“Wow,” Joshua breathed out, leaning against Colin’s body. “Ten minutes on my iPad and a trip to Whole Foods Market. Banner day!”
“Don’t push your luck, bud.”
* * *
Their outingto the grocery store lasted only twenty minutes or so, but Colin could see that even those few minutes were stressful for his husband. He kept Joshua’s hand tight in his as they shopped and wrapped his arm around Joshua’s shoulders as they left the store and moved toward their car. “You OK?”
Joshua breathed out a soft laugh and nodded. “I am. But you were right about the sensory input. It was more taxing than I expected it to be.”
“You sure you can cook dinner?”
“I am,” Joshua said as he climbed into Colin’s car and fastened his seatbelt. “Cooking for us relaxes me like woodworking relaxes you. I enjoy it. And what I’m fixing tonight doesn’t require much thought.” He took Colin’s hand in his. “If I get into trouble, I’ll ask you for help.”
“Please do, baby.”
“I will.”
* * *
Joshua fixedtheir dinner with no problems whatsoever, and his happiness at being able to engage in this simple, day-to-day chore without dizziness or other neurological symptom melted Colin’s heart.
“Thank you,” Joshua whispered as they snuggled on the couch afterward. “Thank you for helping me take this step. It was good for me.”
“Why are you thanking me?” Colin asked, holding Joshua cradled in his arms. “I got a great dinner out of it.” For a moment he was silent, then he nudged Joshua. “Sit up for a second, bud. I need to get something.”
Joshua sat up on the couch and watched as Colin climbed the stairs to their bedroom. When he came back down, he was carrying the bookPersepolis Rising, a novel Joshua had been reading before he was kidnapped.
“You’re going to let meread?” Joshua blurted out in surprise.
“No, I am not,” Colin said, settling on the couch beside his husband. “I’m going to readtoyou.” He opened the book to the spot indicated by Joshua’s bookmark. “Is this where you were?”
Joshua stared at him, open-mouthed. “Sweetie, you don’t have to do this.”
“I don’thaveto do anything,” Colin replied. “What I do for you I do because Iwantto. Now is this where you were?”
Joshua nodded and bowed his head, pressing his forehead against Colin’s shoulder, blinded by tears. “God, Colin,” he choked out. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” Colin mumbled. “I might be a crappy narrator.”
As it turned out, Colin was an excellent narrator. Not only did he read the sci-fi novel with skill and real emotion, but he also acted out all of the characters, giving each one a unique voice and a vivid personality. Parts of his narration were deeply moving, parts were riveting, and parts were downright hilarious. Joshua couldn’t remember ever having a more wonderful reading experience.
After an hour or so Colin laid the book aside. Joshua was leaning against his arm, and the soft sound of his sleepy breathing brought a smile to Colin’s lips. “Hey, bud,” he whispered. “That’s enough for tonight. Let’s go upstairs.”
Joshua leaned back to gaze at him. “God, Colin, that was wonderful. I don’t know how to thank you.”
“Yes, you do.”
Joshua breathed out a soft laugh. “By taking care of myself.” He glanced toward the kitchen. “I didn’t do dishes.”
“Tomorrow,” Colin murmured, easing Joshua to his feet. “Tomorrow.”
Chapter 23
Conversations at The Cabin
When Colin and Joshua pulled up at the cabin and got out of their car, David and Nate were on the porch waiting for them. “Josh!” Nate called, sprinting toward him. “Howareyou?” He peered at Joshua’s face then reached to touch his cheek. “You lookbetter!”
Joshua smiled in greeting. “I have the most wonderful, caring husband on earth.That’swhy I look better.”
