by Shawn Bailey
Frankie’s stomach rumbled. Now that he thought about it, he hadn’t eaten in a couple of days. Hopefully there would be enough money left over after they went to the drug store to get a couple of burgers.
Jonas sat on a curb, talking to Myron. “Where have you been?”
“Trying to get away from some hotel security guys,” Frankie answered.
“What did you do?”
Jonas didn’t have a mean bone in his body and never broke the law.
“They caught me Dumpster-diving behind the Montgomery Arms Hotel.”
“Why were you doing that, dude?” Myron asked.
“Because I was looking for something to sell. The security guards called the hotel owner and the guy read me the riot act about being a bum.” It sounded a lot better than what actually happened. Frankie reached over and tickled Kalen under his chin. His baby brother giggled.
“How did you get away?” Jonas asked.
“I gave him some sob story about searching the Dumpster for food, and I had to promise never to do it again. Of course I didn’t mean it. I crossed my fingers behind my back before they removed the handcuffs.”
Jonas gasped. “They handcuffed you?” Tears glistened in his eyes. Jonas had always been the emotional one. He took everything to heart.
“They just did it to scare me. Rich people always think they can change the world.”
Myron stood up. “Dude you’re going to go straight to hell. But you’re lucky they didn’t haul you off to jail. Prisoners do some bogus stuff to pretty little boys like you.”
Frankie took a swing at Myron, but missed. “Don’t call me pretty boy.” He’d known Myron most of his life and he always teased him. He pouted. He couldn’t help the way he looked, and he couldn’t wait to grow a mustache so he could appear older.
“See you later, guys,” Myron said. “I have to go to work.” He left.
“So what else happened?” Jonas asked. “I know there’s more to this story than you’ve told me.”
“The hotel owner offered us a room for the weekend.”
“Why?” Jonas asked. “Did you tell him we were homeless?”
Frankie shook his head. “I think he figured it out.”
“Damn, Frankie, what have you done?”
“What do you care as long as we don’t have to sleep on the street tonight? I don’t know about you but I could use a bath. Kalen, too.”
“You didn’t sleep with him, did you?” Jonas asked.
“No, just because I’m gay doesn’t mean I go around offering my ass to every man I meet,” Frankie said, insulted.
“No one just gives free hotel rooms to strangers,” Jonas argued. “Especially a five-star hotel.” He paused. “What does this man look like?”
“Handsome, black haired, green eyes. You remember him. He was the one who tossed the hundred dollar bill into your guitar case.”
“You mean the one in the expensive suit who was kissing on that other guy?”
“That’s him,” Frankie said. “He said he liked my violin playing, and he sent me to get you and Kalen.”
“What if it’s some kind of trick?” Jonas said, gathering their things and putting them behind Kalen’s stroller. “You know he might try to turn us over to the child protection people or something.”
“You worry too much,” Frankie said as they walked. “Why would he do something like that?”
“I don’t know,” Jonas said as he pushed Kalen’s stroller. “We just can’t trust every Tom, Dick, or Harry on the street. If anything funny should go down, I want you to grab Kalen and run like the wind.”
* * * *
Adam went back to his suite to check on Nico.
Nico came out of the bathroom wearing only a towel around his waist. His hair still looked damp from a shower. “What happened?”
“The security caught some young man Dumpster-diving behind the hotel.”
“I remember doing that as a kid,” Nico said. “You can find some great stuff. People throw away fortunes sometimes.” He started dressing.
“Are you going somewhere?”
“Yeah. Home. I got a busy day tomorrow. Some of the local news anchors are coming into the shop to get their hair styled, and there’s a lot of tourist in town who might stop in to get their hair cut.”
“I got it, business before pleasure.” Now he wouldn’t have to explain the Kelly boys.
“Be a love and call George to come get me,” Nico said. “I don’t feel like waiting for a cab.”
Adam pulled out his phone and dialed for his driver. “Nico needs a ride home.” He disconnected the call. “George is on the way.”
Nico finished dressing and combed his hair. He kissed Adam. “Ciao!” He sashayed out the door looking stunning.
Adam took a shower and dressed to meet his guests in something less threatening like a pair of jeans and a pullover sweater. I can be cool and down with it if I have to. He left the suite and headed down to his office to wait.
“Your guests have arrived, Mr. Montgomery,” Linda, his secretary, said when he arrived.
“Where are they?”
“In your office. What did you do, lose a bet?”
“Funny girl,” Adam said as he walked toward his door. He entered. What have I gotten myself into? He looked down at the motley trio before him. The oldest, Jonas, stared at him with concerned brown eyes. He was taller and older looking than he first thought. But he was also rail thin with enough hair to be mistaken for a girl.
The adorable baby, Kalen, sucked milk from a cup like a big boy. He didn’t look like he suffered from missing a meal, which meant someone had been taking very good care of him.
The object of his trip from reality kept watching him with interest, just waiting for him to say something wrong, he bet.
“Have you guys eaten?”
Jonas shook his head.
“You can talk, can’t you?”
“Yes, sir,” Jonas said politely. “Whenever I have something to say.” He had a seriously deep voice for a kid. And that was just what he was, a twenty-year-old that carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.
“Did you buy your medicine?”
“How do you know about that?” He gazed over at Frankie.
Frankie feigned innocent.
Adam tried not to smile.
“Not yet. I was just about to when Frankie came back.”
“You know you’re not supposed to go without your insulin or your asthma inhaler. You have to take care of yourself if you plan to take care of your brothers. I want you to call the drug store as soon as you get up to your room and have your prescriptions filled. I’ll send someone to pick them up so you won’t have to go out in the streets this late at night.” He felt bad after he said it, remembering the kids lived on the street.
“Are you really letting us have a room in this hotel?” Jonas asked, looking around.
Adam nodded.
“Why?”
“Why not?” Adam asked. “No one is using it, and all three of you look like you could use a good night’s sleep.”
“What’s in it for you?” Jonas asked, staring at Frankie.
“It’s not what you’re thinking,” Adam answered. Not that he hadn’t entertained the idea. “I have someone to keep my bed warm at night.”
Frankie looked at him oddly again.
Adam ran his fingers nervously through his hair.
Frankie chuckled.
“The room has two queen-size beds, and I had my people bring up a crib for Kalen so he won’t have to sleep with you. There are two televisions, a wet bar that you are not to touch because you’re both too young for alcohol, and a huge bathroom. Enjoy it for the weekend.”
“We appreciate your generous offer, Mr. Montgomery, but we can’t accept gifts from strangers,” Jonas said. “There must be some job I can do to pay for this.”
Adam sighed, not knowing what to say. He understood the young man had his pride. “I tell you what. How would you
two like to perform tomorrow night in the hotel lounge?”
Jonas looked down at his threadbare clothing. “We’re not exactly lounge material.”
“Stop worrying,” Adam said, not knowing why he was doing so many uncharacteristic things. He wasn’t even a very nice guy, and he had to admit he was selfish. “Come. Let me show you to your room.” He led the tow-headed trio out of his office and to the elevator. “You can order anything you like to eat from the room service menu.”
“Does the room come with cable?” Frankie asked as they rode up to their floor.
Adam nodded. “Yes, and a computer, so no surfing for porn.”
Jonas chuckled, but Frankie just looked shocked.
“How old were you when you dated your first girl?” Frankie asked after they stepped out of the elevator.
“Sixteen,” Adam answered.
“I’m seventeen, which means I’m old enough to look at a naked girl if I want to.”
“Don’t do it,” Adam said. “Women are very complicated.”
* * * *
Frankie gazed at his reflection in the wall-to-wall mirror in the bathroom after he showered. Is that what my body looks like now? It had been a long time since he had a real bath or looked at himself in a full-length mirror. Most of the time he and Jonas just cleaned up at the service stations. All the baby fat Jonas use to tease him about had disappeared, revealing a muscular chest and rock-hard abs. He gazed at his face. He had aged. His boyish good looks were gone. The reflection staring back shocked him. He did have a pretty face for a guy, and he needed a haircut, something modern and stylish that would get rid of the curls. And he couldn’t wait for summer to return so he could get a tan. Right now he looked as pale as a ghost.
“What’s taking you so long in there?” Jonas called out to him from the bedroom.
“I’m dressing.” Frankie put on his briefs and pajamas and left the bathroom tying the drawstring at his waist. “I’m thinking about cutting my hair.”
“Why?” Jonas asked.
“Because it’s too long and uncontrollable, and I’m tired of being mistaken for a girl or a child. It’s bad enough I’m short.”
“You’re not short,” Jonas said. “Five feet six is average.”
Jonas stood five feet eight.
“Well how come every grown-up we know are taller than us? Most of your friends, too.”
“By everyone, you mean Mr. Montgomery, don’t you? Not everyone grows at the same rate. Our parents weren’t Amazons, so we’re just taking after them. And for the record, I don’t consider myself short. Now keep an eye on Kalen while I bathe.”
Kalen slept in the crib.
Someone knocked at the door after Jonas disappeared into the bathroom. Frankie had to answer it.
Adam Montgomery stood on the other side. He rolled a cart of food with a prescription bag on top into the room. “Cute jammies,” he teased.
“Thanks,” Frankie said, tightening the drawstring so he wouldn’t lose his pants. “What’s all that?”
“Your brother’s prescriptions,” Adam answered. He handed him the bag, and Frankie put it on Jonas’s bed.
“No, I mean on the cart.”
“Your dinner. I took the liberty of bringing it up.” He peeped into the crib. “Aw, the baby’s sleeping.”
“I fed him already,” Frankie said. “He went right off to sleep as soon as I gave him a bath. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him sleep so peaceful.”
“That’s because there’s no street sounds to keep him awake,” Adam said as he unloaded the covered dishes on the table.
“Something smells good and not just burgers,” Frankie said, inhaling all the scents, including Adam’s cologne.
“I asked the chef to whip up something nutritious, too, besides burgers and fries. Where’s Jonas?”
“He’s taking a bath.”
Adam leaned over and sniffed him. “You smell much better now that you’ve gotten rid of that Dumpster-diving aroma.”
“About that,” Frankie said. “I wasn’t actually looking for food.”
“Then what were you searching for?” Adam asked.
“Things to sell. It’s sort of a hobby.”
“So you were just being a little smart-ass?”
“Basically,” Frankie answered. “I was trying to get the guards to turn me loose. I thought a sob story would work.”
Adam frowned. “Well, it worked on me.” He looked at Frankie. “You are a bit thin though. Sit down.”
Frankie sat down.
Adam uncovered a plate with a hamburger and fries. He’d also brought a vanilla shake and a fresh green salad.
Frankie said grace and then attacked the burger.
“For a con artist you have good manners.”
Frankie playfully batted his eyelashes at him.
“Mmm, don’t do that. I might take it the wrong way.”
Frankie went back to eating.
“Slow down before you choke.”
“Won’t your boyfriend miss you if he wakes up and find you gone?”
“No,” Adam answered. “He’s already left.”
“I bet you haven’t told him about us.”
“I don’t really owe him an explanation about what I do,” Adam said.
Frankie sipped some of his shake. “This is delicious.”
“I thought you’d like it,” Adam said, watching him.
“I’m glad I’m not lactose-intolerant.”
Adam patted him on the head. “I’m glad you’re not either.” He ran his fingers through Frankie’s curls.
The door to the bathroom opened, and Jonas appeared.
Adam moved his hand away slowly. “Your prescriptions are on the bed.”
Jonas took out the medicine and injected it in his thigh. He had to wait a few minutes before he ate. Later he lifted the cover from the plate.
“Where are my burgers and fries?” Jonas asked, drying his long hair with a towel.
“Sit down,” Adam said. “Potatoes turn into sugar.”
Frankie peered over and saw an assortment of healthy foods, like grilled chicken and vegetables. “See, you thought he didn’t know about your special diet. He always tries to cheat.”
Jonas sat down and put the towel around his neck to catch any water dripping from his hair.
“Not on my watch,” Adam said. “I’m diabetic, too.”
Jonas looked up suddenly and stared at him.
“What? You can’t see it, but I’ve had it since childhood.”
“Where do you give yourself shots?” Frankie asked.
“Stomach and butt,” Adam answered.
“How do you stick yourself in the behind?” Jonas asked, munching on a pickle.
“Who says I give it to myself?”
“Oh,” Jonas said.
“I got you a box of needles and alcohol swabs just in case you need them.”
“Thanks,” Jonas said.
“What do you guys normally do on a Saturday?”
“Hang out,” Frankie answer. “Why?”
“I’m going shopping. Would you like to go with me?”
“Why?” Jonas asked.
“Because I thought it might be fun. You guys get to spend the day with me since I’m so great,” he teased. “And you’ll get a change of scenery.”
“Okay,” Jonas said.
Frankie gasped. Jonas didn’t even put up a fuss.
“Good, set your alarm for nine. I’ll come for you at ten. We’ll have breakfast and then we’ll leave.” Adam headed toward the door. “Good night.”
“Good night,” he and Jonas said.
Frankie watched Adam leave.
“He’s a bit of a kook,” Jonas said as he ate his chicken.
“I think he’s nice,” Frankie said.
“Don’t get too attached,” Jonas warned. “We turn back into pumpkins on Sunday.”
Frankie sipped the vanilla shake and got a major head freeze. “Yeah I know.”
&
nbsp; Chapter Two
Adam came for them exactly at ten and took them to his room. His suite was similar to theirs except he had set it up like an office.
“Do you live here all the time?” Frankie asked Adam as he looked around.
“No, I have a home in the Garden District.”
“Oh,” Frankie said. “Do you go home often?”
“I try,” Adam said. “But sometimes I’m too busy and it’s easier to crash here.”
Adam had the table set for breakfast with grits, turkey bacon, eggs, wheat toast, and fresh fruit. Kalen was now wide awake and staring at Adam oddly. “What does he eat?”
Frankie took a jar of toddler food out of his backpack, heated the jar in the microwave, and then he began feeding Kalen.
“Oh yeah, I forgot he’s only two years old,” Adam said, making faces at the toddler’s oatmeal and applesauce.
Frankie ate in between feeding Kalen. He tried to keep the baby as clean as possible, but after eating Kalen needed a diaper change. “Excuse me.” Frankie disappeared into Adam’s bathroom with Kalen and his backpack. He changed Kalen’s diaper, and wrapped it in a piece of newspaper and a plastic grocery bag. He washed his hands and left the bathroom with his brother.
“Just put the diaper in the waste can over there,” Adam said, pointing toward the bathroom. “A maid will dispose of it.”
Frankie tossed the bag into the trash and put Kalen down on the floor. The child walked toward Jonas, fell on his butt, and then got up and tried it again.
“He’s cute,” Adam said as he pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
Kalen made it over to Jonas and grasped his leg and held on.
“I just need to fix him a drink before we leave,” Frankie said, taking a can of milk out his backpack, along with an opener and a plastic sippy cup. He tossed the empty can into the trash. “We’re ready.”
