by Rani Clark
“Don’t give me that look, Leif,” Mr. Ragnar snapped. “I know that you don’t like Freddie, but I do.”
Leif shook his head, “That isn’t . . . how was the party, Jaska? Did Jackson hit on you?”
Jaska stared for a moment, “Yes. How did you know?”
“He does that to everyone. Hope he didn’t make you feel weird.”
“He did, but I’m fine. I’m going to take a shower.”
Jaska didn’t want to hear them fight. Lantern sat on the rug in the bathroom playing with one of his toy airplanes while he took a quick shower. He hated to admit this, but he felt better being back here. “Want to go out in the snow?” Lantern nodded furiously.
Jaska dressed him in his jacket, scarf, and hat. The Mothman tugged at the scarf and touched his hat before settling into them. Jaska smiled and grabbed the diaper bag. Mr. Ragnar and Leif were fighting in the dining room, he heard them shouting. He didn’t say anything as he left. Lantern cooed and tried to run in the direction of the park.
“Hang on, Lantern. Stop pulling.”
“Taking the kid to the park, huh?”
“If you don’t stop popping up out of nowhere I’m going to scream,” Jaska muttered. He looked at Monarch, “How have you been?”
“Same old, same old. How are things with you?”
Jaska glanced at him, “I went to that stupid ball or whatever it was called with Mr. Ragnar.”
“How was it?”
“Awful. They introduced me to everyone and I wanted to run. Freddie is nice though, that’s Mr. Ragnar’s girlfriend.” He looked down, “Some guy hit on me.”
“Really?”
“Yes. He tried to kiss me. He was nice to me though. Part of me wanted to let him.”
The park was just around the corner. Lantern took off the second Jaska let go of his hand. Much to his surprise, the kids in the park didn’t react to the creature being there. He watched as Lantern started helping a little girl build a snowman. Jaska sat on a bench and watched him, Monarch sat beside him.
“If you didn’t like him why let him?”
“I’m not doing anything else.”
“That isn’t a good reason. Is something bothering you?”
“No. I’m only out here because Leif and Mr. Ragnar are fighting. Leif doesn’t like Freddie.”
“He’ll get over it. Maybe. I don’t know Leif that well. I just know what I was told by Mads.”
Jaska wrung his hands together as he watched Lantern go down the slide with a happy giggle, “It’s weird how much I like taking care of him.”
“Perhaps you’re just that type of person. Plus, that little thing is cuter than two bunnies trying to climb into the same slipper.”
“Um, that’s . . . a weird visual.”
“I think you mean adorable.” Monarch took off his hat and set it on his lap, “You know, he’s the only one of his kind.”
“He is? Mr. Ragnar never said that.”
“There was no reason for him to. I’m not sure if he knows.”
A shout interrupted any other thoughts. After Lantern had gone down the slide again, another child had gone before he moved. The creature was bumped forward, falling onto the hard sand and causing him to start crying. Jaska stood up and jogged over. He had never heard Lantern cry before.
“Hey, hey, what’s wrong?” He helped Lantern sit up. Blood was leaking from a scrape across his forearm, “Alright, come on.” He picked up the crying creature and walked to the bench where Monarch was still sitting.
“What happened?”
“He got hurt.” Jaska dug into his diaper bag and took out the first aid kit. “It’s just a little scratch, you’re alright,” he said gently, wiping the tears away. “Would a trip to the candy store make you feel better?” Lantern nodded. “Alright. Let’s go then.”
“That little creature has you wrapped around his finger,” Monarch quipped. “I’ll see you later. Call me if you need anything.”
He held Lantern’s hand as they left the park; he supposed he should get to know Monarch, but he wasn’t sure how to go about doing it. Talking to people wasn’t his specialty and it was even worse when, in the back of his mind, every time he saw Monarch he was reminded that the man had been a serial killer.
17
“Are you ok?”
Ty looked over at his friend Donny who was tossing a baseball into the air and catching it. He shook his head, “I’m fine.”
“Bullshit.” Donny shrugged, “Not that I care, but who gave you the hickeys?”
Ty flinched, “That isn’t . . . I fell.”
“Bullshit. That’s two. Come on, who am I gonna tell?”
Ty didn’t think his friend would like the answer. He doubted he would even understand what he was doing or why he was doing it. “Nothing is going on.”
“Don’t feel bad. Jaska is gone and-”
“For the last time I wasn’t going out with Jaska. If I was I would have been kissing him all of the time, I wouldn’t have let him go.” Ty shook his head, “Can we talk about something else?”
“Sure. How are things at home?”
“Fine I guess.” He hadn’t told anyone he was living with Lilly Ann. “Why?”
“I don’t know. Jeez, I’m just making conversation. Excuse me for wanting to know how my friend is. God.”
“I’m sorry. I’m tired and stressed and I miss Jaska.”
“I know. Let’s go out tonight, have some fun. You need to get your mind off of Jaska, find a new guy. I could set you up.”
Ty didn’t wish to be set up. He wasn’t sure what it was that was going on between Elias and himself. Of course, the man was in Germany and would hardly be here. He shook his head, knowing he wasn’t that type of person. “We have a test tomorrow.” He stood from beneath the tree and dusted the back of his pants off, “By the way, I wanted to ask you something. How did you know I was gay?”
Donny shrugged, “I don’t know. It was just one of those things that was obvious. I honestly thought you and Jaska were going out. I could never figure out why you would want to be friends with him.”
“He’s nice and sweet and funny when the mood strikes him.”
“And that would be why I thought you were dating.”
“I wanted to at one point. I fell head over heels for him, but since he isn’t interested in me it doesn’t really matter. I was only curious how you knew.”
“If we’re being truthful, Ty I’ve never seen you look at a girl. There are a bunch who want to go out with you and you just ignore them. Don’t give me that focus on your studies shit because you aren’t that kind of guy.”
Ty chuckled, “Nice. I’ll see you later, Donny.”
“See you later.”
As he walked away from the schoolyard his phone began to ring. He didn’t look at the ID before picking it up. “Hello?”
“You’re out of school, right?”
Elias’s voice made his heart beat faster, “Hello Elias. Yeah, I’m walking home.”
“How was school?”
“It was fine. Boring but fine. How has your day been? Or I guess was?”
“It was fine. A little lonely without someone to talk to. Well, someone other than Benson, the man who works at the front of the store. Even he is slightly repulsed by me. Ty, I have to tell you that I’ve never been in this type of situation before.”
“What type of situation?”
“The type where I’m attracted to someone. I happen to like you a lot and, you will be extremely surprised and relieved, I haven’t looked at another kid since coming back. Well, maybe a passing glance but nothing serious.”
“Elias, I don’t expect you to-”
“You may not expect me to, but I intend to be with you and only you.”
He didn’t want to ask the uncomfortable question about what happened when he got older. Elias was attracted to teens, he wouldn’t be attracted to a twenty-year-old. “Thank you.”
“You don’t sound too pleased. Wa
nt to try something over the phone? It’ll make you feel better.”
“No, I don’t.” Ty stopped at the block just across from Lilly Ann’s apartment, “I’ll call you tomorrow. I’m almost at the apartment.”
“Alright. Have a good night and don’t worry about Jaska so much. I can tell by the sound of your voice that’s what you’re thinking about.”
“I have to worry.”
“He’s fine, trust me. Mr. Ragnar is protective of his students.”
“I hope so.”
“Oh, by the way, I sent you something. It should be there, I sent it express.”
“You-you did?”
“Yes. I hope you like it. Have a good night!”
“You too.” He hung up the phone with a small smile. He was getting a gift in the mail. He had never gotten one in the mail before and never from someone who cared for him like Elias Kircher did.
He unlocked the door to see a box on the coffee table. It had his name on it and the return address was written in German. With a smile, he took it to his room and set it down on the bed. The package was heavier than he had expected. Ty set his book bag down and began to rip the brown paper that covered the box. Inside was a clock and a letter. The clock was beautifully made with a lot of reds and browns. The cuckoo that came out of it was two birds cuddling against one another. What the clock represented was obvious. Ty picked up the envelope and ripped it open.
I hope you like the clock, I know it’s somewhat repetitive of the other gift I gave you, but I like clocks and I know you do too. Don’t worry, there are some chocolates there for you too. I know it’s hard to believe me about what’s going on, that I’m only interested in your age, but believe me I wouldn’t be courting you from across the pond if I was only interested in that. After all, there are closer boys.
Ty set down the letter and went about testing the clock. It made a light noise, the birds cooing as they snuggled each other before they were pulled back inside the clock. It was beautiful. He smiled and looked back at the letter. He was surprised at the word courting. It made him feel special. His heart warmed at the thought of kissing him again. A knock on the door made him jump.
“Come in.”
Lilly Ann poked her head in, “Your home late. Anything fun in the mail?”
“Yes. The clock.”
She looked at the cuckoo clock, “Who sent it to you?”
“Uh . . . it was just-”
“It was Mr. Kircher, wasn’t it?” She frowned, “Ty, that man isn’t right.”
Ty shook his head, “It wasn’t Elias. I don’t know who it’s from.” The letter was clutched in his hand. Hopefully she wouldn’t notice it.
“Ty, he's a pedophile. He's only interested in one thing.”
“It wasn’t Elias, Lilly Ann. I like it, but I don’t think it’s from him.”
“Who else would it be from?”
“I don’t know.”
He was aware that she knew he was lying. It was a stupid lie. Of course this clock was from the clock maker in Germany. It was a typical German clock and Elias had just been here.
“Chinese ok for dinner?”
“Sounds great.”
She left him to his pounding heart and the thought of Elias visiting him. The sadness at missing Jaska was still fresh, but at least he had something else to occupy his mind now. He picked up his phone and slid his finger to unlock the screen to begin texting.
Ty: Thank you for the clock, Elias
Elias: No problem. I had hoped you would like it.
Ty: It’s beautiful! No one has ever given me a gift like this before.
He set his phone down and cleaned up the mess he had made when opening his present. The phone buzzed a moment later with a message from Elias. Ty took the box to the garbage before looking at the text.
Elias: I have been meaning to ask you about that. You’re seventeen and you never kissed anyone beyond Jaska. Why?
Ty: I’ve never been comfortable with myself. I’m still not. A friend of mine knew I was that way. For some reason he thought I was dating Jaska and asked about it. He asked about the marks you gave me on my neck which I didn’t know about. I’m not super comfortable now with being gay. I can hardly say it let alone be it.
Elias: If you were mine I would make it my business to shower you with love, physical and otherwise. Openly and privately. None of this hiding. None of this self-loathing and I wouldn’t take what your father says lying down.
Ty: Yours?
Elias: Yes, mine.
From what he understood Elias was asking him to be his boyfriend. Or at least somewhat of one. He wasn’t sure what to say.
Ty: I’ve only kissed you a few times. I think about it all of the time though.
Elias: I can’t wait for another letter so I can come and see you. I would love to see you in a suit. Well, perhaps out of it.
Ty blushed and cleared his throat. He sat on the bed and looked at his phone for a moment before beginning to type again.
Ty: What you said before, about kissing me and touching me when we were talking in your shop, is that really how it would be? I’ve never done anything like that before.
Elias: It would be the best thing you have ever felt. I could run my fingers down your arms as our hips touch, run my tongue across your ear. I can go on if you like.
Ty: Maybe later. Dinner is on its way and I have homework. If it isn’t too late I’ll text you when I go to bed.
Elias: I look forward to it. I’ll think up some fun stuff. Call me if you want, we can do it that way too.
Ty set the phone down and ran his hands over his face. He wasn’t sure what to do or think about it. This was a big step with someone he barely knew, but someone who was confessing their love and devotion to him should he want it. Elias wouldn’t let his father push him around. He could envision his father getting into a fight with Elias. The muscular Australian werewolf would most likely hurt him. Not that he would mind. His father was awful and deserved to be brought down a peg.
Of course, he didn’t know what Elias’s real intentions were if they were honest at all. He wasn’t in Germany so he couldn’t tell if he wasn’t preying upon innocent children like he said. Ty looked at the clock again and wondered what would happen if he did agree to date the creep that wanted him for his own. It might not be so bad to be with someone who was like Elias. Someone who wanted to make him happy.
Another knock on the door made him look up, “Come in.”
Margo came into the room, shutting the door before speaking, “Mom is on the phone with our grandparents. What’s going on?”
“What do you mean?”
“With you. She was talking about that clock guy. Mr. Creeper? Critcher?”
“Kircher. Elias Kircher. What about him?”
“Something is up with you and him.” Margo looked at him for a moment before gasping, “Oh my god. You and him? He’s like fifty!”
“He’s thirty-eight.” Ty shook his head, “Nothing is going on.”
“Don’t lie. I won’t say anything to mom.”
“I’m not lying. Please go.”
Margo turned, “Fine, but I think it’s creepy.”
Ty waited until she had gone to pick up the phone and dial Elias. “Elias,” he said when the man picked up the phone, “she saw the clock, she knows it’s you, and she’s calling her parents.”
To his surprise, Elias laughed. “They can’t do anything to me. They can’t forbid me to see or talk to you, they can’t call the cops. I haven’t done anything. Relax, Ty. Nothing is going to happen. You’re very sweet to be worrying about me.”
He could hear the smile in his voice. The werewolf wasn’t scared at all. “I’m scared. I don’t want anything to happen to you.” To his surprise, tears began to run down his cheeks.
“No, no, no, don’t cry. I’ll be alright, please don’t cry. If I could hug you right now I would.”
“I’m sorry. I feel ridiculous. I don’t know what’s going on with me.”
“Don’t worry about it. When I come with the letters again we’ll go out.”
“On a date?”
“Yes, on a date. To a movie, dinner, anything. I hope it isn’t too forward of me for saying, but I think I might love you.”
