Page 24 of The Toymaker

Riju opened the box of wool batting to see how much they had left. The glassmaker just outside of Raven’s Landing had always wrapped each and every phallus in white wool so none would break on the way to Pleasure and Play. They’d kept it in a box. Trig had said they could probably sell it back after a while for a small discount, but they’d kept forgetting about it.

Riju had found a use for it, and he wanted a little more to pin around the windows up top where he thought it was looking a bit bare. There wasn’t much left, so if they ever wanted to replace it, they’d have to buy new wool.

The pieces were loose and irregular, and they could be shaped by plucking at the fibers to pull the wool apart. He started grabbing the last of the pieces when his hand bumped something hard in the corner.

At the bottom lay a small velvet box he’d never seen before, and he pulled it out.

Inside lay a man’s gold ring with diamonds around the band.

He wouldn’t put it on, but he was sure it would fit his ring finger. Trig had planned for them to get married, and since it had been a done deal in his mind that would take place after a time, he’d bought the ring at some point and hidden it in a place where Riju was highly unlikely to find it.

They hadn’t checked through the box before moving it, assuming it held nothing but wool.

Perhaps it was why Trig had sent another letter a week ago, asking for Riju to visit and speak to him. Trig must have asked the guards to get a messenger, which would have cost money from his account.

The tone hadn’t been nice, and Riju had used the letter for kindling.

“Fuck,” he muttered as he stuffed it in his pocket. Why say he didn’t want to put something in a letter? Did he think the messenger would read the note and try to rob them later?

Or perhaps he’d been worried that Kit was still around, and he’d steal the ring?

Riju grabbed the wool and headed upstairs.

The shop no longer smelled like old ale or egg stew, and in the past few weeks, they’d been doing quite well for a new place. Word had spread about Toy Wonderland, and plenty had come to see it.

Children, enthralled by the shelves of dolls, accessories, and other little toys, would start asking for one thing or another. Kids with a bit of pocket money often came on their own, and every day, people on the street stopped to look at the two window displays.

Even if they didn’t come in then, they’d remember Toy Wonderland for the future if they wanted a gift for their kid, or a niece or nephew. Lord Levin had come by to make a big order for his niece. Riju and Kit were also sure they had a new, regular customer too. An elderly woman had come twice and made purchases.

Riju wasn’t the only adult who liked collecting dolls.

A woman was letting her toddler look at the collection of soft toys, and Riju didn’t want to bring up anything with anyone else around. Kit had found a box of tacks upstairs, and he handed them up one at a time as Riju pinned more batting around the window up top.

It was meant to be clouds. They’d covered the bottom surface with plain, green cloth and set up a scene with dolls having a summer picnic. Some sat on tiny blankets by baskets, and a few were on stands and posed to look like they were playing tag, dancing, or holding hands. A few were in a circle as though they were playing a game. The other window was similar, except they also had a doll riding on a blue felt cat.

Once winter came, Kit said they should put the batting on the bottom and make a winter scene. Riju thought it was a fabulous idea.

When the woman purchased a soft dog for her kid and left, it seemed they’d have a moment of peace.

“I found something in the box. It was at the bottom.” Riju settled on a stool behind the counter and removed the velvet box from his pocket so Kit could look inside. “I’m sure Trig bought it for me, and he hid it where he figured I’d never look.”

Kit’s eyes widened at the diamond ring. “Ohhh. He never mentioned this to you? Not even a hint?”

“No. I assume he never imagined me saying no or wanting to leave, and he wasn’t exactly rushing things, but he was prepared.”

Kit closed the box and handed it back. “It must be expensive, but you’re not really a jewelry person, and it’s…”

“A bit much?” Riju wouldn’t have complained had things gone differently, but if asked, he’d rather wear a simple band. He didn’t need or expect fancy diamonds.

“Yeah. It’s not…you. What are you going to do with it?”

“It has to go with his stuff,” said Riju. “This was intended for me, and I could probably sell it with no harm, but Trig won’t be in prison forever. He won’t have proof of it, but he could start a fuss and try to accuse me of theft since he didn’t actually give it to me. I certainly don’t want it.” He paused. “I should probably get a signed note and ensure we’re covered just in case he has ideas for petty revenge when he gets out later.”

Kit made a face. “That means seeing him. He’d have to sign it.”

If a shirt or pair of boots went missing from Trig’s stuff in storage, there wasn’t much he could do. Everything would be itemized for the most part, and guards could get in big trouble for stealing, but it didn’t mean one never lifted a few things and altered the records.

Most folks wouldn’t start a huge fuss over a missing shirt or any other item that could be easily replaced. A ring with diamonds might be tempting, so the note would cover Riju’s ass. Trig could try to claim he’d never received it and blame Riju. It seemed like the sort of thing he might do, especially since his last letter hadn’t exactly been nice. He wrote that he was tired of being ignored.

Not that Riju cared how he felt.

“Returning the ring and ensuring it’s signed for is honest, and he can’t make up any shit in the future,” said Riju. “If I sold it, and Trig accused me later, Lord Levin would probably take my side since he never mentioned it before, and it must have been intended for me. I’d rather not take chances.”

“All right. When are you going to go?”

Riju fidgeted on the stool. He’d rather never go. If he put it off until the next day, it would make him anxious all night.

“I’ll go before dinner.”

It was Kit’s turn to cook. “I’ll have it ready by the time you get back.” He looped his arms around Riju. “Unless you want me to come with you.”

“No. I’ll get it over with. No point in both of us having to see him. Besides, he’ll probably accuse you of wanting to steal it.”

Kit squinted. “But…you’re bringing it in.”

“In his mind, it doesn’t mean you didn’t want to steal it. He never specifically mentioned the ring in his letters, but he must have been wanting to tell me where it was. I think he didn’t want you to read the note and try to steal the ring. I bet he thinks you’d run away with it if you’re still around with me. You couldn’t possibly love me, right?”

Kit’s brow furrowed. “If he thinks that, fuck him. I love you more than any ring.”

Riju kissed him. “And I love you, my pretty Kit.”

Kit grinned up at him. “You’re prettier.”

“Never. Kit, Kit, Kit.”

“Make me a squishy Kit.”

“Squishy Kit.” Riju squeezed him in a big hug.

They usually closed the shop around five or five-thirty, and since they kept up with the main area during the day, there wasn’t much to straighten out. Kit fixed a few shelves and went to their living quarters to get started on dinner. Riju counted the profits they’d made and did the ledger. With everything finished, he made sure the box was in his coat pocket and left.

The days weren’t quite as long, and the air was a little cooler since fall was coming. It was rather amazing how it no longer made him worry. Before, the air cooling meant winter was getting closer with each passing day. Winter is no friend to a homeless person, and he remembered many cold nights as a child, huddled in some nook or walking for hours in an attempt to keep warm. He hadn’t always been able to find a decent kip.

Dory, currently in the inner chest pocket of his coat, had been his only friend. He’d come a long way despite his sister’s death, his parents abandonment, years on the street, and Trig’s mistreatment dressed up as love and care.

He’d often stayed away from the prison while homeless, and even though he’d taken the risk to snatch a few things before, he’d never seen the inside of it. When he entered, a guard at the desk looked up from a book with a huff.

“Visiting hours are between noon and five.”

“I’m here to return something of Trig’s.” Riju avoided eye contact as he pulled out the box.

“Oh, I know who you’re talking about. What is it?”

“I found this ring, and I want it placed with the rest of his stuff so he can claim it when his sentence is up. I want a signed note too.”

The guard took the box to open it. “Let me write a note.”

Riju had to wait while the guard scrawled on parchment. The room was plain and smelled a bit like old cig smoke. Two doors led elsewhere.

The guard had him sign in two spots, said he could follow, and took Riju through the right door. Steps led down to a long hall, and he caught laughter from close by. The first cell on the left held a pair of men playing cards. They were probably thieves or guilty of something that wasn’t too serious. Murderers and rapists often spent time in The Edge before dangling from a noose. Riju had eventually learned from word of mouth that his attackers had all been hanged since they’d been seen leaving the warehouse.

Considering Riju had been found half-dead inside, it was clear what they’d done.

Prisoners who behaved were allowed old decks of cards and books. Riju’s heart thumped as he followed the guard. He hadn’t planned on visiting Trig at all, and he couldn’t wait to leave and go home. A man was doing push-ups while his cellmate counted, and one who was by himself was snoring on his cot. A guy in another cell leered at Riju.

“Hey, sweetheart.”

“Billy, shut up,” snapped the guard. “He’s not here to see you.”

Riju cringed inside. Thankfully, Trig’s cell was far enough away from the leering guy, and he was on his cot with a book. The front cover was missing, and he didn’t look up until the guard rapped on the bars.

Trig looked a lot different. The others Riju had seen all had short hair, and Trig did too. His clothes consisted of worn trousers and a baggy shirt. Prison accommodations aren’t fancy.

Disbelief showed on Trig’s face as the guard spoke and said the reason for Riju’s visit.

“You both have to sign this, and it’ll be placed with your things.”

“It’s about fucking time you came.” Trig dropped the book and got off of the cot.

So much for the fib at the bottom of the note. I miss you. If he missed Riju that much, he'd be a little nicer, right?

“Still can’t say hello when you’re supposed to,” grumbled Trig.

“Hi.” Riju rolled his eyes.

Trig stalked over to the bars and noticed the velvet box. “I see you found it without my saying anything. I thought you might toss the box of wool and lose it.”

“Hurry up and sign.” The guard poked the parchment through the bars. “I ain’t got all day.”

“Like your job is hard.” Trig ignored the note. “Why don’t you keep it, Riju? It was supposed to be yours when I decided to officially ask.”

Riju raised an eyebrow. “I don’t want it.”

Trig furrowed his brow. “I was hoping you’d wait for me. We could try again.”

“I don’t think so.”

“If you wait, things will be different and-”

“Pfft. They should have been different before. You abused me. It’s not like you were wrongly arrested for some other thing. You can keep the damn ring, sell it, or throw it down a privy for all I care once you get out. I have nothing else of yours, and I don’t want to see you when you do get out.”

“I heard about your shop-”

The guard shook the parchment. “Sign the damn thing. I’ll let you have a few minutes to talk, but I’m not standing around here while you yak.”

Trig snatched the parchment and the never-fill quill the guard handed over. He used the wall for a hard surface, scribbled his signature at the bottom, and handed it back.

“I’m going to put this with your stuff and note it,” said the guard. “It’ll be there when you get out. Don’t take too long talking because visiting hours are over.”

Trig’s eyes slid to Riju. “I heard about your shop.”

The guard walked away as Riju eyed him. “You sent a note there. I figured you heard about it somehow.”

“I bet it’s not doing well. Toy Wonderland isn’t a good name.”

“Toy Wonderland is doing great. I just finished a large order for Lord Levin’s niece who’s coming to live with him and the Countess. She’s got a dollhouse and a bunch of other toys. Someone just has to come pick it up in a day or two.”

Lord Levin had wanted no expense spared for his niece, and Riju, with Kit’s help, had made her a fabulous dollhouse with furniture and dolls along with a few other specialized toys Lord Levin had ordered. It had taken almost two weeks of them working at night, and it had been totally worth it. They’d both loved watching it all come together.

If the lord was pleased, he’d surely talk about the two toymakers.

Trig’s expression was unreadable, and he glanced at Riju’s torso. With his coat open, his corset was noticeable. “Really? You wear those now?”

“I like them. Kit likes the way I look too.”

Trig’s mouth opened slightly. “Kit?”

“I’m not sure why you look so surprised. We’re still together and running the shop. Since you refused to say in the letter what you actually wanted to talk about, I bet you thought Kit’s around, and he’d try to steal the ring. Am I correct?”

Trig seemed to want to ignore Riju’s assumption, which probably meant he was entirely right. “Running a business with Kit isn’t a good idea. Just because things seem okay at the moment doesn’t mean shit can’t go south later especially since-”

“This is why I didn’t come before. Everything out of your mouth is to insult or hurt me. My shop is doing fine, and Kit’s working on a picture book for children. Kit and I skipped the last fair, but we’re going to sell toys at the next one and take time to enjoy it a little ourselves. Kit doesn’t make demands or treat me like I’m an idiot. I also don’t have to worry about him getting dangerous ideas in his head. You know? Like having a slave with no safety word. Since we’re happy together, and Kit also doesn’t do things to stress me out and make me cry like a certain someone I know, we decided we’ll get married next spring. Neither of us is going to try to make the other ‘better’ by then either.”

Riju had seen a term in a book once. “Hitting a nerve.” He’d gathered that hitting a nerve meant making another person angry.

“You look pissed. Did I hit a nerve?”

“I bet he’s leeching off of you, and you’re too dumb to see it. You’re going to wish you hadn’t married him. Two retards together is a horrible idea.”

“Kit works just as hard as I do in running the shop and creating things even if he still needs to learn a bit more. Oh, and if you’d ever loved me-I mean, truly loved me-you wouldn’t have ever called me that word. I feel much better when I wake up next to him every morning, and I love getting to see children’s happiness when they get a new toy. I have everything I want. Everything you didn’t want me to have.”

“You only have anything now because you took the money from the other account. I know you did. Money that I saved up.”

“While I was working there and helping with everything. I’d say you fucking me over in the end is an emergency. Money helps, but I’m also capable of being independent and figuring things out myself. Money won’t make toys, find a shop, set it up, or keep it running. Kit and I did it. It’s also easier when I don’t have anyone trying to tear me down. You have your ring, so don’t write to me again, and when you get out, don’t ever try to see me or Kit. Goodbye, Trig.”

He turned and walked down the hall toward the door. Trig shouted, telling him to get back over there, but Riju didn’t have to do what he said, and he didn’t care to listen either. Trig had wanted to control him, and Riju wasn’t going to let him have it ever again.

When he stepped outside, he took in a deep breath of fresh air before removing Dory from his pocket.

“We’re free, Dory. Let’s go home to Kit.”