An Unexpected Gift

by Brandon Carlisle

  "One last question, Andrew?"

  "Yes?"

  "Your name, Montgomery Browne? I can assume that is from your guardians?"

  "Yes. From two of the people I love and respect the most in this world, other than my Patrick." He leaned over and gave Patrick a kiss on the cheek.

  "Andrew, thank you for such an insightful and impressive interview. Your work is emotional, provocative, and talented. For those of you wishing to see this artist's work, he is currently having a limited showing at the Margaret Underwood Gallery at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. Soon there will be a full exhibit of his works at the gallery. Keep an eye out for the upcoming announcement. Thank you and good night."

  Bridget turned to her crew. "Okay guys, you can pack up." When she turned around, she had a big smile on her face. "That was a great interview, guys. The unveiling was priceless. Also, your way of explaining the pieces was excellent. It added a lot of interest to the work. You are talented and I'm glad we had the chance to be one of the first to give you exposure. You will definitely be going places, Andrew. Thank you all for allowing us into your home."

  Once they packed up and left we let out a sigh of relief. Fifteen minutes later the room was back in order. Sebastian made an audible groan, and we all laughed. The paintings were now in the hall until Andy could organize them in his little studio, and the easels were back upstairs.

  *****

  We again ordered the lazy staple for dinner and had pizza as we discussed how the afternoon went. After the interview, the painting of Patrick was the focus of conversation. There was such a depth of emotion in the features and setting. It was a natural portrait, and the likeness was amazing. You could see the care and love in every brush stroke.

  The boys had gone to place several of the paintings in his front room. While they were gone Abby scooted close to us. We all sat on the floor. "You can see it too, can't you?"

  "Huh?"

  "Please! It's all over your faces every time you look at them."

  Sebastian swallowed his bite of pizza, "Is it that obvious?"

  "Yeah. It is. Those two boys are in it for the long haul. I don't think it will be long before they want a place of their own. You ready for that?"

  "He's too young." I forced my voice to keep quiet.

  "He will be twenty in August, and Patrick is an adult."

  Sebastian sighed. "We know, Abby. Let's not talk about it now. Patrick hasn't even moved down here yet."

  "Hey guys." Andy and Patrick were standing in the doorway holding hands. "I wanted to give Patrick the painting, but he said no. He wants to wait until we move in together so we can hang it in our home together. Isn't that cool?" Patrick had this worried expression on his face like he wasn't sure we would approve.

  "That sounds like a good idea." Unable to keep my mouth shut, "When do you think that will be?" I felt Sebastian's nails dig into my thigh and tried not to wince.

  "I'll let you boys work that all out. I'm calling it an early night." Abby stopped and wagged a finger at Andy and Patrick.

  "Make sure you two have enough space to work in your new home. Good night!" They grinned and Andy kissed her on the cheek. Abby winked at us as she headed out the door.

  Andy turned to Patrick, giving him the go ahead. "Well, once we move down here, we need to set up the store and I want to get my mom settled and comfortable with everything. After that, I think Andy and I will begin looking. Maybe in a few months."

  I breathed a sigh of relief and felt Sebastian's grip relax. "That makes sense. Andy, do you still want to go ahead with the studio or find a place with enough room to paint?"

  "I don't think it makes sense to do it now. I appreciate the gesture, I do. Is it too late to stop it?"

  I glanced at Sebastian who waved and shook his head. "We'll pay him for his time and that will be it. I don't think it will be an issue. Patrick, once you live together, would it be an issue for Andy to work out of your home?"

  "Nah, I think it would be awesome to watch him work. That is if he doesn't mind?"

  "Only sometimes. There are times I need to be alone. You understand, don't you?"

  "Sure." He leaned over and pecked Andy on the lips.

  Any qualms I had were so far behind now. Now the only issue would be letting go.

  "Guys, Patrick and I are going for a walk."

  "See you soon." We waved and then curled up as the quiet overtook the room. "Soon, every night will be like this."

  Sebastian turned his head, and looked up at me. "What do you mean?"

  "It'll be back to just you and I in here."

  "The boys will visit. And we'll still have Abby upstairs."

  I sighed and held him closer. "I know, but it won't be the same."

  "Let's go to bed. I know just the thing to take your mind off those thoughts." He stood up and grabbed my hand.

  *****

  The distraction worked well and I slept like a baby. The boys were sound asleep when we left for work in the morning. Sebastian called the contractor first thing and explained the situation. He told him we would pay for the time already invested. Knowing that more business would come his way he was happy to agree.

  When we got home that day, we found that the boys had been very enterprising. They had been out looking at flats to see what it would cost to have enough space for Andy to work and still be roomy enough for them to live comfortably. I could sense their frustration when they arrived home. Not knowing if Andy's paintings would continue to sell, or how much Patrick could draw from the business once it opened. I had to smile at their eagerness and optimism. I knew Sebastian would step in wherever possible and I would be happy to be supportive.

  Patrick had also contacted their landlord to see if they could do another walk-through of their rental to make a complete list of the changes they would need to make for the store to fit their line of business. His mother wanted to do it while they were open for business, but Patrick didn't think it made sense. The landlord was more than happy to accommodate as they would be long-term tenants. That would keep them occupied for a good part of Saturday.

  Having the day free we did housekeeping and divided up chores. Though Sebastian now enjoyed cooking, he hated cleaning the kitchen, so he focused on the dusting, vacuuming, and sweeping. We shared doing the laundry and the rest of the chores. By the time we were done it was just after lunch and we sat down to sandwiches and iced tea.

  We were just clearing the table when we heard the front door open. "We're back!"

  Sebastian slapped me on the ass before calling out. "In the kitchen."

  "Bitch!" I laughed.

  They came in and Andy handed Sebastian an envelope while I dried my hands. "This was under the door." Sebastian placed the envelope on the kitchen table.

  "So how did it go at the store?"

  Patrick looked at me and motioned with his hand, so so. "I talked with my mom earlier and suggested we should fix things before opening. She thought we could open it and make small changes over time. I explained how it would be a better first impression if we open the store already finished. When people come into the store, they should see it as how we want to represent it, and not a work in progress. Make it our store, before we open."

  The seriousness of his attitude and the way he presented himself showed he had a good grasp on what was needed.

  "I want to update the shelves with paint and have lighting that fits with what we want to sell, instead of some of it still looking like a head shop. I need to change fixtures so they light the glass works and sculptures like they should be. It won't be a lot of work if Andy can help me. It may take maybe three weeks, maybe four. But it will push back the opening if we wait until we move down here. She finally agreed that my idea made sense."

  Sebastian glanced at Andy, then me, quirking his eyebrow before turning back to Patrick. "Does your mother have friends there that could help her close up the store? Could you just maybe help her with the move?"

  "She has lots of frien
ds that might help. I don't know, maybe? Why?"

  I could see an idea was forming in that ever-working mind of his, and I almost knew with a certainty what it was. It might be crazy, but it was worth a shot. I nudged him with my elbow and he took the hint. He pulled out the kitchen chair and sat down. "Shall we take a seat?" He turned. "Dear, would you make a fresh pot of coffee?"

  Turning back to Andy and Patrick he laid his hands flat on the table. "What you would do would add value to the property. Maybe the landlord might let you do the work early and stay there while you do it, rent free, or at least at a reduced rent."

  Patrick's face lit up at the idea. "Yeah. That could work. Let me call my mom."

  Andy gave him a kiss. "Use the phone in my room." Patrick dashed down the hall. "That was a great idea, Sebastian. Thanks."

  I slipped my arms around Sebastian's neck and leaned in to give him a kiss on the cheek. "That was a very thoughtful idea." He noticed the envelope on the table. "Oh! We forgot about this. It's not mail, it has my name on it."

  He flipped it over and I could tell he did not understand what it could be. "Just open it and find out."

  Sebastian opened the letter and the look on his face was sheer surprise. "We have our first vacancy!"

  He handed me the letter. It seemed our reclusive couple on the third floor were giving notice. For not knowing much about their lives the notice was giving quite a lot of information. City life was becoming too hectic for them, and they were moving to the Santa Cruz mountains. They are returning to the simpler life of their roots. They are moving to a naturist community known as the Sun and Moon Collective at the below address at the end of thirty days.

  The address was a post office box in Santa Cruz. The letter closed with a thank you for being good landlords and that they will clean the flat before leaving, and would we please forward their deposit to their new address.

  Sebastian groaned. "So, this is being a landlord. We should let our property manager know what is happening and let him arrange for an inspection after they move out. He will arrange for painters and what not. I assume he will put an advertisement in the newspaper. I wonder why they didn't notify him that they would be moving?"

  "Um, Sebastian?" Andy was waving his hand in front of Sebastian's face.

  "Sorry. What?"

  "How big is the flat?"

  "Oh… if I remember right the flat is about the same size as Abby's. Oh! But come to think of it, there is also that wasted space in the attic that is empty. It has eaves, but high angles so the ceilings are rather tall."

  I could see the wheels spinning as Sebastian was forming a grin.

  "Well, we could combine the third-floor flat with the attic as a studio. Maybe add a few skylights for natural light." Sebastian turned. "Do you remember the stairs in Abby's flat going up to a locked door?"

  "Yeah. It was kind of weird."

  "Well, that leads to the attic. I think I might have the key somewhere. I must take a look."

  Andy was bouncing on his heels. "Well?"

  Sebastian turned around and dug through our junk drawer in the kitchen. He turned around and waved a key with an old tag on it.

  Andy headed for the door. "I'll see if Abby is home!"

  "So, are you going to tell me your plans as if I don't already know?"

  "If I am not off, it would need some electrical, flooring, sheet rock, and skylights. Oh, and access from the flat below. Not too terrible. Don't you think?"

  Pulling him into my arms since we were alone, I gave him a deep kiss and parted his lips until I heard him groan. As I slipped my tongue from between his lips I smiled. "That was a very thoughtful idea. I'll show you how thoughtful later." Sebastian ran his hand down the front of my pants and I could see the heat in his eyes as he felt my erection.

  "I will make sure you keep your promise."

  "Um… guys?" Patrick was standing at the kitchen door looking embarrassed. "My mom thinks that was a good idea. Would you mind sitting with me while I talk to the landlord? She says she can get friends to help with closing and packing if I could be with her for the move."

  "If we can convince the landlord that it is to his benefit for Patrick to fix up the store while staying there while it was closed, possibly without paying rent, so much the better. We'll call him tomorrow morning. Sebastian could come in later after he talks to the guy." He squeezed my shoulder and kissed my cheek.

  Just then Andy appeared. "She said we can come up as long as she can join us. She's curious what's behind the locked door."

  Patrick looked at Andy and then us before looking back to Andy. "What's going on?"

  Andy was grinning as he pulled Patrick into a hug. "The top flat is going to be empty. Sebastian and Isaac are talking about connecting it to the attic and making it into a studio."

  "What!" He looked at us. "You're shitting me!"

  Sebastian and I burst out laughing. It was the first time we have ever seen Patrick lose his cool. "No, Patrick, we are not kidding. I'm also sure we can work out a very reasonable rent. Why don't we go see what's hiding in the attic?"

  As we made our way up to Abby's apartment, Andy and Patrick were behind us, and Patrick tapped me on the shoulder. "Sorry about what I said earlier."

  "Let's say it was because of shock. Don't worry about it." I grinned as I pinched Sebastian's beautiful butt in front of me.

  *****

  Once we reached the landing Abby was tapping her foot. "You took your sweet time. I've wondered for years what was behind that door. I even thought of picking the lock once. Only I didn't know how to do it."

  Sebastian waved the key under her nose. "Well, now you don't have to worry about that, do you?"

  He slipped the key into the lock and after a little jiggling it turned and he opened the door. The mustiness of the room let us know it hadn't been opened in years. There was a chain hanging on the right and Sebastian pulled it and a single bare bulb turned on. "Oh, my lord!"

  "What!" His voice had gone up several octaves.

  "This place looks like it was used in one of those horror movies. Dust, cobwebs, and crap everywhere. I don't think anyone has been up here for half a century."

  When we all stepped inside it was easy to see what he meant. There was a thick layer of dust everywhere. Grime covered the windows, filtering the light. Broken pieces of furniture, a few old boxes and an old trunk were all that resided in the attic. I could see several skinny chains connected to bare bulbs hanging down, so I told everyone to walk around and tug the chains to see if the lights worked.

  The space was a good size, running the complete length and width of the house. The eaves were steep but with only three dormers and the turret, it left a nice work area. Sebastian had the right idea about putting in skylights. It could work well for Andy. "So, what do you think?"

  "It's awesome! No big trees to block light. Each dormer and the turret have windows. Then add skylights where I could draw shades when the light wasn't right. This could totally work. But, are you guys sure? You could make another flat here and rent it out."

  "Andy, Sebastian and I don't need the money. We think it would work for you and for us. We enjoy having you around. This would give you the space you need for your work and the privacy you and Patrick need to build your relationship. It's also close to Gretchen and the store. It seems too good to pass up. But the decision is up to the both of you."

  Patrick leaned over and whispered into Andy's ear. Andy nodded and turned to us. "We'll head downstairs and talk. We'll see you down there."

  After they took off, Sebastian and I looked at each other.

  "Relax!" I jumped, forgetting Abby was behind me.

  "Boys, I think Patrick is overwhelmed by what all of this means. The idea was easier than the reality when he saw it. He's not used to the way you throw money around like it's nothing. Give them a minute so they can both digest it. Now, why don't we open these boxes and this trunk?"

  Opening the boxes was a disappointment. They were filled
with old books. Some were extremely old, and possibly valuable. We would give them to the library in case some were of use. The trunk was another issue. It was full of women's clothes. Abby guessed they were from the early twentieth century. There were a few beautiful dresses, combs, brushes, a mirror, even undergarments. As Abby was digging deeper, she found a small silver box. Inside were a few pieces of jewelry. There was a simple ruby brooch set in silver with a matching pendant on a beautiful silver chain, earrings, along with a simple emerald ring.

  "This must have all been packed after she died. I'm guessing she was young when it happened, based on the style of clothes. Do you mind if I keep the trunk?" Abby looked at us. I glanced at Sebastian.

  "Sure, Abby. I was never into drag. Isaac?"

  "I think the brooch and necklace would look nice on you." I couldn't help but smile. With her eclectic taste I knew she could pull it off. "Everyone, downstairs before we all have an attack of allergies or something worse. We'll help you with the trunk later."

  I led the parade down to our flat where we found the boys in the kitchen having pie and milk. "So, have you decided?"

  Abby slapped me on the back. "Isaac! You have no subtlety." She turned to them. "But since he opened his big mouth. Have you had time to think?"

  "Yeah. I explained to Patrick that Sebastian and Isaac have more money than God, and it wasn't a big deal to them to fix up the attic. He only has one condition. He wants you guys to charge us a fair rent once we get on our feet."

  Sebastian grabbed Andy in a hug and I patted Patrick on the shoulder before sticking my hand out to shake on it. "Patrick, you have a deal."

  "Shit!" Andy pulled away from Sebastian. "I still have to select the paintings to replace the ones sold, and then later, the ones for the exhibit! Patrick, come help me." They took off for his little studio up front. We could hear them talking and pulling paintings out and placing them in the hall. "I'll call Margaret and find out how she wants me to get them there." I heard him run down the hall to his bedroom and tried not to laugh.