Page 79 of Something Like Forever

“That’sthe awkward part,” Tim said sheepishly. “I made this for you, andif it doesn’t sell, I’m bringing it back with me. If itdoes—”

“The money should go to the new Eric ConroyGallery,” Ben said. “That’s how it should be, and itwillsell, somake sure you take plenty of photos so I can see all thedetails.”

They talked a whilelonger, Tim making Ben eat a piece of cake so he could watch. Helooked happy, but he did have circles under his eyes.

“Iseverything ready for tonight?” Ben asked, adjusting for the timedifference. His tonight was Tim’s morning, which was Ben’s tomorrowand, well, best not to dwell on it.

“Yeah,” Tim said. “We’reall set and ready to go.”

“Howmuch longer until then?”

“I don’t know. Six orseven hours?”

“Then go back to yourhotel room and sleep.”

“Iwill,” Tim said, stifling a yawn. “I just need to double-check afew—”

“Right now,” Ben said. “Take a taxi orwhatever is fastest and get straight into bed. You can’t meet yourlegions of fans when you’re this tired, and youknownot to arguewith the birthday boy.”

“All right,” Tim said witha smile. “I’m going. Right now. See? I’m heading out thedoor.”

“Good,” Ben said. “Hey, doyou have a return flight yet?”

“Notyet,” Tim said with a guilty expression. “We’re not real sure howmuch media attention this will get and if I’ll have to dointerviews afterwards.”

“That’s fine,” Ben saidbravely. “I’ll take care of things here. You do what you need todo.”

Tim stopped walking andsighed. “I love you so freaking much!”

“I love you too. Get somesleep.”

They stared longingly ateach other before hanging up. Ben’s heart ached, but he knew thispain was temporary. As soon as they were together again, everythingwould be fine.

ChapterTwelve

“Iforgot to give you your birthday present,” Marcellosaid.

The car was idling infront of the house, Ben just about to step out the passenger-sidedoor, when he was handed an envelope. “What’s this? Dinner wasenough!”

“Please. You’ll be doingme a favor by accepting it. Help an old man clear hisconscience.”

Ben accepted the envelopeand opened it, pulling out papers with more details than he couldtake in, but they all seemed to list different internationaldestinations.

“Athirty-day cruise,” Marcello said, “to make up for the month I’vestolen. You may choose which route and the time of your departureat your leisure. Just promise that you’ll accept this gift. Acouple is meant to discover the world together, not apart. This isthe only way I could think to set things right.”

“You’venever done us wrong,” Ben said, leaning over to give him a hug.“Thank you. For everything.”

“The pleasure was mine,”Marcello replied. “Be careful, next year I might find some otherexcuse to send Tim away, just so I can have you all tomyself.”

Ben laughed, hugged himagain, and got out of the car. He was wearing a smile as he enteredthe house. Chinchilla was thrilled to see him, even more so whenshe saw that he’d brought leftovers. Ben grabbed a plate and tookit out back with them, waiting until she went potty before she gother treat. Then he reclined in his favorite deck chair, enjoyingthe solitude. Crickets chirped and he sighed, at first incontentment, and later with a heavy heart, because as nice as theday had turned out, he still missed Tim.

“I’m not the only one, amI?” he asked, stroking Chinchilla’s head.

She looked up at him witha woeful expression.

“He’ll be back soon, Ipromise. We’re almost there. Just a little longer.”

Something caught her eyeand she hopped to her feet, racing off to the corner of the yardwhere Samson was buried. Probably a moth. Ben smiled, wishing hecould be so easily distracted. Then he remembered that he could. Hewent back inside, put on some music, and sang along while lookingagain at all the things Tim had sent him. He straightened up thehouse a little, made sure Chinchilla was back inside and that thedoors were locked. Then he went upstairs to get ready for bed. Hewas walking down the hall and had just passed the office when heskidded to a halt. Flipping on the light switch, he wentinside.