Bernard was putting together a desk when Rory arrived. Rory helped finish the desk and walked over to the boxes of books stacked in the corner.
“What do we do with these?” Rory pointed at the boxes.
“I haven’t found a bookshelf yet, so I’m not sure what he wants us to do with them.”
“He has to have at least three hundred books in these boxes. He may have more somewhere.”
“I’ll go find him and ask where his bookshelves are.”
Bernard headed upstairs to the largest bedroom to find Kelly.
The door was open, and he saw a light coming from the bathroom.
“Hey, Kelly…” Bernard stopped.
Kelly stood in front of the mirror. Small circular scars peppered through his chest and belly hair. Long scars ran down his back. They looked old, but still visible. Bernard looked in the mirror. Kelly was applying a cream to his front. His eyes met Bernard’s in the mirror.
He whirled around.
“Kelly, I’m sorry. The door was open and I just–”
“Why did you come up here?” he snapped.
Bernard shrank back. Kelly’s face turned a beet red. The veins in his neck protruded.
“We wanted to know where to put your books.”
“I’m sorry,” Kelly said. “I shouldn’t have yelled.”
“I had no right to come in here without saying something.”
“It’s okay, I just…” Kelly took a deep breath. “No one has seen me without a shirt in years. You just surprised me.”
Kelly moved to put his shirt back on. He walked out of the bathroom and faced Bernard.
“Please don’t tell anyone.”
“I would never,” Bernard said. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Kelly shook his head. “It’s a long story, and I’m not sure I’m ready to talk about it.”
“I understand.”
“It’s just…I had a hard time back home. I lived in a small town, and they didn’t take kindly to our kind.”
Kelly rubbed the back of his neck. His eyes fixated on the floor. Bernard stood there, not wanting to press him.
“I…I’m doing better.” He looked up and smiled. “I’m just not ready to go into detail.”
“Kelly.” Bernard moved forward. “You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want.”
Kelly leaned in for a hug. He gripped Bernard with a firm embrace. Kelly had never hugged him. He didn’t wear cologne. His musk filled Bernard’s nose. It was intoxicating and excited him.
“You’re the greatest friend someone could ask for,” Kelly said.
Kelly sobbed into his shoulder. His body shook with each shuttered breath.
“I’m glad I can be here for you,” Bernard said. “Everything is going to be much better for you here. And if you need anything, call me.”
