Chapter Three #2
David had gone this far, there seemed little point in holding back. “Because you are like a puzzle, and you are driving me crazy.”
Jason lifted his eyebrows. “I’m like a what?”
“A puzzle.” David shrugged. “You give away so little, just these tiny bits of information. And all it makes me want to do is ask more questions.”
Jason gazed into his beer once more. “I don’t mean it that way. I mean, I’m not being deliberately obstructive. It’s just that I find it difficult to share certain things about myself.”
“So… how about it?” David held his breath. He couldn’t deny Jason’s response had kindled a little hope within him. Go on, say yes. Please.
Jason took a long drink of beer, and all the while David’s heartbeat raced. He had no idea why this was so important to him. He only knew it was.
“Okay.” Jason put down his glass. “You bring the food and I’ll cook it. But you’ll have to turn up first thing in the morning if I’m going to cook a turkey.”
David laughed. “I am not bringing a whole turkey, not when there’s only going to be two of us.”
Jason smiled at that. “Good man. Besides, we’d be living on leftover turkey for weeks afterward.
” He pursed his lips. “I tell you what. I’ll go online and find some nice Thanksgiving meals for two, and then I’ll text you a shopping list. But you still need to come early.
We’re talking a lot of preparation.” He grinned.
“If you’re there by nine, we can watch the parade.
” When David grimaced, he laughed. “Yeah, silly me. I was forgetting your whole ‘mind over mattress’ struggles. How about I record it and we can watch it later while we eat?”
“That sounds great.” Inside David was bubbling. What is it about you that has me all wound up inside? He literally had no clue. He knew it was more than the sum of Jason’s looks and quiet manner, his sense of humor and his genuine kindness.
Maybe things will become clearer when we spend some time together. All he knew so far was that Jason had been married and that he had a son. Maybe he’ll open up over a turkey dinner and a few glasses of good, red wine.
David couldn’t wait.
* * * * * *
“Can I do anything to help?”
Jason looked over his shoulder at him. “Nope, but you could pour me a glass of wine. I think I’ve earned it.” He went back to stirring the mushroom gravy on the stove.
David was inclined to agree. The air was filled with mouthwatering aromas and the kitchen table was already full with all the food Jason had prepared. “This is for two?” he exclaimed.
Jason chuckled. “It looks like a lot, but really, it isn’t. There’s only herb-roasted turkey breast and stuffing, with sweet potato casserole, corn, cranberry apple relish, and warm brussel sprouts salad. And there had to be pumpkin pie. I’m sorry, but some things are just compulsory.”
David sniffed the air. The turkey smelled heavenly.
Jason let out another chuckle. “Yeah, it does smell great, doesn’t it?
I like that the turkey breast roasts right on top of the stuffing until the bread turns crisp and brown.
All those delicious juices go right back on the stuffing and while the meat rests, I just reheat the stuffing until it’s hot and crisp.
And a breast will be enough to leave us with leftovers for those all important turkey and stuffing sandwiches when we get the munchies later. ”
David snorted. “You’re thinking after all this we’ll have an attack of the munchies?” He was going to be so stuffed, and he couldn’t wait to try out Jason’s cooking.
“The pumpkin pie has a walnut crust, by the way,” Jason added. “Family recipe.”
David stared at him, loving the air of quiet satisfaction. “Well, I guess I just learned something new about you.”
“Yeah? What’s that?”
David gestured to the full table. “You don’t just like to cook, you love to cook, don’t you?”
Jason laughed. “Guilty as charged. My ex-wife loved it at holiday time. I took over the kitchen and she got to put her feet up.”
It was the first time Jason had mentioned his family, apart from the enigmatic comment about his son the previous week. David didn’t push the topic, however. Instead he poured out two glasses of wine and placed one in front of Jason.
“Actually, there is something you can do.”
“Anything.” David was feeling pretty useless, considering how much effort Jason had put into their meal.
“You can light the fire. It’s gotten pretty cold.”
“Sure.” David left him and walked into the living room.
Jason’s apartment was smaller than his, and considerably barer.
The walls were unadorned and there were just the basics in the way of furniture: a big couch and an armchair, a TV and a coffee table, with a bookshelf standing in the corner by the window.
Behind the couch Jason had squeezed in a small dining table with two chairs. The drapes were red, plain and simple.
It’s like he’s only just moved in. There was nothing personal about the room, no hint of Jason’s personality.
What saved it from being a depressing room was the fireplace with its slab of oak set above the fire.
A basket stood to one side, full of logs, and to the other a stand with fire irons.
In front of it was the only other splash of color and warmth in the room, a thick, patterned rug, also in shades of red, cream and brown.
David knelt on it and began to assemble the fire, starting with handfuls of screwed up newspaper and kindling. It wasn’t long before he had a fire roaring away, its warmth radiating out to fill the room.
“That looks great,” Jason commented as he entered the room carrying a large tray. “We’re ready to eat, by the way. I just have to bring it all through.”
David stared at the table. “Are you sure there’ll be enough room for us to eat at it, once you’ve done that?”
Jason chuckled. “We could always be real couch potatoes and once we’ve filled our plates, we could veg out on the couch in front of the TV.”
David didn’t hesitate. “A couch potato it is.” It sounded like the perfect way to spend the rest of the day.
By the time they’d sat down to eat, his stomach was rumbling in anticipation.
To his surprise, Jason bowed his head before starting to eat.
“For each new morning with its light, for rest and shelter of the night, for health and food, for love and friends, for everything your goodness sends. We thank you, Lord.”
David’s throat tightened at the unexpected prayer. It could have been his grandmother speaking when he was a child.
Jason raised his head and smiled. “Sorry about that. I’m not a religious man, but that was something from when I was a kid, and it’s always stuck with me.
” Sorrow tinged his smile. “I guess it reminds me of happier times.” He pulled himself upright.
“Anyway, let’s eat this veritable feast, shall we?
” He raised his glass. “To you, David, for giving me a highly unexpected Thanksgiving.”
“I was about to say, to the chef,” David countered with a smile. “But I’m glad to be here.” He meant that wholeheartedly. When his stomach gave another rumble, both of them laughed. “Enough talking.”
Jason didn’t say a word but dug in.
For the next thirty minutes or so, they ate, both of them taking their time.
David wanted to savor every mouthful, because damn, Jason could cook.
When it got to the point where he was picking at what remained on his plate, David knew it was time to call a halt.
Especially if he wanted to leave room for the pumpkin pie.
He sat back and heaved a huge sigh. “That… was glorious. Every single mouthful of it.”
Jason beamed. “Why, thank you.” He glanced toward the kitchen. “Do I have to move just yet?” The hopeful note in his voice was adorable.
David laughed. “I’m sure the pumpkin pie and the dishes will still be there in an hour or two, which is when I’ll probably feel like moving again.” He was pretty damn comfortable right that moment.
Jason raised his glass. “I second that motion.” He set it down and picked up the TV remote. “How about watching the parade?”
David chuckled. “I’m amazed you didn’t go and watch it this morning.”
Jason gave him a hard stare. “Have you any idea what the freaking temperature was out there this morning?”
It took David all of two seconds to respond. “Yeah, fuck that. Recording it is way better. That way, we get to watch it in front of a roaring fire.”
Jason laughed heartily. “A man after my own heart.” He slowly sat up and reached for the wine bottle. “More?”
David held out his glass. “Pour away.” He was feeling nicely sated, mellow from good food and good wine, and warmed by the fire. Jason seemed to be in a similarly good mood. Maybe it was that realization that prompted David to ask the question he’d been dying to ask.
“Can you tell me about your son? Because I have to admit, you’ve really intrigued me.”