Chapter 14

Tate was scratching Patch behind her ears, looking down at her as he did so.

“So, Virgil was…your roommate?” he asked tentatively.

Julian looked at the young man and decided to tell the truth. “Virgil was my partner. We were high school sweethearts. We’d been together for a long time. We recently broke up and I moved back here.”

Julian waited to see how Tate would respond to this revelation. He was silent for a time, as if considering what he’d just heard. Then he said, “That’s too bad. I’m sorry.”

“Well, sometimes things change and it’s better to go your separate ways,” Julian said, thinking of the divergent paths his and Virgil’s lives had taken in the past few years.

Tate nodded and rubbed the thigh of his severed leg. “Yeah. I know all about how things can change.”

They were quiet for a time. Just as it was becoming uncomfortable, Julian broke the silence and began talking about the carriage house, his job, anything to fill the awkward silence.

The topic of Julian’s teaching middle school sparked a conversation. Julian confessed he was a bit apprehensive about it. “I enjoy high school age kids. I don’t know how I’ll do with younger ones, especially the sixth graders.”

Tate assured Julian that he would do well teaching any age level. Then Tate recalled how he had been in Julian’s British Lit class in high school, and what a great teacher he thought Julian was. “I really admired you,” Tate began. “In fact, your class was one of my favorites. That’s the reason I came down this morning—to apologize. I haven’t been treating you with the respect you deserve.”

Julian reached out and laid a hand on Tate’s shoulder. “You’ve been through a lot,” he said, hoping Tate would open up and let some of the frustration and anger out.

Tate looked down at Julian’s hand. For a moment Julian regretted he’d placed it there, fearing Tate’s reaction. But this time he didn’t shy away from the physical contact. “I felt you were the kind of person who would listen if someone needed to talk.”

Julian nodded, hoping Tate would continue. “I always hoped that I was looked on in that way.”

Tate didn’t say anything, though. Instead he put his coffee down on the TV tray and covered Julian’s hand with his own.

Julian looked at the young man. His heart began beating rapidly. He pushed aside thoughts that this might lead to going back on his vow to live a different life, one free of romantic entanglements. “Sometimes the best way to show we understand is action rather than words.”

Julian reached out and cupped Tate’s chin. His former student looked up at him. Julian smiled and leaned forward. After a brief hesitation, Julian bridged the small gap between them and their lips met. At first the kiss was soft and gentle. Then as if a dam had burst, Tate sobbed, threw his arms around Julian, and drew the man close. The kiss increased in passion and intensity. The action dislodged the sleeping cat, who leapt lightly to the floor with a soft yowl of protest.

They broke the kiss and gazed into each other’s eyes. Then Tate laid his head on Julian’s shoulder. Julian stroked the young man’s hair while holding him close.

Without speaking, Julian rose and pulled Tate up to stand before him. They kissed again, bodies pressed tightly together, Julian feeling the evidence of Tate’s arousal against his own. Going against his decision to leave this life behind, he turned to lead Tate to the bedroom.

Tate picked up one of his crutches and leaned on it as Julian put his arm around Tate’s waist. Tate put his free arm around Julian’s shoulders and they started for the hallway.

Suddenly Tate pulled his arm away. Julian turned to look at him. Tate stood with his eyes closed tightly. He let out a long breath. “I can’t. I can’t do this. I’m sorry. I have to go.”

Julian didn’t know how to respond. He watched as Tate gathered up his other crutch and made his way to the door. He stopped and looked back at Julian. “I’m sorry,” he said again.

“It’s okay,” Julian said gently. “If you need me for anything, just let me know.”

Tate half nodded, swallowed hard, and pushed the screen open. Julian watched as he made his way out of the cottage and back to the main house.

When Tate had disappeared from view, Julian turned around, went to the couch, and sat down. With a soft mew, Patch jumped up on his lap, settled, and started purring. Julian took a deep breath and leaned back, staring at the ceiling, absently stroking the cat’s soft fur.