Chapter 7 #2
When the intercom buzzed twenty minutes later, David pressed the button to release the door. Minutes later Jason was there, wrapped up in his thick winter jacket and carrying a plastic shopping bag. He thrust it into David’s hands. “Here. It’s ready to go in the oven.”
David took it into the kitchen, licking his lips. “Just make allowances for the lasagne, okay? A store bought one is bound to be nowhere near as good as yours.”
Jason followed him. “Flatterer. And I’m sure it will be delicious.” He sniffed the air and hummed. “Especially if it tastes as good as it smells.” He spotted the opened bottle of red wine standing next to two wine glasses. “Ooh, is that for us?”
David laughed. “Help yourself.”
Jason poured out two full glasses while David placed the garlic bread on a baking sheet above the lasagne in the oven. As he closed the door, Jason handed him a glass. “So now do I get the five cent tour?”
David laughed. “Sure.” He gestured around him.
“Obviously this is the kitchen. I don’t do a lot of cooking, but it has everything I need.
” He led Jason into the living room. “I think this is where I spend the most time.” A large leather couch took up most of the room, a thick rug in front of it.
Bookcases lined most of the walls, filled with books, DVDs and CDs.
Jason wandered over to peer at them. A large TV screen sat on a low unit against the wall, and below it were the DVD and CD players.
“You have great taste in movies,” Jason commented. Then he chuckled. “Oh wow. Big. That was one of my favorites as a kid.”
“Mine too.” David led him through a door into his bedroom. “This is the master bedroom, and there’s another smaller room.”
Jason smiled. “I like the color scheme, kind of chocolate and cream.”
David went back into the living room and flopped down onto the couch. Jason joined him, sitting more sedately. A notepad lay on the coffee table, a pen beside it. “Making lists?” Jason noted.
David groaned. “My Christmas shopping list. One of the drawbacks of having a large family.” He peered at Jason. “I suppose you’ve already done your shopping? You strike me as being an organized kind of man.”
Jason sighed. “Actually, I haven’t done any. And the only person I’ll be buying anything for is Travis. Diane and I don’t exchange gifts.” His face fell.
David wanted more than anything to wrap Jason in his arms and hold him, to ease the sorrow that dripped from his voice, but something held him back.
Jason settled back against the seat cushions.
“Things have been bad since the divorce. She’s never forgiven me for coming out the way I did.
She said I should have been honest with her right from the start, and she was right.
Because I knew, back in high school when I was fooling around with guys, I knew I was gay.
Back then I could never have admitted it, to myself or anyone else for that matter.
It seemed the natural thing to do, to hide it and pretend.
But marrying Diane was a step too far. And by the time Travis was on the way, it was too late. ”
“How did Travis react when you came out?”
Jason shrugged. “He was fairly low key about it. I thought he’d take his cues from his mom, but to my surprise he made up his own mind. I’m glad about that. He met me for a coffee and we had a long chat. He asked if I had anyone in my life and I was straight with him.”
David smirked. “Well, maybe not quite straight.”
That raised a chuckle. “Good point. So yeah, he’s the only person I buy gifts for.
My parents aren’t around anymore and I’m an only child.
But I also buy toiletries and donate them to Shower to the People, an initiative that delivers mobile showers to the homeless.
” Jason sighed. “Only, this year I’m having real difficulties deciding what to buy Travis. I’m in need of inspiration.”
“Maybe I could help,” David suggested. “I’m not much older than him.” He grinned. “Would a younger man’s perspective be useful?”
Jason nodded. “That’s actually a good idea.”
David had an even better one. “What are you doing this Sunday?”
“That was going to be my shopping day. Why?”
David smiled. “How about we make a day of it? I’ll go with you. We could meet up for a coffee first and discuss some ideas.” That wasn’t his only idea. What was fermenting in his mind was a whole list of things he wanted to do with Jason. Romantic things.
Jason’s face glowed. “That sounds great. I’d really like that.” He held up his glass. “Here’s to Christmas shopping.”
David clinked his glass. “I’ll second that.” And here’s to spending a lot of time with you.
He was going to make Sunday a day to remember.
When the buzzer on the oven broke through the pleasant silence, David smiled. “Food time.” Impulsively, he leaned closer and kissed Jason softly on the lips. “I’m glad you’re here to share it.”
Jason caught his breath, his eyes widening. “Me too. Especially if you do that again.”
David could really go along with that.