The Practice Page 12

  “Well, then, just bring them over to me for an occasional visit. I’ll be the kindly aunt with treats ready to offer, but I’ll leave the basic care to someone younger and better equipped than me.”

  Hadley asked, “How is the food?”

  Thomas grinned. “It’s perfect. You’re a good cook, Hadley.”

  He laughed and said, “I’m not good compared to Aunt Mae. We’ll have you over again sometime when she’s cooking.”

  The dinner continued with more laughter and more stories. In the end, Hadley collected the plates and serving dishes. He returned with Thomas’ plate of brownies and asked if anyone wanted after-dinner coffee.

  Aunt Mae looked at the brownies and asked, “Did you bake these Thomas?”

  Thomas laughed. “I would like to claim credit, but the bakery downtown here in Catlett’s Cove does a bang-up job. And I won’t need any coffee, Hadley, I need to be getting back to the dogs and make sure they’ve not chewed their way out of the bathroom.” He stood up from the table and said, “It was such a pleasure to meet you, Ms…may I just call you Aunt Mae as well?”

  Her eyes sparkled and she said, “Of course you may. I would consider it an honor.” Aunt Mae added, “Hadley, why don’t you see Thomas out. I’m sure the two of you would enjoy a moment of privacy alone before he returns to his apartment.”

  18

  Thomas

  “It was a great evening until then,” hissed Hadley. “She knows, Thomas. She knows.”

  Two days passed since Aunt Mae met Thomas, and each day Hadley grew more preoccupied with suspicion that she now knew that there was more than a friendship going on. Thomas suggested that Hadley stop by on Sunday morning and help take the pups on an excursion in his truck. It was an opportunity to get them accustomed to new noises, smells, and experiences.

  Thomas said, “Whoa Hadley. Slow down just a little bit. Did she say anything after you went back in the house.”

  “She didn’t have to. She said it all as you were leaving. A moment of privacy. Who needs that moment of privacy to say goodbye to their friends?”

  “Maybe she thought you could ask for an honest assessment about the meal without any embarrassment in her presence,” said Thomas. “Did she say anything when you went back into the house?”

  “She said you were a very pleasing young man. Then it was all she could do to keep herself from saying, ‘And don’t let him get away.’”

  “Well that would be a good thing if she said that wouldn’t it?” asked Thomas.

  “I…I don’t know,” said Hadley as he struggled with the words.

  Thomas pointed at Hadley’s head. “There’s something in there that you’re not telling me. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something in there.”

  “Can we sit…I mean, no, let’s…” in a flurry of emotion, Hadley grabbed the back of Thomas’ head and kissed him hard.

  Thomas parted his lips and absorbed the emotional power from the kiss. He was learning to love Hadley’s mercurial emotional energy, but Hadley’s almost irrational fear of being outed stuck in the back of his mind.

  “Does that help?” asked Thomas.

  Hadley’s shoulders rose and fell as he took a deep breath. “Yes, let’s pack up the pups.”

  Each pup now had its own collar sporting one of the seven colors of the rainbow. Lucky, as their mother wore a collar with the entire rainbow of colors.

  “Where will we go first?” asked Hadley.

  Thomas said, “I thought we would take a spin around downtown. Then we can go by the grocery store and grab picnic stuff before we head out to the park and let the pups out in the grass while we have our lunch. Do you think you can handle this crew?”

  Hadley’s truck was now adapted to provide better transport for the family of dogs. He removed the rear seat of his extended cab and replaced it with two extra large dog crates. While Thomas put together a cooler with provisions, Hadley ushered the three most confident pups into the first crate. The second crate would just fit Lucky and the remaining three pups.

  Thomas’ primary goal for the day was beginning to acclimate the puppies to the wider world, but he was also taking a longer look at his future with Hadley. The time cuddled up on the couch at home and slipping between the sheets was fantastic, but for it to last there needed to be more, a whole lot more.

  As Hadley backed out of the driveway, Thomas said, “Just take a few laps up and down Main Street. We’ll keep the windows rolled down so the pups can hear and can smell.”

  “Just like cruising downtown in high school?” asked Hadley.

  “Just like that,” said Thomas with a smile.

  As he drove along past a clothing store, a few tourist shops, the coffee shop, and the Blue Goose Bar, Hadley said, “It’s Sunday morning. It’s pretty quiet.”

  Thomas said, “It’s a perfect time to start the socialization for the dogs. A little too much commotion could spook them and do the opposite of what we’re trying to accomplish.”

  As Hadley turned the corner to begin the second lap, he asked, “Did you cruise Main Street in high school, Thomas?”

  Thomas grinned. “With the Purple Pack? Of course. We all piled into two cars. Emma had a ten-year-old Honda Accord and Aaron had a Ford Taurus. Emma was the only one of us who owned her own car. It was a hand-me-down from her grandparents. Aaron’s car belonged to his parents, but they graciously gave him the car for weekend nights. I think we annoyed the hell out of some of our straight classmates, but we really had strength in numbers. What about you?”

  Hadley said, “I was a little more of a loner, but I was starting to date, too, so if I had a girlfriend, I drove her up and down Main Street on Friday nights.”

  “How many girlfriends did you have in high school, Hadley?” asked Thomas.

  “Five or six I guess. The longest lasted about two months.”

  “I’m going to be nosy,” said Thomas. “Did you have sex with them?”

  Hadley nodded. “Yeah, well, two of them.”

  Thomas glanced back at the crates and then scratched his head. “And it was good?”

  Hadley laughed. “Well, as good as it can be cramped up in the back seat of an old Chevy Malibu. And as good as it can be when you don’t have a whole lot more in common than the sex and wanting to say that you had a girlfriend or boyfriend.”

  Thomas said, “So you really liked being with women.”

  “Yeah, well, I guess that’s what being bisexual is, right? If you want to talk about this more, why don’t we wait until I’m not needing to concentrate on driving.”

  “Oh, sure,” said Thomas. “Let’s head on over to the grocery store.”

  The big supermarket on the edge of town was just starting to bustle with customers. It was late spring, and the families of Catlett’s Cove were already starting to have their traditional weekend barbecues. The big plate glass windows of the store were plastered with advertisements for charcoal, ribs, and a sweet, locally made barbecue sauce. “I can just stay out here with the dogs,” said Hadley.

  “Okay, that’s a good idea. Is there anything in particular that you want, Hadley? I know I’ve got the basics down.”

  Hadley said, “They have really awesome glazed bear claws. Grab me one for dessert.”

  Thomas smiled. “One bear claw for Hadley coming up.”

  “Oh, and no potato salad unless you’re going to eat it all yourself.”

  “Scratch the potato salad.”

  “You’re getting chips?” asked Hadley.

  “I’ve got that down,” said Thomas.

  “And fresh cut up veggies to munch on?”

  “Veggies…check,” said Thomas. “Are you sure you don’t want me to wait out here while you do the shopping?”

  Hadley laughed. “No, I’m sure you’ve got it all under control.” He tilted his seat back until it rubbed up against the dog crate, slumped down slightly and closed his eyes. “See you in a few, Thomas.”

  Thomas laughed to himself as he en
tered the grocery store and pulled out a small cart to push around. He knew that he was falling hard for Hadley and having more and more thoughts about the long-term future. Coupled with those ideas, he was fighting hard against his own tendency to want things to be perfect. His perfectionist streak scuttled two different relationships in the city almost before they really got started. In the long run, it was likely a good decision, but Hadley was different. He was worth controlling old bad habits.

  Returning to the car with two bags of groceries, Thomas laughed when he startled Hadley awake. It was a cool, cloudy morning, and with the windows of the truck open, the cross-breeze off the lake just blocks away cooled the cab. Hadley shook his head and said, “I guess I nodded off.” He looked at the bags and said, “Are we camping out at the park? Surely we’re not eating all of that in one meal.”

  Thomas said, “I like to be prepared. I know a perfect little picnic area in the county park on Planter’s Point. Do you know it?”

  Hadley said, “That’s where my family camped when I was a little boy. We weren’t right out on the point, because that’s a picnic area like you said, but there’s a camp area just a little bit inland from the point. I haven’t been out there in years.”

  “It’s usually quiet out there,” said Thomas. “That will give the pups the chance to romp around a little bit without being likely to disturb anyone else.”

  The truck turned off the main road, and the air was suddenly filled with a rich pine scent. The trees grew well in the sandy soil. Planter’s Point was a sandy spit that pointed like a finger out into Summers Lake, and it formed one end of the rounded cove that gave Catlett’s Cove its name. The sand formed a narrow beach as it sloped down toward the water. At the pinnacle of the spit underneath towering pines stood three picnic tables with barbecue grates.

  Hadley said, “It’s so beautiful out here, and there’s not a single car.”

  Thomas said, “I think most people forget about Planter’s Point even if they know that it’s here. There are only pit toilets, and it’s separate from the rest of the county park. They would rather go down to the wide beach off Grandview Street.”

  “Then this is perfect for us and the dogs,” said Hadley. “Can I let them out now?”

  Thomas said, “I don’t see why not. I don’t think they are likely to run off. Just be careful if you see something like a squirrel or a raccoon. They can be irresistible.”

  Hadley laughed. “I ran track in high school, and I can still be pretty fast if its necessary to track them down.” He watched with rapt attention as the pups tumbled from the truck and Lucky patiently waited to be the last one out.

  Thomas said, “If they are like most pups, they will be a little nervous anyway. I expect them to stick close to Lucky and us.”

  Hadley nodded in agreement as he watched three of the pups doing figure eights in and out of his legs.

  Thomas said, “Let’s spread out the blanket and we can relax while they keep investigating. I brought both burgers and hot dogs to grill once we get hungry.”

  “Both sound good. Are you going to cook this time?”

  Thomas smiled. “I think I owe you one. I can handle the grilling.”

  As they settled down on the blanket, Hadley laid his head on Thomas’ belly and stared up into the pine tree canopy. He said, “My dad did all the grilling when I was little, but I think I avoided learning how from him on purpose.”

  “On purpose?” asked Thomas.

  “Yeah, because he was always telling me what I needed to do to help out. I carried things, and I picked up sticks in the yard before he did the mowing. I weeded the vegetable garden, but he never really asked what stuff I wanted to help with around the house or what I wanted to learn. So, when he started grilling the burgers, I was down at the edge of the water looking for minnows and snails.”

  “A rebel at age five,” said Thomas.

  “Not really a rebel, but independent, yeah. They always said I got that from Aunt Mae somehow. She’s really independent, too.”

  Thomas nodded, “Yeah, I can see that. Hadley, why are you so worried about her knowing about us?”

  Hadley sighed heavily, and then he said, “I’ve been trying to figure that out. Honestly, I have. I’m still not sure that I know, but I think I’m getting closer. It’s how I was raised.”

  “You had a homophobic family?” asked Thomas.

  Hadley said, “Well, no. I mean, I don’t think so. It was never talked about. I mean never ever talked about. It’s not like there were a lot of out gay people in Catlett’s Cove walking down the street.”

  “What about how you were raised then?”

  Hadley took a deep breath. “I keep coming back to a comment my dad always liked to make.”

  Thomas gently stroked the side of Hadley’s face. “What was that?”

  “He always said, ‘The Rogers Clan! Where the men are men and the women are women!’ Then everybody around would always nod and smile.”

  “Aunt Mae, too?” asked Thomas.

  “Aunt Mae, too.”

  Thomas tried to piece together the meaning of the comment. He wasn’t sure exactly what it meant. It was easy to jump to an obvious conclusion that it had something to do with stereotypes of men and women, but it was possible it could mean something else entirely. He asked, “Did your dad ever explain what it meant?”

  Hadley continued to stare up at the sky. “No, but everybody just knew.”

  “Including you?” asked Thomas.

  “I always thought I did. That’s why I decided that I was straight.”

  Thomas changed the topic of conversation and pointed to the right. “Check out the pups over there, Hadley. One of them found something interesting, and he’s trying to dig. Three more are sitting and just watching. Let’s see what they think of the water a little bit later.”

  Hadley exhaled. “I could use a beer.”

  The rest of the afternoon seemed to sweep by in minutes instead of hours. The pups played on the edge of the water, but none of them wanted to jump in and swim. Thomas grilled burgers and hot dogs trying hard to fill Hadley’s bottomless stomach. They wrapped up the outing with a final hike around the perimeter of Planter’s Point.

  By the time they returned to Thomas’ carriage house apartment, everyone was exhausted. Within ten minutes of unpacking the truck and ushering all of the dogs back inside, everyone was asleep in the bedroom. Hadley cuddled up next to Thomas, Lucky curled up asleep at the foot of the bed, and the six pups curled up in one big puppy ball with the sounds of soft little snores.

  19

  Thomas

  “I MISS you!” Thomas reread the text message from Hadley at least five times during the day. It was a long week, and they missed every opportunity to get together since the Sunday picnic. Before Thomas realized the week had slipped away, it was Friday.

  It was a solid and productive week. Thomas managed to give away three of the six puppies to good homes during the week. The apartment felt more manageable with only four dogs, and Thomas picked out a favorite. He was already calling the mottled grey and brown pup Molly.

  Thomas conducted three major operations at the practice during the week and all three patients came through with flying colors. One was a five-year-old standard poodle with cancer. His initial fears were that they would lose the dog at such a young age, but he was now confident that the surgery had at least a sixty percent chance of curing the cancer. Life was good except for missing Hadley.

  After arriving home and checking on the dogs, Thomas made a point to cross the street and knock on Hadley’s door. In less than sixty seconds, Hadley answered. Before Thomas could say more than hi, Hadley was on him with an arm around Thomas’ waist, a hand behind his head and lips pressed hard together.

  Thomas smiled. “I’ve missed you, too.”

  Hadley whispered, “Oh fuck, I’m in withdrawal.”

  Thomas pushed his way inside the door, kicking it shut behind him not wanting to put on a show for the enti
re neighborhood. He slipped his hand down below Hadley’s waist and gripped the already thick and hard cock clad in denim. Thomas whispered, “I need this inside me, Hadley.”

  Hadley pushed him against the wall, and Thomas backed into a light switch. They both giggled as the lights went out in the parlor. Hadley placed his hands on either side of Thomas’ face and kissed him hungrily, nibbling and sucking on the luscious lower lip. He buried his nose in Thomas’ neck inhaling his deep, masculine scent.

  “Hadley, who is it?” called Aunt Mae from the living room.

  Hadley froze in place. “Oh, fuck, I’ve gotta go,” he whispered.

  “Does she know yet?” asked Thomas.

  “No,” said Hadley. “I really gotta go.”

  Thomas gripped his wrist momentarily. “Why not tell her now? We’re both here.”

  Hadley shook his head. “I…can’t. Please understand.”

  Thomas hung his head and pulled his hands back. “I think I do understand. I’d better go.” Throwing his hands forward he pushed Hadley out of the way.

  Hadley said, “Don’t be like that…Thomas…”

  “Hadley? Is everything okay?” called Aunt Mae.

  “Later, Hadley,” growled Thomas.

  Thomas turned toward the door and let himself out. He walked across the street staring at the ground just barely missing a car traveling his direction. He thought that at least the dogs would be consistently enthusiastic about his presence.

  Slapping together a lunchmeat sandwich from the refrigerator, Thomas settled on the couch with his makeshift dinner. He batted the pups away as they made it clear they were willing to share. He switched on the TV in an effort to lose himself in laugh tracks and slapstick cliches.

  Back in the city, he made a promise to never give his heart to a closeted man again. It just hurt too badly too many times over. He would always be the first shoved aside when his partner desperately struggled to retain the illusion of being straight. It usually wasn’t long before the effort became an obsession for his partner. Hadley was a good man in so many ways, but Thomas couldn’t just throw his principles out the window when it meant painful denials could be thrown in his face at any time.