“Your grandfather’s?” I said, surprised to hear the answer.
“With everything you’re losing lately, I thought it might be nice to visit the Zing Machine. And it doesn’t hurt that my grandfather is a great guy. Maybe I’ll be lucky and you’ll see some similarity between us.”
I imagined an older version of Dominick, then giggled despite myself when I realized he was probably just going to get more attractive over time. “I would like to see the machine,” I said. “That’s a nice idea.”
“Good,” he said, sounding satisfied. “We’re just back in this next suburb.”
Suburbwouldn’t have been the word I chose. After pulling off the expressway, we drove immediately into the forests, following a curving road through the hills. The occasional driveways we passed often had open gates to mark them, and I imagined most led to generously spaced homes with rolling views. And sure enough, as we navigated our way deeper into the forests, every view seemed more jaw-dropping than the last.
“Right here, Bruce,” he said, leaning forward to talk to the driver. “First on your right.”
I suddenly startled in my seat. I was about to meet Dominick’s family, and I hadn’t prepared myself at all. “What did you tell him about me?” I asked quickly. “Am I your friend?”
He chuckled warmly, then reached out, patting my knee. “You can be my friend, sure, but I told him you’re the guy I’ve been dating.”
I laid my hand on top of his, feeling the curves of his fingers and the soft hairs on the backs of his knuckles. “Really? You told him we’re dating?”
“Sure. I didn’t move back to Denver to sit around and keep secrets from my family.”
Warmth filled my chest as I wrapped my fingers around his hand. “Do you think he’ll like me? What should I tell him about myself?”
“I wouldn’t bring you here if he wouldn’t,” Dominick said. “Just be yourself. Trust me.”
Dominick invited his driver in, but he opted to take a walk down the trail instead. The house was set behind some pine trees and up a winding driveway, and when Dominick pushed open my door, the smell of grass and wilderness hit my nose. I stepped out into the early evening sun, and immediately, a flock of birds shot across the sky.
I couldn’t deny it felt good to be out of the city, and I was already clearing my head.
“Let’s say hi to Grandpa first,” Dominick said, taking me by the elbow. “Then I can show you where they stored the machine.”
As we walked together up the driveway, I watched Dominick from the corner of my eye. He was so good at these kinds of gestures. They made it easy to open up to him, but still, I couldn’t forget the feeling when the crew started on the garden Saturday morning. He had felt so far away then, and that distance had hurt me.
“It’s confusing to want so many different things from you,” I said.
He turned to me, his dark eyebrow turned up in a question. Before he could reply, however, a man with a strikingly handsome smile and broad chest stepped out from behind the house. He wore a gray sweater that drew out the silver in his hair, and when he called Dominick’s name, there was no doubt about it.
“You must be Dominick’s grandfather,” I said, pulling myself back from the anxious worries that had taken hold. The man extended his hand, and when I took it, his grip was firm and steady.
“Please, call me Vince. And you must be Xavier,” he said. “I’m glad the two of you could make it out here. The mountains are beautiful this time of year.”
“All year,” I said, stepping back by Dominick’s side. “How long have you lived out here? It must be a dream.”
Vince chuckled, and the rumble that came out of his chest was nearly identical to Dominick’s baritone. “Just since Dominick bought us the place a few years ago.”
Of course he did,I thought. And of course he didn’t mention that to me. He wasn’t the type to brag, as I was beginning to understand.
Vince gave us each a drink, then took us on a slow, meandering walk around the property. He offered easy, friendly conversation, telling me about his career in the Veteran’s Association in Denver and reminiscing over his favorite parts of the city. As we strolled between the trees, he asked me curious questions about the candy store and prompted Dominick to tell me a few stories from his childhood, which I was pretty sure would never have happened otherwise.
It felt good to be with him, and I could see where Dominick got his charms. Just like when I was talking to his grandson, when I talked to Vince, the rest of the world seemed to drift away, and I got swept up in the comfort and allure of his easy confidence.
“Next time you come through Denver, you should stop by the store,” I told him. “I promise, whatever you’re looking for, we’ll have it in stock.”
He chuckled, and his face filled with creases, warn from years of the expression. I imagined Dominick would have the same wrinkles one day, just like he had the same flash in his eyes. “I’ll probably be your easiest customer,” he said. “Just a plain chocolate bar for me.”
As we turned another corner, I realized we had done a loop around the property and arrived back to the house. From behind, it looked even larger than up front, and I was struck all over again by how much Dominick must have spent to purchase the retirement home for his grandfather.
“Anyway,” Vince continued, “I know you’ve got another reason for driving all the way out here.” He gestured to the garage door at the end of the driveway, set at the base of the house and built into the hill. “You wanted to take a peek at that old machine I’m storing for you, is that right?”
“That’s right,” Dominick said, resting his hand on his grandfather’s shoulder.
