Chapter 35 #2
Stepping into the dark area, Stewie turned on the light and produced an apartment that I never knew existed.
The area was split into two. We were standing in the open living space with a kitchen along the left wall and room enough for a dining set and sitting area for a couch and side tables.
The back must be the bedroom through one of the doors that was visible with an ensuite bathroom.
In awe, I stumbled over my words, “What– How– Where?” I shook my head out, hoping to scatter and jumble a real sentence together.
Stewie looked smug, the bastard, but answered what I couldn’t seem to ask, “It’s the Owner’s Apartment.
The downstairs one didn’t exist. I had it constructed because I wanted to be closer to the desk, so this has been empty since I opened.
I almost had the back walls broken down to connect it to the hotel during construction, but something told me then I may need this later. ”
We looked around at the clean room, not one speck of dust or dirt to be seen. It had a mixed smell of cleaning solutions and fresh paint from the walls. “I had a feeling you both were going to need to go somewhere and fast, so I gathered the boys. We knocked this out in two days, just in case.”
“Are you serious, Stewie?” Tears were welling up again, not believing what was happening.
“I can’t–,” I closed my eyes, feeling my tears break from their dam and trail my cheeks like small rivers, taking in a deep breath of air.
The weight that had been pressing down on me, lifted, letting me breathe fully for the first time in a week. “Why?”
I admit, that was a stupid question the moment it came out, but Stewie answered anyway, walking up to me, wiping my face with his thumbs, “Because you are family, and we take care of our own.” He nodded, then looked around, “It’s yours for however long you want it. We will work something out later.”
And just like that, we had a place to live and call home.
Over a place full of rainbows.
Where hearts through time have come to find a place for family, peace, and love.
Charlie crumbled into my arms when I told him the news when I got home. He was already worked up from the day he had from going through his father’s things and packing. I think this just pushed him over the edge, but in a good way.
In relief.
We get to leave as soon as we want to.
David interrupted with his signature BANG BANG BANG, like he knew I just got home. I hadn’t locked the door and Charlie was in my arms so I hollered, “It’s open!”
He pranced in, like he just had the best day. I don’t know why, he’s been working in a place that could fall on his head in a moment's time. But when he saw us, he screeched to a stop, “Whoa, what’s wrong Mighty Mouse?”
I rolled my eyes.
His little names for Charlie were ridiculous.
“We’re fine,” as I held him and swayed us side to side. “It’s just been a hard day with packing Mike’s things up and I umm,” I bit my lip. Oh God, I didn’t even think about breaking the news to my best friend that I was leaving him on top of this mountain.
Shit.
“What, Jim? Did something else happen? Did someone bother you both?” His eyes narrowed, mixed with worry and threats, ready to strike anyone down for us.
We’ve all been worried about the talk around town about us because of Richard and Karen shooting their mouths off, but more so now because of how visually close we have been seen during the rescue and funeral, even if we tried to hide it.
More reason to leave as soon as possible.
“No,” I shook my head. “Nothing like that. We, ahh…,”
God, this was hard.
“Just spit it out, Jim,” David said, losing his patience.
“We found a new place to live,” holding my breath, waiting for a loud and negative reaction. And they say ripping off the band-aid was supposed to be relieving. David’s eyes widened in surprise. Then I added, “In the city.”
His mouth dropped, making him look like a marionette doll with its jaw broken.
Charlie had been face-first in my chest, but shifted to look at David, head laying in the crevice of my neck.
At the sight of Charlie’s face, David snapped out of it, “Holy shit, that was fast! Didn’t you just start looking today? ”
I nodded. I told him the circumstances and where it was. He was happy for us, but I could tell he was sad too. Then he shocked me by asking, “Would I be welcome? You know? Down there?” He looked concerned, which confused me.
“Why would you ask that? You are my best friend. Of course you are welcome to come visit. Who is going to bang on our door and drink all our coffee if you don’t?” Charlie giggled against my chest, which gave me life.
I needed him happy again.
To smile again.
I know it would take time, but I’d take any little thing at that point.
“No, Jim,” he shook his head, and avoided eye contact.
“Not there. I assumed I’d be welcome at your new place.
Which I know is rude, but…,” he shrugged his shoulders.
“I meant where you and Charlie are allowed to hang out and where Charlie is going to be working? I overheard you talking to that pretty-looking man at the tavern after the service.” He had an apologetic and guilty look on his face, like a child being caught snooping.
Charlie disconnected from me and went and hugged David, who wrapped his arms around my man without a second thought or fear.
After a moment, Charlie pulled back, kissed David on the cheek and said, “You are always welcome wherever we are, David.” Then smiled and shot off, “Except in our bedroom,” before coming back to me, leaving David laughing hysterically with his hand pressed where Charlie kissed him, and me in awe that the joke even came out of Charlie’s mouth.
After the moment calmed, I added for confirmation what the reality of the environment was and what he might see and who he may meet, which he just brushed off.
“Please. I see you both practically canoddling with each other every day. I don’t think anything would phase me.
Hell, Charlie just kissed me on the cheek, but if he had gone for my lips, I wouldn’t care. ”
“What if other men approached you for your juice?” I raised my brow in question. David was a very good-looking man that was built like a marble wall, with a big dick that’s hard to hide in any pair of pants he wears.
It’s going to happen.
David tiled his head in thought for all of a second before saying, “No. I’d be fine.
So, I get attention. Oh no,” throwing his hands up, clear sarcasm in his tone, “I have to bat men away from me that keep giving me compliments and want to take me home! How am I to handle it?” He placed the back of his hand on his forehead like he was about to swoon dramatically.
I rolled my eyes. Typical David. But I also smiled. His support and comfortability were refreshing.
“How about we go get drinks to celebrate?” David smiled with all teeth. “It’s been a while and I know ‘celebrate’ is probably the wrong word in this case, but any good thing right now should be acknowledged, yeah?”
“Um,” Charlie mumbled into my chest. “I’m not much in the mood to go out, but you both should.” He rubbed my back up and down in confirmation, his eyes were a little sullen, but the blue was starting to brighten back up to its normal shade.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to leave you if you still aren’t up for socializing. I’d feel like I was neglecting you and your feelings.” I didn’t like this idea at all. My gut wanted me to stay close to my honey.
Charlie shook his head side to side, “No, you should go. You deserve to be with your best friend. You need time to unwind too. You’ve been so busy taking care of me, you need to do something for you.
” He nodded his head like that was final.
I sucked my lips in, peeking at David watching us having this conversation, when Charlie spoke again, “I promise. I’ll be fine.
I’m just going to crawl into bed, maybe with a book.
That’s where you’ll find me when you come home.
” He leaned up on his toes and kissed me softly, making the decision final for me.
But my gut was rolling with discomfort.
Drinks were fine. David was as lively as ever. We ran into Will and John, who were off at the far end of the bar by themselves. David still didn’t know about them, so I waited for them to make their way to us, not wanting to be obvious. They have the right to know who knows about them.
I updated them on what was happening with Charlie and I, where we planned on landing. We also talked about town gossip, who was struggling after everything and people coming together to help.
Karen and Patricia being cast out of all social circles, and Karen having moved in with Patricia until she could land on her feet. There was even an investigation open on them to see if they knew about what had been planned or if they had helped.
The topic of me working at a library was brought up, which apparently is all over town and people were confused. Let them be. Not like I’m going to be around much longer anyway.
Will filled us in on what the city was doing with the site of the mine now that it was closing up.
Before any of this had happened, the mayor’s office and the Pittsburgh Coal Company were in negotiations to close-up shop and for the city to purchase the land.
The company had been hurting and going under anyway, so staying open wasn’t even feasible in the long run for them, especially the more we dug, the more unstable the site would have become.