The Sweet Tooth

by Margot Larson

  Into the empty onion saucepan Mathieu put the lobster shell, garlic, shallots, peppercorns and milk and brought the mix to a simmer over medium heat for twenty minutes. While he waited for the twenty minutes he started the rue by melting butter over medium-high heat. Flour got added and the two were whisked until the mix was paste-like and light-golden brown. When the time was up for the milk mixture he strained it and set that aside with the rest of the ingredients. He gradually added the milk mixture into the flour and butter whisking until it simmered. The combined mixes cooked and were stirred until thick and smooth. Once the mix was smooth he added the gruyere and Romano cheeses; stirring until they were melted and the sauce was smooth again. Salt, pepper, the lobster, onions and macaroni were stirred in until well combined and was then poured into a casserole dish and sprinkled with panko break crumbs.

  Just as Mathieu was putting the dish into the oven Solomon came into the kitchen, “Hey, Baby. What’s cooking?”

  “You’re wonderful boyfriend just put lobster mac and cheese into the over. It should be done in,” Mathieu checked the oven timer, “seven minutes and fourteen seconds.”

  “I have the best partner ever,” Solomon threw his arms around Mathieu’s waist pulling the Irishman close. “I’m starving. It smells so good but not as good as you,” he made a show of loudly sniffing at Mathieu’s hair.

  Mathieu giggled, “You’re so silly. You feeling better now?”

  “A little.”

  “Wanna talk?”

  “Nothing bad happened it just didn’t go the way I expected it too.”

  “Let me guess, if you don’t mind.”

  “No, go ahead.”

  “You expected yelling and you got sympathy from Anders and antagonism from Adrian.”

  “How did you know?”

  “Well, I still talk to Anders every day so I like to think I know him pretty well and you know how I feel about Adrian….”

  “Yes, I know. Anders didn’t want to accept the money especially after he figured out that I got the money from you. I didn’t stick around long enough to find out what Adrian thought about that.”

  “How did Anders know I gave you the money?”

  “Loaned me the money. Loaned. Adrian asked how I could afford to pay them back if I had lost money too and Anders, well, he just guessed. I didn’t confirm it but I didn’t deny it either. I just said that it didn’t matter. And it doesn’t. You did it for me, not for them.”

  “Yes. I did it because I love you and you love me. I’d do anything for you to make you happy.” Solomon whispered a suggestion in Mathieu’s ear causing the Irishman to blush, “Okay….almost anything.”

  ***

  After lunch they went to the ice cream shop up the road. This time Mathieu entered the shop with Solomon even though it was a little crowded on the late summer afternoon. The brunette stayed glued to Solomon’s side as they perused the selection. He had his puppy face on so Solomon wouldn’t push him away and Solomon thought he it adorable. Mathieu got a waffle cone with strawberry ice cream and Solomon got a cup of caramel gelato. There was no room on any of the benches outside so they ate their treats and shared with each other while they walked back home.

  They entered the front door and fell on each other as they kissed their way up the stairs their hands exploring each other’s bodies. Mathieu tripped backwards up the stairs but Solomon didn’t let him fall. Mathieu’s weight carried them down so the brunette was sitting on a step with Solomon between his legs. The Irishman wrapped his legs around his partner’s waist to bring him closer. Solomon ground his hips down as Mathieu let out a low moan. Their passion stalled when they heard a deep voice from over their heads, “You two can’t wait until you get into one of the flats?”

  CHAPTER 24

  Mathieu tipped his head backwards, “Hello, Anders. Been waiting long?”

  Anders couldn’t help but smile, Mathieu was like a big kid, “Hello, Mathieu. No, I just got here.”

  “What are you doing here, Anders,” Solomon snapped though he didn’t really mean too.

  “Somebody didn’t call me so I came around to see if somebody was okay,” the chef emphasized the word ‘somebody’ both times.

  Mathieu looked to Solomon still wrapped between his legs, “I don’t think he means me,” the Irishman whispered.

  “No, Baby. I don’t think he does,” Solomon leaned over for another kiss before he looked up to Anders, “Sorry I snapped.”

  “That’s alright, no harm done.”

  Mathieu reluctantly released his legs from around his partner to let Solomon stand, “Shouldn’t you be at the restaurant, Anders?”

  “I’m making some changes so I can have some more time off,” Anders went to rub the back of his neck but stopped himself. He didn’t want to give away his discomfort on the subject of his off time.

  Solomon teased, “You finally promote that chef?”

  “Maybe,” Anders teased back.

  “You get a girlfriend? You did say that Mathieu’s doctor was ‘funny’ and what was it….oh yeah, ‘nice’.

  “Things were fuzzy a few weeks ago but I’m pretty sure you and Evelyn hit it off too,” Mathieu added, still seated on the stairs with his head tipped back.

  “You guys are so funny, you know that?”

  Solomon stepped over his partner while Mathieu made playful grabs at Solomon’s ankles, “Yes, we know.”

  “I think I’m funnier,” Mathieu remarked as he turned himself over to crab walk the rest of the way up the stairs.

  Solomon watched and rolled his eyes at his childish partner before turning his attention back to Anders, “Seriously, Anders, what can we do for you?”

  Anders took the cheque out of his pocket and held it out to Solomon, “I told you I can’t take this.”

  Solomon opened the door to his flat, “And I told you I want you to have it. Please Anders, let me do this for you. I feel terrible about the loss. I should’ve known better than to invest in something that looked too good to be true.”

  “You couldn’t have known, Solomon. I don’t blame you and I trust you. If I didn’t trust you I never would’ve given you my money in the first place.”

  “And I feel like I betrayed your trust when I invested so much with those people without even asking you and then I lost it.”

  “That’s just it, you didn’t lose it. It was stolen.”

  Solomon sat on the sofa and ran his hands through his hair. He took a deep breath and swallowed hard, “I need you to do this for me Anders. Please.”

  Anders looked down at his friend and felt a wave of sympathy, “Okay. I’m willing to compromise. I’ll keep the money but I want to give it to you to put back into my account.”

  “I can’t.”

  “Why not? Are you quitting?”

  “No, I’m not quitting.”

  “Then take the money and put it back into my account. Invest it wisely, nothing risky.” Anders turned the cheque over and signed his name on the back; again holding it out to Solomon, “Take it or I’ll bring it to your office tomorrow and give it to your boss.”

  Solomon heard the light-hearted threat but didn’t take it too seriously, “Are you sure? Wouldn’t you be more comfortable with another advisor?”

  “I’ve known you for a long time. I don’t want another advisor, I want you.”

  Solomon rose from the sofa to stand in front of the Englishman, “What did I do to deserve a friend like you?”

  Anders took the blonde into his arms, “You’re just lucky I guess.”

  Solomon looked up into Anders’ blue eyes, “Is this where we kiss?”

  Anders pushed his friend away, “Ew….I know where that mouth’s been.”

  It was only when they broke apart that Solomon realized that Mathieu didn’t follow them into the flat, “Let’s go see what Ireland is up too. He’s got lobster mac and cheese left over from lunch; you have to try it.” Solomon turned away so he didn’t see Anders’ knowing grin.

&nbs
p; Before Solomon could open Mathieu’s door Anders put a hand on Solomon’s shoulder to stop him, “You know you didn’t have to tell us about what happened. All you had to do was take the money and put it in our accounts we wouldn’t have been any wiser.”

  “I could’ve done that, yes, but that wouldn’t have been right. I had to tell you, you’re my friends. I couldn’t go behind your back with this.”

  “What would you have done if you couldn’t come up with the money to repay us?” Anders didn’t want to say, ‘what if Mathieu didn’t have the money to give you’.

  “I would’ve tried to get a loan from the bank and if I couldn’t I would’ve told you that I would pay you back over time. Did Adrian say anything to you after I left?”

  “Not really. He mumbled something that sounded like ‘New Zealand’ then he left. I haven’t heard from him since. Have you?”

  “No. I wonder what he meant.” Anders shrugged as Solomon pushed open the door, “Honey, I’m home!”

  ***

  Adrian waited three days to call Solomon but the call came when he and Mathieu were waiting in Elise’s reception area for their appointment. Mathieu had been bouncing with enthusiasm because he was going to ask Elise to let him come off the medication for good. Solomon wanted to take the call but he thought that talking to Adrian would take a while and he wanted to be there for his partner for his big moment with Elise. The call went to voicemail just as Elise called them into the consultation room.

  The doctor greeted the two as they entered the room. Once the two were settled down she picked up her notebook and asked Mathieu how he was feeling. Mathieu looked happier then Elise remembered seeing him; he was almost sitting on top of Solomon while Solomon held him in his arms in an effort to keep the Irishman from bouncing off the sofa.

  “Iwannacomeoffthemedication,” the Irishman blurted out without taking a breath.

  “Oh, well, you’re feeling better then?” She watched Mathieu nod vigorously, “Before I can say yes or no tell me how your week went.”

  Mathieu took his journal out of his bag and reviewed the week’s events for his doctor. She asked the couple a few questions about what happened at the park and seemed satisfied by the way they both handled the situation. She was also happy with Mathieu’s foray into the ice cream shop. She questioned him about venturing any further than the park by himself and was little disappointed when he replied ‘no’. She made some notes then turned her attention to Solomon. The blonde told her about giving Anders and Adrian the cheques and his agreement with Anders to put the money back into Anders’ account. He went on to tell her about the call he missed from Adrian before they were called into the office. She told him that she’d give him privacy if he wanted to return the call while he was there in case there was something he needed to talk about but Solomon declined her offer.

  Mathieu’s face fell when Elise turned to him with a frown, “I’m sorry, Mathieu, I can’t let you come off the medication just yet but I will reduce your dose. I would like you to try to go further on your own and even try to go more places with other people not necessarily just Solomon. We’ll revisit the subject at your next appointment which I would like to schedule two weeks from now. But call me if you have any trouble and I’ll see you sooner.”

  Mathieu was disappointed but agreed. Solomon gives his partner’s hand a squeeze to show his support.

  Before she lets them leave she warns Mathieu to stay on the medication, “I know you’re disappointed but you’ll need to come of the medication gradually with lower doses or the withdrawal symptoms can be very severe. You can suffer from a return of your attacks, insomnia, nausea, loss of appetite and weight loss, fatigue, and numbness just to name a few. If you follow my advice and you’re rate of improvement increases I see no reason why you can’t be off the medication totally by….,” Elise referred to the calendar at the back of her notebook, “I’d say by Christmas.”

  “Christmas? That’s so far off,” Mathieu whined. “Can’t we aim for Halloween?”

  “Or my birthday in early December?” Solomon chimed in wanting to be helpful.

  “Let’s see how much improvement you’ve made by the end of next month, Mathieu and we’ll talk about it then, okay?”

  Again Mathieu was disappointed but he agreed. The bubbly, excited Mathieu from earlier was long gone as Solomon stood from the sofa to lead his saddened partner out of the office.

  ***

  Mathieu was still moping the next day so he didn’t feel like doing anything Elise advised him to do. Before Solomon left for work he asked Mathieu to put an ad on-line to sell their furniture even though they hadn’t decided which flat to stay in yet. The Irishman didn’t feel like doing that either. He didn’t order groceries or send off the laundry and for the first time he didn’t answer his mobile when Anders called. He was so sure Elise would let him off the meds. He felt like he was doing so much better. The brunette would certainly stop taking the meds on his own if it weren’t for the doctor’s stern warning and some research Solomon did about withdrawal that had him frightened at becoming worse than he was.

  A text arrives from Solomon, ‘Did you place the ad or are you still moping?’

  Mathieu replied, ‘Not moping, sulking. It’s different. And no.’

  ‘No, it isn’t and please do so.’

  ‘Yes, it is and I’ll think about it.’

  Solomon didn’t respond to Mathieu’s last text and Mathieu didn’t place Solomon’s ad.

  Anders phoned an hour after his first attempt but Mathieu still didn’t feel like talking so he let the call go to his voicemail. An hour after that he heard footsteps on the stairs and just assumes it was Anders come to check on him. Mathieu heard the knock on the door; when Solomon left he didn’t prop open the door with the book; and for a moment the artist thought about pretending he wasn't home but he’d feel even worse if he ignored Anders in person so he forced himself to finally get out of bed.

  The knocking on the door turned to pounding and when the voice on the other side says, “I know you’re in there,” Mathieu froze in his tracks. It’s not Anders at his door but Adrian.

  “Solomon’s not here,” the Irishman called back.

  “I know. I want to talk to you.”

  “About what?” Mathieu hadn’t gotten a step closer to the door.

  “Things. Come on, open up.”

  “What kinds of things?” Mathieu ran back into the bedroom, grabbed up his mobile and sent off a quick text, ‘Adrian is here, wants to talk to me. Help!’

  “Mathieu! I’m not going to hurt you. Open the door.”

  Mathieu figured it would take Solomon at least thirty minutes to get home if he was able to leave right away and if Solomon was able to get a taxi. He could always lock himself in the bathroom if he felt threatened so with a deep breath he turned the knob and stepped behind the door to shield himself as he opened it to let the Welshman in.

  By the time Solomon arrived, approximately forty-five minutes later, he entered the flat to find Mathieu curled up in a club chair and Adrian sobbing uncontrollably on the sofa. Solomon looked to his partner who raised his eyebrows and shrugged. “Everything okay here?” he asked as he sat in the other club chair.

  Adrian lifted his head, saw Solomon, buried his head in his hands and sobbed harder. Mathieu stood and motioned for Solomon to follow him into the kitchen.

  “I thought you were in trouble,” Solomon whispered.

  “Me too,” Mathieu whispered back, “but he told me some things and then he broke down. I’m sorry I should’ve texted you back and told you not to come. I’m sure it would be fine if you went back to work now.”

  “What did he tell you?”

  Mathieu blushed, “He told me that he was sorry for pushing me out the door that day. He only did it because he was jealous. He said he loved you but that he knew he had to let you go because….”

  “Because why, what?” Solomon wanted to shout through his whisper.

  “Because h
e knows that I will never break your heart,” the Irishman sniffled back tears as Solomon took the brunette in his arms. “Anders must’ve told him about a lot of things that have been happening with us because he knew about the therapy and our moving in together but the fact that I gave you, sorry loaned, you the money to pay him back after what he did to me….well, it opened his eyes.”

  “I still don’t get it. You loaned me the money because you love me I didn’t think it had anything to do with him.”

  “It didn’t have anything to do with him. If anything I thought that if he found out that it was from me he’d turn it down.”

  “I guess I’ll have to ask him.” Solomon returned to the sitting room and sat on the sofa next to Adrian. The Welshman was no longer sobbing but his head was still in his hands. Solomon put his arm around Adrian’s shoulders, “Alright?”

  Adrian shook his head, “No.” How could anything ever be alright? The love of his life had found someone else and would never be his. “I came to apologize and say good-bye.”

  “Good-bye? Where are you going?”

  Adrian picked up his head and turned to look at Solomon, “I was going to ask you to cash in some of my investments so I could take some time off and do some traveling. I need to think about a lot of things. I need to get some things straight in my head.”

  Even though they hadn’t spoken civilly to each other in weeks Solomon still didn’t want his friend to leave, “You have to go away for that? How long? Where will you go?”

  “I need to get away from here, from you.” The Welshman had a guilty look on his face, “I’m sorry. I don’t know for how long. I’m thinking about going home to visit my family for a time then after that I don’t know.”

  “Anders said you mentioned New Zealand.”

  “Yeah, I thought I’d go there but maybe it isn’t such a good idea. Maybe I’ll go north. I’ve never been to Scotland. Or maybe I’ll go to Ireland and find myself an Irishman too,” Adrian laughed at that but it was strained and he broke down again.