Page 38 of Something Like Hail

Noah grunted and tensed. “Just tell me—”

“I’m ready,” Haroldresponded.

Noah kept pumping, trying to make it lasteven though the pleasure was maddening. Then he growled, eyesclenched shut as he slowed, only stopping when he heard Haroldhissing his satisfaction. No. Not Harold.

The fantasy had been beautiful, but as hepulled out and rolled over to his side, he forced himself to acceptthat it had only been an illusion.

“The sheets,” Chester said.“Get beneath them with me. I’m always so chilly!”

Noah did as he was told, the real Harold’swarning echoing in his thoughts again. He wouldn’t stay the night.He would sneak out in the middle of it, when Chester was soundasleep. Let him go to bed this night feeling like Raymond was thereto hold him. Their fantasies were different in that way. Noah coulddream of the future and all its potential. Chester could only lookback and try to recapture the best days of his life.

Noah nestled near, wanting to providewhatever comfort he could. The mattress contoured to the shape ofhis body, the sheets cool and soft. Finding comfort for himselfwasn’t difficult. The wine in his belly, combined with theincreasingly warm form next to him, made drifting off all tooeasy.

* * * * *

Noah woke with a start, blinking against thebeam of sunlight that warmed his face. He slowly got his bearings,then swore under his breath. He hadn’t meant to fall asleep. Hethought again of Harold’s warning, wondering how bad it could be,and spotted a folded pile on the side table. Fluffy white cotton.He reached for this, discovering a robe, towel, and wash cloth. Hisclothes were draped on a nearby chair. So far, so good.

Noah rose, poking his head into the nearestdoors and finding a huge closet in one and a bathroom in the other.He made use of the latter and was clean and dressed half an hourlater. All he needed was to brush his teeth, but that could wait.If he wasn’t mistaken, he smelled breakfast!

He followed his nose to the kitchen. Chesterstood at the stove, jiggling a frying pan. The older man wasdressed more casually today in white pants and a light sweater.Maybe he intended to go golfing later.

“Good morning!” Noahsaid.

Chester stiffened, not turning aroundimmediately. Then he shut off the burner and offered him atentative smile. “Did you sleep well?”

“Very,” Noah said. “Lookslike we both worked up an appetite last night.”

Chester’s expression remained guarded.“You’re hungry?”

“Starving!”

Chester was the first to look at the table.Noah followed his gaze and saw two settings. Plates, glasses, forksand knives. He walked closer, wondering which seat was intended forhim. They seemed identical, except for one that had a framed photobefore it. He moved toward this without thinking, catching aglimpse of the photo’s subject. Raymond. That seat was intended forhim, and Noah didn’t think he was supposed to stare at the photowhile pretending to be the man. Maybe Chester wanted to sit thereinstead and have the photo handy to help him pretend. Or maybeNoah’s services were no longer needed. He looked to Chester inconfusion.

“I’m sorry,” the old mansaid. “It’s usually just Raymond and me for breakfast. I suppose Icould set another place.”

“I don’t want to be anytrouble,” Noah said uneasily.

“No! None at all. It’s justthat… I can’t let you take his place. I know what you must think,but I still love him, and I’m still loyal. In my heart. Maybe I’mbeing foolish and you should stay. I just… I just don’t know.Excuse me.”

Chester turned around, but not before Noahnoticed the tears in his eyes. He looked back at the table,wondering how many breakfasts Chester had eaten with only a framedphoto for company. Did he talk to Raymond? Did he ever hear aresponse? The old man wasn’t senile. Their evening together hadconvinced him of that. Chester had simply found a way of copingwith Raymond’s death, and this was part of it. Breakfasts alone,and who knew what else, aside from the occasional body to help warmthe bed. Noah had fulfilled his purpose. Now it was time toleave.

“Holy smokes!” he saidtheatrically. “Is that the time? You shouldn’t have let me sleepin!” It was only half past eight, but Chester playedalong.

“There’s somewhere you needto be?”

“Dentist appointment.” Noahpatted his pockets to make sure he had everything. “I wish I couldstay but…”

“I understand,” Chestersaid, looking relieved. “Here. I already wrote you acheck.”

Noah took it without reading the sum. Thenhe gave Chester a big hug. “Thank you for letting me be a part ofyour life for one night,” he said. “It was an honor.”

“You’re too sweet,” Chestersaid, seeming genuinely happy now. “I hope we see each other againsoon.”

“You’ve got my number!”Noah said. “Goodbye. Take care of yourself.”

“You too,” Chester said,walking him to the door.

Noah breathed out once he was in theelevator. Nothing too serious. Chester found the mornings a littleconfusing, that’s all. Noah did too. His self-induced fantasieswere starting to mess with his head. Part of him still felt giddy,like he and Harold really had hit it off and declared their lovefor each other. It wasn’t difficult to understand how Chester tooksatisfaction in willful delusion, and hey, at least he’d had thereal thing. A life spent with someone special. As Noah left thebuilding and started walking toward the shelter, he tried toimagine how happy he would be if his own dreams became reality.