May in December (10 page)

* * * *

The next few days were hectic at work. Though there was at least eighteen inches of snow on top of a compacted base, Bruce and the grounds guys were running the snow machines twenty-four hours a day so they would have a smooth start to the opening of their ski season.

The overtime was great, but in light of starting a relationship, Bruce felt a little lost not spending time with his young companion. It also seemed the last few days Jorry was more moody than usual, so Bruce decided to surprise him by taking him ice skating.

“Ice skating? For real?” Jorry squealed and then looked dubious. “You’re gonna skate too, right?”

Bruce laughed, opening the door to the truck. “Yes, me too. Though it’s been a while, so no teasing.”

Jorry grinned. “Okay. Not much anyway.”

They arrived at the outdoor ice rink. It was colorfully crowded with all sorts of people. Bruce and Jorry found a bench and removed their boots.

“I remember Robert and me taking you guys out here to skate for years.”

“Yeah. I have a lot of nice memories about those days.” Jorry smiled. “But who knew one day I’d grow up and be with the father of my best friends.”

Bruce paused between removing his boots. “Does it bother you? I mean, the age difference?”

Jorry seemed stunned. “I prefer older men. I guess it stems from the fact that I have daddy issues. Why? Does it bother you that I’m the same age as your children?”

“I believe age is all in the mind. That’s the way it was with Robert and me. We met when I was twenty-four years old and he was over forty.”

“And look how well that turned out.” Jorry slipped on his skates.

Things had been great with Robert. Bruce tried to think if there had been a problem with their age difference. No, Robert’s concern had been being with a man who had custody of two small children. But it had all worked out. Now, if Bruce’s concern about his adult children accepting the fact that he was involved with their friend would dissolve, he wouldn’t have any problems. Although Kelley and Kerri knew Jorry was living with him, they did not know how deep the relationship was traveling. Yet.

“It’s a good thing you didn’t throw out Kelley and Kerri’s skates,” Jorry said as he finished lacing them up. “Hey, they fit.”

Bruce admired Jorry’s white skates with red and green pompoms on the laces. “I think they look better on you than they did Kerri.”

“Don’t tell her. I don’t want to be in trouble.”

They made their way into the skating rink with a small amount of effort. Out on the ice, they wobbled, they fell, and they got back up laughing and joking. Soon, they skated and twirled without a care in the world.

After an hour, they left the ice rink red-cheeked, their laughter echoing in the chilly winter air. On the way home, they stopped and purchased some hot cocoa and decided to drive to a local neighborhood that decorated their homes and yards with as many Christmas lights and statues as they could.

A small crowd of people toured the sidewalks with them, all gawking at the gaudy and cramped displays of many holiday traditions. Before long, it got too chilly out to enjoy the spectacle, and they made their way back to the truck.

“Man.” Bruce shook his head with disbelief. “That neighborhood alone must draw enough electricity to power a small country.”

Jorry climbed back into the truck. “I bet aliens can see this baby from outer space.”

“What was your favorite?” Bruce started up the truck and headed toward the highway.

“The house that wired its lights and decorations to go off and on to the tune of one of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra holiday songs. What was yours?”

“The one house that had the Santa mooning everyone from the chimney.”

Weeou weeou weeou.

In the rearview mirror, bright red flashing lights reflected off Bruce’s face. He immediately pulled his truck over to the shoulder of the road as three fire engines roared by. “Must be a big fire somewhere. They got the three big boys out.”

Jorry agreed. “I hope everyone is all right. It’s gotta suck to have a house fire during Christmastime.”

“Probably bad lights on the tree.” Bruce drove on the highway. “Or maybe somebody’s wood stove became a bit too hot.”

They traveled some distance behind the flashing lights before the fire trucks turned left off the highway. Jorry sat a little straighter in his seat, his hand on Bruce’s knee. They came up to the spot where the fire trucks had turned.

“Oh my gods,” Jorry muttered.

Billows of foul smelling black smoke pierced the night, followed by flames that seemed to reach the stars.

“Bruce, pull in.”

“What?”

“Do what I say.”

Confused, Bruce did as he was told. “Okay, but why?”

“These are the apartments Tabitha lives in.” Jorry tore off his seat belt and opened the door. “Oh no! The fire’s at her home.”

Chapter Nine

Jorry didn’t wait for Bruce to pull to a stop. He tore off his seat belt, shoved his door open, and jumped from the moving vehicle. Immediately, he was overwhelmed with black, nauseating smoke. The orange and yellow flames licked at the darkened sky with forked tongues; the heat from the fire seemed to scorch his clothing.

“Sir.” A burly man in complete firefighting gear stepped forward. “You can’t go past the trucks.”

Bruce caught up with Jorry, a little winded from running after him. “Come on. Listen to the man.”

Jorry’s eyes watered from the smoke. “But I know the people in apartment twelve-A. I have to make sure they’re okay.”

“Jorry?”

At the sound of his name, Jorry twisted around, searching the crowd. He found Tabitha in her fuzzy bathrobe and slippers. He ran to her and threw his arms around her in a bear hug. “My gods, are you all right?”

Tabitha managed to pull away and nodded. “We’re fine. The firemen evacuated complex A in case the fire spread, and it did. Apartments nine and ten caught on fire. It’s contained now.”

“Wait. Where are the kids?

“At a neighbor’s house in complex C.” Tabitha pointed across the way. “They’re watching through the front window. In apartment three.” She waved, and four little children waved back. “They’re not scared. They think it’s cool. God, kids nowadays.”

A police officer barreled over. “Please step back from the— Oh, it’s you, Bruce.” Jorry recognized Lieutenant Milton. “What brings you here?“

“We thought my best friend’s apartment was on fire.” Jorry gave Tabitha a little squeeze of reassurance.

“Hey, Milt. Do you know what caused the fire to start?” Bruce asked.

“A car caught on fire.”

Tabitha placed her head on Jorry’s shoulder. “At first I freaked, because I thought it was your car. But you are standing here, so now I’m okay.”

Bruce and Jorry stared at the flames. Sure enough, there were the remains of a burned car parked directly outside of Tabitha’s apartment complex.

Jorry discreetly wiped tears from his eyes as he watched what was left of the automobile burn. “Bruce, that
is
my car.”

Milton perked up. “You for sure?”

“Yeah. The license plate hasn’t melted yet.”

Tabitha lifted her head off Jorry’s shoulder. “Oh, honey. All your stuff was in there. Your grandmother’s ashes and your photos…”

Lieutenant Milton tugged down his jacket zipper, reached inside to his inner pocket, and brought out a tablet on which to start pecking out information. “You say this is your car?”

“Yes. I’m Jorry Nelson, and the car was a 1978 Chrysler Cordoba. I reported it stolen two weeks ago.”

Milton entered the comment and placed the tablet back inside his jacket. “You need to go down to the station and fill out some paperwork. Bring your ID.” He walked back toward the fire.

“Are you okay?” Bruce asked Jorry, squeezing his shoulder.

“Just give me a moment,” Jorry said.

“Okay. I’m gonna talk to Milton and see if I can get anything more out of him.” Bruce paused and kissed Jorry on his forehead. “Don’t hesitate to talk to me. I’m here for you.” Bruce followed after Milton.

Jorry crushed his eyes shut to squelch the screaming in his heart.
This can’t be happening. Fuck the car and the things in it. This is a clear warning from that dick Pickworth. Don’t screw with me, or the people you love will get hurt. Shit. I’m so out of my league here. What am I gonna do?

Jorry opened his eyes to see Tabitha watching Bruce’s departing figure. “That’s Bruce, I take it.”

“What?” The question drew Jorry back from deep thought. “Oh, yes. I didn’t mean to be rude and not introduce him to you. I was worried the fire was your apartment.”

Tabitha smiled. “That’s okay. He’s rather handsome, with the beard, isn’t he?”

Before Jorry had a chance to answer, Bruce came back. “Jim said the car is way too hot to know if there was anything on or in it.”

Bruce, Jorry, and Tabitha watched in silence as the firemen did their best to contain the blaze.

“I feel bad for those in apartments nine and ten,” Tabitha said, tearing up. “Everything they had was lost. What a bad Christmas they will have.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Bruce slipped his arm around Jorry’s shoulder and pulled him tight to his side. “If I know our boss lady, once Jorry and I tell her what happened, she will be on it, making sure they are taken care of and have the best Christmas ever.”

“This is my fault,” Jorry said under his breath. “All my fault.”

“No, it’s not.” Bruce tugged Jorry around so he was looking directly in Bruce’s eyes. “You had no control over the idiots who stole your car and set it on fire in this place. Now I don’t want to hear you talk like that again.”

Jorry forced a shaky smile to cover his guilt.
But you don’t understand. I could have prevented everything if I’d only given in to what Pickworth demanded. I mean, it’s not like I haven’t in the past. It’s just this time…this time I wanted things to be different.

* * * *

Once again, Bruce felt Jorry’s distance but couldn’t understand where it was coming from. Their relationship seemed flawless. Well, not textbook perfect, but good enough for them. Their age difference was not an issue, and they filled a need where the other was lacking.

But for some reason Bruce couldn’t put his finger on, Jorry seemed preoccupied, and that was what was causing the distance.

Could he be having second thoughts about getting involved with me? Naw, it doesn’t ring true in my heart. Hmmm. It could be the new job. It could be losing his car and all his possessions. It could be having a new home or even the pressures of a new relationship. Lord, any one of those things is a major change. Maybe I’ve been too wrapped up in the move and my own duties at work. I’m a little rusty at relationships; perhaps I’m not being attentive enough.

Bruce decided to make it a special night and surprise Jorry by going Christmas tree shopping.

Bruce and Jorry worked the same days and the same hours, so they rode in to work together. When four p.m. rolled around, it was already getting dark outside. Normally chatty, Jorry quietly climbed into the truck and wrapped the seat belt around him.

“Jor,” Bruce started. “Is there something bothering you?”

Jorry stared at Bruce. “Why?”

“Just wondering. You seem like a man with a lot on his mind.” Bruce watched Jorry try to suppress a sad smile.

“I’m tired. Holidays aren’t always the best for me.”

“Oh, if that’s the case, I’ll have to make sure you have the best one ever. After all, I have it on the strictest authority you have been awfully good this year.”

Jorry pulled his coat a little tighter and tilted his head down. “If only it were true.”

The tone in Jorry’s voice almost broke Bruce’s heart.

“Let’s get going.” Bruce started up the truck, and at the end of the winding road leading into the resort, instead of turning left to go home, he turned right. Jorry noticed the change and sat straighter in his seat.

“Where’re we going?”

“You’ll see,” Bruce said with a wink.

It took about ten minutes to make it across town, where Bruce pulled into a snow-muddy, crowded Christmas tree lot filled with temporary pole lights decorated with tree bulbs and evergreen wreaths. Bruce parked the truck, and both men climbed out, the smell of fresh-cut pine trees overwhelming.

An older woman came out of a rusty camper, holding a steaming cup of coffee and offering her hand in greeting. “I’m Karen, owner of Karen’s Khristmas Trees. If you can’t find a tree you want, I’ll give you one free.”

Jorry snorted. “That sounds like a deal, but don’t people try to rip you off?”

Karen shook her head. “Me and my late husband have been in the business, me for over forty years. I find if I’m honest about my trees, I don’t run into trouble. Same goes for life. Honesty attracts honesty.”

Again, Bruce picked up on Jorry pulling in on himself. He was definitely hiding something, but what?

“You do have some beautiful trees here,” Bruce said, studying the lot, pleased. “The word of mouth I’ve heard does not give you justice.”

The old lady laughed. “As long as the word was good, I’m blessed. Would you like some coffee while you’re wandering around?”

Both men declined, and Karen left them to cater to other customers.

Row by row, tree by tree, Bruce and Jorry walked side by side, occasionally brushing their fingers together or bumping shoulders on purpose.

“You pick out the tree, Jorry.”

The trees were spectacular in fragrance, size, and color, and Jorry seemed dumbfounded. “I have no idea how to pick out a tree. I never had one growing up.”

“Never? Well, let’s get away from the crowd, and I’ll give you a little Christmas tree 101.” They walked to the back of the lot. “Trees in the front of the parking lot tend to be overpicked. When you spot a contestant, check out the needles.” Bruce snatched ahold of a branch six inches from the tip and pulled his hand forward, allowing the branch to slip through his fingers. “They should be resilient, not fall off in your hand, and not brittle. Also…” Bruce bumped the base end of a tree lightly against the ground. “If only a few needles drop off, the tree is fresh.”

Whatever problems Jorry had been mulling around in his mind seemed to diminish as he strove to pick out the perfect Christmas tree. Bruce enjoyed watching Jorry go through the paces, to smile with approval or frown with disappointment. In the end, he chose a beautiful five-foot blue spruce with its root ball intact.