The Problem With Mistletoe

by Kyle Baxter

David put his hand over his old friend’s. “I never wanted anyone else to ever go through what you did, and yet it happened to my son. I should’ve been there.”

  “It wasn’t your fault.” Alex held his gaze and squeezed his hand. “He will be okay. I promise.”

  “I hope so. Okay, I am freezing and my butt is wet. It’s time to go in.” David crept back in his bedroom window. Once back inside, he leaned out the window to watch Alex leave. “Hey, anytime you want to whine or bitch about That Todd, you can talk to me.”

  “That Todd? I like it.” Alex inched his way to the edge of the roof. He grabbed a branch and slowly climbed back down the tree and into the yard.

  David traced the edge of the sill with his finger. “Why didn’t you come in and go out the front door, y’know, like a normal person?”

  After some work Alex jumped to the ground and put his hands on his hips, posing like Peter Pan. “Now, where’s the fun in that?”

  David shook his head. “You’re so weird.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The Nearness of You

  Alex was impressed with Suntory Restaurant. Its large open dining room housed sumptuous dark wood tables. Carved panels broke up the space into nooks, making each area semi-private. With hanging red lanterns, the decor and menu featured a blend of Asian cultures.

  A grand piano sat on a lower level with a musician playing standards. Live music was a nice touch and absent from many restaurants. The contrast with the Asian fusion theme was striking, but it worked.

  His home town now had a variety of restaurants, and though competition for his family’s establishment, the increase in choices benefitted everyone. It made Edgedale a better place to live.

  Man does not live on Italian alone. Mama recommended Suntory herself and made it a regular stop.

  The hostess recognized his last name immediately and was happy to seat him while he waited for his guest. Surveying the room, his eyes gravitated to the entrance as a tall man with broad shoulders walked in with a young woman. Admiring the shape of the man’s back, he did a double-take when the man turned around.

  It was David.

  Shrinking in his chair, he buried his face in his phone. He turned as they passed nearby, escorted to a table, hoping David wouldn’t see him, but he was curious. They hadn’t spoken today, and he didn’t want his friend to think he was stalking him. You got here first, you loon.

  Alex’s stomach knotted up. AND he’s here on a date. Of course he’s here on a date. Why wouldn’t he be? They had a nice night catching up and reminiscing on the roof. David was moving forward with his life. It was a good thing, but . . . he paused. What exactly did he expect? Uh, oh . . .

  Before he could think or move, David stood in front of him.

  “Hey, look who’s here.” The big man grinned.

  Alex stood immediately. “Big D!”

  David’s face turned beet red. “No one’s called me that in ages.” He sat in the empty chair. “Are you waiting on someone?”

  “I’m meeting a friend for dinner. You’re here with a date?” Alex pointed at the young woman alone at the table on the other side of the room.

  David’s head bowed. “I am.” He looked embarrassed and his eyes darted away from Alex’s.

  “That’s . . . nice.” Silence stretched out between them. Alex gave a little wave to David’s date. She returned it with a questioning perusal.

  “She’s a lucky girl. I mean, you shine up nicely.” Alex eyed David’s pale-blue shirt. It brought out the gray in the irises of his eyes and fit snug across his broad chest. Topped with a dark blazer, it opened when he moved, and Alex could see more of his chest. Stop that. “Thank you for that, Coop.”

  David’s eyes narrowed. “For what?”

  “In the restaurant business, I see too many girls dressed to the nines with dates dressed like slobs. It’s nice to see a man step it up.”

  “My mother and Mama Capili taught me well. You clean up pretty good yourself.” David eyed him up and down. “Nice shirt.”

  “Black again.” He held his arms out. “Yes, I’m living the stereotype.” He long ago embraced the cliché that New Yorkers dressed mostly in black.

  “I didn’t—” David held up a hand. “I just meant it looks good on you.”

  Alex’s face flushed. The attention made him nervous and he hid a smile behind his hand. Coop had a knack for making him nervous. It was his superpower.

  “No scarf?” he asked.

  Alex let out a huff of air. “It’s in the coat check, I’ll have you know.” The smirk from David gave him a thrill. “Shouldn’t you get back to your date?” He motioned with his thumb in her direction.

  “It’s fine.” David waved it off. “How’s your aunt doing?”

  Alex gave his friend a questioning look. “We just talked last night.”

  “I’m a nurse. I’m asking, how is she today?” David turned his chair to face him and Alex couldn’t help but appreciate the view of his friend’s thick thighs spread open. Get a grip. What was going on? He felt like a nervous teenager.

  “She’s okay,” he stammered. “Maybe a little wobbly.”

  “Have you talked to her about it?” David stroked his chin.

  “Yes, but she’s evasive.” Alex adjusted the cuff of his shirt sleeve. “I’m worried.”

  Reaching over, David took his hand and squeezed it. “Your aunt and uncle are happy you’re here. I know it means a lot to them.”

  “Thank you.” Alex put his other hand over David’s. After a moment they realized what they were doing and pulled back. Alex looked to the front, wondering where his own guest was.

  David leaned his head to one side, listening to the piano player. Recognition flashed over his features. “I love this.”

  Alex’s eyes flit over David’s face. “‘The Nearness of You,’ it’s one of my favorites.”

  Leaning forward, David fixed him with a critical eye. “Real talk. Which version do you prefer? Norah Jones’s, Seal’s, or Annie Lennox’s?”

  “Tough question. You know how much I love Annie Lennox, but I’d have to say I prefer Glenn Miller’s.”

  David snorted. “Of course you do. You’re so weird.” David sat back in his chair and asked, “Did my mom text you about the tour of the Orpheum tomorrow?”

  “She did. Sorry, I didn’t get a chance to call you. I was working on a Five Points thing and time got away from me.” Alex leaned forward. “It’s a great idea, if the interior is at all in manageable shape. I’m already formulating an action plan.”

  A handsome man with chestnut-brown hair and a big grin appeared beside the table. With a laugh, Alex jumped up. “There you are.” He gave the man a hug and introduced them. “David, this is a friend of mine, John Burgess.”

  “Nice to meet you.” David shook his hand. “Excuse me, I really should get back to my date.” He backed away, retreating into the restaurant.

  “So that was David?” John asked as he sat down. A grin broke across his broad face. “The David?”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  I Heard a Rumor

  David and his date, Tobi Maguire—“Yes, my real name,” she assured him—had drinks and their pupus morphed into dinner. The tempura asparagus app was David’s favorite followed by the ahi au poivre. He loved anything au poivre. How could you not?

  But his attention was not on his companion. “I can’t believe he’s here on a date.” David glanced over at Alex and John. The newcomer had a nice smile and was too handsome. He reminded him of Tom Cruise.

  Tobi played with the straw in her cocktail. “You said that . . . several times.”

  “He only got back a week ago. It’s quick and odd. Don’t you think it’s odd?”

  She stole a peek at the two men. “They’re both good-looking guys. It happens.”

  David harrumphed. Why was this getting to him? He had no claim on Alex. He lost that years ago.

  Another hearty “Hah!” from Alex rang through the dining room. David�
��s jaw tightened. What were they talking about? Their date was obviously going well. His wasn’t.

  “I can’t believe this.” Folding up his napkin, he shoved it under the edge of his plate.

  “So are you really Bi? Or Gay?” Tobi asked, bringing David’s attention back to the table full stop.

  “Bonnie told you I’m bi?”

  She was nonplussed. “Is it a secret?”

  “No, but it’s not something I normally talk about on first dates.” He preferred to wait until at least the third. It didn’t seem pertinent to bring it up at the outset. If there wasn’t enough attraction for another date, why bother?

  “This isn’t much of a date.” She rolled her Cabernet in its glass.

  Her words were water to the face. He ignored her all through dinner, and this—whatever it was—wasn’t her fault.

  She was pretty, tall with curly dark hair and deep brown eyes. It was a killer combination, but not tonight. Worse, she was perfectly pleasant and more patient than he deserved. He was a jerk. What was wrong with him?

  “You’re right. I apologize.”

  “It’s okay. I get it.” Tobi reached across and took his hand. “If my ex walked in with someone else, I’d be distracted too. Hell, I might throw a drink on him.”

  David’s face burned. “It’s not like that.”

  Tobi winked at him. “Sure, honey.”

  The busboy arrived to take their plates, and when the server asked about coffee, they both declined.

  “How do you know Bonnie?” David made a last-ditch effort to save the night or at least not end it on a bad note.

  “Through the message boards at the CYA website.”

  Sitting up, he put an arm on the back of his chair. “How do you know the CYA?”

  Tobi’s eyes flickered with interest. “I was checking out local resources for my niece—sorry, my nephew. He’s trans.”

  “How did it go? Did you find help?” This was the first time David had met with someone who used the charity’s website as a resource. He knew the site got hits and click-throughs, but the phone line traffic was sporadic. It was good to hear from a person who had experience with it.

  “Hit and miss. CYA is a good idea. We need a local resource.” Picking up her glass, she finished it off. “But it needs more attention. If that makes sense.”

  David tapped his mouth with a finger, considering her words. It made sense. They were in the midst of growing pains, hence the party/fundraiser. He made a mental note to check out the message boards.

  Stealing a glance back at the other table, David found Alex and his friend gone. His stomach twisted.

  She followed his line of sight. “And that’s my cue. I hope it works out for you.” Without another word, she got up and left the restaurant.

  #

  David drove straight home. The sitter he used was a sharp-eyed local girl. She came highly recommended and was available on short notice. Though she was a little young, he planned to use her again.

  After she left, he got Eric tucked in before settling in himself. David lay in bed, reading a book on his tablet. The TV offered the only light in the room.

  His phone chimed, and grabbing it off the nightstand, he gave the screen a glance. Here we go.

  “What was that about?” Bonnie asked. Her voice was sharp.

  “Hello, Bonnie.”

  “I talked to Tobi.” The irritation in her tone made him grimace.

  Glancing up, he found Eric standing at the bedroom door, carrying his favorite stuffed toy, the blue-footed booby bird. He was obsessed with the animal for a hot minute earlier this year. His attention shifted to dinosaurs, but his love for the stuffed animal remained.

  “Can’t talk now. Gotta go.”

  “Fine, call me tomorrow,” she demanded.

  “Maybe.” Hanging up, he turned to his son. “What’s up, buddy?”

  “Can’t sleep.” Eric rubbed his eyes.

  David patted the bed beside him. “Come on.”

  Climbing into bed, Eric snuggled next to his father. Setting his tablet aside, David put his arm around his son and gave his full attention to the late-night cartoon block they enjoyed.

  Since the beginning of the school year, Eric began suffering sporadic bouts of insomnia. Something was bothering him.

  “Hey, what’s going on?” David gave him a squeeze.

  The boy moaned. “It’s back to school tomorrow.”

  “Don’t you like school?”

  Eric scrunched up his face and David couldn’t help but chuckle. He found that hard to argue with. He didn’t like school much when he was that age.

  “How was your date?” Eric asked.

  “I messed it up.” His stomach turned as he relived it. Boy, did I mess it up. He was jealous of Alex and with no right to be; he was on a date himself. A date he ignored.

  He’d email her an apology tomorrow but make no attempt at a second date. As nice and understanding as she’d been, he was too ashamed.

  Eric clung tighter to him. “I’m sorry.”

  David hated to see worry cross the boy’s brow. Leaning over, he planted a kiss on the top of his head. “I’m not.”

  “How come?”

  He bobbed his head. “It wasn’t right.” And he was crushing on his best friend. Former best friend, he reminded himself. With a start, he realized that stray thought was true: he was crushing on Alex. Ugh.

  Falling for someone who doesn’t even live here. Might as well obsess over a married man. It was such a cliché.

  “How do you know?” The boy played with the feet of his booby bird.

  “Hmm? Oh, it’s something, you know, inside.” David placed a hand over Eric’s heart. “It wasn’t her fault, but she didn’t interest me. It happens.” And more often than not. He wondered again if there was any magic left out there for him. Granted, he was vibing with Alex again, but flirts were not a relationship, however much fun it was.

  Eric was quiet. Watching his face, David wondered what went on behind those lively eyes. He was so sharp and so clever that it worried him.

  When they moved to Edgedale last year, David considered holding him back a year, especially with the relocation from Chicago and the pain they went through with his ex-wife. But Eric begged to stay in classes with children his own age. He didn’t want to be held back with the babies. That was when David settled on Stuyvesant, a Montessori school and its mixture of ages.

  The years are sharply defined when you’re a kid. Impatient to grow up and unwilling, even fearful, to lose any ground they gained. He hoped he could help Eric keep up, and every night, he worried he made a mistake.

  The feeling brought him back to the CYA and how his mother started it after they learned what happened with Eric at Adriana’s hands. She was determined to help at-risk kids in this town. David admired her commitment.

  They lay in silence, watching TV until Eric drifted off to sleep clutching his booby. Still wide awake, David’s mind ran back over the events of the night. A clammy shiver of embarrassment moved through him. He made a mess of it. No more dates for him. He was entirely too distracted by Alex.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Ain’t It Something

  Morning came far too early. After dropping Eric off at school, David went to the gym, shopping for groceries, and ran errands. It was an on-call day at the hospital and he was grateful for the break in routine.

  He was able to squeak in just enough time for a solitary lunch before driving to the Orpheum theater for the meeting. His mother and Alex were already waiting.

  “It’s perfect.” Standing on the corner, Alex spread his arms wide, looking up at the marquee. Turning, he grinned at David.

  Damn, but that smile was infectious, and David returned it.

  “It is,” Bonnie agreed, appearing on the sidewalk beside him.

  David gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Hey there, glad you could make it.”

  “Strike a pose.” Bonnie held up her phone and aimed it at Alex. Duti
fully, he leaned in beside Tandi as she took the photo.

  “What’s this for?” Alex asked.

  Tandi moved in front of the ticket booth, pulling David next to her for another photo. “Bonnie is the CYA’s social media manager.”

  “I’m so excited about the space I asked her to come along and take some photos.” David leaned against the street lamp.

  “Wait.” Bonnie stepped into the street and crouched down to take a pic of him. He was perfectly framed in front of the Orpheum marquee. “Got it.”

  “Who’s the owner, now?” Alex walked to one of the for-sale signs pasted on the plywood boards that covered the double doors. David shrugged.

  “I contacted the leasing agent.” Tandi scrolled through messages on her smartphone. “The owner offered to let us use it for free. They told us to consider it a donation.”

  “That will help offset the penalty for bailing on the other site. Can we decorate it?” Alex asked.

  Tandi didn’t look up. “Absolutely.”

  “I like this idea.” Bonnie took several more photos of the exterior of the building.

  David eyed his mother. “You look cold.”

  “I’m fine.” She raised a hand and wiggled it. “Fingerless heated gloves so I can still use my cellphone. I love them. Everyone is getting them for Christmas.”

  “The theater has its own food prep area. That’s a plus.” Alex shoved his hands in his peacoat. His knowledge of the property from working at the theater was a huge asset.

  “Perfect. We’ll be able to transport the food here, with space to plate and expedite for serving.” Bonnie grinned. “And hang out.”

  “Always a priority,” Alex said with a snicker.

  David felt the enthusiasm building. “And there’s a parking lot in the back.”

  “The landlord is cleaning it for prospective tenants,” Tandi said. “So no cost to us.”

  It looked like this was going to work. It made his mother happy and brightened David’s mood. And Alex looked excited.

  Alex walked up to the doors and peeked through a space between the boards and into the lobby. “‘Nothing just happens. It’s all part of a plan!’”