Chapter Eighteen #2
Over the next half hour, they explored the building.
Bouncing from one exhibit to the next, Arthur could scarcely recall the specifics from parts they had only seen a moment prior.
Only the overall impression of the myriad of motorcars and streetcars and trains seemed to stick in his mind.
Still, Arthur loved it. Best of all, he could tell by Jesse’s small smile and intermittently positive comments that he was loving it too.
Admiring the exhibit of horse-drawn vehicles, Arthur clasped his hands together and then motioned for Jesse to join him. Arthur pointed to a long, rectangular carriage box.
“It’s a hearse carriage!” Arthur exclaimed. “It’s so spectacular here, isn’t it? What a thing of wonder to be able to see how many ways humanity has created to move ourselves from place to place, whether over the water or on land. Even transporting corpses!”
Jesse shook his head and laughed. Arthur’s heart stuttered, the warmth in Jesse’s laughter making his chest tingle.
He wished that he could kiss Jesse right then and there.
Instead, Arthur sidestepped toward him and intentionally brushed the backs of his fingers against Jesse’s hand.
Despite its brevity, the touch sent a wave of electricity shooting through Arthur’s veins.
Jesse’s face reddened. He must have felt the little lightning bolt of love as well.
“Are you having fun?” Arthur asked.
“I am,” Jesse replied. “I couldn’t not have fun with you.”
Arthur smiled warmly, and the two stared at each other for a while, the cacophony of conversation around them only registering as a murmur in Arthur’s ears.
Finally, Arthur said, “Shall we continue to explore the fairgrounds?”
“Have you had your fill of locomotives?” Jesse asked, a playful lilt in his voice.
“For now,” Arthur said with a nod. They started back toward the exit. “I hope we can come back here sometime before the fair closes, though. I’ve always been fascinated by trains and things. Ever since I was a boy.”
“We’ll come back,” Jesse confirmed. “Isn’t the fair open until October?”
“Thankfully. Goodness, I hope we can see everything by then.”
“I’m sure we’ll manage, especially since you’ll force me to come here whenever I have a break from work.”
“I’d love it if you had even more breaks from the shop, though. Perhaps I’ll talk to Mr. Stevenson soon. Have you reassigned to a special project. You’ll have to work a lot less, I’m afraid.”
Jesse and Arthur both shielded their eyes from the sun as they stepped back outside.
“I’m paid by the hour,” Jesse said. “I need money to live. You know, for rent and food.”
“Nonsense,” Arthur said. “We’ll live here. I’m sure we could hide in one of the train cars every night before they close.”
“And what will we eat?” Jesse asked.
Looking around for inspiration, Arthur spotted a glass filled with an orange-colored liquid, and his chest swelled with excitement.
“Well, I’m not sure what we’ll eat, but I know we have to try whatever that concoction is!”
Before Jesse could even reply, Arthur started toward the man holding it so that he could inquire from where the man had purchased it. He learned that they were selling the beverage nearby.
Hurrying back over to Jesse, Arthur exclaimed, “We’re off to the Illinois Building!”
“Oh, yes, that’ll be exciting,” Jesse replied sarcastically. He pursed his lips in an overly exaggerated manner and began to stroke his chin, clearly trying to make it look as though he was seriously pondering something. “Remind me, what state are we in again?”
Arthur smacked his arm. “I’m sure the fair’s organizers have ensured that our state’s building and its contents are thrilling enough.
Besides, we’re not going there for educational purposes.
Apparently, they’re selling something called orange cider.
People are calling it—and I’m not even exaggerating, I swear to you—the ‘drink of the gods.’”
“Wow, with such a ludicrously inflated name, I’m sure it won’t be disappointing at all.”
“Stop being such a killjoy,” Arthur scolded before taking hold of Jesse’s sleeve. “Let’s go. I’m thirsty. And I’ll perish from dehydration if they run out before we can buy some.”
Exhaling a very fake sigh, Jesse followed, though Arthur noticed that the man couldn’t contain his burgeoning smile completely.
Weaving their way through the crowd, Jesse and Arthur passed several other buildings plus the Lagoon while they hurried to procure the supposedly incredible beverage.
When they finally reached the Illinois Building, there was a huge crowd of fairgoers congregating out front, which made them pause.
Arthur wondered if maybe it would be best if he purchased the drinks by himself so that only one of them would need to fight through the crowd.
“Wait here,” he said. “I’ll push my way through and buy one cider for each of us.”
Making his way to the Illinois Building, Arthur blurted out what had to have been more than twenty apologies as he shoved past groups of fairgoers.
Luckily, the booth that was selling the drinks was right inside.
Arthur didn’t bother to take in the look of the place, lest he become distracted.
Instead, he purchased two ciders as quickly as possible and then left to find Jesse.
Outside, Jesse was waiting by the edge of the Lagoon, a bag of popcorn in each hand. Arthur held up the beverages with a look of what he hoped Jesse would read as exaggerated triumph.
“Popcorn?!” Arthur said when he reached Jesse. “Perfect!”
“It’s not exactly popcorn. It’s covered in sugar or something.” Jesse tilted one of the bags forward slightly. “See?”
“Looks exciting.”
“Popcorn cannot be exciting,” Jesse countered playfully. “Even when it’s slathered in syrup.”
Arthur smirked. “We shall see.”
Jesse nodded toward one of the benches. “Should we sit?”
“Let’s,” Arthur confirmed.
They sat facing the Lagoon. Jesse placed the bags of popcorn between them, and Arthur handed Jesse his cup. Before taking a sip, Arthur looked over at the water and smiled, admiring the way the sunlight sparkled on the surface. It was so perfectly magical here.
Arthur was still lost in a trance as he brought the beverage to his lips, but once the orange liquid sloshed over his tongue, it catapulted him back to the present. Sweet and smooth, the cider really was one of the most incredible things that he had ever tasted.
“Oh, my Lord!” Arthur exclaimed. “Jesse, this is sinful. It’s too good to be sold.”
Jesse snorted a laugh. “You’re way too excited. There’s no way it’s that good.”
Jesse sniffed the liquid in his glass. Arthur pursed his lips, waiting with bated breath. Oh, there was no way Jesse wouldn’t like it! He could hardly wait to see his lover’s reaction.
Jesse took a sip. His eyes flew wide.
“Holy hell,” he spluttered. “Dammit, Arthur, I hate it that you were right.”
Arthur bellowed a laugh. “Oh, God, you are adorable.”
Color rushed to Jesse’s cheeks. Arthur would never tire of seeing it.
Next, both of them grabbed handfuls of popcorn. Arthur shoved a few pieces into his mouth and hummed, the caramel-like sweetness a symphony on his tongue.
“Incredible,” he said through the half-chewed food. “Absolutely incredible.”
Jesse nodded enthusiastically. “It’s really not bad,” he said.
“What do they call them? Sugar balls?”
“Cracker Jacks. At least, that’s what the man selling them said.”
“Well, whatever they are, they’re wonderful, and I will be buying them at least ten more times before the fair’s end.”
Over the next fifteen or so minutes, the two munched on the sweet popcorn and nursed their strangely fantastic beverages. Staring out at the water, Arthur heaved a contented sigh.
Everything was perfect.
Or, nearly.
Draining the last bit of liquid from his glass, Arthur’s thoughts began to wander. Experiencing the fair’s splendor had been wonderful so far. Truly.
But Arthur still found himself wishing that he could have been part of it. He had come so very close to being intertwined with its greatness.
Jesse touched Arthur’s foot with his own.
“What’s wrong?” Jesse asked.
“Sorry,” Arthur said with a shake of his head. “Just thinking.”
“About what?”
He could only shrug. How pathetic the reason for his sudden melancholy would seem. Arthur couldn’t bring himself to be honest right now.
“Nothing important. Family things.” He forced a smile. “I’m so happy to be here with you, Jesse. It truly is every bit as magical as I had hoped.” Arthur lifted his hand and set it on Jesse’s thigh for a moment. He patted it twice before removing it. “Thank you for coming with me.”
“Of course, Arthur. We can come back as often as you’d like.”
Arthur’s false smile turned genuine. How lucky he was to share this with a man as wonderful as Jesse.
Despite how irritating it might eventually be to possibly receive commentary from his neighbors, Arthur realized, then, that he ought to invite Jesse back to his home and share the rest of his life with him, too.
“Mr. O’Connor,” he began, “would you like to come over to my home for a meal sometime soon? Don’t think I’ve forgotten that I still have to properly introduce you to the rest of my staff.”
“You’re . . . ready for that?” Jesse asked.
Arthur nodded. “Absolutely.”
Immediately, Jesse’s face brightened. “Yes, Arthur. I’d love that.”
“Perfect,” Arthur said, beaming right back at his companion. “I’ll love it, too. I can’t wait to spend some time with you in my home.”
He reached for his handkerchief to wipe off some of the popcorn sugar that had melted onto his fingers, and the most sordid memory popped into his mind. Oh, he just had to tease Jesse about it a little.
Arthur cleared his throat and fought to keep a straight face. “You know, I can lend you some books from my library while you’re visiting as well, if that would be of interest to you. I have so many of them. On all sorts of subjects. And we had so much fun together the last time we were there.”
Jesse crooked an eyebrow.
Arthur leaned in close. He moved the handkerchief into Jesse’s line of sight and then, while making his eyebrows wiggle, moved the cloth back and forth.
“Good boy,” he said.
Immediately, Jesse’s eyes flew wide, and he kicked Arthur’s shin. Arthur burst out laughing. God, was Jesse ever fun!
Perhaps Arthur would never win his parents’ respect and love. Perhaps he’d never be more than the wayward son of Chicago’s most respected industrialist, either. But perhaps those things might not be so terrible. Not as long as he had Jesse by his side.