Page 18 of Sight Unseen

I came back and pressed the cold drink into Nate’s hands. They were screw tops so I unscrewed mine and waited to see if Nate needed help. He didn’t.

We sipped our beers and looked like two men without a care in the world.

“You heard from your folks?” I knew the answer already.

“No. They haven’t been in touch at all. Not even a get well card.” I heard the underlying pain. Losing his family had always messed with Nate’s head even though he tried not to show it much.

“Bastards,” I growled. “They’re lucky they’re on another continent or else I’d show up and give ’em a piece of my mind.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m used to it. You know that’s water under the bridge.”

I did, although I knew the stream still trickled a little. Over the past twelve years, Nate had sent birthday cards, Christmas cards and anniversary cards to his parents and sister. Not one had ever been acknowledged. A few had even been marked “return to sender,” but doggedly he continued to try to communicate with his family.

Phone calls he’d made were scarcely acknowledged and ended up in emotional outbursts. He’d given up calling them years ago.

Nate sighed. “No good stressing about it. I’ve got enough on my plate to think about.” He gave a soft laugh. “Besides, I’ve got your folks. You know I’m their surrogate son.”

My parents and siblings—Jessica, Levi and Daisy—had already visited Nate twice and offered to help in any way they could. They called every other day too.

“Jon’s got this visual rehabilitation therapist coming in on Friday.” Nate sat back and closed his eyes, his hands holding the bottle on his lap. “Her name’s Suzanne. I guess she’ll be talking to me about maybe using a cane to get around, following up on the stuff Marty told me about.” He sighed heavily. “I don’t really want a cane but it sounds as if they are really useful when I’m out and about.” He frowned. “I also need to learn Braille. That’s going to be fun.”

“Ya know, canes can be awesome. You can get one that has a secret compartment in the top for your bourbon. And you can learn to use it like Obi Wan Kenobi did his light saber, like a weapon. Also, Matt Murdock. Just dwell on that for a while.”

It was no secret I had a huge crush on the actor who played Daredevil in the TV series. Nate leaned forward and to my surprise, he ran a finger down my cheek without hesitation. I was floored he seemed to know exactly where I was. His other hand held his half-empty beer bottle between his thighs.

“You’re the best, Cody,” he murmured. “Everyone else has been treating me like spun glass, as if I’ll shatter. Jon seems to think I need help with everything. But you act like nothing’s changed. Like I’m still the same person.”

I swallowed, thinking I definitely had an oral fixation as his finger reached the corner of my mouth and paused. I wanted to open and nab it inside my mouth, suck on it until Nate’s eyes glazed over and he made that breathy sound when he orgasmed. A sound I’d only heard a few times in my life, and I’d probably never hear again.

“You make sense of all of this,” Nate continued as his finger now traced my lips and I closed my eyes, wishing this was something else rather than a blind man getting familiar with my face. “I know things are going to be different, and I’m glad I’ve got you with me to help me make it through.”

I sensed a shift in the air in front of me and opened my eyes. Nate leaned closer and for one heart-stopping, gut-wrenching moment, I thought he was going to kiss me.

Oh God, what’s happening? Is he really going to do it?

Reality set in like a rush of frigid air to the skin when he stopped, looking confused, as he flopped back against the couch. The warm fingers on my mouth disappeared and Nate clenched his hands, dropping them into his lap.

“It’s Jon’s birthday next month. Will you help me plan a party for him? I want it to be a surprise. Maybe it’ll make him happier, who knows.” Well, that request grabbed me by the balls and made me realize how fleeting my dreams were.

Nate’s voice was strained, and he looked down to his lap. Then he raised his beer bottle and took a long drink.

“Yeah, sure. Whatever you need.” My fantasies had once again gone down the toilet, but I could do this.

“It’s July twenty-first. He turns twenty-seven. I don’t want anything big, an intimate get-together here at the house. Maybe we can have finger food, a bit of dancing. I need to make sure the food choices are healthy though, you know how he and his model friends are about their weight.”

I nodded then realized Nate couldn’t see it. “I’ll ask Rachel to help out. She’s good at stuff like that, getting menus organized for people’s needs. Her family are a mix of vegetarian, vegan and cannibals.”

I hoped Nate hadn’t noticed the flatness in my voice.

Nate moved farther away on the sofa as if distancing himself. “Thanks, man, I appreciate that.” He drained his beer and fumbled around at his side to place the empty bottle on the side table.

I stood. “Want another beer? I’m nearly done with this one myself.”

Nate shook his head. “No thanks. I’m fine.”

I grabbed another beer and downed half of it in one long swallow. “Want me to take a look at your iPhone, see if I can figure out how to get it to read texts? Maybe download whatever apps you’ll need?”

“Sure, it’s in the bedroom, in the charger still. Thanks, that’ll be one less thing for Jon to do when he gets home.” Nate lay back on the sofa and closed his eyes.