“We’re glad about that.”Joe bit his lower lip.“What about college?”
Harm had been ready for that question.“Derek is going to help me apply for admission and the various financial opportunities that are available.I’m not sure what I want to study yet, but I can figure that out.”He sent the message and got smiles in return as Joe shared his message with Larry.“I also have my signing classes, and they keep growing each week.We have twenty people now, and it’s turning into a little community of our own.Belle is working with Derek to lead it, and I’m learning a lot.”
“That’s great too.We’re happy to see that you’re figuring out a way forward.We were worried about you for a long time.You didn’t seem to be going anywhere, and….”They shared one of those concerned looks that Harmon had seen more times than he could count.
“I’m sorry I worried you,” he texted.
“Don’t be silly.Parents worry.It’s part of the job.Now tell us about yours.”Larry sat back as Harm told him about what he was doing.It was a decent job, and he seemed to be doing well.But it was not what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.
“I keep thinking that I want to do something with young people.I’ve thought about coaching or going into sports rehabilitation, but I’m not really sure.I don’t want to work at the warehouse forever, but right now it’s paying the bills and it’s helping me get settled in the real world.”
“I have the tea,” Derek said as he came in with a tray and set it to one side on the table.He handed a cup to Joe and one to Larry.He also handed Harm a beer and then sat with a tea for himself.“I hope it’s okay.”
Joe nodded.“We’re so used to the heat that when it’s cold, it feels extra cold.”He sipped and set the cup aside.“So what is it you do?”
“I’m a librarian at the public library.I’m hoping to be made the library director, but the board seems to be taking their time making a decision.”He sipped.“I’ve added new programs and cut costs without reducing staff.It’s been frustrating playing the waiting game.”
Harm put an arm around him.“Sometimes committees like that have to make sure that they are making the right decision.When I was hiring, I knew the person I wanted as soon as I met them.But with a group, it takes longer.”Joe sipped again.“Try doing something that they can’t deny.Something that hits them in the face.”
Derek sat back and seemed to be thinking.“Like a book fair?I’ve had this idea in the back of my mind for a while.Start a book fair.Bring in as many local authors as possible.People can come in, get books, and have them signed.We could charge a small amount for the tables, which would cover any costs and might even bring in some money for acquisitions.”
Harm smiled and hugged Derek a little closer.
“Connie is a master organizer.I bet she’d love doing that sort of thing.And she loves authors.The woman goes to a ton of signings and brings back all these books that she donates to the Bookery or that we can put on the shelves.”Harm could already see how excited Derek was.
“That’s a great idea.I’d come to something like that, especially if you can get a big-name author to come in,” Larry offered.
Derek grinned.“And I know just the person, if she’ll do it.There’s an author who lives in Harrisburg, and she’s really hot right now.I have a friend who knows how to get in touch with her, so maybe she’d do it.”He had met some other authors at a conference last year, and maybe they’d also be willing to come.
“See.You can do this.I know you can,” Harm sent Derek, who read the text and grinned.
“All it would take is finding a date and making sure that we could get authors and publicity.”He was already getting excited about it, Harm could tell, and he was glad.The last few days had been nerve wracking, with the break-in and William still hanging around every now and then.At least the door and lock had been fixed.
“I understand you had a break-in,” Joe said gently.“That must have been frightening.”
“It was.We were here at the time, and I kind of freaked out, but Harm knew what to do and he protected me.He always seems to know what to do to try to keep me safe.”
“What did he do?”Larry asked.
“Harm moved and made no sound as he put on his clothes on, he was really stealthy.Then he motioned me into the bathroom and then went downstairs.When I came down, he had a guy on the floor, and I called the police.”Derek took Harm’s hand and squeezed it lightly.“I always feel safe with him.”
Harm smiled.
“That’s our Harmon.He always looked out for everyone.”Joe leaned closer.“Do you remember when you were in high school and one of the other kids was being bullied?You found out he was a foster, and the next time they picked on him, you stood up to them and they backed down.”
“Stevie,” Harm spelled.
“What did he say?”Joe asked.
“That his name was Stevie.”Derek looked into his eyes, and suddenly the thing Harm was going to say slipped out of his head.It was like getting lost in those eyes of his for a few seconds.
Joe cleared his throat.“Jesus.If the eye fucking is like that, you two must tear up the sheets.”He fanned himself, and Harm groaned.Joe had always been very forward.
Derek chuckled and didn’t look away.“You don’t know the half of it.”So Derek could give as well as he got; that was good to know.
Joe sputtered and Larry laughed.“Come on, you baited them, and he called your bluff,” Larry told Joe, and soon the two of them were chuckling together.“And you’re a smart one.I think Harm will need that… someone to keep up with him.”
Harm gaped and rolled his eyes.He knew they were teasing.
