“So what, he’s used drugs in the past?”
“Yeah. He got hooked on oxycodone when he was just outta college. He had an accident at a construction site that really messed him up. But he dealt with it back then and has only had a few temptations since, according to what he’s told me. But he admitted that it’s a stress trigger for him, and his folks tend to make him stressed.”
“Do his folks not accept him because he’s gay?” Court asked.
“No, that’s actually not the problem. It’s because he refused to take over the family business. It sounds like it’s been a sore subject for years.”
“Unreal.” Court shook his head. “But you’re okay with his history of drug use?”
“Yeah. I’ll admit, it was weird at first, but I talked to Hank about it, and he helped me work through it all,” Ash said. “I believe what Ker’s told me about it all, and as long as he stays clean and is open about it all with me, I think we can deal with whatever happens.”
“This sounds like it might be a more serious relationship than I first thought.”
“It feels that way more and more each day. I think this is gonna be something long-term,” Ash admitted.
“Well, I’m glad. You definitely deserve someone who makes you happy.”
“We all do, bro.”
“And on that note, I need to get to work,” Court said. “I just got approval to make a few new hires in the new year, and applications have already started to roll in.”
Since Ker would be away for Christmas, he and Ash had decided to spend the weekend before the holiday together to have their own celebration. They’d work at A Helping Hand on Saturday morning as usual, then would have their own version of Christmas afterward at Ash’s house. It would include a special dinner of grilled filet mignon with baked potatoes and broccoli au gratin. And those raspberry mocktails that Ash had made for Ker the day they spent cooking together. Ker seemed to really enjoy them.
And Sunday, of course, would be dinner with Muriel and the family.
After much discussion, they both finally agreed not to exchange gifts this year. Ker had enough stress surrounding his visit to Fitchburg, and he didn’t need anything to add to that. Instead, their gift would be to spend time together and enjoy each other in every way they could. Ash’s brain had been working overtime imaging all the ways he and Ker could enjoy each other. Over and over again!
But then he got an idea. A little something with a lot of meaning that he could give to Ker. Not exactly a gift but more like a declaration or a commitment.
At lunchtime that day, he walked to a nearby locksmith’s shop and had a duplicate key made for his house.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-ONE
Ker
No matter what he did, Ker couldn’t stop thinking about the phone call with his mom.
So, his dad was gonna try and talk him into moving back to Fitchburg to take over the chain of grocery stores. No fucking way was that gonna happen, regardless of what his parents wanted! Why couldn’t they understand that running those stores wasn’t what he wanted to do with his life?
He felt his thoughts starting to spiral, felt like there was no way out.
On Tuesday evening, he went to a Narcotics Anonymous meeting, hoping it would help him get back in control. He listened carefully to other people share their stories. A triumph here, a downfall there, but nothing really helped his mood.
Even his sponsor, Bob, noticed something was off with him. “How are ya doing?” he asked Ker when the meeting was over. “You don’t look so good, my friend.”
“Same old family shit,” Ker spat. He didn’t mean to sound so bitter, but he couldn’t help himself. “And now I have to spend time with them next week.”
“You wanna talk about it?” Bob queried. “You know I’m always here.”
Hmmm, talk about it? Maybe that’s what I need to do.Ker got an idea. “Thanks anyway, Bob. Don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t think you can help me with this one. But I might know someone who can.”
“As long as it doesn’t involve going back to your old ways. And remember, I’m just a phone call away.”
Ker walked home, feeling a bit more hopeful as he thought of a possible solution. But for now, he’d sleep on it. He needed to think it through and be sure it was the right decision. Asking for help was a struggle for him. It made him feel weak, and that terrified him.
Ker was leaving for Fitchburg in less than a week to spend Christmas with his family. His hands trembled, and he began to sweat just thinking about it. Why had he agreed to go? Sure, it was Christmas, but it wasn’t like he actually wanted to see his folks. Okay, he was doing it for Sharon. And his two-year-old nephew, Colt. It would be nice to spend time with them. He’d suffer through three days with his folks to spend time with his sister and her family.
