“One step at a time, my friend.One at a time.”Jamie looked at Salzy’s apartment.“Did you find a refrigerator?”
“No, not yet.I’ll have a shower first and then look online and see what I can find.Will more than likely go to the big box store.They usually have the best prices for a decent brand.”
“That’s a good idea.Why not grab a shower and come over?We can look together.Might be able to just order it online and have it delivered.”
“Good idea.”Salzy lifted his arm and took a big whiff.“I stink.”He looked up.“You got any beer?”
Jamie laughed.“I was just at the store and didn’t get any.I knew I’d forget something.”He pulled out his wallet and pushed some cash at Salzy.“Why don’t you run and get us some when you’re done.I’d like to get your opinion on a few things.”
Salzy tilted his head to one side.“I’m not...I’m not sure how to put this, but I did tell you I wasn’t gay, right?”
Jamie rolled his eyes.“Don’t go flattering yourself.And why would you even ask that?”
“It’s just I’m not good at doing colors or decorating shit, ya know.”Salzy’s eyebrows shot up.“What?I’m not hot enough for you?”
Jamie laughed.“Well, I did kiss you, didn’t I?And no, I’m not asking your opinion of any of that.”
“Ha!You did.”He smiled brightly, his white, even teeth looked brighter against his dark skin.“You kissed me.You think I’m hot!”He waggled his eyebrows.
“You want that beer or not?”
Salzy turned and sang and danced across the small parking area behind the diner.“He thinks I’m ho-ho-hot,” doing a little cha-cha-cha step as he went.
Jamie shook his head as he climbed the stairs.As soon as he opened the door, he pulled off his shirt.I wish I had a pair of shorts.He turned on the oscillating fan before he sat and opened his computer.He pulled up the big Homes store website.He found a large range of refrigerators.He took the bull by the horns and just added one to the shopping cart.He sat forward and stretched out his back.“Damn, that bed is going to kill me.”
He turned his attention to mattresses.I might as well get all new mattresses for his apartment and the garage apartment.He remembered how shabby that sofa was in Salzy’s apartment.Jamie had a look around him.Just like in the diner, everything was old and just plain ol’ worn out.
Jamie stood up and walked out to the back veranda.He ran his hand along the back of one of the two rocking chairs.The one where his Papaw had died.The view from here wasn’t bad.Most of it just patches of weed filled fields.It made Jamie wonder just how far back the property line was and how much of it Papaw and Mamaw owned.How muchheowned.“It...just doesn’t seem real.”
There was a slight breeze, and Jamie lifted his arms up over his head, trying to catch as much of it as he could.He let his head drop forward, his eyes closed.Taking a deep breath and let it out slowly.He opened his eyes and saw that the floor of the veranda needed some love.Everywhere he looked, he was struck by how shabby things looked.
“What am I going to do?What do Iwant?”
Jamie returned to the small table, looked at what all he’d picked out and hit purchase.He busied himself setting up a delivery for the next day.He sighed and then smiled.Salzy will just have to suck it up.I’m buying him a new fridge and mattress whether he likes it or not.
No sooner had he thought that he heard the old truck pull in, and the engine shut off.He was quickly learning the sound of Salzy’s footsteps.
“Honey, I’m home,” Salzy called out.“I have beer.”
A wide grin broke Jamie’s solemn face.I’m staying.
