Dane flushed, semi-freezing for a moment. “Later?”
Tommy choked back a cough. “Wow. Um, get a room?”
Bas’s laugh was infectious. He leaned over and kissed Dane’s cheek. “Of course, later.” He turned and opened the pizza box. “Hungry for someoutsidefood? Paige assures us you’ve been eating chef quality boring food.”
“I made it,” Dane said. “It’s a gluten free crust, half cheese, no processed meats.” He looked at the pizza as if examining it for flaws. “I called to see what they thought was okay for you to eat. Lots of veggies. No pineapple. Light on the tomato as it’s acidic.” He squinted as if trying to remember. “Low FoodMap? But nightshades are okay.”
“Anti-inflammation diet,” Bas supplied. “I love that this place is a whole body look at wellness.”
“Yeah,” Dane agreed.
Shana reappeared with Tommy’s shake and a stack of plates. She patted him on the shoulder. “Call if you need me.” She pointed to an area near the kitchen where the nurses and NAs seemed to gather during meals when there were guests.
“Thanks,” Tommy said. He passed out the plates and scooped up a piece, a little worried about the sauce, but knew Dane made it fresh. Strange how his memory snapped back into place sometimes. He could remember Dane in Bas’s kitchen cooking, but not when he’d seen it happen. Other things were hazy. Like how these two had become official.
He took a bite, chewing thoughtfully for a minute, flavors popping. Peppers, olives, a hint of oregano and tomato. The crust was good, even had a touch of the yeast flavor he expected in a flour crust. “This is really good,” Tommy said.
Dane beamed. He and Bas grabbed pieces. Tommy alternated between sipping his shake and eating pizza. Things felt normal for a few minutes as they ate. Bas occasionally throwing out questions about Tommy’s schedule.
“What about you guys? Have classes started?”
Bas nodded. “I have in-class learning Tuesday through Friday. It’s a bit of a crazy schedule.” He looked apologetic. It meant they would have to go back to California sometime Monday at the latest.
“I understand. And I don’t expect you guys to visit every weekend,” Tommy said.
“We can if you need us,” Dane said.
Bas nodded and reached across the table to squeeze Tommy’s hand. “And during the week you can call whenever you need. If I’m in class Dane is still home.”
“Until mid-September,” Dane agreed.
“I heard you’re going to cooking school,” Tommy said. “Paige told me.”
“It’s a baking 101,” Dane said.
“He’s doing a holistic nutrition study alongside his cooking classes,” Bas added. “Mrs. Corbin helped him find the program.” He waved his hand at the room around him. “A bit like this. Balancing nutrition and wellness.”
“Makes sense to my head,” Dane said. “Food is fuel, and that means the food does different things. Can’t use regular unleaded in a sports car.”
Bas patted his arm. “And you are definitely a sports car, babe.”
Dane flushed again. Tommy smiled.
“That’s great,” Tommy said. “Sounds like a good fit. How are Adam and Ru?” It felt like an elephant in the room question. And it made the pizza in his stomach turn to stone. The idea that Ru wouldn’t want to see him, tearing him up almost instantly.
“They are healthy,” Bas said taking the neutral route.
“Ru’s pissed at you, but mostly ‘cause you make him worry.” Dane said unabashed.
“Dane,” Bas hissed.
But for the first time he could recall, Tommy was happy Dane said things without a filter most of the time. He gave Tommy the truth he had been afraid to hear, but also needed to know. Ru was mad, but not in an end their friendship way.
“It’s normal,” Bas said. “To be a little angry. It’s part of the process of understanding and coping. The self-blame is also normal, but I am not happy how he lingers on it.”
Tommy blinked. “Ru blames himself for what I did? He had nothing to do with it.”
“Honey, weallblame ourselves,” Bas said. “Do you know how often I wonder if it was my messed-up family that caused this? Ru thinks it’s because he was leaning on you too much. Dane because you were the only one he turned to when he was sick. Your mom is dealing with…stuff. The mess with Marissa and Eddy didn’t help. It was a lot for anyone. And we all wonder if we had not been focused on ourselves…”
