by Trina Solet
"Mayor Miriam is a busy woman!" Teddy said, furrowing his brow at the woman.
She was so shocked that she was left speechless as they walked away.
"You told her," Cory praised Teddy.
A few steps later, Alec picked him up and swung him around. Teddy was surprised and delighted. From the look in Alec's eyes, it was clear how much he adored Teddy.
When they were coming out from the store, they spotted Bonnie. As she jumped out of her light blue delivery truck parked in front, Teddy stopped.
"I want to say hi to Bonnie," he said.
"Now we'll never get those home before they spoil," Alec said. He had given the steaks to Teddy to carry.
They went over to her just as she was stacking some empty crates.
"Hi, Bonnie," Teddy said.
"Hey there, little hitchhiker. Hi, boys," she said but just kept doing what she was doing.
Seeing she was busy, Teddy was ready to walk away.
"Give her a minute," Alec said. He stared at Bonnie until she turned around, her ponytail whipping.
"You!" she said and pointed a finger at Teddy. "High-five!" She raised her hand.
"You can't see his hands are full?" Alec asked her, taking Teddy's bags so he could high-five her.
"Whatchya got there?" she said as Teddy demanded the bags back.
"Steaks," Teddy told her, proudly.
"Why would you say that to a hungry woman? I skipped lunch. I could hardly hear the truck rattling from the growling in my stomach," she complained.
"Sorry," Teddy said.
"You work for a grocery store," Alec pointed out.
"I forgot to bring lunch," she said to him. "I'm getting a Philly cheese steak from Thompson's. It's not on the menu, but Rosie will make it for me," she bragged.
"She means Rosa," Alec told Teddy.
"It's Bonnie and Rosie, so it rhymes. We're best friends for life," Bonnie insisted.
"Does she know that?" Alec taunted her.
"I thought you were worried the steaks would spoil," Cory told him. "And we came over so Teddy could talk to her."
Alec gave him a dirty look. Cory ignored it and leaned down to prompt Teddy.
"Thank you for picking me up," Teddy said to Bonnie. Cory was going to be grateful to her for that for the rest of his life.
"No problem, little hitchhiker." She raised her hand for another high-five.
Alec grumbled as he took Teddy's bags again then gave them back.
"Now a handshake," she said.
That's where Alec drew the line, but Teddy turned to him to take the bags. What choice did Alec have? He took them. As he did, he gave Bonnie a warning look. She stuck out her tongue at him, and Teddy giggled.
"I think he was in on that," Alec accused him.
When they got home and Miriam heard what Teddy said to that unpleasant woman, she laughed and laughed.
"How can this day get any better? Teddy is talking, he's putting stuck-up b..." She quickly changed her mind about which word to use. "...busybodies in their place, and we're having steaks."
Though she was always cheerful, today Miriam was in the best mood Cory had ever seen her in. He was still apprehensive when after Teddy was in bed that night, she asked him to sit with her in the living room. Alec was in the den, so it was just the two of them. Cory was already worried that she might have some bad news for him. After such an awesome day, he felt sure there would be some kind of crash.
"Why are you nervous, honey? It can't be me. I'm not scary," she said.
"No. You've been wonderful," he told her.
"So have you. When I was hoping Teddy had some family out there, I didn't expect we would find such a gem. You are a treasure, honey. Teddy loves you to pieces. You're his dream come true," Miriam said.
"No, he's mine."
"The important thing is you found each other. Teddy was owed something good coming into his life and so were you."
Thinking of the good things in his life, Cory couldn't help but think of Alec as well as Teddy. Cory had already tried to jump Alec, forgetting his own limited appeal. Stupid, stupid Cory. Did he really think he could tempt Alec, a guy who had turned his back on countless better looking guys than him? When he kissed him, he could have sworn that Alec was interested, or at least desperate. It was pathetic to hope that Alec would turn to him out of desperation.
Thank God Miriam didn't want to question him about Alec.
"I wanted to know what you think of the place. Seaview Pines, this house. Could you see yourself staying here?" she asked. Now she seemed anxious as well as hopeful. Cory could tell that she didn't want him and Teddy to go.
Cory thought about it. This was a place of pickup trucks and church on Sunday, but everyone was perfectly friendly to Alec though he was out. It probably helped that his mother was the mayor. A small town wasn't the kind of place Cory would have chosen for himself. A place so small made him feel antsy, but he could tell that Teddy needed to stay here, where things were calm and safe. For Teddy's sake, he would do anything and live anywhere. He told Miriam as much, and she understood both about his reservations and his commitment to Teddy.
"You're a good brother. You're staying here because it's good for Teddy. I know it's not where you want to be, but you might get to like it."
"There's nowhere I want to be. I'm just not used to living in a town this small. But I guess it's just the right size for Teddy. I think he likes seeing the same people and places all the time."
"Things around here don't change much. That same blue prom dress has been in the window of Liza's for a million years. That fancy little music box and the toy train in the church thrift store window have cobwebs on them."
"I think that's just how Teddy likes it. For now, anyway."
Cory could see how it would appeal to Teddy to see familiar faces everywhere he went. The comfort of a place where time seemed to stand still struck a chord with Cory too. If only the place gave him the freedom to be himself, he wouldn't mind it.
"I'd like to stay here as long as we can. I think it's good for Teddy to be where it's quiet and where he feels secure," Cory said.
"Is that the only advantage you see in being here?" she asked him, and his mind immediately flashed to Alec.
"I think you and Alec have been really good for Teddy," Cory said, telling only part of the truth.
"Alec is full of surprises," she said, shaking her head. "But the first time I saw Teddy drawing, I knew he and Alec were a perfect fit. It was just like looking back at Alec at that age. Teddy was so lost in it, like only a true artist would be."
Cory smiled as he pictured Teddy's funny drawings hanging in some museum as the work of an artistic genius.
"I planned to take care of Teddy myself, but Alec stepped up and took over," Miriam said with a pleased smile. "Until then, I didn't know he had it in him to take care of a kid. But Alec won him over right away, mostly by handing him a box of crayons." She laughed thinking of that. Then she just smiled. "Alec wouldn't leave his side, day or night. And that's what that kid needed – someone constant. That doesn't sound like my Alec, but there he was, every minute showing that kid he could count on him."
Cory wondered if Teddy took to Alec, not only because he devoted himself to him and because of their shared artistic tendencies, but also because Alec was so confident and always at ease. By being sure of himself, he might have made Teddy sure of him too. Of course it was more than that. The most important thing was that under his careless manner, Alec cared about Teddy. Cory could tell that Miriam was proud of her son for how well he took care of a little boy who desperately needed him.
"I guess you like having him home," Cory said. Talking about Alec had put a special smile on her face.
"I do. I know it won't last, but it's still nice. I wish he would settle, come to live here, but I know he won't."
Cory considered that a word of caution not to get too attached to Alec. It made him worry about Teddy. He was attached to Alec already. There
was no helping that. Cory would just have to hope for the best.
*
As he went into the den, Alec noticed that Cory was at the mayor's mercy. Served him right. Alec got on his laptop and didn't even consider going to his rescue. Cory deserved it for the way he made him suffer. Alec found himself always wanting to reach for him, maybe kiss his neck, nibble on his earlobe a little, fuck him senseless. The memory of their kiss was too strong. He couldn't escape the attraction. He had an awareness of him like they were always in physical contact. Even now, Alec couldn't concentrate thinking about the taste of his kiss. Cory's voice reached him only as an occasional murmur from the living room. A few times Alec heard his mom laugh, but he told himself they weren't talking about him.
When she was done with him, Cory came into the den.
"So you escaped her clutches," Alec said.
"We just had a little talk," Cory said.
"No such thing. Never forget that she is a politician. Watch yourself," Alec reminded him.
"Maybe you should watch yourself. You're alone with me, and I've cut off your escape route," Cory said. He was obviously trying to goad him into something.
"So you're in the mood to start trouble you can't handle," Alec concluded. He remembered getting a similar warning about that from Cory and not listening.
"You started it. You flirt with me every time Teddy turns his back," Cory accused him.
"I'm not afraid of Teddy," Alec claimed. Actually he had a feeling that he should be, especially where hurting Cory was concerned.
"If you don't want trouble, why did you let me kiss you?" Cory asked, determined to break down his already weak defenses.
"I didn't want to be rude," Alec said lamely.
"And why did you kiss back?"
"It seemed rude not to."
"Should we see how far your politeness will take us?" Cory said, stepping closer.
"Definitely not," Alec said. "I'm afraid it's my bedtime." He tried to get by, but Cory didn't move to let him pass. Alec faked right then went left and went past him. As he got out of there, he brushed against Cory.
"I'm doing this for you and for Teddy," Alec whispered.
He heard an indignant growl in response and ran. Once he was safely in his room, he had the urge to lock his door. He didn't. His first reason was because it was ridiculous. His second reason was that he was hoping Cory would sneak in and slip into bed with him. Then, just to be polite, Alec would have to fuck the hell out of him.
Chapter 13
Cory woke up even earlier than usual. He thought about Teddy finally speaking and smiled. Then he remembered making another move on Alec and he groaned. His talk with Alec's mom should have been like a cold shower, but it had the opposite effect. Reminded that some day, maybe soon, Alec would be gone, Cory had felt a stronger desire for him than ever. He didn't want to miss his chance to be with Alec even if it was just for a while, even if it meant nothing and was over too soon. Knowing he was risking unbelievable heartache didn't stop him. From the door, he had seen Alec in the dim light. His warning look turned his blue eyes sexy and hard. With those eyes on him, how could Cory back down? Those eyes dared him and promised to make his dreams come true. Lying eyes. All Alec did was make a dash for it. What a tease.
That morning, Miriam made him take Saturday off. Cory liked to put in at least half a day for people who needed tools and supplies for weekend projects and didn't get them Friday. Miriam wouldn't hear of it. She did have something mayoral that she had to do and was gone right after breakfast.
Cory decided to put his day off to good use. First he told Alec his plan, then he joined Teddy on the porch so he could ask him a few things. Teddy was drawing but stopped when Cory sat next to him.
"I wanted to ask you about your mom. Was her name Charlene?"
Cory thought he was starting with an easy one, but Teddy lowered his head and frowned. After a little bit, he shook his head.
"Did your mom have a picture of a rose, a flower, on her wrist?" Cory pointed to Teddy's wrist to show him where.
Teddy looked down again, this time he didn't answer at all. Seeing him like that, silent again, Cory was concerned.
"Don't worry. She is my mom too, remember," Cory said. He couldn't be a hundred percent sure of that, but it made Teddy look up at him, bright eyed.
"When you're ready, you can tell me about her," Cory told him but decided not to push him on the subject of his mother.
Teddy pressed his lips together and looked down. Cory wondered what it was that Teddy was holding back.
He tried asking him something else. "Can you tell me what happened before Bonnie picked you up?"
"I was sleeping," Teddy said, and Cory was relieved that he was speaking again.
"Where were you sleeping?"
"In the car."
"And before that?"
"Mom and the man were fighting."
"What were they fighting about?"
"Me," Teddy said sadly. "They were yelling and saying bad words. It was too loud. I covered my ears like this." Teddy put his hands over his ears and shut his eyes tight.
"That's good," Cory told him. He hated to think of the kinds of things he might have heard.
Teddy continued. "Then I fell asleep, and Mom woke me up. She said, 'Last stop, kiddo.' She picked up my clothes and put them in the bag she used for stealing from the big store. She pulled me out of the car, but I didn't want to go. She said I had to or the man would beat me up. She said, 'Take care of yourself, kiddo. Good luck and don't say one word about me to anyone. Not one word.'" Now Teddy looked worried.
"It's OK to tell me. I'm your brother. And what happened next?"
"She put money in my pocket. Then she went away in the car with the man."
"Were you scared?"
"Yes," Teddy said and lowered his head, his face crumpled. Cory could only imagine what it would be like for a little kid to find himself alone in the middle of nowhere. Cory took his hand and held it.
"You know how Alec told you it was OK to cry?"
Teddy nodded.
"That means if you're upset or sad, you can just go ahead and cry if you want."
"But I'm not sad any more. You're here," Teddy said. He still looked sad though.
Cory smiled and hugged him. His heart was breaking for him, but he was happy that they were together now.
"Where were you before you were traveling in the car?" Cory asked.
"Different places. But the man didn't like me. He wouldn't let me sleep in the motel room. I had to sleep in the car all by myself and hide so no one would see me. Sometimes we all slept in the car. I had to sleep on the floor. I didn't like that. And when Mom was doing a favor for the man in the car, I had to sit outside, turn my back and cover my ears." Teddy looked upset now so Cory held his hand again.
"What was the man's name?" he asked.
"Sly."
"And what was your mom's name?" Cory held his breath.
"She told Sly her name was Mona. When we were in the little house with the mean man, she said her name was Dee Dee. But she had a different name before. She said her name was Jackie when she was friends with the man who had the big dog. That dog was scary. And another time, she said her name was Bobbie." Teddy pursed his lips. "Those are all the ones I can remember."
"That's OK. Do you remember any last names?"
Teddy thought about it then shook his head.
"And did your mom have a picture of a flower on her wrist?"
Teddy nodded.
"And was your name Jimmy?"
"Yes, but before, it was Timmy and Junior. It was hard to remember which name I had. If I didn't answer, she got mad."
"Do you like Teddy better?"
"Yes. Alec said I looked like a Teddy." He looked more cheerful as soon as he said that. It was like his new name stood for everything good that had happened to him since he was found.
"You do," Cory told him. "Someone gave me the name Cory just like Alec gave you the name Tedd
y. I had a different name before, but I don't know what it was." For the first time, he thought of the name Cory Bledsoe as his real name. It didn't matter what the woman with the rose on her wrist called him. Lillian Bledsoe had given him her father's name because she cared, because she wanted someone to carry on her family name. And Teddy was Teddy because someone who cared about him had looked into his eyes, listened to a voice in his heart and given him that name.
For a while, Cory sat with Teddy and watched him draw. He was filled with more questions, but he didn't want to burden Teddy with them.
Later Cory went to find Alec in the den. He watched him as he painted just like he had watched Teddy drawing. Both of them were so absorbed in what they were doing. As soon as he noticed him, Alec set aside his paintbrush.
"It didn't go well?" Alec said, seeing his face.
"I knew I wasn't going to find out anything good, but it was still hard to hear," Cory told him. "He wouldn't talk about his mother at first. I was afraid he would stop speaking again. It turned out she told him not to say anything about her. I think that's why he wasn't speaking all this time."
"Because he wanted to protect her?" Alec asked with a frown.
"Or he was scared to say anything."
"The first thing Bonnie asked him when she picked him up was where was his momma and his daddy," Alec said. "Then Sheriff Hutchins asked him a million questions. Maybe that's why he clammed up. There was the trauma of being left, and he was afraid he might say something even without meaning to. The best way for him not to say anything about his mother was not to say anything at all."
That sounded about right to Cory. For a moment, he felt exhausted by the burden that little boy had to carry all by himself.