Page 65 of Ride the Lightning
Nodding, Jerry said, “He loved the inexpensive piece of jewelry as much as I loved him. I never would’ve ended our relationship. I would’ve eventually found the courage to come out to be with him.”
“Why did Earl end it?”
“He’d met someone else during one of his performances. Earl had said he cared a great deal for me, but he’d felt a connection with the new guy like nothing he’d ever experienced. I was crushed. Earl died maybe a month or so later.” Jerry shook his head. “Damn, such a waste. Earl was a beautiful person.”
“Did Earl tell you he met this new guy at a club during a performance or did you assume it?” Jonah asked.
“He told me so,” Jerry replied. “I’d asked Earl why he was breaking up with me, and he’d originally said things just weren’t working out for him. I knew something else was wrong because he’d been just fine the previous week. I’d asked Earl to be honest, and that’s when he told me he’d met a guy at a club. As painful as it was to hear, I needed to know, so I didn’t make a fool of myself trying to get him back.”
This was new information. None of Marla’s friends could tell Jonah how Earl had met his new beau. If Earl had told Jerry the truth and had met this guy at a club, then chances were, they’d met him too. Jonah clamped down his excitement to focus on what he should ask next, but he shouldn’t have worried. Once Jerry started talking about Earl, he didn’t seem to want to stop. Rather than discourage him, he let Jerry get the things off his chest he’d carried around for thirty-eight years.
“I knew I liked both boys and girls at an early age.” Jerry took a deep breath and continued. “Anyway, I’d never given in to my attraction to men until I met Earl. I’d never encountered anyone with as much joy and zest for life as him. I was a goner after one kiss.” Jerry’s cheeks turned pink, and his bottom lip trembled. “He was my first boyfriend and my first sexual experience. I’m sure I was clumsy and not too good in bed, but Earl was patient and loving. I only have one regret, Jonah. I wish I’d been brave enough to love him openly. Earl had deserved it, and it took me a very long time to realize I did too. I don’t want you to think my sadness is because I’m unhappy or don’t love Sheila. You just never forget your first love, and I refuse to deny Earl that title.”
“I’m not judging you, Jerry,” Jonah said softly. He steered the conversation to a less personal topic by asking for the names of the other subcontractors who worked in the subdivision. He’d hoped Jerry would remember some of the other companies, but Jerry knew them all. There were surprisingly few subs working to develop the subdivision.
“You had to know somebody who knew somebody to land contracts like government jobs and big projects like residential subdivisions. Back then, a new kid on the block didn’t have much of a chance.”
“And you knew somebody?” Jonah asked.
“My father did,” Jerry replied. “As much as I resented him at times, he could network like no one’s business. I had a tough first year trying to convince everyone I was as good as he was, but my hard work paid off. I took an already solid business and made it even bigger until the economy took a nosedive in the early eighties and killed the industry.”
Jonah asked a few more questions and made more notes before he thanked Jerry for talking so candidly with him.
“It’s a great thing you’re doing,” Jerry said after walking Jonah to the front door. “Good luck.”
“Thanks, Jerry,” Jonah replied, knowing it would take more than luck to get justice for Earl.
On the way home, Jonah stopped at the specialty store to get tea for Avery. Marla’s friend hadn’t been exaggerating about the selection. He stood in the center of the room feeling foolish for thinking he could just walk in and snag some chai for Avery.
“Can I help you, dear?” a kindly woman asked. “You look overwhelmed.”
“I never knew there were so many different types of tea. Growing up, my choices were sweet and unsweet iced tea,” Jonah teased. “I want to buy a gift for a friend.”
“You’ve come to the right place. My name is Janice. I’m the owner of The Tea-Totaler. I offer selections from all around the world. Do you have something specific in mind?”
“My friend loves chai, and I’m just grateful it doesn’t smell like sweaty gym socks,” Jonah replied.
Janice laughed. “Not a fan of tea?”
“I prefer coffee,” Jonah admitted.
“I won’t hold that against you,” she said cheekily. “I offer many varieties of chai.” Janice gestured to a section along the back wall and began talking about the different nuances each chai offered. “And this one,” she said, picking up another pouch, “has hints of chocolate and chili. It reminds me of Mexican hot chocolate. It’s very popular.” Janice glanced up at Jonah, who’d fallen quiet as he tried to guess which one Avery might like best. She chuckled and patted his bicep. “I’ve overwhelmed you, haven’t I? Why don’t you give me an idea of how much you would like to spend, and I’ll put together a gift basket for you.”
“I didn’t have a limit in mind,” Jonah said. “I just want to buy something thoughtful.”
“Must be a very special friend,” Janice said as she started choosing a variety of pouches.
“He is.”
Janice chose five of her top-selling chai blends, then talked Jonah into buying an electric tea kettle and a little ceramic pot with a removable steeping basket. She even demonstrated how to use everything to make a perfect cup of chai.
Once Jonah arrived home, he changed out of his suit and started looking up information on the subcontractors Jerry gave him until someone rang his doorbell.
Jonah smiled when he saw who stood on his porch. “This is a nice surprise,” he said.
Avery held up a bag of food in one hand and a drink carrier in the other. “I wanted to make sure you’re not working through mealtimes.”
Guilty.Jonah took the food and drinks from Avery and set them on the table. Then he pulled Avery into his arms and kissed him. “I have something for you too,” Jonah said once they broke apart for air.