Derek turned to Harm, who had gone pale.They held hands, and Derek wondered if he should figure out a way to get out of town for a while.Maybe if he were gone, William would find some other person to fixate on.
“He needs help,” Harm sent to the group.
“Yes, he does,” Suzanne added.“But he won’t get it because he isn’t the problem, everyone else is.The entire world is out to get him, since William is perfect and what he wants is perfectly reasonable… in his own mind.”
“What do I do?”Derek asked.
“Don’t go anywhere alone.Harm, if you can, pick him up at work and bring him home.I’d also inform the people at work that you’re having an issue.Explain in detail the behavior so that if he tries to complain or sabotage you again, they are already aware.If he’s gone after you at work once, its likely he will try again.”
“Okay.I’ll send a note to the board and explain the situation.”
“Get a copy of the police report and include that too.They need to see that they are taking this seriously,” Joe told him.Derek translated for Suzanne, who agreed.“Get as many people on your side and watching your back as you can.That way he isn’t going to get very far on that front.And if you’re with other people, then he can’t get to you.”He started searching on his phone.“The last thing I think you should do is get some cameras outside the house.Put them in the upstairs windows so you can get the front door as well as the back and side gates.That way if he does try anything, you can get evidence.”Joe motioned him over and showed Derek what he was talking about.“We have this on our place in Arizona.”He brought up an app.“This is our front door.”
There was a package on the stoop, and Larry made a call, asking someone to get it for them.“Who installed them?”
“Harm did the last time he was down.Not that we expect a break-in or anything, but this way we can see what’s going on.And like with the package, have it taken care of so we don’t advertise that we’re away,” Larry said.
Derek went back to his seat while Joe and Larry continued looking at Joe’s phone.They smiled and put it away, probably once the neighbor had picked up whatever had been delivered.
Meanwhile, Harm was on the internet, showing him what Joe had, and once Derek nodded, he continued working.“What did you do?”Derek asked as Harm showed him the order.
“The stuff will be here Saturday, and I’ll get it installed.It’s no big deal.”These messages were private.Derek wasn’t so sure how he felt about Harm just going ahead and ordering the equipment, but then he thought of the mess he was going to have to clean up in front of the house and forgave him in a moment.
Suzanne patted him on the shoulder.“You need to let him help you.This is serious and you know it.From what you described, this William is getting more and more clingy and worrisome.So put up cameras and do whatever you need to in order to stay safe.I mean it, this guy could have tried to set the house on fire.Who knows what he’ll do next.”She signed in that very determined manner she had when she went into sister mode.
“Okay,” he told her.“I just hate the idea of turning my home into a fortress.”
“You aren’t.But you are taking steps to protect yourself.Once William is out of the picture, you don’t need to use them if you don’t want, but until then, you need to play it smart.”She grinned, and Derek rolled his eyes.
“Fine.I’ll be a good little librarian and let everyone do what they think I need.”Now he was being petulant.
“Let the person who cares for you help protect you,” Suzanne added, and Derek turned to Harm, who had been watching the exchange, probably trying to parse what they had been signing.Derek leaned against him and Harm put an arm around him.Derek sipped his wine, and thankfully Joe or Larry asked another question in the chat and the discussion veered onto another topic, much to Derek’s relief.
JOE ANDLarry got ready to leave about nine, and Derek and Harm showed them to the door.They all said good night, and Harm’s dads exchanged a silent look with Harm for a few seconds.“Will we see you for lunch?”Joe asked.
Harm nodded, and they both hugged both him and Harm before stepping out into the night, avoiding the mess in front.Derek closed the door and waited until they were in the car before turning out the lights.Suzanne was clearing up the dishes as they returned.Derek put away the last of the nibbles and cheese before turning out the kitchen lights.He was exhausted but pleased that Thanksgiving had gone so well.
Derek and Harm headed for the stairs while Suzanne settled on the sofa, probably to watch something on television before going to bed herself.They both said good night and went up.Harm went to the bedroom, while Derek made sure everything was all set for Suzanne.Then he joined him, closing the door to the largely dark room.
As soon as he slipped under the covers, Harm rolled on his side and tugged Derek into his arms, holding him tightly.He didn’t make a move to initiate anything, and Derek was grateful.He was so tired, both physically and mentally, that while he probably could have summoned the energy, he was glad he wasn’t going to need to.Instead, he closed his eyes and drifted off the sleep, safe, knowing Harm would watch over him.
Chapter 14
HARM LOVEDspending time with his dads.Joe helped him install the cameras at Derek’s when they arrived, and everything was working well.It was all linked to Derek’s phone, so he could see what was going on around the house at any time.Harm was also able to program some alerts into the system so that if someone tried to enter the backyard when Derek was at work or at night, he could get a message.It was all pretty simple, but the last thing he wanted was for Derek to be in danger.
Over the past few weeks, Harm’s feelings had grown deeper, and he found he was more and more protective of Derek.Sometimes he wondered if he was getting too much so.A few times when he stopped into the library to return books and get new ones, he’d seen Derek with other patrons and found himself getting jealous.Not that he thought anything was going on, but that they had Derek’s attention.It was stupid and he knew it.
A tap on the shoulder as he watched Derek behind the circulation desk pulled his attention.“You really like him,” Belle signed, and Harm found himself blushing.“You do,” she signed with a wicked grin.They had ten minutes before their Tuesday night signing group.“That’s really good.”She held his gaze.“It can be hard sometimes for people to understand what it’s like to have limited ability to communicate.Yet he seems to not only understand, but….”Her hands stilled, and Harm waited for her to continue.“He takes it in stride like it’s nothing at all and fills any gaps without looking like he’s making an effort.”
“I met his sister at the holiday, and I understand so much more about him now.He’s the younger brother, and his sister was born deaf, like you.So he does it without thinking.Derek makes sure everyone gets included.I think it’s his superpower.”He also explained as best he could how Derek set up a group chat for everyone.
“That’s brilliant,” she told him.“I’ll have to do that at Christmas.It’s so easy to get left out.”Derek saw him and gave a little wave.Harm smiled back, and then he and Belle went upstairs to the community room.Derek had a conflict, so Belle led the group that week, reviewing what they went over last week, and then presented the lesson.It was harder for Harm with her leading, because Derek spoke as well as did the signs, and he learned faster through hearing.Belle could talk, but she was self-conscious about it and tended not to, especially in front of a larger group like this.
Derek joined them for the open discussion and social portion of the evening, where everyone just talked with each other, sitting next to him.“I want you to sign as much as you can, so I’m going to join another group and let you swim on your own.”He patted Harm’s shoulder and left him with a couple of the folks from work.
“He’s cute,” Rachel signed to him.“I’m jealous that you found him first.”
“Well, I guess I’m lucky that way.”He wasn’t going to get into the fact that Derek was gay.She was being kind, and there was nothing mean in her comment.
