Changes - 9. Chapter 9

Chapter 9

I woke on Sunday morning wrapped in the arms of my husband. He smelled so good, felt good, and thinking of what we had done the night before made me want him again. I ran my hand over his forearm, the muscles hard and it felt so sexy. My touch must have roused him, for he moved and drew me closer. His erection was evident as he kissed the back of my neck and I leaned into it, into him. Don’s hand was on my ass and he stroked my outer thigh.

I was thinking I’d like to turn over and … but something niggled … something I was supposed to be doing.

CAKE!

Harry!

“Shit! What’s the time?” I wiggled around trying to see the clock.

Don grasped me tighter. “Time for me to have my evil way with you.”

“No … no, baby. Harry is coming over! I have to start breakfast.”

There was a hand on my cock and lips on my neck. “Let him come over, he can join us ….”

“Oh, that sounds lovely. I’ll send him up when he gets here but you wanted coffee cake.”

“That’s right! I forgot!” He slapped my ass—hard. “Get up and bake!”

“Ouch!” I squawked, and then pouted. “But what happened to your evil ways?”

“You want to impress Harry … up you get!”

Turning to face him, I stuck out my tongue and got up. We were both laughing.

***

I was just pulling the cake out when the front door bell rang. I walked to the entranceway and opened the door. I smiled at Harry as he moved toward me and gave me a nice hug.

He spoke quietly in my ear. “Everything okay?”

I stepped out of his embrace and nodded. “Yeah, it’s all good.”

Harry shrugged out of his coat, and I hung it up. Our guest had turned around and was checking out the house.

I slipped my arm through his. “Want the tour?”

“Heck, yeah. It looks terrific! Smells nice in here too.”

“It’s great. We were so lucky. Come in, I’ll give you the quick tour.”

I showed him the main floor and we took the stairs up. I showed him our rooms and the others and we arrived at the elevator. I pressed ‘down’.

“Oh, this is perfect, Louis. Don must be happy.”

“Yeah, he is.”

“Where is he anyway?”

“He’s out in his office, previously the barn. I’ll take you out there next.”

We got in the elevator.

Harry took my hand. “Louis, I’ve not stopped thinking about you, about the other night.”

“Harry, I thought ….”

“I know, but I can’t get saying good-night to you out of my head.”

I liked Harry, yes lusted after him in my imagination, but I couldn’t, not now. “Harry, the last thing you said was we couldn’t sleep together. What’s changed?”

His disappointment was evident as he released me.

“Shit, Louis, I’m sorry.” He sighed. “It won’t happen again, unless you come to me. Let’s get out there and find Don. I want some of that cake!”

I smiled, though I didn’t feel happy. “Thanks. Sure, I’ll take you out there.”

We got out of the elevator and walked to the barn. I opened the door into Don’s office; Harry motioned me to enter first.

“Donny? Harry’s here.”

Don looked up from his desk. “Hey! Harry! Come on in.”

Harry walked in, and they shook hands.

“You two sit and talk; I’ll bring you coffee and cake out here.” I moved to Don and kissed his cheek. “That okay with you, baby?”

Don’s hand covered mine, which was on his right shoulder. He turned to me. “Sounds great, babe. Can you manage?”

“Yep, no problems.”

“K, kiss.”

I bent and touched my lips to his. Straightening up, I caught the look in Harry’s eyes, hoping that Don had not. I squeezed my husband’s shoulder and left them to talk.

I walked across to the house, and once inside, closed the front door behind me. I leaned my back against it. I was fighting the feelings I had for Harry. I wanted his arms, his lips and more, yet I didn’t.

It’s just a crush … for the both of us. I just need to stop being so stupid.

Yeah, that’s what I told myself, but why did I feel like I was wrong? Don and I though, we’d taken vows and we meant them.

I busied myself in the kitchen. I sliced the cake and poured the coffee, adding those, plus cream, sugar, napkins and cutlery to a plain wooden tray. I took only servings for those two. I wasn’t going to stay and listen.

Balancing the tray, I walked it over to the barn and let myself in. Once they saw me, they stopped talking while I served everything.

“There you are. Need anything else?”

Donny grinned at me. “No, Lous. Thanks a lot. It’s wonderful.”

“It sure is. Thanks for doing all of this, Louis.” Harry smiled at me.

“No problem. Just ring me if you need anything, okay?”

After they agreed, I slipped out. Once I was back home, I poured a cup of coffee, took a slice of the cherry almond coffee cake, and carried it all into the living room. I was going to sit on the sofa, and eat my breakfast, with some Sunday morning TV.

My phone rang just after I’d finished my coffee. It was Donny. “Hey, baby … Sure … I’ll make a fresh pot and bring it over … um sure, I’ll bring mine too. K, love you too.”

I turned off the TV and put on another pot of coffee.

Twenty minutes later, I was back with Don and Harry. Fresh coffee was poured and I was seated. I watched those two exchange glances.

“So, what is going on?”

Harry sat back. “Don, I think you should tell him.”

“Okay.” Don gazed into my eyes and reached for my hand. “Lous, there is something I’d like to try.”

I said nothing for a minute. I just stared at him, as I’d heard these famous words before. For a moment, I was back at the track, watching the accident and I could feel Jed’s iron grip on my biceps; I blinked the memory away, and said, “Please don’t say skydiving or waterskiing.”

“Well, I say try, but I mean do.”

“Okay.” I turned to Harry, and then returned my gaze to Don. “One of you tell me.”

Don grinned. “I want to run a marathon.”

“Run? Donny, what—”

“Not so much me run, but you run and I roll.” He was grinning.

Though I knew it had been coming, I still felt surprised. “Me? Run? Come on …”

“Seriously. If I get tired, or something happens out there, I need someone with me.”

I placed my left hand over his. “Donny, I’m not a runner ….”

“You can be, babe. All you need to do is train. Please … do this with me.” His eyes seemed to be pleading. “Lous, I can’t do it alone.”

“Ummm ….” I turned to look at Harry. “You put him up to this, didn’t you?”

Harry appeared suitably guilty. “Well, yes. I mean, it’ll make a great story. Human interest. You two working together. Guy comes back from a serious accident.”

“What about my job?” I hadn’t really considered it before.

“Can you request a leave of absence?” Harry was asking.

“I guess, but we can’t afford to lose my pay.”

“I’ll talk to your boss after you put in the request. Maybe there’s something we can do … the magazine, I mean.”

“Seriously? I guess it can’t hurt to try.” I wondered what they would say. “How much time is there? I mean, I’m not in great shape. I can’t run down the street, for God’s sake.”

“I don’t think we’d do well for this year’s Boston; it’s next month. But we can start now to train for next year,” Donny said.

“Do I need to take a full year off work?”

“No, but you’ll probably need a little extra time off. We’ll have to do some smaller events to get in shape for Boston.”

“Donny, this sounds like a job.”

“Training is like a job, babe. You need to take it seriously.”

Through all of this, Harry nodded. “Your experiences will make a great series for the magazine. Don, I think you need to start to write it now. All of it, from your racing experience, to the accident and all your hard work to get where you are now.”

Harry sipped his coffee. “You know that there will be TV and media coverage. Hey, you never know there may be talk shows and other articles about you both, as soon as it’s known you’re married, and they hear about Don’s accident and recovery.”

I hadn’t thought of this. Interviews and television? Us, under a microscope. Was it all necessary? I was paralegal—a nice quiet job—I didn’t want to be covered- and then discussed over someone’s breakfast.

“I’m writing this and I suppose there could be more interest after the series is published. One step at a time, eh Harry? Let’s not scare Louis before he’s ties on a pair of shoes,” Don said.

“Yeah, you’re right.” Harry chuckled. “I got a bit carried away there.”

I mostly listened from then on as they talked about expenses for running shoes, and especially about the wheelchair Don would need for this project. Well, I gleaned he’d need more than one possibly; Harry chimed in that the magazine would pay those costs.

“I think we should start training now for Toronto, which is in May. So we’ll do the half at Toronto and then we’ll be ready for Boston in November.” Don made notes on his tablet. “We’ll need shoes, well Lous will. I’ll call my old contact and see what he can do for us. I’ll discuss sponsorship with him.”

Don was excited, and obviously happy. I felt like a cute little bunny in the headlights of a Mack truck. However, I decided I would do this thing with him. All for one, and all of that.

“… so can you do that, Louis?”

“What, sorry? I was miles away for a minute.”

Don patted my hand. “You’re first job is to speak with your bosses and see if they’ll give you time off when you may need it. Maybe they’d like to sponsor us in some way.”

“I’ll try to see them tomorrow. If not, I’ll make an appointment.” I dreaded to think how that would go. Asking Frank Jackson and Pierre Montague for anything was frowned upon, but well, I needed to do it.

After another twenty minutes or so of discussion, Harry announced he had to go.

“Don, this was productive. Don’t you agree?”

“Yes, Harry. It’s great. I’m excited!”

“Excellent, so am I. We are happy to support your efforts and the story. We’ll talk soon, I’m sure.”

“Yes, we will. Thanks, Harry.”

Harry shook Don’s hand and then glanced at me. “Walk me to the car, Louis?”

Don laughed, “You two are gonna talk about me, right?”

“Yes, we are. Now get some work done.” Harry smiled as he buttoned his jacket.

Harry walked toward the door, and I kissed Don’s cheek. “Be right back.”

I’d worn no jacket just to run over to the office-barn and the October breezes were cool. I hugged myself as I followed Harry to his car.

“That went well, Louis.”

“Yeah, it did. He seems excited and happy.”

“Let me know how things go with your bosses, okay?” Harry opened the car door. “And if you need anything, have questions, or if you need me, call. I’m your friend, Louis, and Don’s too. You can call for any reason, okay?”

I smiled at him. I knew he meant it. “Okay. Thanks, Harry.”

Harry returned my smile and got into the car. He started it and backed out. I returned his wave and watched as he drove away.

I walked across the drive back to the office.

***

I arrived at work early the next morning and went to see Jackie, who was the P.A. for both Mr. Jackson and Mr. Montague.

“You want to see them both, Louis? Together?” Jackie asked looking at her appointment-booking app.

“Yes please, if possible.” My heart was pounding. I didn’t want to know my blood pressure reading!

“You’re braver than I am. Today? Hmm, they have an hour after lunch. 1:30pm okay?”

“Yes, that’s great. Thanks, Jackie.” She was entering details online.

“Is everything okay, Louis?”

“Oh, yes and no.”

“How is Don? Is he back home? I think I heard that he was.”

“Yes, he’s home. Doing pretty well, considering.”

Jackie stopped staring at her screen and turned to me. She smiled. “I’m glad. You’re such a nice man, Louis. I felt so sad for you when I heard about your husband’s accident.”

This conversation was getting sad, and I needed to change direction. “Thanks. Things are looking up and he’s back at work. Writing from home.”

“Great!” Jackie was jotting on a slip of paper. “Here are your appointment details. I hope that after they’ve eaten they’ll be in good moods. Good luck.”

I took the paper from her. “Thank a lot, Jackie. I hope to escape with only minor injuries!”

I couldn’t eat, I was so nervous. I had worked for the law partners for just over two years. They’d always been okay with me. They had been understanding and rather generous when Don had been hurt. Now I was going back to ask for more. My expectation was they would flat out say no and be justified in doing so.

At 1:30pm, I knocked on Frank Jackson’s door. I was having trouble breathing.

“Come!”

I turned the knob, opened the door, and smiled.

“Louis, please come in. How can we help you?”

I closed the door behind me.

I explained everything to them. They said little and nodded often. Once I finished, I sat quietly.

Frank stood up and shook my hand. “Louis, thank you. Of course, we need to discuss what you’ve suggested and what you’re asking for. Pierre and I will talk and we’ll meet with you again. Possibly tomorrow.”

I felt a bit disappointed, but how could they answer me without talking first? They could have just said no outright.

After getting to my feet, I shook hands with each of them. “Whatever you decide, I just want to say thank you. You’ve been very generous already and I sincerely appreciate it.”

Pierre smiled at me. “You’re welcome, Louis. We’ll speak with you again very soon.”

“Thanks.” I walked out of the office and stopped by Jackie’s desk.

“You don’t look too bad, Louis.”

“No, it wasn’t too bad. Thanks again for your help, Jackie.”

She smiled. “I did nothing, but you’re welcome.”

I left her and returned to my desk. I worked quietly for the remainder of the day.

***

I arrived home at 6:00pm. I unlocked the door and noticed the house smelled wonderful. I hung up my jacket and keys.

“Hello!”

Don rolled out of the kitchen. “Hey, babe.”

He came over to me, and I bent to kiss him. “Wow, are you cooking?”

Donny put his hand over his heart. “You wound me. You make it sound like I never cook!”

I laughed as I followed him into the kitchen. “You don’t, baby.”

He grinned. “Well, fine. I don’t, but I was done writing and I wanted to do something for you.”

“It smells wonderful. What did you make?”

“Found a beef roast in the freezer. I looked up the type of cut and found a recipe online.”

Wow, Donny never cooked—ever. This was so sweet!

“Can you get it out for me, baby?” Don was asking.

I grabbed the potholders. “Sure.” I opened the oven; I was hungry and this dish smelled delicious.

Since Donny cooked it, I placed the lidded pan on the low part of the stovetop so Don could open his dish for the first time. “There you go.”

He reached for the potholder and lifted the lid. Don glanced from the pot to me. “What do you think?”

“It looks great, baby. Let’s let it rest while we set the table and stuff.”

Don replaced the lid. “I did it!”

I grinned at him. “You did. I’ll set the table.”

“I’ll open the wine.”

We sat down, and Don served his meal.

As we ate I told him about my meeting with Frank and Pierre.

He listened and nodded. “Sounds pretty positive. Hopefully they’ll come back to you tomorrow.”

“What do you think Harry would talk to them about?”

“Maybe some reduced cost or free advertising?” Don wiped his plate with a piece of potato.

“Well, we’ll see that the bosses say.” I sat back and sipped my Shiraz. “Don, that meal was terrific. I am stuffed and happy.”

Don’s smile could have lit up a dark room. “I’m glad you liked it. Oh, I got a call today, about the racing chairs. A guy from Axels is coming with a couple for me to try, and they’ll take the measurements and stuff.”

“When are they coming, Don?”

“Tomorrow.”

I stacked the dishes and put them by the sink. “I can’t be here. Will you be okay on your own?”

“Yeah, sure baby.”

I didn’t like him being here on his own and meeting people—strangers—but I couldn’t take the day off to be with him.

“Lous, don’t worry, okay? I’ve talked to Mom; she’ll be home and Robert will be around too.”

He read my mind! “Okay. That’s good then. Hey! You’ll get to meet Robert first! Totally unfair.”

He laughed. “Well … I am her son!”

I washed the dishes and left them to dry. Don stayed in the kitchen with me to keep me company.

“Don, you want to watch the ball game?”

“Sure, want to finish the wine?”

“You trying to get me drunk?”

“Yes.”

We laughed. I carried the wine out to the living room. Don moved from his chair to the sofa. I settled beside him. Don took my hand as I reached toward the wine.

“What?”

“You know there are good side effects of running.”

“Really?”

“Yes. You’ll want sex more.”

I peeked at him sideways. “You’re serious. Won’t I be just exhausted?”

“Nope, you’ll be hornier!”

I just stared at him, and he locked eyes with me. “What now?”

“This.” He pulled me closer and kissed me. His arms slid around me and I held on. We locked lips for a few minutes, baseball game forgotten.

Don started to unbutton my shirt, his lips on my neck and ear, nibbling down to my collarbone. I wanted to rip his clothes off, he was driving me insane.

I whispered to him, in between moans, “Let’s go upstairs.”

“Yeah, I want you naked in the shower.”

I was about to say Oh my god, yes, when there was a knock on the front door. My eyes widened as I found Donny’s.

“Who?”

“No idea … you need to answer it.”

I stood up, pulled my shirt back on properly, and buttoned it.

The knocking grew more insistent.

I pushed down my raging hard-on, sadly wishing it away. “Okay, I’m coming.” I walked to the door and opened it.

In front of me stood Miriam. What could she want? My dick retreated immediately; chicken!

It took me all my time not to slam the door. She just stood there staring at me. I wondered if she was going to pull a knife or slap me.

“Who is it, Lous?” I heard Donny call.

I turned slightly. “It’s Miriam.”

“What!” I heard some swearing and then, “I’m on my way!”

Just as Don rolled closer, Miriam moved. She stepped forward, raised her arms and threw them around my neck. Suddenly she was pressed against me and crying. I automatically put my arms around her.

Don appeared beside me. “Miriam? What is going on?”

She released me then and went to her brother and hugged him, albeit awkwardly. Her sobbing had increased however.

There was room now for me to close the front door. I turned the lock as well. I went to the washroom to grab the box of tissues there.

Miriam was still crying, though she seemed calmer when I got back. I handed her the box and helped her off with her coat.

“Th … thank you, Louis.”

She didn’t seem well to me. “Come, let’s go and sit down and you can tell us what’s going on. Would you like a drink, there’s wine, something harder?”

“N ... no thank you. Maybe some juice?”

“Sure. Go with Don and I’ll be right there.”

I hung her coat in the front closet, then went to the kitchen, poured her a glass of orange juice, and joined them in the living room. Miriam was sitting on the sofa, shredding her tissue. Don was talking.

“Mir, please tell me what’s got you into this state? And well, why you are here? I thought you wanted nothing to do with us.”

She gazed up as I stood next to Don. I realized I held her drink and swiftly placed it in front of her. Her hands shook as she reached for it and sipped. She replaced the glass, exactly on the damp circular impression on the tabletop.

“I’m sorry.” It was a whisper. She glanced at each of us before saying, “I’m sorry. I have no excuse. I hated what you are.”

Don reached for my hand and squeezed, as did I. “And exactly what am I, Mir? What are we?”

“Abominations, homosexual, and all those other horrid words used to label you.” She started to cry anew.

I think if he could have, Don would have stood up and slapped her. “Get out. I do not ever want you in my house or life again.” His words were said with a venom I’d never heard from him before.

“No … Don, please. I didn’t mean … I’m sorry. I was wrong, that’s why I came. To tell you that, and that I’m sorry.”

Don released my hand and covered his face. I put my hand on his shoulder as he sighed deeply and shuddered.

I bent to kiss Don’s cheek and then squeezed his shoulder. “Miriam, fine. But why are you so upset? Why are you crying, arriving at our door and sobbing?”

She looked at each of us in turn. “I’m pregnant.”

***