A NIGHT CUDDLEDup to Rory eased the tension inside his mind. Doubt crept in. How long would it be before Rory tired of him? Those thoughts had no place in his mind. He pushed it aside. Rory was here to stay.
Bernard and Rory spent the next day together. They watched a few movies and met Kelly at the park in the afternoon for Ginger and Chester’s doggie play date.
Kelly and Rory got along well. Bernard grinned as they discussedThe Lord of the Rings.Rory had read the books after finishingThe Hobbit.The series was one of Kelly’s favorites.
“I’m telling you, Sam is in love with Frodo,” Kelly said.
“He regards him as a close friend. I don’t know if he’s in love with him.”
“I don’t know. I got the impression they’re in love. Maybe it’s wishful thinking. The secret love between two men, one that can never come to be because of societal norms.”
“You might be right. I never thought of it that way.”
Bernard agreed with Kelly but didn’t say anything. ReadingThe Lord of The Ringsseries brought the idea of loving another man to the forefront of his mind. They were the books that made him question his own sexuality. Loving someone who society says you shouldn’t. Did Tolkien intend to make the central relationship a secret of love between two men? No one would know his true reasons for having Sam being so close to Frodo.
They all said goodbye as the sun set and Bernard and Rory headed back to his house.
They ordered pizza and watchedNot Without My Daughter.Rory loved the movie and Bernard had never seen it.
“So, she moved to Iran to visit his family, got stuck there, and now she has to find a way out?” Bernard asked.
“Yeah, that sums it up.”
“That poor woman. What an awful thing to have happen.”
“It’s based on a true story.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, I read the book. I think it’s darker than the movie. She relies on a support group more than in the movie. You should read it. It’s a good book.”
“I’ll have to check it out.”
“You can borrow my copy.”
Bernard couldn’t help but smile. Rory was sharing his life with him.
They showered and got into bed.
Rory wrapped his warm arms tight around Bernard’s chest. He squeezed him closer, not wanting to miss a moment. Bernard wasn’t ready to be intimate so soon after his episode, but Rory’s embrace helped him to relax each night. Although Rory’s erection pressed against his back, he didn’t push him or say anything about having sex. Bernard was happy that Rory gave him time. He’d been patient with Rory and now Rory was returning the kindness.
*
WEDNESDAY MORNING, RORYmade a large breakfast of pancakes, eggs, toast, coffee, and bacon. It filled the kitchen with scents that made Bernard’s mouth water. It was like breakfast on the farm when his mother used to cook every morning.
“This looks amazing,” Bernard said.
“I wanted our last morning for a little while to be special.”
Rory put a stack of pancakes on the table.
“Thank you.”
They dug into breakfast. Everything melted in his mouth. It was perfect, just like Rory.
“So, what do you want to do today?” Rory asked.
“We should get out of the house. What about a trip to San Jose? Then we can see the lights at the park.”
