When he’d seen the apartment building, he had collapsed to his knees, unable to stop the tears from falling. At first he had let the devastation consume him, knowing that somewhere in the pile of rubble was Scotty’s body, because how could one person survive that? Their apartment building wasn’t the only one that had collapsed, but it was the only one he cared about.
As the memories of his time with Scotty had begun to surf through his mind, determination set in. He was going to find Scotty, no matter what. He’d dried his tears and started moving stones. And with each one he moved, he’d begun to believe he would find Scotty alive. Call it crazy intuition or just a refusal to believe Scotty was gone, but he just knew that somewhere in the rubble, Scotty was waiting to be rescued.
“You should get down from there!”
Tighe looked down from where he was standing to see a young man waving at him. “You could get hurt. We should wait for help.”
“My boyfriend is in here,” Tighe said firmly, not shying away from the word he and Scotty had argued over. “I know he’s alive and I’m going to find him.”
The man looked around at other people who had assembled, but Tighe ignored them. He went back to moving stones. Then before he knew it, a dozen people were around him, helping him.
Surprised, Tighe looked at the original man who had warned him.
“What’re you doing?”
“We’re helping you find your boyfriend,” the man said firmly.
Shock streamed through him and he looked at each person who was risking their life helping him find Scotty.
“What’s his name?”
“Scotty,” Tighe said, pushing through the lump of emotion in his throat. “Scotty Tilden.”
The man nodded and went back to digging. For a moment, Tighe stood frozen, unable to believe that the world had basically crumbled apart but here were a dozen strangers helping him find his boyfriend, not caring in the least they were helping a gay couple. Right then, his heart melted and he vowed that if Scotty was alive he’d make up for every stupid word he ever said.
They worked tirelessly, someone coming by after a while to pass out water. As evening fell, rescue workers appeared to help out. At some point through the night, a few people stopped working, simply too tired to continue, but Tighe didn’t. He pushed aside all other thoughts, all other aches and pains, and kept moving boulders. He knew he was getting close to the area where Scotty’s apartment had been. Call it a sixth sense or just wishful thinking, but something was guiding his hands as he worked.
It was dawn when he heard something. He wasn’t sure what at first, but he stopped and listened, his ears straining.
It was a feeble “help”.
“Scotty!” Tighe yelled and then frantically waved at the Search and Rescue workers. “Over here! Scotty, can you hear me! Keep yelling, we’re close! Guide us, Scotty!”
Spurred with renewed energy, everyone jumped into the area and soon they could hear the cry for help a little stronger. Tighe was right there in the center, and when they finally sifted through enough debris, a hand stuck out between a split steel beam.
A cheer went up and a call for the Jaws of Life was yelled out. Tighe waited on the fringe, watching anxiously as the beam was peeled back and there was Scotty. Alive. He was dirty, bruised, and obviously in a lot of pain, but he was alive. The rescue workers had to free his mangled foot, but as soon as he was free he was placed on a stretcher and lifted out of his cubbyhole tomb.
“Scotty!” Tighe was right there, helping to carry him, crying and laughing at the same time.
People clapped and hugged each other. That one moment of saving a life seemed to spurn others on with renewed energy. Tighe wished he could turn around and say thanks to everyone who helped, but that would have to wait because Scotty was being loaded into an ambulance.
“I’m coming too,” Tighe said. “I’m his boyfriend.”
The EMT nodded and Tighe settled in the passenger seat. He wanted to hold Scotty’s hand, to kiss him, but had to be content with watching the EMT crew assess the injuries.
Scotty’s tired and pain-filled blue eyes locked with his. “Sorry…for bothering you.”
Tighe gave a choked groan. “Oh, God. No, please, bother me. I’m sorry for being so foolish, Scotty. For all those stupid words I said. Forgive me?”
Scotty smiled. “Of course. Gotta love an earthquake for knocking some sense into you.”
Chapter Seven
Scotty opened his eyes and the world swam back into focus, although it swam a little too long. That’s when he knew he was high on pain medicine. Someone had given him the good stuff.
“You’re awake.”
He turned his head, liking how the world slowly turned with him, and saw Tighe’s concerned face. He smiled at the big bear of a man.
“You’re my boyfriend,” he said, half slurring. “You said so.”
Tighe grinned lovingly at him and Scotty really liked that look. “I did say so. If you’ll have me, I promise to be the best damn boyfriend ever. Better than all your other boyfriends.”
Scotty giggled. “I really like this medicine.”
“I can tell.”
Scotty felt his eyes drifting shut. “Will you stay with me, Tighe?”
“Of course.”
“No, I meant forever. Will you stay with me forever?”
Tighe was silent for a moment. “Yes, Scotty. Forever.”
* * * *
Tighe stared at Scotty as he slept, feeling his heart pound heavily in his chest. When had he made the distinction in his head that he wouldn’t fight his nature anymore? He was gay. No ifs, ands, or buts. For so long, he’d felt isolated, but somewhere in the past twenty-four hours he’d come to terms with who he was. Almost losing Scotty had opened his eyes, as had the unhesitating help he’d gotten in finding him.
Scotty had been one of the lucky ones, walking away with a broken foot, some lacerations that needed stitches, and some bruising. A miracle, really. Los Angeles was in bad shape and a state of emergency had been declared. Marines were pouring into the city to help as well as FEMA. Emergency broadcasts had been sent out, and Tighe watched the newsfeed as he sat next to Scotty’s bed.
The next morning Scotty looked at him with clear eyes since he’d been taken off the heavy narcotic, and he couldn’t help but lean over and kiss him good morning. He’d slept in the corner, in a chair, a special dispensation of the hospital considering they’d lost their homes.
“Good morning,” he said as he pulled back. “Are you in pain?”
“Just a little. Not much. I can’t believe what happened.”
“I know. The numbers for the dead keep climbing.”
“How’s your mom?”
“She’s okay,” Tighe said, assuring him. “Her building is only one level and built for something like this. All they lost were a few televisions and lights. And Jesse came by. Everyone is fine.”
Scotty sighed in relief and Tighe took his hand.
“Do you remember our last conversation?” he asked.
Scotty nodded. “Are you finally ready to hold hands with a guy in public? To kiss a guy in public?”
“Only if that guy is you.”
Scotty smiled.
“You know I’m older than you,” Tighe said.
“Eh. I’ll keep you young.”
“And I’m dirt poor.”
“Dude, I just lost everything in an earthquake. We’ll be homeless together.”
Then and there, Tighe knew no matter what crisis the future might hold, no matter how scared he might be taking that initial step out of his comfort zone, taking a chance on love was the only option he had. He leaned over and kissed Scotty lightly on the mouth, and felt his soul sigh with love.
The End
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Evernight Pub
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