“Looks like I owe you again,” Luis said as I filled the vending machine with quarters.
“For what?” I knew he was talking about my having taken full blame for concealing Peter’s crime. At the same time, I had handed in my resignation.
"Don’t play idiot.”
“You tried to stop me.”
“I didn’t stop you, is the point.”
I smiled, handing him a cup of coffee and got a second cup for myself. We sat in the waiting room, side-by-side, studying the opposite wall.
“I was quitting anyway. After all the mistakes, figured I might as well do something right on my way out.”
“The captain didn’t buy that I was clueless.”
“Internal Affairs did. That’s what matters.”
“I.A. isn’t interested in what was pled down to a misdemeanor.”
“We’re even, Luis. You don’t owe me anything.”
“How you figure?”
“You never trusted Peter. You always thought Cai was guilty. You held back because you trusted me.”
He pointed his cup at me. “In that case, you’re right, you owe me.”
“I’ll send you a gift next hump day.” My grin widened.
“If I even see your face on a Wednesday from here on out, I’ll shoot first and ask questions later.”
“Luis, only Peter can shoot on my face.”
“I’m outta here.” He hustled out of his chair with more grace than a man his size should have.
I finished my coffee with a lighter heart, knowing my friendship with Luis wasn’t lost.
On the way back to Peter’s room, I found Angelica gracefully parked in a plastic hospital chair. She pressed her lips together when we made eye contact, took a deep breath and relaxed her mouth into a smile.
“I miss you,” she said with a shrug.
Maybe one more friendship could be salvaged.
Picking Up The Peace
“I miss you, too,” I replied. I slid into the chair beside her. She laid her hand on my arm.
A nurse passed by and smiled at us both. Me in my jeans and sneakers, Angelica in her favorite navy skirt suit. We were mismatched, but we looked like a couple. What would be the nurse’s reaction if Peter was next to me? If I held his hand? If I kissed him? It didn’t seem fair to wonder about things like that for the rest of my life.
“I can’t stop thinking about it.”
Once again, I didn’t have to ask what. “Me either. Especially now that I have so much free time to think.”
“I have gay friends. One of the firm’s lawyers is gay, and we hang out.”
“I know a lesbian,” I offered.
“I’m not counting coup, Austin. I just don’t understand. I never had a question about homosexuality being something you’re born with. Unchangeable. But you’re twenty-six. I’m trying to get it through my head because of every man I know, you’re the least likely person to ever choose to be gay. But just suddenly…”
I leaned my head back against the wall and shut my eyes. “I hope you’re not asking me to explain it. I’ve been gay for ten minutes. I don’t know how it works. Last night I asked Peter if I had to like the Village People and wear leather chaps.”
Her musical laugh danced along the hall. Then she rested her cheek against my shoulder. “He’s nice, your,” she hesitated, “Peter?”
“He’s snarky and vindictive, and romantic,” I shuddered, “and yeah, he’s nice.” Too nice for me. Much too good for me.
“Romantic?”
“I don’t think he expects flowers, but he doesn’t gag when I call him my boyfriend.”
“That is probably too romantic for you.”
“Luckily he makes up for it with a mouth that could suck a ping pong ball through a Twizzler.” Her upper lip drew up to reveal her teeth. “Too soon?”
Her laughter shook my body as she hid her face in my shoulder. “I love you, Austin.”
“Me, too.” I took her hand. “Me too, Angel.”
“I have this crazy idea.”
“Yeah?”
“Why don’t you wait until this one proposes to you?”
Don’t Look At Me, I’m Not Even Here
A fight about Cai staying with us was in full swing in Peter’s room. I sat in a corner chair and buried my nose in a celebrity magazine like it was ESPN porn.
“He is my son, Petya. You cannot expect me to leave him behind forever.”
“I’m sorry, Rosa, but it’s what’s best for Cai. It’s not fair, and I’m a terrible person for having taken him from you. But we’re all he knows.”
“Rosa, if there were any other way.” Darryl said.