I Said Yes

 I got home and took the pups for a quick walk around the block. When we got back to within view of the driveway I noticed there was a truck parked in front of the house on the street. As I got closer I realized who’s truck it was…I started to walk down the long driveway (The house sits at the rear of the lot) I saw him sitting in the chair on the front porch. As we approached he looked up, got up, and came to the drive and gave me a big hug. The pups were yipping and bouncing around, clearly excited to see him.

“What are you doing here?”

“What, you’re not happy to see me?”

“No…I mean yes…but what are you doing?”

“After you left and wandered around the winery a bit and realized I missed you already. I guess Diane noticed I was a bit down so we chatted for a few minutes and she asked me what I had going on the next few days…I told her nothing really…and then she just looked at me a said GO! Just be back for Christmas.” 

“She didn’t have to tell me twice so I ran up to the apartment, packed a bag and then hit the road.”

“Is it ok that I came?”

“Well…yes…I’m just kind of blown away is all…I mean…I kind of thought you were gonna hang out with the family…especially since Christmas is in a few days”

“Can we go inside…I am freezing my ass off”

“Oh yeah…sorry.”

 I opened the door and the pups ran in and bounced and jumped in circles between the kitchen and the living room. Michael came in and turned on the fireplace while I got the dogs their treats and took off my coat. I was still in a bit of a haze and very surprised but I have to say…I really was happy he was here. I caught myself just staring over at him as he sat on the couch with the pups jumping all over him. He had a smile on his face as he played around with them and, for a quick minute, I had a very warm feeling come over me realizing how natural and comfortable this felt to me. We spent the evening just hanging out on the couch alternating between playing with the pups and watching the news on tv. It wasn’t long before we decided to go to bed and, as we were just laying there in the dark Michael said “Thank you.”

“For??...you don’t have to thank me for anything”

“I need you to know how important it is to me that I can be here…with you…that I can have some form of normal when I am with you”

“Well…you are welcome…I guess. And who says this thing with us is normal? But I am glad you are here…still a bit surprised…but that is not a bad thing. Are you sure, though, you shouldn’t be up with the family?”

“I’m gonna head back up on Christmas eve…hey…why don’t you come up with me?”

I was a bit caught off guard by him asking that. For some reason I had just assumed that we wouldn’t see each other on Christmas. There had been no talk or mention of that at all, so I was a little surprised. When I didn’t answer right away he let out a heavy sigh and I could sense a change in his mood.

“I am just a bit surprised cuz we haven’t talked about it at all…don’t go and get moody on me…ya know, you have a way of just springing things on me…”

“I know…I didn’t really think about the idea until I was on my way…I’m sorry for just dumping all this on you!”

“You know I have to work on Christmas eve…we are doing that open house thing for the regulars…”

“What time do you think you will be outta there?”

“I am not sure…we put 5-8pm on the invites and we have about 60 RSVP’s so I guess it could be 10 or 11”

“We could just take off from there and head over the mountain. If we get tired on the way we could stop at that little B&B in Leavenworth and get up real early to go the rest of the way”

“Maybe I could convince Corey to close up and we could get out as soon as dinner service ends”

“Does that mean you will come?”

“Well, I guess it does…but ya gotta stop springing shit like this on me”

“Ok, ok…I promise…to at least try anyway”

I am not sure who fell asleep first but I know I slept in…later than normal for me. When I did wake up I could smell coffee and bacon. I reached over and Michael was not in bed so he must be up and cooking…or did I dream it all…nope…I definitely smelled bacon cooking. I got up…went in and splashed some water on my face and headed to the kitchen. I chuckled as both pups were just laying on the dining room floor watching every move Michael was making. Me too as I saw he was shirtless, just wearing his white Calvin boxer briefs…oh what a sight.

“You better be careful…you don’t want any of that bacon grease to splatter on that chest of yours…or other parts either…”

He laughed and turned and came to me with his arms stretched out…hugged me and then planted a big ole kiss on my forehead. As I was not wearing a shirt either he took the opportunity to tweak my left nipped and then squeezed the front of my boxers…I told him to be careful because I didn’t want to traumatize the pups to which he chuckled. Michael fixed up a couple of plates for us…including the pups…and we all went to town of the food. Great breakfast and awfully nice start to the day. We finished up and he cleaned the kitchen up while I jumped in the shower. A few minutes later the shower door opened and in he came. It was awesome for me because that is one of the things I love most about being with him…showering together. It didn’t have to be a sexual thing but it certainly is sensual and something I truly enjoy. I won’t say it didn’t get sexual that morning but that was not on my agenda…but I certainly wasn’t going to complain!

We finished getting dressed and I took the pups out while Michael called Diane to let her know all was good. We had decided to wander around the village looking for last minute Christmas gifts and, as we walked, I realized I had nothing for him or Dave and Diane. If I were going up to spend it with them I would need to get them a little something. We went in about 5 shops and I just wasn’t feeling it nor was I seeing anything that jumped out at me. As much as I questioned Michael on what to get them he offered not reasonable ideas or gave me anything to go on. Frustrated, I told him that I would probably have to go downtown to find something. Frustrated because this was all spur of the moment and I had no real time to plan. I had the day off, then was working part of the next day…and the day after that was Christmas eve…so I was feeling the pressure. We decided to head over to the Admiral for a few drinks and to decide what to do for dinner. Wasn’t sure if we were going to go out or cook at my place.

Steve was working and came around the bar and gave us big hugs when we walked in. We sat down and he delivered two shots of Jameson, my rum and coke and a beer for Michael. We chit chatted a bit and I explained my frustration at not being able to find anything for Michael’s parents. Steve thought a minute and then said…

“Don’t they come to town pretty often?...Why don’t you get them a gift certificate to a nice restaurant here…like Elliott’s or The Met (Metropolitan Grill)…? Michael chimed in and said

“That’s a great idea…they have been to Elliott’s but, believe it or not, never to the Met. My folks would love that spot…especially Dave”

“Ok…then that’s settled. Lets drink up and run over there…and then we can pop back in here for some food”

“Why don’t I run up there…I have to swing by the bottle shop next door anyway to check on inventory…you stay here and relax and I will be back in no time”

Somewhat puzzled but in no hurry to get back out on the road I agreed. I knew, however, that if he left me alone I would be grilled by Steve but it was almost worth it. With that Michael downed his beer…took the shot and he was off saying he’d be back within the hour.

“Ok…so what’s up with you two?”

“I sure wish I knew. Even though I have no clue I am enjoying the time and attention so I am not going to complain. He showed up last night at the house and I was totally surprised. Then he asked me to go up the mountain with him for Christmas”

“Starting to sound serious my friend”

“I have no idea…I still have the angel and the devil on my shoulders and I don’t know which one to listen to”

“That’s funny…my experience is always go with the devil…then you can seek forgiveness and redemption from the angel”

“Spoken like a true Irish Catholic”

“Recovering Catholic I tell ya”

I laughed at that characterization and finished my shot and drink. I decided to run down the block to this little novelty store in hopes of finding Michael something before he got back. On my way I noticed that the local travel agency was open. I popped in and spoke with an agent about some ideas. She played around on her computer a bit and then asked me if we liked to travel. I said yes but, because of our jobs, we had little opportunity. Pleasantly surprised and proud of myself, I walked out of there having purchased a weekend get-away to a spot on the Oregon Coast…Cannon Beach…known for it’s amazing shore, restaurants, dive bars…and general tourist traps. The spot we were going to stay was beach front and next to a wildlife preserve so it was fairly remote. It was an awesome idea…especially since I was being the last-minute guy!

I got back to the Admiral just as Michael was coming around the corner from the parking lot. It was a good thing that everything I got from the travel agency was in one letter-sized envelope so it was easy to fold and put in my pocket so he had no idea what I had been doing. We walked in together and almost immediately another round of drinks and shots appeared. I had a feeling we were in for a long night so I grabbed a couple of menus and we ordered some bar food…burgers, nachos and fries. Michael showed me the gift card he had picked up at the Met and we agreed it was a great option for his folks. He even managed to arrange a comprehensive tour of the Met’s substantial wine cellar and dinner at the Chef’s Table. I was thrilled and happy he was able to make those arrangements. When I looked at the back of the Gift Card envelope, in the To/From section someone had written “From Matt & Michael”. I just looked at it…then at him…and smiled.

The rest of the evening was as you would expect…drinks…laughs…food…and too many more drinks. Needless to say we stayed way to long and ended up getting a cab back to the house. We could have walked but after…careful consideration…we decided better of it and called the cab. The pups were thrilled when we got to the house and I took them out for their walk. When we got back in Michael was not in the front of the house and then I heard the snoring…he had passed out on the bed and was done for the night. I laughed…stripped…and jumped into bed having to fight the pups for position. It was kind of cool as they both curled up between Michael and I and soon the two of them and Michael were all snoring.