Beneath the Palisade (30 page)

“I’m not smart enough to be a teacher. Anyway, I’d like to help if he’s in some kind of trouble. He seems like a good kid.” Maybe it was because they suspected Alex was one of their own that he felt a pang of responsibility. It surprised him.

“Alex is a blue ribbon kid, no question about that. He’s been working his tail off all summer long, saving for something big. Not sure what, he’s a touch on the quiet side. Anyway, I guess his father made off with all his savings. He’s been driving around the last two days with no sleep trying to find him. When he came in to work this morning, I took one look and made him come clean. I called the police.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Ian was practically out of his chair.

“Hard to believe, isn’t it? Who does that to their own kid? Dad’s a piece of work, let me tell you. If only his mother was still around. She’d’a never let a thing like this happen, that’s for sure. Coffee for you both?”

“Yes, please,” they answered in unison.

“Can you believe that shit? God, I feel terrible for the kid.” Ian looked over, incredulous.

“It’s a cruel world out there.” Harper knew as much from spending so much time in the legal profession. Just when you thought you’d seen it all, a new twist on ugly reared its head.

Audrey returned with their coffee. “I’ve got to find him a place to live. I’m afraid if his old man comes back with empty pockets, the kid is going to kill him. Knowing his dad like I do, I have a feeling we won’t see him around here until the money is all gone. That son of a bitch. Excuse my French. Do you know what you’d like?”

“Eggs Benedict for me. Ian?”

“Is it too early to get a cheeseburger?” Ian displayed a special look when he knew he was being troublesome. He wore almost the identical look when he was sitting on the toilet.

“Not at all, honey. You’re like me. I have to be in a special mood for eggs. A cheeseburger it is. You want bacon on that?”

“Great!” Ian’s face lit up. “Yes, please.”

“No fries this early. Are hashbrowns okay?”

“Please.” Ian waited for Audrey to walk away. “Harper, are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

“You mean am I as happy as you are you have a cheeseburger coming? Oh, I guess so. Hadn’t really thought about it that much. Why?”

“Ah, come on, you goofball. I’m talking about Alex.”

They were on the same wavelength, there was no doubt about it.
“Wait. I think something is beginning to surface….” A lot was beginning to surface. And at breakneck speed. “We hire Alex to caretake the cabins over the winter. As part of his salary, we let him stay in the office apartment. In the spring, or when we get the cabins up and running, he can decide if he wants to continue to work for us, or work here, or a combination of both, or something completely different. Is that what you were thinking?” Harper laughed, knowing he’d blasted the socks off Ian with his reply.

“I love you, but I also want to slap you. I want to slap you really hard.” Ian couldn’t help laughing.

“Why? It all came together for me in one complete burst. Sorry for living.”

“The Snyders aren’t expecting me at any particular time tomorrow. I told them I would call in the morning to set up a time for a walkthrough. Depending on what Alex has going on today, maybe we can make some of this happen before we leave.”

“I’m game. Let’s run it past Audrey when she comes back.” This wasn’t something he necessarily felt they needed, Audrey’s approval, but it couldn’t hurt.

“Top off your coffees?” Audrey stopped by with a steaming pot.

“We’ve got an idea we want to run past you.”

Ian did a solid job of explaining their need to have someone around the cabins this winter, and thought perhaps it might be the solution for finding a place for Alex to hang his hat. At least until he figured out something else.

“I don’t know where he’s going to come up with a better offer. I’ll stop by their booth and tell him you guys want to talk when he’s through giving the police the details.”

“Great. Audrey, is he supposed to be working right now? We thought if he was free, we could help him get situated before we head back to the Cities.” He hoped if Alex was on the schedule, Audrey would figure out a way to do without him.

“I got the bases covered. You guys are saints, I hope you know that. Be right back with your food.”

They’d almost finished eating when the two officers that were talking with Alex walked by. A few minutes later, Alex approached their table. “Audrey said you wanted to see me.”

“Have a seat.” Ian pulled out a chair.

Harper winked at Ian and took the lead. “Alex, I’m an attorney. When we came in this morning and saw you talking to the police, well, I thought if you were in any kind of trouble, maybe I could help you out. We asked Audrey if everything was okay. She kind of let us in on what happened between you and your father.”
I wonder if the kid resents what I’m saying.

Alex nodded.

“Ian and I had planned to spend the winter living in the apartment behind the office but, after thinking our plan through, decided it would probably be best for us to remain in the Cities. Anyway, because we’re not going to be around, we’re looking to hire a caretaker over the winter. We’d feel even better if the person we hired actually lived in the apartment. You know, to keep a better eye on the place. Would you be interested?”

Alex looked exhausted. He nodded several more times to show them he understood but was having a hard time looking them in the face. A few moments passed before he lifted his head, looked them both in the eye, and said, “Yes.”

“Really? That’s fantastic.” Ian sat up in his chair. “If you’re up to it, do you want to follow us back to the apartment? We can show you around. It’s yours starting today if you want.”

Harper reached over and squeezed the boy’s arm when his lower lip had began to tremble. “You’re doing
us
a huge favor.”

Alex wiped his face with his sleeve. “I’d like to stop at my house to pick up a few things.”

“Works for us.” It suddenly occurred to him that the kid might be walking into a dangerous situation. “We have to stop at Pamida. Would you like us to come with you? To help?”

“No, that’s okay.” Alex sat back in his chair. “He’s not going to be there.”

“Okay.” Ian removed the napkin from his lap and tossed it on his plate. “Take all the time you need. It’ll give us a chance to write down some instructions for you.” It was Ian’s turn to give the boy a pat. “Harp, you ready?”

“See you later, Alex.” The three of them stood and walked out of the café together.

“What do you think we should pay him?” Harper asked when they’d gotten into their car.

“Let’s ask Alex.”

“That’s a great idea.”

B
ACK
at the apartment, Ian hustled around gathering up their clothes and a few other personal items and began loading up the car. Harper, once he’d marked off the lot for the new house, looked through a stack of appliance manuals and reorganized them for Alex in case he ran into any trouble. He also included both his and Ian’s cell phone numbers. About an hour later, Alex drove up and parked.

“Alex is here,” Ian shouted from where he was loading the car.

Harper chuckled. The kid must have moved with lightning speed because his car was jam-packed. “Hey, let us give you a hand with this stuff.”

Together the three of them unloaded the car. After they’d finished, Ian suggested they sit around the table and talk.

“Alex, we have no idea what to pay you for caretaking the grounds this winter. Any ideas?” Ian looked over to Harper before adding, “Do you have an amount in mind?”

“I… I don’t. I was thinking I’d maybe have to pay you guys rent or something to live here.”

“Are you planning on working at the Lip Smacker through the winter months?” Harper was curious if Alex had had any kind of plans made before the shit hit the fan with his dad.

“If Audrey does the same thing this year, she’ll only open for breakfast and lunch. I’m sure she’ll have shifts for me. Yeah, I’ll work there, I think.”

“How about a thousand bucks.” Harper thought it sounded fair.

“For the whole winter?” Ian appeared shocked.

“Sorry, no. A thousand bucks per month, and we won’t need anything for rent. It’s comforting to know you’re here looking after everything.” Harper could tell by the expression on Alex’s face he’d happened upon an acceptable wage.

“Wow! Sure! I mean, are you sure?”

“We’re sure.” Ian chuckled. “Harper, you know what we forgot about?”

“What’s that?”

“We have that satellite dish scheduled to be installed.”

“We do? Oh yeah, that. Alex, are you okay with satellite television? That’s what we had planned on putting in if we were going to stay the winter.”

“Oh heck yeah, that sounds great!” Alex launched his first big smile of the morning. “You guys tell me where you want it installed and I’ll make sure it happens.”

“Great. We left a flatscreen television in the bedroom. Move it wherever you want. Ian, did you decide where you wanted the satellite placed?”

“Place it in the spot that provides the best reception. If it doesn’t matter, tuck it in back somewhere so it’s out of our guests’ view.”

“Sure. I’ll try to have it installed somewhere out of sight.” Alex began tapping his finger on the table.

“Let’s see, I’m trying to think if there’s anything else we should cover.” Ian looked over to Harper.

Something was up with Alex. He’d begun to fidget in his chair. “Alex, is there anything you want us to go over before we leave?” Harper asked.

“You guys”—Alex looked across the table—“I’m gay too.”

“Go on!” Ian did a really shitty job of feigning surprise. Shocked and amused in equal amounts, Harper burst into laughter.

“Ian! Behave yourself. Don’t mind him, Alex. He’s impossible.”

“At first”—Alex giggled—“I thought you guys were straight.”

“Go on!” Ian went for round two. “What changed your mind?”

“You called Harper Binky or some shit like that. And your bracelet.” Alex pointed to Ian’s bracelet.

“It takes a real man to wear a bracelet.” Ian smiled and scooted back over to his own spot at the table.

Excusing himself, Harper went into the bathroom. Opening his wallet, he counted out a hundred dollars.
The kid’s going to need grocery money.
Flushing the toilet, he walked back out and placed the money down in front of Alex. “Here’s an advance on your first month. I’ll mail you a check when we get home tonight. You should have it in the next day or so. You’ll need some grocery money, right?”

“This morning I wanted to kill myself. Things are looking up.” Alex was showing signs he might just make it through this horrible incident without it causing any more damage to his self-esteem than it already had.

“Hey, Alex, I was joking with you before.” Ian moved his chair back to its original spot. “Can I ask you something personal?”

The young man didn’t hesitate. “Sure.”

“Are you out? Do others know you’re gay?”

“Just my best friend, Colin. He’s the only one I’ve told so far.”

“Well, take it nice and slow. Next spring we’ll be around to offer our support. Hey, what’s your last name? I’ll need it when I write the check.”
Paulson, Emerson, Henderson, something with a son on the end.

“Stevens.”

“Stevens, got it. I’ll send the check to the Lip Smacker until we figure out the mail thing here. Hey, would you mind checking into that for us?” Harper stood up and stretched.

“You drivin’, Binky, or am I?” Ian winked at Alex.

“Stop with the Binky already. I’ll drive. I don’t have to work tomorrow, and you do. Call us if you need anything. There’s an extra set of keys on the dresser in the bedroom for the office, and in the top right-hand drawer of the counter out front, you’ll find keys to all of the cabins. We’ll be back in probably a week or so to check in. Not sure how it’s all going to work out yet, but I think we’re going to be putting up some kind of house back in the woods. Any questions?” Harper shared a glance with Ian to make sure he hadn’t forgotten anything.

“I really appreciate this. You guys can count on me.” Alex stood and offered his hand.

“I know we can.” Harper and Ian both shook it enthusiastically. “Remember,” Ian said as they walked to the door, “call us anytime.”

Chapter 10

“I
T
SMELLS
so…
new
.”

“Excuse me?” Harper reached down and pulled Ian’s head up from under the covers where he’d been teasing and coaxing, licking and sucking him into another spirited round of butt bumping.

Ian laughed. “I thought about this when we went to bed last night, but I forgot to mention it before I fell asleep. The house, it smells so new. Like a car. It’s really beautiful, isn’t it?”

“It’s exactly what I’d hoped for. And having you here, next to me in bed, complimenting me on how fresh and new my dick smells, is one added plus I could have never imagined.” He leaned over and kissed his partner’s forehead.

“Actually”—Ian propped himself onto his elbow—“what I smell is bacon.”

“Yeah, so do I, come to think of it.”