Up in Arms

“I thought we might eat outside this evening. The weather’s been beautiful. All of the flowers are in bloom. I think you’ll like the view from the deck; it’s rather charming in the spring.” The entire time Reed spoke, he watched Trevor over the rim of his wine glass before taking a sip. Setting the glass down, Reed slid the cutting board, with a pile of vegetables on top, toward him. “Are you handy with a knife?”

They began to work on dinner together, and thankfully, as his hands became occupied, so too did his lustful thoughts. Reed prepared the steaks while Trevor diced the vegetables, and for a moment, Trevor began to think he could handle this evening after all.

“My mother’s excited about Rylie being home. Excited you and Brody will be relocating soon. Do you have living arrangements yet?”

Popping a piece of zucchini in his mouth, Trevor’s hard-on slowly began to fade. He was able to answer Reed’s question without sounding like a fool. “I’ll be staying in the barracks for awhile. I’ll get a place somewhere close to base. I haven’t thought that far ahead yet.”

“Mmmm, well, I’m sure I can point you in a direction if you need help finding a place. Rylie told me your parents are no longer with us. You know, if there’s anything you need, my parents and I are here for you. My mother considers you one of her own already.”

“Your parents have been very good to me. Your mom sends birthday and Christmas gifts every year. I try to do the same for her, and on Mother’s Day. She’s the best. She met my mom one time briefly at graduation, right before she died. Your mom and dad even came to the funeral. They flew out since Rylie couldn’t be there. My mom was sick for a long time. Breast cancer. She fought a hell of a battle, but she couldn’t shake it. I’m happy she’s not in all that pain anymore. Your mom helped me see that too.”

“Yeah, my mom’s incredible. I’m lucky to have her. I’m glad you have her too. What happened to your dad?”

“Dad died in the line of duty. He left the military and became a police officer. Six months later, he was shot serving a warrant. I was about a month old.”

“You don’t have any brothers or sisters?” Reed asked, looking up at Trevor while seasoning the steaks.

“No, Mom never remarried. It was just me and her. She was a good woman, a great mom.” Trevor continued dicing, his body finally settling down enough he could move around a little more freely, and actually make brief eye contact as they spoke.

“Your mother had an amazing son. I’m sure she was very proud. I’m going to get these started outside. Come out when you’re done,” Reed said, balancing the steaks in one hand, and his wine glass in the other. Trevor waited awhile, letting his body completely relax before manning up and following along.

“The night’s perfect,” Trevor said as he opened the door and stepped outside. Despite his more relaxed state, he still stayed many feet from Reed.

“It is. How do you like your steak?” Reed asked from the front of the grill. “Wait, let me guess. I bet you’re a medium type of guy.”

“That’s right. How do you like yours?”

“I’m a medium type of guy myself. Have a seat, or take a look around. I’ve been working on the spring garden over in the far corner of the yard. It won’t be much longer before these are ready,” Reed said, carefully turning the steaks over.

A small breeze blew across the back yard. Trevor decided to take that tour around the yard as opposed to sitting and staring at Reed. Walking the length of the deck, Trevor finally brought the glass of wine to his lips. With the smallest of sips, Trevor carefully swallowed, relieved the wine stayed down.

He walked alongside the swimming pool, then out into the yard. The night was dark, and the moon peeked from behind a cloud, lighting the yard just enough for Trevor to notice exactly how well manicured Reed kept everything. Trevor used this time to think back over the events of this evening up until now. He assessed his current position as somewhere between awkward and bumbling idiot. Trevor seriously needed to spend more time with people in the future, because after tonight, he saw himself clearly as social imbecile.

Heading back up on the deck, Trevor saw the smallest of blooms just starting in a flower bed along the deck. He loved flowers. He loved the process of growing flowers. Bending at the knee, he looked over the new blooms, still contemplating the evening. After this first hour, surely Reed would see a friendship with him didn't fit in his world. He figured Reed would probably take him back to Rylie’s apartment immediately following their dinner. Reed was too nice of a guy to ditch this meal he’d already started and take him back now, like he surely must want to do. Besides, Trevor did have the pity card going in his favor. They talked about his mom and dad. Guilt, if nothing more, would force Reed to keep him here through the entire meal.

Rising, he started to move away from the flowers, and took another small sip as a new thought occurred. Maybe this whole night was at Rylie’s mom request. It was the one idea that made the most sense, and it surprised him that he hadn’t thought of it sooner. What would Reed go back and tell his mother about their evening together? They were clearly as different as two people could be. Lost in thought, Trevor walked back up onto the deck, scanning his eyes over the backyard again, taking in the swimming pool and the large custom built deck and huge flower garden. His gaze strayed up to the beautiful Victorian style home, which he stared at as if seeing it for the first time. Trevor chuckled to himself. Reed was so far out of his league, he had nothing to worry about. No way would Reed want to spend any more time with him after tonight. Regardless of what embarrassing details Reed might relay to his parents, Trevor felt much better about things.