Chance Encounter

by Jerry Cole

  The apartment was older, with a fence that wound around the building. It also had a locked door at the entrance.

  Gray told me that he’d amp up the security around the building, starting tomorrow morning. We were just down the street from the police and fire department, so we had that on our side. Gray warned the girls always to be careful walking in, both during the day and at night. Becca was quick to say that went without anyone suggesting it.

  “Has she always been that sharp?” He asked once we were inside our apartment.

  “Pretty much. She’s always been street smart.” I said as we walked to our apartment. “Want to see Gram?”

  “She’s usually feeling a little sad after Jackson leaves. There’s a sad time after the holidays for her.” He smiled. “I’ll check on her later tonight, but first, I need some alone time with my boyfriend. What was it you called me in the car?”

  “My true love.” I smiled.

  “Let’s seal the deal on that for a while.” We locked the door and went to our bedroom, making love until we dozed off. I had to work that night, showering later than normal and grumbling as I left. Gray went to check on Gram after a goodbye kiss, while I drove to the theater with Becca.

  She made me several coffees to get through the night. Everyone was asking me about my holiday, and for the first time in my life, I could say that it was wonderful. It brought me out of my mood as I helped backstage, watching every scene play out. We were finishing one play and moving onto Christmas ones after this to celebrate the season.

  “Do you think you’ll try out for something soon?” Kyle asked me backstage as we watched a dance performance.

  “I think I will,” I replied, considering my answer. It would mean more time spent at the theater, but not working as I had been. I’d be doing something I loved. Gray would support that because we wouldn’t be avoiding each other. He’d support me.

  “A Christmas Story is coming up. That will be a blast.” He smiled, and I nodded in agreement. We were having fun with the first play, moving to something more serious a week before the holiday. I knew I didn’t have to try out if I just went for a small part.

  I felt wired after work, and Becca called Mari and Gray to meet as at the diner around the corner for a late dinner. Mari grumbled a bit since she was more of an early bird. Gray was up working anyway, so he drove them to meet us. Becca pulled her into the booth, kissing Mari as her girlfriend playfully grumbled

  “I trust that work went well?” Gray asked after we shared a warm kiss.

  “It was great. Becca kept making me drink coffee all night.” Gray rolled his eyes. “That’s why you’re here.” I grinned at my best friend. “We’re also starving.”

  We chatted about life over the breakfast platters that we ordered, sipping coffee while Mari drank herbal tea. She enjoyed sleeping, and with the way that she worked so hard at the gallery, Mari deserved it. But the way her eyes glowed as she looked at her girlfriend, it was worth it to stay up a little later some nights.

  I told Gray about the upcoming play later at home in bed. He assured me that he supported my passion, pulling me close to kiss my hair. “I can’t wait to see you in action.”

  “You see me in action all of the time,” I teased him with a firm kiss.

  Chapter Eleven

  Gray

  It seemed like December came the day after Thanksgiving, though it was close. Gram and Hayden each wanted fresh trees, and I suggested that we wait to get them. They didn’t like my suggestion of artificial trees that would be unaffected as long as they were up, telling me that that wasn’t a real Christmas tree.

  “When did you become such a holiday snob?” I asked Hayden once we were in our apartment.

  “Gram told me how much better a fresh tree is. I want the smell and the feel of real pine needles.” He went to the kitchen, dropping the keys on the counter. I had been cutting down trees for Gram since I could hold a hatchet, so I was familiar with her stance. I just wasn’t sure if I wanted to do it for two trees that would surely turn into three once the girls got the idea in their heads.

  “It’s work, and you have to make sure the tree has water. They can be dangerous otherwise.” I followed him into the kitchen for a kiss. “Gram might change her mind this year.” We decided to surprise her with a pet for Christmas. She kept talking about her friend that had two cats that always sat on her lap, fighting for space.

  We planned to get her an older cat from the local shelter. We’d been a couple of times, and there was a sweet, calm female white cat that the staff promised would be perfect for Gram. She’d come from a similar home when the owner tragically passed away with no local family or friends around to take her.

  “I doubt that. She’s dead set on real trees. She’ll just call if it needs to be put back up.” He chuckled as I paused, realizing how right he was.

  “Fuck me. You’re right. I’m asking Jackson to move out here again,” I groaned as Hayden smiled.

  “The girls talk to Amy a lot. It wouldn’t surprise me if she convinced him to do just that. They could get the fourth apartment in the building.”

  “Wouldn’t that be something?” I asked as he pulled me close. The girls talked to Amy more than they did to Vivian these days. Everything that happened soured that relationship, and while a baby was involved and missing out on good people, the responsibility fell on Vivian.

  “A family building. Jackson can work here, right?” Hayden asked, and I considered my answer.

  “He owns a company there, and I think Amy works at a lawyer’s office as a paralegal. I guess he could see or have someone manage it. He makes a fucking fortune and could live a relaxed life here. Not like that’s his style, though. Jackson would still be involved with the company.” I laughed, and Hayden nodded in agreement. “They’re coming for a week at Christmas. Maybe we can chat with him about it.”

  We compromised on the trees, getting three at the two-week mark. I thought they might be good through the new year, or at least I hoped so. We got three all at once, including one for the girls. I spent more time setting up Gram’s tree since she needed the most help. Once hers was finished and covered with years of family ornaments, the girls and Hayden decided on decorating nights for the other two trees.

  They both worked nights, so I set the trees up with water for the time being. We planned to make dinner and to decorate in one night they had free if possible, so it gave everyone a chance to buy some ornaments. They didn’t have the past that I did, making me realize that they were all starting a new tradition.

  I shopped a lot for Hayden and Gram, but I bought gifts for the girls as well. They were a big part of my life now, and I felt like I had two sisters. I’d been close to girls before, but with Hayden, it felt like a family forming before my eyes.

  I complained about the demands, but we all knew they were done out of love.

  Gram came to the dinner and decorating festivities, giving us each an ornament to place on our tree. They were all personal to us and celebrated our first holidays together. I hugged her, telling her that I loved her and kissing her cheek. The others did the same, only with tears. She also baked an apple pie for dessert.

  We all worked hard to make sure we could enjoy the holiday. I got all of my jobs done, thankful that many podcasts took the holidays off. Hayden chose to perform in the play as well as his normal shift, but he took a small part in it. He wanted to help with the set as well as be a part of the play. The theater was closed for the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, as well as Mari’s gallery. She and Becca were planning a lot of fun activities for Amy when they arrived two days before Christmas. Jackson and Amy wanted to see the play on its last night with Gram.

  I sat in the audience, realizing that it wasn’t that long ago that I saw Hayden here for the first time. I knew that he was something special the moment our eyes met, making me smile when he came on the stage in a group. He was a backup dancer and singer that also had a few lines of his own. I loved thi
s man more than I ever loved anyone.

  We went to the diner to eat when the play was over, and Hayden met some fans. He beamed when everyone told him that he was a natural up there, as well as how much they loved the play. We enjoyed our late meal, getting Gram home to bed as soon as we finished. Jackson and Amy joined us in my apartment for some beers, sitting on the couch with Becca and Mari. We caught up, laughing as they told us stories from Florida about their jobs.

  Amy gushed over our tree as she had with Gram’s tree. I could tell that she loved the holidays from both times I met her, knowing that it was perfect for Jackson. We were raised by Gram to value them and the family time that came with it.

  She stayed with the girls, with Jackson deciding to join them. They changed into pajamas and set the alarm to be up for Gram, but they wanted to continue to hangout while we went to bed. Hayden was starting to come down from his adrenaline of the play, needing his sleep once we made love. We all had the following day off since it was Christmas Eve, but Gram cooked an early dinner for family and friends. It was more casual than her Christmas meal but still very important to her. We spent the day baking cookies with her for the evening, and Gram made her famous eggnog to go with the dessert. Several of her active friends stopped by with gifts for her and more desserts, filling the apartment with laughter and love.

  Hayden and Becca took it in with awe in their eyes. Mari had family in California that she was relatively close to, and this wasn’t her first holiday. She just needed to be with Becca in her element this year.

  It was late when everyone left. Gram had a huge smile on her face as we cleaned up for her, grinning across the kitchen at each other. When we finished, Jackson pulled Amy to the tree for a gift he wanted her to open. Gram still celebrated Christmas morning the same as she had when we were kids with our help, but we opened some gifts the night before.

  “What is it?” Amy asked with a curious look in our direction. He reached behind the tree, pulling something off before dropping to his knee on the hardwood floor. Amy gasped, and we all stared as Jackson presented one of the best proposals I’d ever seen. He told her how much she meant to him, asking her to be his forever before she dropped into his arms, sobbing her yes. He slipped the ring that he hung on the tree upon their arrival, and we hugged them as Amy kept crying.

  It gave me ideas that I held in as we made our way home.

  The following day started with breakfast and gifts. We brought our gifts over from the night before, as well as Becca and Mari. Gifts surrounded the colorful tree, and several photos were taken of it. I was all too aware that Gram was getting older, and this wasn’t always going to be part of the holiday.

  We opened presents as a group. There were thoughtful gifts for everyone, including Kindles for the girls from me. I bought a new laptop for Hayden. I bought Gram a beautiful electric kettle for her tea as well as framing some photos taken on Thanksgiving of all of us. She cried as she looked at them since the frames included one of my grandfather, and her with Jackson and me in a picture from a few years ago.

  We all pitched in to make breakfast together, joined by some friends that brought their contributions to the meal. It was crowded but fun with chatter and laughter filling the room. Amy showed them all the platinum band set with small diamonds and a good-sized solitaire that was perfect for her small frame.

  After breakfast, we started dinner and welcomed the people that dropped by. That meal consisted of turkey and prime rib along with several sides and desserts. Everyone gathered together, opening more gifts, and going between apartments for conversation and tours.

  We stumbled home after the night ended. We felt stuffed, and the floor was piled with gifts from everyone. We chose to open most of the gifts at Gram’s house.

  Chapter Twelve

  Hayden

  I felt overwhelmed with the holiday. Many friends stopped by with food and small gifts for everyone. Everyone chatted and laughed, even walking to the other apartments to see them.

  The proposal made me tear up right along with everyone else. I thought about it with Gray, but we were still sort of new. We just moved in with each other, and I felt like Jackson and Amy needed their moment.

  I did buy him a leather cord bracelet for a gift that was still pushed back underneath our tree. I had a matching one that I’d wear once Gray opened his. He surprised me by giving me a sterling silver promise ring, wearing a matching one. We wore them on our right hand for the moment, knowing that it would be something different next time there were rings involved.

  We made love before falling asleep with plans to sleep in the following day. We all needed it after so much socializing. It was a lot for Becca and me in particular, and we whispered about that throughout the day.

  I felt like I had a family that supported me. They gave me love without judgment. I didn’t hide my choices from my own family, but I was never accepted that way. We never spoke of it. I was happier here, feeling more like myself. It was the same with Becca, and I grinned as she talked and smiled with so many people.

  We went to Gram’s for leftovers the day after Christmas, just later in the afternoon. It was just us and slower conversation. Jackson and Amy talked about their wedding, snuggling together as we all smiled at them.

  They didn’t want anything too big, just family and close friends. They weren’t sure where it might be, but Jackson wanted Gram there. She was less likely to travel anywhere for a wedding, so they were thinking of her first.

  When we went out for beers while the girls were out, Jackson confessed to possibly moving here. He had someone to run things in Florida with a lot of participation on his end. He was willing to travel but being close to Gram was important. Amy also loved spending time with Becca and Mari and didn’t necessarily need to work. That could be up to her if they were to move here.

  “When are you thinking?” Gray asked as Jackson shrugged.

  “I’d need to sell the condo, or maybe rent it out. I don’t mind staying in a hotel when I visit, but renting it out might be a smart choice. We’d also have to find something here, but renting works in the beginning.” He smiled, reaching for his beer.

  “The girls want you in the unit beside them. The guy is moving out soon to retire to Florida,” I said, and Jackson raised a brow.

  “They are nice, and being that close to Gram might be a good idea.” He considered the information. “We could buy something later. I’ll talk to Amy about it in the next few days.”

  “I’m happy, man. Gram would love it, and we’d love to have you here.” Gray hugged his cousin, making me smile.

  We enjoyed some appetizers and another beer since the girls let us know they were just going into the movie theater. It was nice just to hang out with the guys, knowing that the girls got along so well together.

  Jackson took a look at our apartment again when we arrived home, deciding what could fit from home. Since our apartments were spacious, he thought he might get most of it here. He could leave some stuff in the condo and rent it for higher, or just sell. He wasn’t attached to any of it and wanted to build a home with Amy.

  We took Gram to dinner at a great restaurant in the city since she cooked so much in the last few days. We talked about New Year’s Eve when she told us that she was staying the night at a friend’s house to have brunch in the morning. That led us to plan something small in the building with a few close friends, introducing Jackson and Amy to them. We knew the other tenant was gone securing his new home in Florida.

  Invites were sent out to the small group, and we started shopping for liquor and food. The girls wanted to practice their skills and make some appetizers and desserts in addition to buying already made things. We weren’t going to go overboard, but they had so much fun cooking over the holidays. We decided to open up both apartments for the party and have drinks and food in each one.

  The days passed with sightseeing and time spent with family. It was the night of the party all too quickly, and we cleaned and prepped all day.
By the time guests started to arrive at eight, both apartments were stocked and lit to suit the mood with string lights. We decided to keep the main door closed, and that we’d let people in or the guests would. There would be enough traffic between the apartments that it shouldn’t be a problem.

  Music played from upstairs, filling the entire building at the volume, as well as the use of blue tooth speakers placed outside of the homes. People mingled together, drinking and eating as they toured both apartments. It was a great turn out, and Gray and I moved between apartments as needed.

  When we were upstairs chatting with some theater friends, someone screamed downstairs. I looked at Gray, and we both ran down to the door slamming closed as chaos erupted inside of our apartment. He headed outside, and I walked into my apartment to smell smoke and see people gathered in the kitchen. “What the fuck happened?” I called out as friends looked over.

  “Some guy came in and set a fire at the stove,” someone told me as I walked over to survey the damage. The wall was black but the damage was mild, thanks to the party goers in my apartment. I thanked them and headed out front to see Gray and some others leading someone up the walkway. ‘That’s him.”

  It was Ryan they dragged into the building. I stared at him as he scowled at the ground. “Why are you still doing this?” I asked as someone called the police.

  “I wanted this with you.” He muttered as I leaned in closer. “I should have this with you.”

  “You had your chance and blew it. You know as well as I do that we were never happy,” I reminded him as Ryan met my gaze. “You did set fire to my old place, right?”

  “There’s no proof.” He looked away, and I sighed.

  “Just fucking leave it alone. We’re pressing charges for tonight, but leave us alone from now on. This is about a lot more than anything you’ve created between you and me. I’ve moved on.” I shrugged, and he stared at me.