Omorphi (48 page)

“Did you have a nightmare about the bomb?”

“One.”

“How many do you believe I had?”

“Rob said you slept well.”

“He didn’t tell you the whole truth. Don’t blame him. I told him not to tell you.”

“Christy….” Michael rubbed a thumb over the back of his hand. “I need to know these things.”

“So you can pity me?”

Now, Michael’s anger began to rise. “Where’d that come from? Don’t reduce my feelings for you to pity.”

Christy was quiet again.

“We have something special, Christy.”

Christy half turned beneath the seatbelt to look at Michael. “Do you think you will keep someone like me?”

“Quit with the ‘someone like me’ crap. There is nothing wrong with you, and you’re not a thing to keep or discard. You’re a human being, and I love you.”

“Do you truly love me?”

Michael blew a long breath. “Yes.”

“How can you know this?”

“What do you mean, how do I know it? I know it.”

“You do not think you will tire of me?”

Michael saw a monumental headache in his not-too-distant future. “No, Christy. I want you to get stronger and better. I want you to be my equal in everything. I want us to love each other and be happy. I don’t want to be bogged down with all these insecurities.”

“But I am all these insecurities.”

“You’re not!” Michael regretted the words the moment they left his lips. “Strike that. I’m sorry again. I know that you feel that way. I need to learn how to deal with it better. Give me time. Just… just give me time. I’m sorry. I adore you just the way you are, and I don’t want to lose you.”

“When you speak like this, I think I’m nearly human.”

Michael squeezed his hand. “You are human, Christy. So very human. And wonderful, and precious, and unique. And you’re not alone anymore.”

“Will you spend the night with me?”

Now, there was a question. Setting aside his parents’ approval, it was a time that he needed to be with them. Yet, it was also a time that he needed to be with Christy. Christy was as afraid of Jason as his parents were. He’d curse Jason again, but it would be a waste of breath. The moment the police caught him, Yosef loomed on the horizon like a malignant sunrise. He felt torn in two.
Honesty. I have to stick to honesty.
“Let’s talk to Rob.”

“C
HRISTY
!”
Darien launched into Christy’s arms and hugged him. “You have a sad face.”

“Tired,” Christy whispered.

Darien turned to Rob. “Christy needs a bedtime story.”

“I think you’re right. Go on with Gwen. She’ll put you to bed.”

“Are you coming, Christy?”

“Christy needs a meeting, Darien.”

“Oh.”

“See you tomorrow,” Christy whispered as he set Darien on his feet and kissed the top of his head. Gwen led Darien by the hand to the big oak door, Darien looking over his shoulder with every other step, clearly concerned about Christy.

Rob turned to Christy and gestured to a seat near the fireplace. “Tea?”

Christy shook his head.

“Michael?”

“Water.”

Rob reached into a nearby refrigerated cabinet and handed an ice-cold bottle of water to him. He automatically handed it to Christy, and Rob handed another bottle over.

“Christy did great in his first self-defense class,” Michael offered as a way to begin the conversation.

Rob smiled. “Tell me about it, Christy.”

“I learned to run without falling.”

“That’s wonderful.”

Christy nodded. “I want Michael to spend the night with me.”

Nothing like getting straight to the heart of the matter.

Robbed leaned forward, elbows on knees. “Why?”

“Last night he was with his parents and Jake to make them feel safe. Now, it is my turn to feel safe.”

“Michael, do you want to spend the night with Christy?”

“Yes and no. My mom’s in bad shape. My dad’s not much better. We’re staying at Jake’s. Everything feels very disjointed right now, but I understand how Christy feels.”

“I find it interesting that everyone thinks you make them feel safe.”

“It isn’t that. They feel better when they know that I’m safe.”

Rob looked at Christy. “Did you hear that, Christy?”

Christy nodded. “Okay, in the reverse. I want Michael to be safe with me.”

“I think Michael should go home.”

Anger flared large in Christy’s eyes. “Why?”

“You want Michael here for selfish reasons. Michael wants to go home for unselfish reasons.”

“This is not true.”

“It is.”

“He wants to go to Jake’s so Jake feels safe.”

“So, it’s Jake who needs to feel safe?”

“I said this.”

“You did.” Rob clasped his hands together. “Christy, from what I’ve seen, Michael has made you his number-one priority in every respect. He has accommodated your every need and then some. I think it would be a good time to give back.”

“I did this last night. I was without him after the bombing of the car. You tell me to fight for myself, so I do this now.”

“You were, and you did exceptionally well, and I’m glad you’re learning to fight for yourself, but Michael has several people who depend on him, and you must share him with them. You also have people who depend on you.”

“Only one. Darien.”

“And?” Rob asked patiently.

“Who?” Christy’s voice was hoarse and angry again.

“Sophia. She depends on you to be strong. Michael also depends on you to be strong.”

This gave Christy momentary pause, but he quickly rallied. “I have been strong and brave. I have done many new things. I went to the party. I was safe when Jason had the gun. I spoke with the police. I pressed the five on the phone. I made the hookup for Stephen. I went to the defense class. I am improving. Michael will spend the night with me.”

It was an order, not a request, and Christy sounded like a petulant child. Michael rubbed his forehead and reminded himself that Christy was missing large chunks of social development, but still….

“Tell me about the hookup,” Rob pressed.

“Stephen, on Michael’s team, wants a boyfriend. I found one and made the hookup.”

“Is this the same Stephen who kissed you in the bathroom?”

Christy exploded. “This is not for you to ask! This is not for you to know!”

Whoa!
Setting aside Christy’s remarkable and disproportionate fury and the disrespect with which he responded to Rob, Christy’s commands would have anyone believing he held dominion over what Rob could and couldn’t ask.

“Christy, one of the agreements we made when you came here was that you would communicate with me and participate in therapy.”

“I do this!”

“No, you don’t. You meet with me about your questions pertaining to everyday things and nothing more. You refuse group therapy, you refuse to journal, you refuse to share your paintings with me, and you refuse to work through your anger management problems.”

Christy abruptly stood and pointed at Rob. “No more!”

Rob remained calm. “We need to address what’s happened to you. Your healing won’t begin until we do. If you don’t begin to participate in therapy, then perhaps Wellington isn’t the right place for you.”

The thought of losing Christy, of him not living at Wellington any longer, of him being
gone
, sent Michael into near panic. Then he saw the rage in Christy’s eyes, the ancient betrayal and, worst of all, the hurt that he’d seen the day he ran from him. Michael had to work to quell his emotions. He put a gentle hand on Christy’s arm, and Christy pulled away so abruptly that he accidentally smacked Michael in the mouth. Without thinking, Michael grabbed his wrist. “Stop.” Christy fought the grasp, but Michael held on. “Christy, look at me.”

“Michael, don’t.” Rob’s raised voice caused Michael to pause but not to release Christy.

“
Oh-he!
” Christy tried to twist his arm from Michael’s grasp, but Michael held on. “Christy, I can’t understand you. What are you saying?”

“No!”

“You need to listen to Rob.”

“No!”

“Yes!” Michael had unintentionally jerked Christy’s arm, and he immediately went limp, as if someone had flipped a switch, and he collapsed into the chair. Startled, Michael released his wrist. Scared to death he’d done something really, really bad, he quickly cupped Christy’s face in his hands.. “Christy? Tell me what’s wrong. Please.”

“You did not tell the truth,” he cried.

Michael was shocked. “About what?”

“You said you would not make me do something I do not wish to do.” He wept quietly.

Shit.
Michael brought Christy into his arms. “I won’t make you do anything. I swear it. I just… I just think you should listen to Rob. I want… I want you to stay here. I don’t want to lose you. Can you understand that?” Christy said nothing, and Michael looked at Rob like
what
now?

“Christy, did you hear what Michael said?” Christy remained silent. “At some point soon, you must start to work with me if you want to stay here.”

Christy remained silent. Michael sighed and began to rock Christy. “Can you try to work with Rob? Please? For me?”

Christy shook his head against Michael’s chest. “It is done. I will not speak for the
Astynomía
. They only wish to use me again.”

Michael looked to Rob, and Rob shook his head. “I didn’t hear what he said.”

“He said it’s done. He won’t speak for the
Astynomía
. They only want to use him again. What’s the
Astynomía
?”

Rob leaned forward, elbows on knees again. “The Greek police. What do you mean by ‘again,’ Christy?”

Christy remained silent.

Rob shook his head in resignation. “I’m more concerned about you speaking for yourself, learning to protect yourself, and your healing, Christy. Don’t worry about the
Astynomía
.”

Christy remained silent.

“You have a good life now and resources to help you heal. Take advantage of them. I think Michael should go home.”

“Stay, Michael.” Christy’s whisper was nearly inaudible.

“I’ll stay, but I want you to try to work with Rob even if you never talk to the police about what happened to you.”

Christy remained silent.

Rob stood. “I’ll leave it between you two, then. Good night.”

“Thanks, Rob.” Michael lifted Christy’s chin and met his eyes. “Let’s go to bed. I’m beat.”

“Y
OU
sure you want to do this?” Jake asked.

“Yeah. Can you put Mom on?”

“She’s gone to bed. Do you want me to see if your dad’s still up?”

“Yeah, I need an okay to stay here.”

“Hang on.” Jake returned within seconds. “He says to do what you think is best.”

“Tell him I love him. I’ll call before school, and can you bring me clothes for tomorrow?”

“Sure. Hey, Michael?”

“What?”

“Do you remember how frustrated I used to get with Kelly even though I loved her to pieces? She used to insist that I do things with her when I felt like I should be doing things with you or my parents?”

“Yeah.”

“Now you know how it feels.”

“Thanks, Jake. You’re loads of help.”

“My point being, you kept me from going nuts. Do you remember what you always used to say to me?”

“No. I’m too tired.”

“You used to say ‘Don’t worry about it. I’m not going anywhere. Always here for you, bro.’”

“Always here for you, bro,” Michael repeated softly.

“Now you know where I got that. Always here for you, bro.”

“Thanks, Jake.”

“See you tomorrow. Oh, and hey, you didn’t eat tonight. You’ll have a headache in the morning.”

“Thanks a lot.”

“Always here for you, bro.”

Michael hung up. “Christy, do you have anything to eat here?”

“What would you like?”

“Something simple. Pasta, maybe? I can cook for us.”

“Linguini with pesto and chicken?”

Michael raised brow. “Nothing so fancy. Something simple so I don’t wake up with a headache in the morning. I can make pasta in twenty minutes if you have olive oil, garlic, basil, and Parmesan.”

Christy went to a phone in the kitchen, a phone Michael hadn’t noticed before, and made a call. “It will be here in twenty minutes. Come. You’re tired. Let’s shower quickly.” Christy’s voice was almost nonexistent again.

“Just like that? Food on demand?”

“Yes.” Christy’s voice broke again.

“You used your voice too much tonight.”

“It is better than it was. Come.”

Christy gathered his hair, braided it quickly, and reached into the drawer and withdrew a frilly, pink shower cap. In three tries, he was able to stuff all his hair into it.

Christy looked adorable and Michael couldn’t help but smile. “Cute.”

They showered quickly. After they toweled off, Christy draped Michael’s pajamas from the previous Saturday over Michael’s arm.

“You still have these?” That Christy would save the pajamas he’d worn a week ago touched something in Michael’s heart.

Christy looked up at Michael, a light pink filling his cheeks. “I asked for them after they were laundered. I put them here.” He motioned to a place on the wall.

“Where?”

Christy pressed the granite, and an Egyptian bronze hook flipped away from the wall and slowly retracted to lay flush against the stone.

Michael walked up to get a better look. “It’s in the granite?” Michael studied it for a moment, tipped it out with a fingertip, and watched it slowly retract again.
Luxury
.

“I like this little hook.”

Michael smiled down at him. “Me too. Remind me to get one of these when I grow up.”

F
OOD
waited for them on the kitchen island, covered in stainless to keep it warm. Two bottles graced the counter, one of sparkling water, the other of wine.

“Fancy,” Michael said as he pulled a barstool beneath him.

“The chef is good here.”

“The chef? Not the cook?”