“What do they call them? Sugar balls?”
“Cracker Jacks. At least, that’s what the man selling them said.”
“Well, whatever they are, they’re wonderful, and I will be buying them at least ten more times before the fair’s end.”
Over the next fifteen or so minutes, the two munched on the sweet popcorn and nursed their strangely fantastic beverages. Staring out at the water, Arthur heaved a contented sigh.
Everything was perfect.
Or, nearly.
Draining the last bit of liquid from his glass, Arthur’s thoughts began to wander. Experiencing the fair’s splendor had been wonderful so far. Truly.
But Arthur still found himself wishing that he could have been part of it. He had come so very close to being intertwined with its greatness.
Jesse touched Arthur’s foot with his own.
“What’s wrong?” Jesse asked.
“Sorry,” Arthur said with a shake of his head. “Just thinking.”
“About what?”
He could only shrug. How pathetic the reason for his sudden melancholy would seem. Arthur couldn’t bring himself to be honest right now.
“Nothing important. Family things.” He forced a smile. “I’m so happy to be here with you, Jesse. It truly is every bit as magicalas I had hoped.” Arthur lifted his hand and set it on Jesse’s thigh for a moment. He patted it twice before removing it. “Thank you for coming with me.”
“Of course, Arthur. We can come back as often as you’d like.”
Arthur’s false smile turned genuine. How lucky he was to share this with a man as wonderful as Jesse. Despite how irritating it might eventually be to possibly receive commentary from his neighbors, Arthur realized, then, that he ought to invite Jesse back to his home and share the rest of his life with him, too.
“Mr. O’Connor,” he began, “would you like to come over to my home for a meal sometime soon? Don’t think I’ve forgotten that I still have to properly introduce you to the rest of my staff.”
“You’re . . . ready for that?” Jesse asked.
Arthur nodded. “Absolutely.”
Immediately, Jesse’s face brightened. “Yes, Arthur. I’d love that.”
“Perfect,” Arthur said, beaming right back at his companion. “I’ll love it, too. I can’t wait to spend some time with you in my home.”
He reached for his handkerchief to wipe off some of the popcorn sugar that had melted onto his fingers, and the most sordid memory popped into his mind. Oh, he justhadto tease Jesse about it a little.
Arthur cleared his throat and fought to keep a straight face. “You know, I can lend you some books from my library while you’re visiting as well, if that would be of interest to you. I have so many of them. On all sorts of subjects. And we had so muchfuntogether the last time we were there.”
Jesse crooked an eyebrow.
Arthur leaned in close. He moved the handkerchief into Jesse’s line of sight and then, while making his eyebrows wiggle, moved the cloth back and forth.
“Good boy,” he said.
Immediately, Jesse’s eyes flew wide, and he kicked Arthur’s shin. Arthur burst out laughing. God, was Jesse ever fun!
Perhaps Arthur would never win his parents’ respect and love. Perhaps he’d never be more than the wayward son of Chicago’s most respected industrialist, either. But perhaps those things might not be so terrible. Not as long as he had Jesse by his side.
Chapter Nineteen
Arthur
