Chapter 55

Ted disregarded Randy’s attempt at humor. “Was he tall, slender, wearing glasses, had curly, red hair?”

“Nope.” Randy opened the fridge and took out a bottle of Chardonnay. “Want some?”

“No. Yes. Oh, I don’t care. Yes, I guess. What did he say? What did he look like?” Ted asked, disappointed it wasn’t Kenny and curious as to who it could be at the same time.

Randy took a couple glasses out of the cupboard. “Dixie is going to pee on the floor if you don’t let her out.” He pointed to the little dog, who still stood by the back door, shifting from paw to paw, not so patiently waiting for Ted to let her out.

Ted opened the door and she ran out into the backyard. “Well, what did he look like?” Ted asked, coming back into the kitchen.

“Who?” Randy asked, pouring the wine.

Ted rolled his eyes.

“Oh, the guy that wanted to see you.”

“Yes!” Ted said, feeling exasperated.

Randy handed Ted a glass. “Well, at first I thought he might be one of your clients who wasn’t happy with you or something because he seemed really rattled. Then I thought it might be Kenny. He said it was very important that he talk to you. So I asked him how he knew you, just to make sure it wasn’t some nutcase, you know? Say, does this wine taste like vinegar?”

“No, it’s fine. What did he look like?” Ted asked, getting more frustrated as Randy went on.

“He said he was an old friend.” Randy took a sip of his wine. “Really seemed anxious to talk with you.”

“Damn it! What did he look like?”

“Oh, sorry. Yeah, well. Really cute. Blond. Buff. Nice package and butt. Taller than you. About your age I’d guess. Tattoo on his right arm. Definitely not my type but someone you might be interested in.”

“That could be Erik, except for the tat,” Ted said more to himself than Randy. “And he didn’t leave his name?”

“No, just said he’d be in touch.”

While Ted pondered if his visitor could have been Erik, Randy let Dixie in. She came and sat waiting at Ted’s feet for her after-dinner treat. Ted absently walked to the counter, took a treat out of the container, and tossed it to her.

If it was Erik, why hadn’t he called or texted to let Ted know he was coming to town? Why would he just show up at Ted’s door?

Ted took out his cell and scrolled through his contacts. He poked Erik’s number. It rang four times before going to voicemail. “Hi. This is Erik. Let me know what’s on your mind and I’ll get back to you. If this is a telemarketer or you’re calling on behalf of a political party, then fuck you! Anyone else, wait for the beep.”

Ted chuckled. The message was so typically Erik. The beep sounded. “Hey, man. My roommate said you stopped by…? At least I think it was you. Whoever it was didn’t leave a name. Either way give me a call. Oh yeah, this is Ted.” Ted smiled, realizing he’d almost forgotten to tell Erik who was calling just as Erik hadn’t identified himself when he’d come to the house.

That evening, Randy laid a fire in the small fireplace in the family room. Tchaikovsky played quietly in the background. Ted sat on the loveseat with Dixie curled up on his lap. Randy was sitting on the sofa snuggled under an afghan with a copy of War and Peace. Ted glanced up at him. Randy was something of an oxymoron—a rent boy who loved to read and listen to the classics. Be that as it may, here they were, two guys and a dog sitting together in their cozy home with a warm, romantic fire burning. Only thing wrong was there was nothing between them except friendship and a renter’s agreement. They were not the family Ted had come so close to having with Kenny.

Ted’s phone signaled an incoming text. Glad for the distraction from dwelling on what might have been, and anxious at the possibility it might be Erik, he picked up his phone.

It was a notice from Escorts Inc. that he had a date request from a client.

Ted sighed. I guess I better get back to work, he thought reluctantly.

Ted logged onto his appointment page. The request had come from one of his regulars.

At least it’s from someone I like and feel comfortable with.

He confirmed the time and place and slumped back against the small couch. Maybe by the weekend he’d feel better and more like working.

As he began to doze off, his phone rang. The screen indicated the call was from the local Red Roof Inn. Puzzled, Ted sat up and swiped the screen to accept the call. “Hi, this is Ted.”

“Hey, Ted. This is Erik. How the hell are you, man?”

Pleased that Erik had returned his call, Ted replied, “Erik! What the fuck are you doing here at the Red Roof?”

Erik laughed. “I came to see you, my man.”

“Why didn’t you call?”

Erik didn’t respond immediately. “Well, I got something important to discuss, and I wanted to do it in person and, actually, on the way here I lost my phone. Left it on the sink at a rest stop, I think. When I came back to look for it, it was gone. Anyway, that’s why I went straight to your place. Your mom gave me the address. When you weren’t there, I needed to get a place to stay before I called. Are you busy tonight? Can we talk?”

“Sure, where should I meet you?”

“Come to the motel, if that’s okay?”

“Fine. I’ll see you in about a half hour.”

“Do you need directions?” Erik asked.