around him. "They love you, sweetie. All this is because they love you."

  Turning around, Andy grabbed me and then Isaac. "I love you guys so much. I never thought I would have anybody care about me like this."

  Isaac was stroking his hair, "Now, this is your moment. It's a party, so let's have fun."

  "Andy?"

  He turned around, "Yes, Abby?"

  "Have a bite of my brownie."

  Everybody laughed and finally sat down. Isaac looked at me and winked. "I think that's a good idea."

  The waitress with the Coit Tower hat cleared her throat. "All right everyone. How about we start off with drinks while you guys decide what you'd like to eat?"

  Everyone ordered their drinks and placed their lunch orders. When she left Abby raised her water glass and tapped it with her spoon.

  "Now I think it's time I tell you all a story. Many years ago, and I won't tell you how many because I'm not that stoned." Abby giggled. "When I accepted Albert's proposal, my family was already furious. They were pissed that I left home after graduating college. After I had gotten my degree in teaching, I spread my wings and left Kansas for San Francisco to find a teaching position. I was lucky because I was top of my class and I received recognition for my art. Anyway, I severed my ties with my family when I married Albert. My family was upset that I was marrying an Asian, to put it politely. I built a new and wonderful life here with my dear husband. I found my family here with friends that became close. They shared my values and stood by me during my good times and my difficult times. Andy, that is a true family. Here at this table, this is your real family."

  Paul raised his glass of water. "Here, here. To our family of choice. Our true family." Everyone raised their glass.

  Andy picked up his napkin and wiped his eyes. "I couldn't have asked for a better family. Sebastian, Isaac, you guys gave me a real home and treated me as if you were my real parents."

  "Andy, as far as we are concerned, you are our son." I reached out and held his and Isaac's hands.

  "I wouldn't have come this far if it weren't for you. Abby, your support and guidance with my art has been more than I could have ever dreamed of." Holding his glass out to Leland, Ryan, Paul and Diego. "You guys are wonderful friends. I am so glad to have you guys in my life."

  Just then the waitress came by with the drinks.

  *****

  It was the middle of June and we were out for a walk after dinner on Haight Street when I noticed a head shop just before the entrance to Golden Gate Park. They had put up a sign saying they were going out of business, and it was their last day before closing. "Isaac! Hold on a minute." He had been looking at the signs being put up for the Haight Street Fair.

  "What? The deli is having a Falafel stand this year."

  I pointed to the sign in the window. "Look! They're still open. Let's go in."

  Talking to the store owner we found the store came with an apartment upstairs. It was a three-bedroom, one bath unit. The store also had a half bath in the back. The store itself was large enough for Gretchen and had a good-sized storeroom for Patrick to work in, plus a smaller one. There was even a back yard where he could work outside during the day when the weather is good.

  The man gave us the phone number for the landlord and quietly told us his current rent. We hurried home to give the news to Abby. Later that evening Abby came down to let us know that she called the landlord and then Gretchen. She told us what the current rent was, and it was only forty-five dollars above the old rent which was fair. Gretchen would be down early for the fair, bringing Patrick with her to see the shop. Andy was even more excited when he found out they would stay with Abby for the whole time they were here.

  When we finished dinner, Abby headed upstairs to make room for her guests, and Andy went to his studio to draw, saying he had something on his mind he wanted to work on. Once we cleared the table, Isaac and I curled up on the sofa and flipped on Antiques Roadshow UK, trying to understand what all the fuss was about for something discovered at some castle. Deciding it was boring we went to bed to read.

  After a while I set my book aside and curled up on Isaac's chest, playing with the marvelous thatch of hair that spread out in front of me. "Oh Isaac?"

  "I know that tone. What do you want, Sebby?"

  "It might be a little dangerous, but you know how crowded Abby's place is."

  "You mean that her studio takes up her dining room, and half her living room and her second bedroom are used to store her art supplies?"

  "What would you think of Patrick staying here while they were in town?"

  Setting his book on the night stand he slid down facing me. "You like playing with dynamite, don't you? You've seen Andy's reaction when Patrick's name is mentioned."

  I ran my hand along his side. Yes, there was a risk, but I thought it would give them a chance to get to know each other better. I trusted Abby's judgment, and Andy is sort of an adult. "Listen. Once they are here, Gretchen and Patrick will check out the store and be busy. After that, it's the Fair. The rest of the time we will be off and can keep an eye on them. Abby thinks it would be good for both of them."

  Isaac rolled his eyes, gave a huff and then smiled. "All right. But there will be a clear understanding that there will be no funny business under this roof, and he sleeps on the sofa, or in a sleeping bag here in the living room."

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  The Haight Street Fair

  Isaac

  Early Wednesday evening a pickup arrived with an enclosed trailer attached, and parked out front. Andy was sitting by the window in his studio, sketching, and called out, "They're here! Call Abby!" He came running into the kitchen. "What should I do? Should I go outside? Should I go get Abby?"

  He was no longer the young man who had graduated from high school, but instead became a teen with raging hormones as he ran out of the room.

  I met him in
the hall. "Andy, breathe. Why don't you go upstairs and tell Abby they're here and then meet us out front?" I pulled the key to Abbey's flat off the hook by the door and gave it to him.

  Sebastian was standing at the back door, covering his mouth until he knew Andy left, and let out the laugh he'd been holding as threw his arms around my neck. "This will be one hell of a weekend!"

  "Remember, Sebby. You wanted the young god here, as I'm sure Andy thinks of him, to stay in our home. This is on your head if anything goes wrong."

  "I'm sure everything will be all right. I hope." He leaned in and gave me a peck on the lips. "Let's greet our guests.

  Heading down the walk, we were greeted by Gretchen and what Andy would definitely call a god. He must have been Patrick. The young man was around six feet tall, with bronze skin, long wavy dark hair to his shoulders, chiseled features with high cheek bones, an aquiline nose, dark eyes with dark eyebrows, and a pierced left ear with what looked to be a ruby in it. He had broad shoulders, a smooth, defined, but not overly developed chest, black leather vest, jeans, a leather wrist cuff, and black boots. The leather gave me a bit of a warning, but it could be fashion.

  Sebastian stepped forward. "Gretchen! Welcome!" He enveloped her in a big hug. "Abby will be right down. Andy went to tell her you're here."

  "Was that the cute redhead I saw darting from your front door?"

  The young man's deep voice set my alarms off, and I forced a smile. "Yes, that's our son."

  "Sorry sir. I meant no disrespect. Abby told me all about him. He's an artist, a painter. I've been looking forward to meeting him. My apologies. I'm sorry if I offended you."

  Jesus. The kid was embarrassed. Maybe I was wrong. Sebastian caught my eye and gave me a wink.

  "Don't mind Isaac. He's protective of our Andy. Apology accepted, and please call me Sebastian. Come inside, I'll put coffee on while we wait for Abby to come down."

  Sebastian led Gretchen inside while Patrick followed, and I brought up the rear. Looking at the kid's legs and ass he didn't have a flaw on him. Sebastian and I were in trouble.