2015 Prompt Responses - 21. Prompt 466: The Christmas Gift

“He really wants that as his gift?” I lowered the Christmas card and stared incredulously at my friend. His gorgeous face had turned bright red and he shrugged.

“Believe me, it’s just as much of a shock to me. I had no idea he was planning this when he told us not to buy him any presents this year.” He held up a card identical to mine.

I plopped down on the couch, staring ahead in open-mouthed shock. “But…you’re straight! I don’t understand….why would he want us to go on a date?” I didn’t dare allow myself to hope for something I had wanted ever since I met Andy five years ago. During that time, Andy had dated a variety of women---the last one for over two years. I had a feeling that George suspected my crush on Andy, but he never mentioned it to me. If this was a joke, I wasn’t laughing.

“Who says I’m straight?”

I raised an eyebrow. “Andy, you’ve dated women the entire time I’ve known you. They don’t come much straighter than you.”

He looked at me curiously. “Really? Is life so black and white to you?” He sat down next to me, looking at me evenly. My mouth was suddenly dry and my heart pounded from the close proximity.

“You…you’re…um…you’re not gay,” I stammered.

He took my hands in his own. His warmth radiated through my body; his firm grip momentarily stopping my trembling. “There is a third option, you know.”

A smile crept across my face as hope flared within me. “You’re bi.”

He nodded, releasing my hands in order to bring his up to my face. I closed my eyes, reveling in his touch. I thought I’d gone to heaven when his lips touched mine briefly. I opened my eyes and scrutinized Andy’s face. I couldn’t read his expression.

“I hope you don’t mind. I’ve been wanting to do that since the day we met.”

My eyes widened and my jaw dropped open.

“Don’t look so surprised. You were dating that prick Dale, so I couldn’t ask you out. Otherwise I would have, believe me.”

“But…I’ve never seen you with a guy! I don’t understand…why now?”

Andy rolled his eyes. “Please don’t tell me you’re one of those ‘bi people don’t exist – get over yourself and make a choice’ people.”

I frowned. “No, I’m not. I dated a couple of girls in high school.”

“Then you should understand. It’s not the parts that matter, but the person.”

I nodded dumbly, still not believing that Andy was actually interested in me. Andy stood and grabbed his coat before heading for the door.

“I better leave, otherwise I won’t be able to stop kissing you.”

I smiled. I wouldn’t have minded. “Is that such a bad thing?”

He laughed. “No…but I want to do this right. How’s tomorrow sound? I’ll pick you up at three.”

I nodded. “Sounds great.”

“Bye, Jason.”

“Bye, Andy.” I shut the door behind him and pumped my fist. “Yes!” I shouted as I danced around the room, prompting a knock on the ceiling of my downstairs neighbor. I danced my way into my room and to my closet to pick out my outfit for my date tomorrow.

The look in Andy’s eyes when I opened the door the next afternoon told me I’d picked the right outfit. He was dressed more plainly than I was, in jeans and long-sleeved t-shirt that clung in all the right places. I motioned him in, but he shook his head.

“If I come into your apartment, we’re never leaving,” he said with a look that told me he meant every word.

A grin spread across my face as I turned and grabbed my coat and keys. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll see,” was his cryptic response.

We rode in mostly silence, enjoying each other’s company. All sorts of romantic scenarios played out in my mind. A candlelit dinner at a fancy restaurant; a matinee movie where we held hands in the back row, sneaking glances at each other like teenagers; ice skating downtown, where I’d pretend I didn’t know what I was doing just so he could ‘teach’ me. We were now driving through a pretty sketchy part of town, and all my romantic thoughts flew out the window when Andy parked in front of the City Mission. Not exactly the most romantic of places. I looked at him and raised an eyebrow.

“I volunteer here every year. It’s something that’s very important to me,” he said.

I nodded and inhaled, holding my breath momentarily. I could do this. It was just a couple of hours and then we’d have our romantic date. Right?

We exited the car and an elderly, skinny African American man shuffled his way toward us as we approached the door. He wore filthy clothes, and even though he was still about twenty feet away, the smell hit my nostrils like an assault. He grinned and opened his arms. “Andy! My man! Haven’t seen you in a while. Everything ok?”

Andy embraced the man, apparently not caring about the stink. “Jared…good to see you. Everything’s great. This is Jason.” He motioned me over.

Jared winked and looked me over. “THE Jason? You’re right…he is hot.”

My face turned bright red and I shuffled my feet. I had no idea how to respond. “Um…thanks.”

Jared let out a boisterous laugh and took me by the arm. “This guy’s got it bad for you, ya know.”

I looked over my shoulder as the old man led me inside. Andy wore a bemused expression and followed us. From the greetings Andy received, it was apparent he was well known here. Most of the people in the room were obviously homeless, with the exception of some men that were helping out in the kitchen. I felt very out of place in my designer jeans and expensive shoes. Jared introduced me to Kevin, the ‘man in charge’. From the way he embraced Andy, it was clear the two were well acquainted. A surge of jealously flared through me. Kevin immediately put us to work preparing food. There was a lot of work to do, so conversation was at a minimum as we prepared mashed potatoes, ham, turkey, and all the fixin’s to go with it. After the food was prepared, we helped serve it until we ran out. My heart broke when we ran out of food before everyone was fed. I made up my mind to make a generous donation to this place.

Andy and I helped clean up before saying our good-byes and heading out the door. The minute I sat in the car, a flood of emotion washed over me, and a cry escaped my mouth. The next thing I knew I was sobbing in Andy’s arms. He held me until it passed, rubbing my back and whispering in my ear.

“What amazing people,” I said. “They’re so nice and upbeat, despite what they’re going through.”

Andy nodded. “You have to be, otherwise it will kill you.”

I looked at him questioningly.

“This place is so important to me because it saved my life. I was kicked out of my house as a teenager and ended up on the streets. If it wasn’t for Kevin and the guys, I’d probably be in jail or dead right now.”

I looked at him in horror. I couldn’t imagine my beautiful Andy as one of the people in the shelter.

“Please don’t look at me like that. I’ve done a lot of things I’m not proud of, but it doesn’t define who I am. It’s taken me a long time to get to where I am today, and I won’t be judged for my past.”

“I’m not judging you. It breaks my heart to think of you as one of those people.” A tear slid down my cheek.

“You did great today. The guys really liked you. They say you’re a keeper.”

“I liked them, too. I want to make a donation to this place. Is there anything else I can do to help?”

Andy put his hand behind my neck and drew me in for a long kiss. When we came up for air, there were tears in his eyes. “I knew you’d understand. I’ve brought other people here before and none of them stayed. I knew you’d be different.”

“If it’s important to you, it’s important to me,” I said.

Andy put the car into drive and then took my hand in his. “I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty hungry after smelling that food all evening. How about we go back to my place and order a pizza?”

“Sounds great,” I said. “My treat.”