Egg the Halls

by Jessica Payseur

  Cat made a sound of disgust and pointed to something lying in the snow by the wall.

  “Does that look Christmassy to you, too?”

  Kiko glanced at Dom and they both moved closer. A broken clay sculpture lay in the snow, covered with more of the paintballs, like it had been used for a target. It was clearly from one of the artist’s holiday collections, a three-foot-tall cat angel complete with wings. But the head had been broken off and lay in the snow several feet away.

  “I think someone’s threatening me,” said Cat, and her voice shook.

  * * * *

  Chapter 9

  “It’s Sunday,” said Dom when Kiko shoved him and shut off the alarm. Dom did not want to get up today, especially since he couldn’t go to work and avoid Devin that way.

  “We have guests,” said Kiko, trying to make his side of the bed. He was in boxers and a T-shirt and still looked warm and sleepy. Dom wanted to tug him back into bed and hold him for another hour, just dozing, but instead he rolled out and tugged the blankets up on his side.

  “We’re up an hour early,” he said, catching sight of the clock. There was no way to tell in winter when the sun didn’t come up for hours, but Dom scowled at the window anyway.

  “We have guests,” repeated Kiko, “Come on, shower with me.”

  Dom didn’t object to that. He loved squeezing into the shower with Kiko, washing each other, getting off. They could do it quickly enough when they wanted. Kiko didn’t object to him initiating, but did cover Dom’s mouth with a hand when he got him off, as though Dom would make any noise.

  “Eggs it is,” said Kiko when he opened the refrigerator. Dom handled the coffee. “If I give you a list, could you pick up a few things from Gord’s? I’m closing at about three today and wanted to make dinner.”

  “Yeah,” said Dom, watching the coffee drip down. Kiko had the eggs scrambled with vegetables ready just as Mother waddled furiously into the kitchen, followed by the kids. Dom helped them slide into the breakfast nook and poured glasses of milk. By the time Gaby appeared, Nathan and Rachel were arguing and eating sloppily, well into their meal.

  “Thanks,” said Gaby as Kiko handed her a plate of eggs and Dom poured her a coffee.

  “You aren’t eating,” said Dom to Kiko as he sat with his own plate.

  “Oh, Kiko’s like that,” said Gaby. Dom looked up at Kiko, who wouldn’t meet his eyes, but before he could mention it the door to the basement opened and Devin emerged.

  “You’re up early,” said Dom as Kiko served Devin the last of the eggs.

  “Not everyone’s lazy,” said Devin. “Why are you up?”

  Dom focused on chewing, not wanting to start going back and forth with his brother in front of Kiko’s sister. Although, judging by her expression, she probably wouldn’t mind seeing Dom get a few good digs in. She glanced at Devin in disgust and then focused on her kids; Dom didn’t want to think about how last night had gone for them.

  “I’ll be cooking dinner tonight,” said Kiko, finishing his coffee and tracking down Mother. “So be back by 5:30.”

  “That means we’re kicking you out, Dev,” said Dom, expecting Devin to look perturbed, but his brother only shrugged.

  “Sure. Your…his sister was telling me about this stamp card thing…”

  “My name’s Gaby.”

  “It’s the bank’s day, five gold rings,” said Kiko, leaning over to kiss Dom, who hoped Devin was struggling to keep his eggs down. “See you later.”

  He scooped up Mother and left, Dom focusing on getting himself out the door as soon as he could manage. He avoided Devin fairly well, cleaned up the kitchen, and was out the door only an hour after Kiko had left.

  Dom went to Joylove’s first. The antique store was run by Joy Witbek and Briana Love, partners in life and business, and used to sell Sam’s reclaimed metal sculptures alongside the normal merchandise. When he got in both Joy and Briana were arranging what could only be Cat’s art assortment. The women, well into their fifties, were smiling and laughing, and Dom could tell by the way they fell silent so fast that they had been flirting.

  “Morning, Dom,” said Joy, hanging a ballerina ornament on a small gold-and-white tree before turning to him.

  “What can we help you with today?” asked Briana. Dom hesitated, feeling a little guilty to be poking at this. He liked Joy and Briana.

  “Actually, I was wondering about Sam…”

  Briana sighed. Joy moved over and began to lead him through the store.

  “So you know Sam’s out,” she said, and Dom nodded. “Ben offered him a place in his store and promised he could sell better, so Sam pulled out.” She paused. “And he picks up Sam’s work for him. Bri and I…Sam brought his pieces to us. You know how his wife’s sick. It’s easier.”

  She shrugged.

  “I’m sorry,” said Dom.

  “Life goes on. You here looking for a gift for Kiko? Joylove’s stamp day isn’t until Thursday.”

  “Well, I already got him some costumes for Mother…”

  Joy laughed.

  “Oh, that’s perfect, he’ll love those. I was going to suggest one of our old books. We have some first editions, signed copies—”

  “What…is that?” asked Dom, looking over her shoulder. They had wandered into a room full of brass and other metal antiques, and hanging on the wall was a coat of arms. But it wasn’t any coat of arms, no, this one had two geese, necks entwined, parading over some plants.

  Joy turned to look.

  “Oh, we got that in last week. What are you thinking?”

  “Kiko has to have that,” said Dom, unable to stop staring at it. Joy laughed again.

  “I’ll take it down for you, then. Pick it up on Thursday and I’ll stamp your card, too.”

  * * * *

  Chad was poking around the tree and table full of Cat’s art like he was still setting it all out. Kiko had told him he could go home when he was finished; he really didn’t need Chad’s help on a winter Sunday, but had given the teen a few hours out of sympathy. Kiko moved over to kick him out for good when Dom entered.

  “You finished, Chad?”

  “You think we missed a box, boss?” asked Chad, looking hopeful.

  “No,” said Kiko. “And I’m not paying you to hang out in my store just because you don’t want to go home.”

  Dom looked to be in a good mood when he approached, and he stood there waiting patiently. He had his notebook in hand again. Kiko’s heart raced when he saw it, hoping for a change of pace. There was just something about teasing out a good mystery with Dom that made him feel good to be alive, and he couldn’t deny that he wanted to discuss something with Dom that had nothing to do with their particular family woes.

  “You’re literally the worst,” said Chad, making a face. “I got my mom to like, back the hell off last night with all that paintball investigation stuff, but what am I going to tell her today?”

  “You got someplace to stay if she kicks you out?” asked Dom. Kiko glanced at him, surprised he was being so practical. Dom noticed. “What? I’ve been through the whole routine before.”

  Chad twitched a bit.

  “Don’t tell her unless you have backup,” said Dom.

  “Go home and pick out your classes,” said Kiko, and Chad sighed, moved to the basement to punch out and get his coat. Kiko turned back to Dom, eager to get started. “You have anything new to look at?”

  Dom grinned, motioned with his notebook.

  “Suspect list like the good old days.”

  “Hold on a moment, I have a customer.”

  After ringing up the father and taking a quick peek at the few other people in the store, Kiko brought Dom an adult eggnog but didn’t take a seat. Dom had whittled down the artists’ names from Cat’s site and made a neat, new list. The notebook was not as full as Kiko was expecting, but he could see Ben’s name at the top of the list.

  “You think it’s Ben.”

  “And you think it’s not,” sa
id Dom, taking a sip of the eggnog. “Typical.”

  “Where’s your proof?” asked Kiko, unable to keep from smiling. It was times like these he really appreciated Dom around. His life had changed almost completely for the better since Dom had walked into his store all those months ago. And if they could survive the holidays together…Kiko was beginning to think anything was possible.

  “Ben opens Angus Arts in competition with his sister,” said Dom. “He’s not even interested in art.”

  “It was a family tradition.”

  “That was a bull—” Dom paused, caught himself, “bogus story. He’s over the table? Cat just can’t let go? He’s bitter and I bet that story’s not even right.”

  “It really was a family tradition, Dom,” said Kiko. “The Vankels were professors and artists.”

  “That story was bogus. And you remember I told you he had his teen daughter sitting as a model for that class. Nobody decent does that. There was the fight with Cat. And if he’s the better person like he says, why didn’t he agree to place some of her art in his place for a couple weeks?”

  “I’d probably be hesitant to set up products for a rival egg-themed store in Yolks on You,” said Kiko, watching Dom scowl and take a drink. He loved Dom’s expressions.

  “That’s different.”

  Kiko saw to another customer and returned to the table, smoothed his tie.

  “Who else makes your list?”

  “No, I didn’t put Cat on there,” said Dom.

  “You should.”

  “Why would she destroy her own place? Sasha Jennings left, she can’t pay for all the damage, and it doesn’t look good for her.”

  “It also doesn’t look good for Ben,” said Kiko. “Everyone knows they’re related. Maybe she doesn’t feel like she’s getting enough support.”

  “You’re saying she staged everything for community sympathy?” asked Dom. Kiko shrugged.

  “Maybe she hopes people will drive her brother out. He has the funds to eat the cost of not making a profit. If she goes under, she loses everything.”

  “Then maybe it’s a loyal artist or friend,” said Dom, frowning at his notebook and writing something down. “I’ll have to go over them all again.”

  Kiko squinted at the list as Dom wrote.

  “You have Sasha on there, I see.”

  “Yeah, she’s suspicious. She left when none of her work was destroyed—why? And why was her stuff left un-egged at all? She could have done it, used it as a reason to switch to Ben’s place, and he probably even rewarded her for it.”

  “That’s all? That’s a short list.”

  “As much as I like to hear you come at everything from every angle, it’s easier with less suspects.”

  “We should find out why Sam left Joylove’s,” said Kiko. “Why people are going to Angus Arts in general. If we can figure out what’s going on…”

  Kiko had to duck off to read a few books to three children and then sell the woman with them one of the titles. Dom hadn’t left by the time he was through with it so he moved over to clear away the eggnog glass and see what Dom had come up with poking through his phone.

  “I did talk to Joy,” he said when Kiko took his glass. “She said more or less that Ben offered a better deal. Promised his stuff would sell and drops by to pick it up.”

  “We can probably assume that he’s told everyone what they wanted to hear,” said Kiko. “Which isn’t the worst thing to do, especially if he can deliver. Some of his classes are popular considering he just opened in November.” He paused. “Although Buddy isn’t his fan due to the kind of beer he serves.”

  “I’m not his fan for that, either,” said Dom. “And don’t worry, I don’t think it’s Buddy this time. Or Martha.”

  “Glad to hear it.”

  “But I should get going,” said Dom, glancing at the time. “I didn’t go to Gord’s yet.”

  “Not sure I want you going yet,” said Kiko. “We were just getting started.”

  Dom leaned closer briefly but otherwise kept a safe distance, grinning.

  “Solving mysteries with me turns you on, doesn’t it?”

  “Oh, get going,” said Kiko, and took the empty glass back to the sink.

  * * * *

  Kiko had a dining room, a little thing with a big, oval table in it that Dom figured was because it rarely got used. He set out the dishes and silverware, listening to the sound of Nathan and Rachel chasing Mother in the living room. Gaby was working on her laptop there, keeping an eye on them, and Kiko was cooking. Dom had no idea where Devin was.

  “Are you going to call him?” asked Kiko when he returned to the kitchen for cloth napkins. It was a quarter to six now and Dom knew Kiko had wanted everyone home by 5:30 just to have the cushion.

  “I was kind of hoping he wouldn’t show,” said Dom. Kiko checked on the potatoes in the oven and then put the fish in. He waited for Dom to return before responding.

  “How long is he staying?”

  “Through Christmas, like Gaby and the kids.” Dom watched a moment of sheer weariness pass over Kiko’s face before he poured the balsamic dressing he’d made over the salad. “Yeah, I hate it, too. He got laid off and his girlfriend of seven years left him when he proposed.”

  “I’m sure that really helps his mood dealing with you.”

  “I’m sure it’s why he’s here to begin with,” said Dom. “Devin’s older than me. My family can’t be happy about all this. He’s here to get me back and earn a little respect again. I’m the only one who’s fucked up more than him.”

  “Because you’re gay?” asked Gaby from the door. Dom shrugged.

  “My family’s…not very accepting of anything outside their norm,” he said. She rolled her eyes.

  “I can tell. Your brother isn’t the nicest person.” She paused, but Dom didn’t get a chance to apologize. “Anyway, I thought I’d ask if there was anything I could do?”

  “Dom and I have it covered,” said Kiko. “But you could start on the wine.”

  “I’d love to,” said Gaby, eyes shining. She pulled the white out of the fridge and got down four glasses, pouring for everyone but Devin. Dom thanked her but felt awkward, like he should do or say something to make up for his brother’s shittiness, but there was never anything that could really fix it, so he said nothing.

  They sat down to eat without Devin, too, Dom not bothering to call him, Kiko not bothering to serve him. His empty plate and glass sat there for at least ten minutes as they ate and chatted. Dom decided he liked Gaby; she definitely seemed to be Kiko’s sister, easygoing for the most part, patient with her kids, who were fairly well behaved. They ate everything, too, from Kiko’s salad, to the fish and potatoes and seasoned corn on the cob, which had to be cut away for them. It was a good ten minutes and Dom found himself nearly envisioning a place here for all times in the future.

  But the door to the kitchen opened and Devin stomped inside, locked it loudly. Dom noticed Kiko was looking at him and he stood, grabbed up Devin’s plate.

  “Did you already eat?” he asked. Devin shook his head. “We’re all in the dining room.”

  “Okay,” said Devin, and left Dom to fill his plate for him. Scowling, Dom did so and plopped it on the table in front of him, seeing that Devin had already poured himself a large helping of wine.

  “Fish?” asked Devin, staring at the plate.

  “With garlic and lemon,” said Kiko.

  “I was expecting a family meal. Tacos or enchiladas or…you know.”

  Dom sat, glaring at his brother, who didn’t seem to notice. Devin picked up his fork and poked at the food, avoiding the corn altogether. Gaby shot Kiko a told-you-so type look and Dom wondered what she’d been saying.

  “You’re certainly welcome to make tacos on your night to cook,” said Kiko. “Or enchiladas.”

  “Dom never mentioned I had to cook,” said Devin, frowning.

  “Well, you’re staying for two weeks, aren’t you?” asked Gaby, chuckling
at him like he was a child. “You should pitch in and help out for a few meals.”

  Dom decided right then that he loved Kiko’s family. It was great to see them team up to shut out his brother’s nastiness, and he especially liked how irritated it was clearly making Devin. He decided he wanted to add something.

  “Devin doesn’t know how to cook,” he said.

  “Family trait?” asked Kiko, but his eyes shone. He was teasing.

  “The Grady men know how to make only enough meals to keep ourselves from starving,” said Dom. His brother looked like he didn’t know how to handle all this.

  “I’d love to try one of your traditional family recipes, Devin,” said Gaby.

  “That’s brave of you if he can’t cook,” said Kiko.

  “Don’t we have something better to talk about?” asked Devin at last, voice sharp. Dom noticed he’d eaten all of his cheesy potatoes but was picking at everything else.

  “Sure,” said Kiko, then leaned down the table. “I’ve been meaning to ask how you like school, Nathan.”

  Dom almost laughed at the look on Devin’s face.

  * * * *

  Chapter 10

  Kiko dropped by Angus Arts to pick up something for Dom on his way to the bakery. Ben wasn’t around, but a smaller, sadder-looking version of him was. This had to be Christian, Ben’s son. The kid looked bitter to Kiko, but he managed to keep his expression a neutral boredom when he rang up Kiko’s purchase.

  “Shouldn’t you be in school?” he asked. Mount Angus High School only let out for a week around Christmas as he remembered.

  “Sick day,” said the teen. He was young, had to be about fifteen. “Shouldn’t you be at work?”

  “Touché,” said Kiko, and left. He was mentally shaking his head about any parent calling their kid in sick to work the register at their store all the way to the bakery. It was going to be hard to talk Dom out of his fixation with Ben if he was a crappy parent.

  “Hi, Kiko,” said the woman behind the counter when he entered. The aroma of cookies, doughnuts, and bread pressed in on him, welcome and comforting after the outside air so cold he couldn’t smell anything.