The Sweet Tooth

by Margot Larson

  CHAPTER 6

  Mathieu had been trying to focus on his research project but found it harder and harder because he kept pausing and listening every time he heard Solomon coughing. After hours of listening to the sounds getting worse and worse Mathieu couldn’t take it anymore, he Googled ‘Anders’ Steakhouse’ and dialed the number. A woman answered and after he said that no, he didn’t want to make a reservation he asked to speak to Anders. He was told that Anders was busy but Mathieu didn’t want to leave a message so he told her that it was an emergency. She put him on hold and he assumed she went to get Anders. The next voice he heard was a very pleasant sounding, deep voice, “Anders speaking.”

  “Hello Anders, my name is Mathieu. I’m Solomon’s neighbor.”

  “How can I help you Mathieu?”

  The man on the other end of the phone didn’t sound happy about being interrupted at work. “Well,” the Irishman suddenly felt nervous and a little embarrassed. “Um..Solomon’s sick and I’ve been listening to him coughing all day and I’m kinda worried about him. He seems to be getting worse.”

  “Solomon’s sick? Solomon’s never sick.” Anders’ voice was softer.

  “He got caught in the rain the other day and now he’s got the flu. He sounded bad last night but all I’ve been hearing today is coughing. I’m worried about him. Could you come check on him?”

  “You think he’s that bad?”

  “Yes. I think so.” He really did but there wasn’t anything he could do about it was there?

  “Okay, let me make a call to get someone to cover me for a while. I’ll be probably half an hour or so.”

  “Thank you, Anders.” Mathieu hung up but he knew he wouldn’t be relieved until Anders was actually there.

  It took almost an hour before Mathieu heard footsteps on the stairs and then knocking at his door which surprised him. He figured that Anders would just go into Solomon’s but when he opened the door he found that it wasn’t Anders at all but an express delivery man with a package. Mathieu took the package and signed for it knowing that even though Solomon was home there was no way he was in any shape to answer his door. He brought the package inside and placed it on the floor next to his door. Just as he took his first step back toward his desk he heard another set of footsteps on the stairs and then knocking at his door. When he opened it that time he saw a man who must be Anders. He looked exactly as Solomon had described him. “Hello, Mathieu. I’m Anders. It’s nice to meet you.”

  “You too.” Mathieu shook the hand held out to him.

  “Do you want to come with me into Solomon’s?”

  Mathieu hadn’t expected that question like he hadn’t expected Anders to stop at his door. He wanted to, he really did but he just couldn’t and not because he was afraid of having an attack but because he was afraid of seeing Solomon and losing his resolve to keep away from him. He lowered his eyes and said, “No, thank you but if you wouldn’t mind can you give him something for me?”

  “Sure.” Anders fished his ‘emergencies-only-key’ to Solomon’s flat out of his pocket while Mathieu disappeared into his apartment. When the Irishman returned he held out a glass container that held more of the chicken soup he had made the day before. Anders took the container; Mathieu thanked him again and closed his door forgetting all about the express delivery box.

  Anders surveyed the bedroom; used tissues surround an empty bottle of syrup on the nightstand while more used tissue litter the floor. Solomon was curled up under several blankets and didn’t even acknowledge Anders’ presence next to him until he felt a hand on his forehead, “Mathieu,” he moaned.

  Anders raised an eyebrow and looked down on his friend, “sorry it’s just me but his telephone call is the reason I’m here if that makes you feel any better and he gave me some soup for you. How much of this medicine did you take?”

  Solomon only responded with another moan.

  “You need to see a doctor. You’re burning up.” He put his hand back on his friend’s forehead.

  Solomon moaned again, “No doctor, Mathieu.”

  Anders had to bite back a chuckle, “I’m not Mathieu. It’s me, Anders. We are both very good looking though so I can see why you could get us confused. Can you get up? I passed a clinic on the way here. It isn’t too far.” In Solomon’s weakened state it was pretty easy for Anders to get him unwrapped from the blanket cocoon he had created but getting him out of the bed was a different matter altogether. First Anders tried simply asking; when that failed he tried gentle persuasion; when that failed he tried blackmail; when that failed he tried gentle force; that failed too. “Stay right there.” Anders threw the blankets back over his friend.

  Mathieu was surprised by the third unexpected knock on his door that day and he opened it to find Anders again, “I can’t get him up and dressed by myself can you help me.”

  “Is he really that out of it?”

  “Yes. He’s taken his syrup but I don’t know how much or when he last took it. He’s got a fever and I want to get him to the clinic down the street. Will you help?” When the man in front of him hesitated Anders added, “He asked for you. In fact, he thought I was you.”

  Mathieu felt that helping was the right thing to do despite his wanting to keep himself isolated and since Solomon was out of it maybe he wouldn’t even notice, “Yes, I’ll help you.” He toed the box on the floor until it was positioned to keep the door open before following Anders.

  Anders found his friend in the same position he had left him, “Mathieu can you find some sweat pants for him? I’ll try to wake him up.”

  Without a word Mathieu advanced into the room and began going through Solomon’s dresser. Anders reached down and put his hands on Solomon’s shoulders and gently shook him, “Solomon? It’s time to get up. Solomon! Mathieu’s here to help you.”

  Solomon moaned, “Mathieu?”

  “Yes, Mathieu. Can you sit up for Mathieu?” Anders turned his head, “Mathieu can you please?”

  Mathieu approached the bed handing the pants he had found to Anders, “Solomon, it’s Mathieu. Can you sit up for me? Anders is going to take you to the doctor and when you come back you can have some more of the soup I made.”

  “Soup?”

  “Yes, Solomon, soup. But you have to get up and get dressed first.”

  The fog slowly lifted from Solomon’s mind while Anders and Mathieu helped him get dressed. “Mathieu? Are you alright?”

  Mathieu was in a hurry to leave, “Yes, I’m fine. Anders’ outside hailing a taxi. We better get going.”

  A coughing fit wracked Solomon’s body and he fell into Mathieu who wrapped his arms around the shorter man to keep him from falling. “Sorry,” Solomon groaned when it was over.

  “It’s alright,” Mathieu replied keeping Solomon still in his arms, “but if I get sick I am going to have to kill you.” The Irishman managed to get his friend into the hallway just as Anders arrived to tell them that the taxi was waiting. Anders threw an arm around Solomon’s other side but as the trio approached the stairs Mathieu balked. “I….I….can’t,” he felt the familiar sensations creeping up on him.

  Solomon straightened himself as much as he could and pulled away from Anders, “it’s okay. You don’t have too. Anders’ here and he will help me. I hope I’ll see you when we get back.” He cupped Mathieu’s cheek with this right hand. “Thank you for everything you’ve done today. I know how hard it was for you but I want you to know that it means a lot to me.” The blonde was relieved when Mathieu didn’t shy away from his touch.

  Anders didn’t understand exactly what the exchange he was watching was about but he was patient and let them have their moment. When he heard the taxi honking he gently pulled Solomon away, “let’s get you to the doctor. See you in a bit Mathieu, thank you for your help.”

  “You’re welcome.” The artist watched regretfully as Anders helped Solomon down the stairs before going back into his flat.

  ***

  Mathieu had put aside his r
esearch project and had begun working on rough sketches for an outside commission for a children’s clothing company he had gotten through his boss. The company manager had sent him an email describing what was required and photos of the clothing he was supposed to draw the children wearing. It was easy work, the commission was good and it got his mind off thinking about Solomon for a while. The Irishman finally heard the front door close and footsteps on the stairs after what seemed like hours. He waited for the fourth knock on his door that day and was disappointed when it didn’t come. Instead he heard the sounds of the two men moving around inside Solomon’s flat and talking quietly interrupted every so often by his coughing.

  The next thing Mathieu heard were raised voices followed by the slamming of a door. The fourth knock came quickly after. Anders walked into Mathieu’s apartment as soon as the door opened and threw himself down onto the sofa, “he’s such a baby when he’s sick.”

  The Irishman was momentarily taken aback by Anders’ easy familiarity but rapidly felt at ease in the restaurateur’s company, “can I get you anything to drink, water or beer?”

  “No, thank you. I have to pick-up a prescription for his highness, I just wanted to stop by and fill you in.” Anders pulled out his mobile after he felt it vibrate in his pocket. The text from Solomon said, ‘I told you not to bother him’. Anders sniggered as he put the phone back into his pocket. “He doesn’t want me to bother you. He told me that you and he are kinda on the outs right now. If I had known I probably wouldn’t have asked you to help me with him. I’m sorry if it was uncomfortable for you.”

  “No, no, it’s fine. I’m glad I could help.” Mathieu wondered how much Anders actually knew.

  Anders informed the artist that their friend had the flu and had actually gotten exposed to it a few days before the rain storm. The doctor had called the druggist with a prescription and Anders was going to fetch it but would it be okay if the two talked more when he got back. Mathieu readily agreed but wondered what Anders could have to say.

  ***

  A short time later Anders returned and found Solomon wrapped back up in his blanket cocoon fast asleep. ‘Good’, he thought, ‘then you won’t harass me for talking to your boyfriend’. He put the medicine on the nightstand with a bottle of water, cleaned up the used tissues, washed his hands thoroughly then returned to Mathieu’s. Seated back on the comfortable, chenille sofa with a cup of excellent, fresh coffee Anders allowed himself to relax. “This is really good coffee. I should get some for the restaurant.” The Irishman sat silently while he waited for Anders to say what was really on his mind. It didn’t take long, “I have two things to say to you. I mean one thing to say and one thing to ask. You may not want to do what I have to ask after you hear what I have to say but here it goes; Solomon really likes you. I don’t know what exactly happened or didn’t happen between the two of you but he likes you and the fact that you’re on the outs really bothers him. I’m not going to go on about the last relationship he was in that ended badly because I’m not the kind of person to try and guilt somebody into doing things but I will tell you that when he falls he falls hard and he’s fallen for you. The first night you two met you were grilling steak, right?” Mathieu nodded which signaled Anders to continue, “Did you know he came to the restaurant that night?” Mathieu shook his head. “He met Adrian there. Adrian could tell right away and even teased him about being smitten with you. The way Solomon was blushing I knew it was true.”

  “I don’t want him to be smitten with me. I……have problems.”

  “He knows and I believe he liked you before he knew. Solomon cares about you. He’s not the kind of guy to give up easily. I think you may have some idea of that.”

  “Yes. I’m finding that out. But he needs, he deserves somebody normal, somebody he can go out with and do fun things with. You saw earlier, I can’t even go down the stairs.” Mathieu hung his head in his hands. “He deserves better than me.”

  “He wants to be with you. Forgive me but I think you’re making a mistake turning away from him. I don’t know if you want help to get better so you can go out someday but if you do then he would be there for you and support you through whatever it took. Every step forward and any step back, he’d be there all the way. He’s that kind of guy.”

  Mathieu wanted to cry; his heart knew Anders was speaking the truth he just had to get his brain to find the courage to accept it too.

  “I’ll let you think on that and make up your own mind but I think he’d be really good for you. Now, I have something to ask you but feeling the way you do I’m not sure you’ll go for it. Solomon is going to need somebody to look after him for a few days. He’s going to need a lot of bed rest, fluids and take his medicine. I could arrange for a nurse for him but I thought if you were willing you might do it. I know it’s a lot to ask and if you say no I’ll understand.” Anders crossed his fingers and waited.

  Mathieu’s heart was beating so fast he thought it would punch right through his chest but it wasn’t the same feeling he got when he was having an attack. Solomon needed him. Nobody had needed him in what felt like forever. Could he do this one thing for somebody who had been trying so hard to break through the barriers he had surrounded himself with? The one person who had ever made an effort to understand what he suffered. The one person he believed actually meant it when he said that he’d be there. Yes, he could. “Yes. I will.”

  CHAPTER 7

  Mathieu let himself into his neighbor’s flat with Anders’ key; the express box under one arm. Solomon was still curled up under the blankets. Mathieu put the box on the dresser then returned to his apartment. He quickly checked his emails for any new work, there was none; picked up his sketch pad and pencil set then returned to Solomon’s. He sat himself down on the chair by the window and began to sketch. The artist was so involved with his sketches he didn’t notice when the blonde on the bed opened his eyes. Solomon watch for a while as Mathieu picked up pencil after pencil examining it and either put it back down or add something to the sketch. “Mathieu?”

  The pencil Mathieu had just picked up went flying across the room in Mathieu’s fright, “Don’t do that! You scared the life out of me!” He set the pad down and went to the bed. “How are you feeling?”

  “Sorry. What are you working on? Can I see?” Solomon sat up and made grabby hands at the artist.

  “I’m glad to see you’re coming back to your old, demanding self. The medicine must be working.” He retrieved the sketch pad from the floor and brought it to the bed. “Anders asked me to look after you.”

  “I told him not to bother you. I’m sorry. You don’t have to stay here if it’s uncomfortable for you.” Solomon held the sketch pad back out.

  Mathieu waved at the sketch pad indicating Solomon should keep it, “I want to be here. He told me some things about you too.”

  Solomon flipped through the pages, “Oh, God. What did he say? These sketches are so good, Matt. You should do it professionally.”

  “Thanks, I’ll think about it.” The Irishman sat at the foot of the bed. “Anders just told me what you told me. That you’re stubborn and that I’d never get you to go away so I might as well just give in.”

  Solomon laughed which turned into a coughing fit. Mathieu slid up the bed until he had his back to the headboard so he could rub the sick man’s back. “Easy now. That’s it. Just relax.” Mathieu unscrewed the cap from the bottle of water on the nightstand and held it out, “Sip this. Do you have juice or would you prefer tea?”

  “Do you really think I would have juice?” The blonde snuggled into the brunette’s side. “Cuddling is nice.”

  “Cuddling is very nice but I can’t make you tea if we’re cuddling.”

  “Cuddling is nice.” Solomon sighed sleepily.

  ***

  The next thing that woke Solomon was Mathieu’s growling stomach. “Somebody is hungry.”

  “Somebody is very perceptive.”

  Solomon moaned as Mathieu pried himse
lf out of his hold. “There isn’t anything here to eat.”

  “I brought more soup. I’ll heat it up. I’ll even share it with you if you’re good and take your medicine. You do have a pot, right?”

  “Pot? I never would’ve taken you for a smoker,” Solomon teased.

  Mathieu rolled his eyes, “I will let you starve or drown you in the bathtub. In your weakened state I’m pretty sure I could.”

  “You wouldn’t!” Solomon hid himself under the covers. “I’ll take my medicine. Pots are in a cabinet under the counter.”

  “I want to see you take the medicine.” Mathieu held out the bottle and waggled it until Solomon’s head popped out from under the covers. Mathieu poured out a dose into the small measuring cup and handed it to the blonde.

  “Mmm, tastes like strawberry. Delicious.”

  “Does it? I love strawberries. They’re my favorite.” Mathieu’s eyes twinkled; Solomon noticed and filed the information away in his brain for possible future use.

  As Mathieu left the room Solomon shouted out (as best as his voice would allow), “You can always use the microwave to heat up the soup!”