Page 43 of Pure Silence

Recalling the steamy moments from the shower this morning, Goldie was confident that there were probably a lot ofotherthings he could learn from Day too.

They finally arrived at the grocery store, and Goldie got a cart. He wasn’t expecting to get much, but it was nice to have something to lean on and Day could put the clothing bag on the bottom so he wouldn’t have to carry it around while they shopped. He glanced at the list Day had made for them, and he chuckled.

cat food

chicken nuggets

juice

macaroni and cheese (blue box)

soup

poptarts

“You know we can buy actual food?” Goldie wiggled the list at Day.

Day pointed to his headphones and shrugged.

“Real food?”

Day pointed at his stomach and then rubbed it with a little grin.

“Come on. I’ll get you your junk food, but we’re gonna get some real food too.” Goldie nudged Day’s shoulder. “Just stay away from the bathroom. Some poor guy got sliced up in there last week, and I’ve heard they weren’t able to clean it all up.”

Day smiled, and Goldie was certain that Day had to have misunderstood him.

Goldie had heard about the murder on the news, and it had chilled him to the bone. He’d almost gone to the grocery store that very night, but he’d been too tired from work and stayed home.

He hated to think that it could have been him chopped up in that bathroom.

Goldie led the way into the produce section to grab red potatoes and brussels sprouts. He got some white grapes and apples too, and then it was off to the meat section for bacon and steaks. Being a smaller store, Goldie wasn’t expecting much in the way of selection, but he was happy to find some overpriced filets. He grabbed two packs, laughing at the shocked expression on Day’s face.

He patted Day’s back to reassure him it was all right, and they continued on through the store to get the rest of the items on the list, including every last can of Purrcy’s cat food on the shelf.

And yes, Goldie made sure to get the macaroni and cheese in the blue box.

He noticed Day eyeing other snacks as they shopped, but Day didn’t want Goldie to put anything else in the cart. Goldie was able to sneak in some popcorn when he saw Day checking it out, but that was about it. Goldie grabbed a case of beer and then it was time to check out.

Day almost passed out when he saw the total.

They each took some of the bags to carry home, though Goldie tried to make sure he took on the heavier ones with the cat food since Day also had his shopping from the clothing store to tote with him.

They started on the walk home, and Day was smiling again.

Goldie playfully nudged his shoulder and smiled back at him, asking, “Happy?”

Day must have understood because he nodded.

Goldie made sure to walk at Day’s pace so they could stay side by side as they headed back to the apartment. The snow was sticking to the sidewalk now, and Goldie was glad for the slow pace. He didn’t trust what was merely slick and what may have been ice, and the last thing he needed was to slip and break a damn hip.

Since he couldn’t talk to Day, Goldie was left to keep himself company inside his head, and he was chasing his tail as he mulled over his current issues on repeat.

He really did not know what to do about Day. He hadn’t expected things to become physical between them so quickly, and he was worried that he was taking advantage of Day as it was crystal clear that he had some mental health issues.

No one had a blessing from God to protect them while they carried out their holy mission. That was insane.

More insane was that Goldie didn’t want to stop the physical side of their blossoming relationship because he’d never been so satisfied. He wanted Day’s firm dominance and commanding touches, and the spark he felt burning between them when they were together was like nothing else he’d ever experienced in his whole life. The intensity surprised him given Day’s obvious youth, and Goldie knew—with more than a small pinch of shame—that he didn’t want to give it up yet.