Spanish Bay (6 page)

He looked at the candle in a stack of pancakes in front of him, and watched in amazement as his parents, Jack, Jessica, and little Frank sang to him, the latter screeching more than actually singing. Chris was happy. He was twenty-one, and finally,
finally
an adult for real—a booze adult—and his birthday had started off just as he had expected. What he hadn’t expected was for Jessica to blurt out the question she did, and it changed everything.

At fifteen, Jessica had hit puberty head-on, and she had been a force to be reckoned with. Their mother had spent the two years since doing her best to make sure her second daughter didn’t end up in the same situation as her older sister, and a recent conversation on boys and sex must have triggered something in Jessica.

“Say, Chris, how come you don’t have a girlfriend?”

It was the most harmless question, really. Perfectly natural. After all, at his age, Alexandra already had three children and had been married for four years. Why wouldn’t Jessica ask a question like that? But for Chris, it came as a shock, and although he knew the answer wouldn’t be welcome—given his Christian upbringing and his family’s strong faith—he also knew that the Lord teaches us “thou shalt not lie,” so he simply said, “Maybe because I’m gay?” and hoped it would end the discussion.

Instead, he found himself in the cab of his truck, with only the clothes he was wearing, heading away from the Miller farm. His daddy had not taken lightly to the announcement and asked him to retract it, as “no son of mine is a faggot!” and “unless you repent your sin, you can leave this house right this minute,” and finally a “get out of here, I never want to see you again,” when Chris refused to tell a lie. Throughout his father’s tirade, his mother had not said a word, just crying quietly. Frank, on the other hand, had been devastated by all the shouting and screaming and yelling.

Such was Chris’s twenty-first birthday. He drove into Lubbock, withdrew what little he had left in his savings account, and headed west, to California, where he’d heard they were good to “Christopher’s kind.” It was how he’d ended up driving past the “HIRING” sign outside Sally’s café in Carmel, on a road trip along the Pacific Coastal Highway, and landed the job as waiter slash do-it-all. But he was happy. People were kind, he had found a really cheap place to stay—thanks to a tip from Sally and a phone call to a friend of hers—he had a job, and now he had Neil.

There was no doubt in Chris’s mind that they were destined for each other, and as he counted down the hours until Neil finished school for the day, he noticed it was busier than usual. Summer was approaching, the sun was high, and tourists driving up and down the beautiful California Highway 1 stopped by for coffee and to rest their weary eyes. Sally was still largely incapacitated, and they hadn’t found any real help except for Natalie, who had another job and could only help out part-time, at best.

Today was no such day, but Chris got by. He cleaned tables, made espressos, lattes, teas of all sorts, sold sandwiches, cupcakes, cookies and muffins, sliced cake and made sure that every customer got the right change,
and
with a smile. The work was hard, with barely a second to load or unload the dishwasher, and by the time school was out, Chris was hopelessly behind, and his mood was sinking rapidly. But Neil brought the smile back in an instant. Just seeing him was like watching the sun rise over the eastern plains near Lubbock—a sight to behold!

“Hey, babe, what brings you here today?”

“You, silly.” Neil laughed. “How are you doing? I missed you.”

“All is good, now that you’re here. It’s been crazy hectic today. The tourist season is really kicking in. I wish Sally were better so she could help out.”

“Need a hand?”

“With?” Chris quipped, blinking innocently at Neil.

“Anything, really, although I doubt you have time for
that
right now…”

Chris chuckled. “You know, I’d be eternally grateful if you could load the dishwasher. I haven’t had time, and I’m starting to run low on cups and plates. Would you mind?”

“No, not at all. I’d love to help out. If you want me to, I can clean up the tables, make room for new customers?”

Chris almost teared up, his heart taking an extra beat. “I owe you, babe. Thank you!”

He watched on as Neil wheeled past him, into the back of the café, where the kitchen and storage room were. Minutes later, he wheeled past him again, and proceeded out into the open café, to pick up dishes and clean tables.

“You’ll have clean dishes in twenty.”

“Thanks, babe,” Chris said and went back to serving his next customer.

Chris continued to watch Neil all afternoon, as he wheeled around the café, the outside seating area and the kitchen like a whirlwind, cleaning up after people, wiping tables and doing dishes, making sure that Chris always had an ample supply at his disposal. By the time they were able to close shop, it was almost nine o’clock, and Chris was worried that Neil would be in trouble at home.

“Nah, don’t worry. I called them. They’re fine, as long as they know where I am. Besides, I’m not a kid anymore. I’m nineteen, remember?”

“Sorry, babe, just checking. I know that parents with disabled kids worry all the time. I know how much my mom always fretted about Frank, my youngest brother. He’s only six years old and has cerebral palsy. He’s a great kid, but he can still barely talk, and my folks don’t have the money to put him in a real school where they could really help him. But he’s got the biggest heart I’ve ever seen in a child. With the proper care, I’m sure he could eventually live a near normal life, just like you, but sadly, I don’t think it’s in the stars. Besides, I doubt I’ll ever see him again.” There was profound sadness in Chris voice.

“Why would you say that?”

“Not now, Neil, not here. I’m tired. Let’s get you home. You have school again in the morning.”

“Actually, I don’t, seeing as it’s Saturday tomorrow, but sure, we can talk about this some other time. I don’t want to pressure you. I just want you to know that you can always count on me to talk to, if you like. Okay?” He wheeled up to Chris and kissed him.

Twenty minutes later, Chris pulled up in front of the Horner house and helped Neil out of the truck. Almost as soon as the truck had stopped, the front door of the house had opened, and Neil’s mom appeared in the doorway, waving at them.

“See, that’s what I mean,” Chris said. “They worry about you. I’ve never seen my mom appear in a doorway on my account.” He laughed, even though it hurt. “Listen, Neil, I’m dead tired. Would you mind if I just go home?”

Chris could see the disappointment on Neil’s face, but the answer was as he expected.

“Of course not. Do you need help at the café tomorrow?”

“I don’t know yet. I have to swing by Sally’s and take her the money from the café. I’m not sure if she’s going to work in the morning. Can I call you from her place? I still don’t have a phone.”

“Sure. You have my number.” Neil reached up to Chris and kissed him. “Talk to you later. Drive safely. Wouldn’t want you to end up like me here…”

Chris watched as Neil wheeled his way up to the door and inside the house. His mother waved, but gave Chris a funny look, before closing the door behind herself.

***

Sally didn’t look so good and seemed to be in a lot of pain, so when Chris told her about the help he’d received from Neil, she was delighted he’d managed to fix it.

“I’m giving you a raise and a promotion,” she said. “You’re now officially the manager of Sally’s. Looks like I’ll be out for quite some time, and I won’t be able to work. There are complications with the foot due to my diabetes…” She made a dismissive gesture with her hand. “Long story, but I can’t put weight on it for a prolonged period of time, and I can’t move around with crutches. I trust you, Chris, you’re a good kid. You’ll manage. If you find someone to hire, I’ll leave that to you. Let’s schedule a meeting next week, and I’ll fill you in on all the details of ordering et cetera. Okay? I need to lie down again.”

That had Chris worried. “Anything else I can do for you?”

“No, thanks Chris. I’ll be fine.”

“If you’re sure…”

“I am.”

“Okay.” Chris turned to leave. “Oh.” He turned back again. “Can I use your phone real quick? I need to call Neil, and I don’t have a cell.”

“Sure, but why don’t I give you my spare cell? I never use it anyway. We got it a few years ago to have down at the café just in case, but it’s never been used so I took it home. Hang on, I’ll get it for you.”

Slowly, and with much strain, Sally turned around and hobbled back into her house, disappearing into her office. A few minutes later she returned, with a box in her hand.

“It’s not very stylish, but it’s a phone. You can make calls, and you can hook it up to the one at the café, have calls forwarded to this number. For all I know, you might even be able to text with it. God knows I never understood these modern inventions. A phone is a phone, eh?” She chuckled, painfully, while handing Chris the package.

“Thanks, Sally, I appreciate it.”

“Don’t mention it. You deserve a medal…” she said, turning around and disappearing back into the house.

Chris closed the door and drove home. It had been a strange day. He took off his clothes and was asleep before his head had properly hit the pillow.

CHRIS PICKED NEIL UP in the morning, just as he had said on the phone the night before. He was eternally grateful for the help from…his lover? Boyfriend? Boyfriend, Chris decided, happy with the term, as it was exactly how he felt toward Neil. Their relationship, as new as it was, was quickly developing into more than puppy love and sex. The offer from Neil to help him with the café—without asking for pay or anything in return—was a gift and a show of real character, and Chris felt lucky to have met Neil when he did.

Neil was already waiting outside the house when Chris drove up. As it was early on a Saturday, Neil probably didn’t want to wake the family. Chris parked on the street, rather than in the driveway, and Neil quickly rolled down to the car. Chris helped him get in.

“Good morning, handsome. How are you today? Did you sleep well?”

One of the things Chris loved about helping Neil into the car was the necessary hugging involved, and that he could easily sneak a kiss, which he did, before Neil turned in the seat and fastened his seat belt. Chris put the wheelchair in the back and drove down to the café.

“I’m so glad you could make it today. I’m really worried about Sally. She didn’t look good at all last night. I’m afraid she might be worse than I had imagined. I’ll need to see if I can get over there at some point today and check in on her.

They opened the café on time, and shortly after, the first customers started to file in, mostly tourists on the way north or south on CA 1. It turned out to be another busy day, but they managed to get through it, fueled by working together and plenty of endorphins. Chris could see how happy Neil was to be busy and needed.

After closure, Chris drove Neil back to the house. “Wanna come in for a while?”

“Rain check? I need to check in on Sally. She really had me worried last night. I just want to make sure she’s all right. Maybe I can drop by later, if it’s not too late?”

“I’d like that, I’d like that very much. Just send a text.”

“I will, now that I finally have a phone.”

Neil went inside the house, and Chris watched him from the car before pulling back out of the driveway to go see Sally. There was an odd feeling in his stomach that something wasn’t right. Sally lived about a twenty-minute drive from the Horners, in the hills outside Carmel, with a beautiful view overlooking the bay and the town.

Chris knocked on the door, but got no reply. He tried again and waited. Maybe she was in the bathroom or on the phone. But after five minutes, still nothing. He tried the door and noticed that it was open.

“Sally?” he called into the house. “Sally, it’s me, Chris. Are you here? Mind if I come in?”

Carefully, he proceeded into the house. It was dark inside, no lights were on, which was odd, given the time of day. He turned on the light and immediately noticed the body lying on the floor. He ran over to her to check if she was still alive. There was a faint pulse, and she was breathing, although it was shallow. Chris dialed 911. “I have an emergency…”

Two hours later, Chris was sitting in the waiting room of the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, waiting for news on Sally’s condition. The paramedics suspected that she’d suffered a stroke and had rushed her to the ER. Chris was upset with himself for not checking in with her earlier in the day, but things had been so hectic at the café that he never got a chance to.

“Chris, what happened?” Neil and his parents came into the ER waiting room. Chris had texted Neil to say he wouldn’t be able to make it, and Neil had convinced his parents he needed to be there for Chris.

“I don’t know yet. I’m still waiting for any news. Probably a stroke. I don’t know.” He felt tears prickle and pushed them away; he’d already cried enough, waiting and worrying on his own.

Neil’s dad approached the nurses’ station to see if he could get some answers but returned without. “We just need to be patient. Anyone want a drink?” he asked.

The others told him what they wanted, and he left.

“I found her in the hallway, on the floor,” Chris explained. “When I got to the house, it was in darkness and the outer door was open, so I walked in, and she was lying there, unconscious. What if she dies? She’s been so good to me.”

Chris was coming apart, and Neil tried his best to comfort him.

An eternity later, a doctor came out and asked for the Ashbury party.

“We’re here with Sally,” Neil’s dad responded. “This is Chris—the manager of Sally’s café. He found her. This is my son Neil, Chris’s boyfriend, and my wife Sarah. Sally doesn’t have any relatives in California. She’s from back east. How is she doing?”

The doctor looked down at the floor and pinched the ridge of his nose, trying to decide what to say and how to say it.

“Sally’s suffered a major stroke, and it’s a good thing you found her when you did. She wouldn’t have survived much longer. It’s still touch and go, and the next few days are going to be critical. I don’t want to build anyone’s hopes up. If she suffers from another stroke, she won’t make it, and even if she makes it, we have no idea yet how bad the damage to her brain is going to be, and what the long-term effects will be. I think you should all go home and get some rest. She’s in good hands here.”