Together We Stand

by JA Lafrance

  “Enjoy,” Tessa smiled as she ran up the stairs into her room, leaning her back against the closed door. “This isn’t going to work unless you get over this stupid obsession. You can’t love Ben.”

  It didn’t take long over the next two weeks for Tessa to conclude that Ben was a slave to the proverbial clock. He ate at precisely seven am each morning, lunch was served at twelve-thirty and dinner was at exactly six pm on the nose. At five on the dot, they’d pack up work for the day and either share cooking and clean up duties or ordering takeout, which they ordered at least three times a week. They all agreed that it was their way of keeping local restaurants from going under. Everyone needed to do their part. And then, most nights, they sat by the fire pit in the backyard and read or talked about work. Even though Tessa suggested other activities to fill the time they always ended up under the stars.

  Try as Tessa may, Ben was either oblivious to her flirtatious ways or the man was dead. Personal questions were skillfully swayed towards talk of work, the weather, or food.

  Tessa was alerted to Kyle’s presence in the house only by the sound of the shower running and then the washing machine motor kicking into its cycle. Kyle joined them often for a beer around the fire pit out back where he could socially distance himself.

  “Evening, Ben,” Kyle greeted, before turning his attention to Tessa. “And good evening to you, beautiful. How was your day?”

  Dressed in gray sweatpants and a tight-fitting white t-shirt, Kyle winked, and Tessa caught herself drooling at his carved physique with an admiring eye. She smiled and bit into her lower lip.

  “There are buffalo wings in the toaster oven,” Ben interrupted.

  “Maybe later, thanks,” Kyle replied, directing his questions to Tessa. “Would you care for anything? Another drink? A snack perhaps?” He was obviously crossing boundaries and flirting shamelessly with her. Social distancing must have been getting to him.

  “She’s good,” Ben answered, with an air of irritation in his voice. “She’s not finished with the drink I got for her.”

  “I can speak for myself,” Tessa barked. “Thanks for the offer, Kyle. I’m going to nurse this one. So, how was your day?”

  “In a word, it sucked balls.”

  “That’s more than one word,” Ben grumbled, earning a warning glare from Tessa.

  “Wearing a mask and gloves all day sucks,” Kyle explained. “Customers think the world is coming to an end. They don’t want to listen to the rules, they are hoarding as if the manufacturers will never make toilet paper again, and the shelves are empty. I mean completely empty. We have no idea when or if trucks will be delivering products and with the shortages, we’ve had to put restrictions on how much each customer can buy. In other words, customers are getting ugly and we’re the bad guys. I even had a customer take a swing at me. Not a big deal, he was just frustrated, we all are.”

  “That’s very understanding of you,” Tessa admired. “It must be terrible. You need to do something to take your mind off of work when you get home. Do you read? I have a few mystery books that might interest you.”

  “As a matter of fact, I was thinking that very thing only it doesn’t involve books,” Kyle’s brow wiggled. “I was going to ask if you’d like to go on a date.”

  “COVID-19, moron,” Ben snarled. “Besides, I told you Tessa was off-limits.”

  “I don’t need a dad, I’ve already got one,” Tessa said, as she shifted her chair closer to Kyle’s side of the firepit, still maintaining adequate distance. “What did you have in mind?”

  “How about a private dinner for two,” Kyle suggested, glaring at Ben. “My favourite restaurant, Giovani's, has a curbside pickup. We can lay out a few blankets here in the backyard, drink some wine, eat some Italian, and get to know each other better.”

  “Giovani’s on Lexington?” Tessa asked excitedly. “I absolutely love their pasta puttanesca. It’s to die for.”

  “It’s my favourite too,” Kyle exclaimed. “Call it fate.”

  Ben’s eyes rolled as he dogeared the book he’d been engrossed in and tossed it, using a little more gusto than planned and watching as it rolled off the edge of the small table at his side. He couldn’t hide his irritation a minute longer.

  “Yeah, I’m sure it’s fate,” Ben stood. “Not that it’s my business, but you two need to remember it’s not a time for fraternizing. We’re under quarantine, besides that, Kyle is an essential worker. Meaning, he’s bringing germs and shit home nightly; he could bring the virus home for god’s sake and pass it on to you.”

  “Well, I for one am not waiting until my number comes up,” Tessa’s tone took on a hardy demand, far from her usual character. “We have no idea when or if we’re going to die. So, I’m not rolling over and surrendering to this...thing. I’d be honoured to go on a backyard date with you, Kyle. How about tomorrow night?”

  “Great,” Kyle stood, saluted them both, and walked towards the house. “I’m going to bed, see you tomorrow. And make sure you bring your appetite.”

  Once Kyle disappeared into the house, Ben turned to Tessa with a look of regard. “I don’t think this is smart.”

  “I don’t hear you making me a better offer,” Tessa challenged. “You want to do something instead?”

  “No,” Ben harrumphed. “Look, the guy is a player. When he gets bored, he’ll toss you like a takeout container.”

  “Because I’m not a keeper, huh?” Tessa pushed.

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “No, you didn’t,” Tessa agreed. “You also didn’t give me a kosher reason to turn Kyle down. It’s been weeks since we first locked ourselves up in this house and you never seem interested in anything I want to do. I think I’m going to take my chances with Kyle. At least he’s fun and cares that I’m here.”

  “Hey! I can be fun,” Ben looked insulted as Tessa disappeared into the house. He lowered his tone, “I’m going to be so much fun...I’ll make you love me...the way I love you.”

  From the attic window, Ben watched as Kyle spoon-fed bites of cheesecake to Tessa and she tossed her head back, laughing at all his stupid jokes. Jealousy ate away at his nerves. He knew if he didn’t step up soon, he’d lose her, and he wasn’t about to let that happen without a fight. He’d probably lose his best friend in the process, but hopefully, Kyle would understand and gracefully step aside.

  For the next three months, Kyle and Ben battled it out, each vying for Tessa’s attention, each attempting to out-do the other. There were many more picnics, numerous bottles of wine shared in the hot tub and movie nights, as well as card games, board games, and even a few guitar wars battles on an old Wii machine Tessa discovered in a box in the wine cellar. It had all been fun and games, but coming up with new, fresh ideas was getting exhausting. Tonight, the boys prepared something a tad unorthodox.

  An invitation had been tucked under Tessa’s door, she was to wait until eight pm and then come out back. Sounded like bossy Ben at work, but then Kyle’s romantic spirit spoke volumes in the handwritten invitation. It was becoming abundantly clear that the boys were heavy into this competition and deep-down Tessa was loving every minute of it. There was only one problem looming in the air tonight as she slipped on her flip-flops and slowly walked towards the back door, and that was her heart.

  “Oh my, what do we have here?” Tessa asked as she walked out back.

  A table had been draped with a white linen cloth and was beautifully set for three, using fine china and elegant silverware along with crystal stemware and red linen napkins folded like swans. Music was quietly playing in the distance and the firepit was lit for ambiance.

  “Dinner will be served shortly,” Kyle announced, handing her a wine-filled glass.

  “I’m feeling a smidge underdressed,” Tessa looked down at her torn jeans and stained sweatshirt and laughed. “What’s this all about?”

  “You look amazing as always,” Ben complimented, as he approached dressed in a tuxedo and pulled out a chair. “Have a
seat and all will be explained shortly.”

  They were both outfitted in sharp looking tuxedos and Tessa laughed when she noticed they were both barefoot; there was something oddly sexy about the way they looked.

  Dinner consisted of beef tenderloin, braised in red wine with sautéed asparagus and tiny rosemary potatoes. Halfway through the berry-compote and Devon cream, Tessa set down her spoon, wiped her mouth with her napkin, and sat back in her seat eyeing them both as she sipped her wine.

  “I need to tell you both something,” Tessa spoke softly, a sadness reflecting in her voice. “I’ve decided to go home.”

  “Wait!” Ben exclaimed. “You’re leaving?”

  “You can’t go now,” Kyle reacted as well as Ben had. Tessa was shocked. “We’re still under quarantine.”

  “I can self-quarantine there as easily as I can here,” Tessa reasoned. “It’s been fun, I’ve had a blast, in fact, I’ve never felt happier. But, we’re under each other's feet, the project’s all done and I’m sure you two would like your space.”

  “My space is fine the way it is,” Kyle barked with conviction. “I like you in my space, hell, I even like Ben and that crazy cat of yours in my space.”

  “Yeah, we have plenty of room,” Ben griped. “What’s the real reason you don’t want to be here? Are we getting on your nerves? How about we promise to back off, will that make you stay? At least have the decency to tell us the truth.”

  He was right and Tessa felt bad for not being completely forthright.

  “Okay,” she set down her glass and took hold of the neck of the wine bottle, tipping it back and chugging, then clumsily wiped her mouth on her sleeve. “I owe you that much.”

  “Did I come on too strong?” Kyle asked, leaning in closer.

  “No, you guys have been great,” she confessed. “There’s not a woman alive that wouldn’t feel like a spoiled princess the way you’ve been taking care of me.”

  “Then what?” Ben’s brow creased a glint of sadness in his eyes.

  Her eyes moved from Kyle to Ben and back. She downed the remainder of the bottle before speaking.

  “I can’t stay here,” she whispered before continuing. “Because...”

  “Because?” Ben pushed.

  “Let her speak!” Kyle barked. “Go on, Tess, because?”

  She bit into her lower lip and looked up at the stars for inspiration, counted to three, and taking a deep breath.

  “I love you.”

  Awkward silence charged the air, even the crickets took a recess to decipher her words. Ben looked to Kyle and Kyle looked at him bewildered.

  “Who do you love?” Ben ventured.

  She looked at them both and burst into tears, burying her face in her hands and sobbing her heart out while she spoke.

  “There lies the problem,” she sniffled, holding back tears long enough to wipe her nose with the tail-end of her top. “I think I love you both, that’s so wrong. Every moral fiber of my being is telling me that I’m acting like a little ho. You two did this to me. With all the attention, the romantic dinners, the compliments, making me feel special—”

  “You are special,” Kyle interrupted. “Not a ho.”

  “Me too,” Ben assured. “Tessa, I’ve been a dunderhead for far too long. I didn’t want to create a problem between us by telling you how I felt. I thought it would make working together difficult. I have loved you from the moment you spilled your coffee down my shirt in the copy room. I knew then that I wanted you, had to have you... there was never the right time to tell you though.”

  “Hang on there, dude,” Kyle broke in. “I love Tessa, and I’ve never held back showing her how much. You made my heart literally skip a beat the first night our eyes met. I was sure you felt the same. You did, didn’t you?”

  “Back off, Kyle,” Ben snapped.

  “No, you back off!”

  “Stop fighting!” Tessa yelled over the two as they quarrelled. “This is why I need to leave. I won’t allow myself to come between friends. Me and Alley are leaving in the morning; I’ve arranged for a ride. Please respect my decision.”

  And so, they did.

  A week had passed without so much as a text message or phone call. Tessa spent most of her days holed up inside with Alley for company and the remote for the tv as her only friend. A mound of takeaway containers littered the kitchen counters and she hadn’t had a shower in days. When the doorbell rang, she jumped from her seat, turned off the tv, and ran to the door expecting a pizza delivery.

  “Who is it?” she called threw the rickety old door.

  “You left something at my place,” the deep baritone of Ben’s voice spoke through the wooden door. When she didn’t quickly answer, he added, “Please? It’s important.”

  In the hallway stood Ben and Kyle with serious faces. She stepped back, ushering them inside and closed and bolted the door.

  “Sketchy neighbourhood,” Ben announced. “Hope my car’s okay on the road.”

  “No one will touch it during the day,” Tessa told. “What do you want?”

  “Can we sit?” Ben asked, moving a few steps into the tiny living room. Kyle sat with Ben on the love seat and Tessa sat on the coffee table since no other seats existed. “We’ve been talking, and we think we’ve come up with a solution.”

  “It’s probably the weirdest idea you’ve ever heard, but please listen with your head and your heart before making up your mind?” Kyle practically begged.

  “I’m listening.”

  “Here goes,” Ben began by clearing his throat. “To start, we miss you, very much. Without a word of a lie, the house feels lonely without you there. Jenny misses you as well. She lays in front of the door to your bedroom day and night and carries your sock around everywhere she goes. I haven’t been able to sit outside in a week.”

  Tessa liked the way he referred to the room in his house as hers, she choked back a tear.

  “It’s true,” Kyle concurred. “He hasn’t lit the fire once and I haven’t seen him open the newspaper either, they just pile up on the kitchen table, unread. Me? I’m lost without you, baby. There isn’t a minute in my day that isn’t filled with thoughts of you. My heart's breaking.”

  “We want you back,” Ben confessed. “We need you. We want you and we’re willing to do anything to make this happen. In other words, come back to us and let us prove ourselves worthy of your love.”

  “You’re crazy,” Tessa laughed. “Isn’t there a name for that? Polygamy... I must be dreaming. You guys want to share me... like a plaything?”

  “Not a plaything. We’ll take care of you with the utmost respect,” Ben was fast to answer. “And I’d rather call us a throuple, like from that Schitt’s Creek show we binge-watched for days.”

  “Yes,” Kyle agreed. “I couldn’t imagine my life without you and Ben in it.”

  “And I feel exactly the same,” Ben smiled, as he pulled Tessa into his lap and Kyle took her hand, giving her knuckles a gentle kiss. “Come on, say you will. Give us a chance to show you what you mean to us?”

  Two weeks later, the three wrote their wishes and dreams on beautifully coloured paper and attached them to balloons, Tessa’s idea, launching them into the night sky. The experience gave them all a divine sense of well-being, of hope, and unreserved commitment.

  While the fire roared brightly, the three sat together on one of the loungers, Tessa pressed into Ben’s chest and Kyle snuggled in Tessa’s arms. Kyle read aloud the last passage from The Great Gatsby, closed the book, and rested it in his lap.

  “What happens when all of this is over?” Tessa asked over an orchestra of crickets and the hum of music coming from inside the house.

  “Who cares, life couldn’t be better,” Kyle strapped Tessa’s arms tighter around his shoulders.

  “What do you think people will say about our living arrangement?” she posed.

  “Oh, they’ll have plenty to say,” Ben chuckled, wrapping a lock of Tessa’s hair around his fingers. “But
will we give a good-god-damn? I say to hell with the neighbours and anyone else who decides to make our lives any of their business. After all, love is love.”

  “Love is love, is love,” Tessa giggled. “I don’t care if we stay locked up here forever.”

  “Together forever,” Ben whispered in her ear.

  “Together forever,” she whispered into Kyle’s ear and he smiled up at the stars in the dark sky.

  “Amen,” he chuckled.

  Under the soft light of the moon, they sat utterly contented with not a worry about the outside world or the fact that it was in turmoil. Because their lives at that very moment in time had only changed for the better.

  About Jennifer Rose

  Jennifer Rose, author of The Pulse series, The Eternity series and more, in essence, eats, sleeps and breathes all things romance. Addicted to writing for the past 20+ years, it’s hard to find her doing much else at her home in Ontario, Canada. With a soft spot for Boston, Paris and cruising the Caribbean, she finds inspiration from each in her storytelling. She vows one day to climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower and share a kiss with a complete stranger, as well as spending a day in Boston Common in the springtime. Unashamedly, she enjoys the little things in life, like a glass of cheap wine and an assortment of fine chocolates…and of course, romance.

  http://jenniferrose62.wixsite.com/jenniferrose

  Love Beyond the Flames

  Tricia Daniels

  Calling Dr. Dimples...Emergency! — Love Beyond the Flames

  Love Beyond the Flames

  My eyes flutter open and slowly begin to focus on my surroundings. My hearing takes a lot longer to adjust to the commotion around me. Bright lights offend my sensitive vision, making things blur as I’m wheeled past. Tubes and wires sway around me while I’m escorted by emergency medical technicians and gowned nurses down a long cold hallway. These are familiar surroundings, but I don’t know why I’m here...on this side of the situation. I try to speak, but the ringing in my ears becomes deafening. A sudden state of panic kicks in and I start to struggle, prompting the male EMT to reach over and hold my hand. Feeling the coolness of his smooth, vinyl gloves, against my skin does nothing to calm my nerves.