Chapter 21
Julian heard a noise behind him. He turned to see Tate standing in the doorway of the kitchen. Julian could tell from Tate’s eyes he’d been crying. Julian got up and went to him. Tate let Julian hug him.
“How are you doing?”
“I want to believe you,” Tate said into Julian’s shoulder.
“Do you think your dad would want you to hide yourself away in this house? Cut yourself off from friends, life?”
Tate raised his head and looked at Julian. “No,” he said simply.
The two men stood for some time just holding each other. Finally Julian asked, “Are you hungry?”
Tate smiled and nodded.
“Then have a seat and I’ll get us some supper.”
The meal was a pleasant one. They put the topic of Tate’s accident and its ramifications aside. It was not that they were avoiding it, rather Julian sensed that both he and Tate were letting the insights of the afternoon be sorted out and take root.
After the meal, Tate helped Julian clear away the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. When that was completed, Tate asked, “Would you like to take a walk around the grounds? I don’t think you’ve seen the gardens.”
Julian smiled. A small indication to be sure, but this was a step forward for Tate.
“I’d love it.”
Tate picked up his crutches and led Julian through a large utility room which housed the laundry, to a rear door. It opened onto a large deck with patio furniture and chaise lounges for sunning. Making their way down the three steps, they went across the well-manicured lawn to a row of hedges. Going through an opening in the hedge, Julian saw they were in a large and beautiful rose garden. They made their way along brick-paved paths. On every side were rose bushes filled with blooms of every hue imaginable.
“This is Mom’s pride and joy,” Tate said.
Julian was surprised to hear Tate’s mother zealously tended this huge garden herself, without the help of their gardener.
When they reached the opposite end, they went through another opening and Julian was greeted with another explosion of vivid color. Flowers of various kinds were displayed in impeccably kept beds that radiated out from a pond with a fountain in the center.
Tate stopped next to the fountain and turned to Julian. The sun was setting. The golden rays fell on the two men and the flowers that surrounded them. Night bird songs and insect choruses were beginning. Julian could also hear the water in the fountain.
Tate took Julian’s hands in his. He leaned forward and kissed Julian gently, then pulled back and looked searchingly into the man’s face.
Julian didn’t want to break the spell of the moment with words. He hoped his smile and eyes conveyed what he was feeling: the growing sense of warm affection for the young man. Tate must have gotten the message, as a smile broke out on his face as well, and he kissed Julian once more.
They left the garden and headed across the lawn toward the swimming pool. The sun was low in the sky. Long shadows reached across the lawns. The air was warm, fireflies had begun their mating dance.
“How about a swim?” Tate suggested.
“I didn’t bring a swim suit, but I’ll run back to the cottage and get one while you get…”
Tate laughed softly, shaking his head. He gestured to the large fir trees that surrounded the property. “I think we’ll have all the privacy we need.”
He laid his crutches down and pulled his shirt off over his head. Then leaning on a table he took off his sandal and pushed his shorts and underwear to the ground. When he stood, the last rays of the setting sun washed over him.
Julian took a deep breath as his eyes swept over Tate’s beautiful body—smooth, muscular, with only a patch of black pubic hair.
Tate turned, hopped to the edge of the pool, and dove in. He surfaced a few feet from the wall and asked, “Coming?”
Julian nodded, undressed , and followed Tate into the warm water. He came up close to Tate.
“Race you to the other end,” Tate challenged and struck out.
“Not fair,” Julian called out as he, too, pushed off, following in Tate’s wake.
Tate beat Julian easily, despite his handicap.
When Julian touched the side of the pool both he and Tate laughed. “You young-uns is too much for us old geezers.”
“Aw, come on, you’re not over the hill just yet,” Tate retorted. “Rematch?”
“Not on your life.”
It was good to see Tate relaxed, smiling and, apparently, having fun.
They set out again. This time the pace was leisurely. They swam side by side. When they reached the shallow end of the pool they stood facing each other. Julian reached up and caressed Tate’s handsome face, brushing the wet hair from his eyes. Tate put his arms around Julian’s waist. They kissed. Julian tightened their embrace. They kissed again. As the tension and desire rose within them, their kisses and caresses became more passionate, more urgent. Julian let his defenses drop away. He wanted Tate. Not only physically, but emotionally. Gone was his resolution to live life without giving and receiving love. No matter what the outcome, he would see this through. He hoped desperately Tate was experiencing something similar.