Page 40 of Christmas Lights & Sleepless Nights
Michael chuckled as they followed the kids. “Do you think we should tell them carrying a stick would only anger the bear?”
Keith shook his head. “What are the chances of another one showing up?”
“That depends on how many more times we roast marshmallows. Because do you know what else is soft, warm, and gooey on the inside?” Michael grinned. “Kids.”
Keith let out a mock gasp.
Michael shivered. “Okay, now that it’s over? I can tell you I’ve never been so scared.”
Keith longed to put his arm around Michael, to hold him close, but that was not going to happen.
Michael peered at him, his head cocked to one side. “Would you have tried to save me from the bear?”
Keith couldn’t lie. “Hey, if it had gone for one of us, I’d have been the one to get munched first.”
“What makes you say that?”
He snorted. “I get out of breath much faster than you, and I’ve never been a good runner.” He stared in the direction of the campfire. “It hasn’t been that bad an experience, I guess. And the bear story is something we’ll be able to tell our kids.”
Michael stilled. “Our kids? Something you wanna tell me?”
Keith wished he could hold Michael’s hand. “Ever heard of adoption? Can you imagine bringing up kids who think two guys being in love is normal? Doesn’t that sound cool?”
Michael smiled. “It does, but I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you. I can’t see them letting gay guys get married anytime soon.”
Keith sighed. “You always say I’m a glass-half-full kinda guy. Well, this is me being positive. Because if enough people want it to happen, it will. I know it.”
That memory of Isabelle and Bill getting married had stayed with him.
I want that too. With Michael.
“I love the way you think.”
Keith smiled. “I just love you,” he whispered.
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Yuri smiled. “You and Michael had something special, didn’t you?”
Keith gazed at him. “You know, ever since you showed up, I’ve been remembering more and more.” A thought occurred to him. “Is that why you’re here? Is that why someone sent you? To make me think about him?” He stilled, his heart hammering. “And now I know why. Heidi’s going to locate him, isn’t she? You’re here to make me relive what we shared, aren’t you? Before Michael gets here.”
That had to be the reason. Nothing else made sense.
Yuri was so still.
“I’m here to ease your pain and help you sleep.”
But Keith didn’t believe that, not now he’d worked it all out.
Yuri glanced at the monitor. “That’s enough for now. You’re getting excited. Your heart rate is too high. You need to sleep.”
“I’m not tired.”
Yuri wrapped warm fingers around Keith’s wrist, and a delicious feeling of calm swept through him. “Yes, you are.” He didn’t let go, and Keith closed his eyes, unwilling to fight the wave of fatigue anymore.
He could sleep, especially if it brought Michael to him all the faster.
A day of painful reflection
