Page 93 of Let Leaves Lay Where They Fall

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Jamie’s chest tightens, watching the vehicle drive away with an uncertain future inside. His lungs can’t catch air. He’s let himself fall in love again. This time with someone who truly cares back. Here he stands, letting that man get away. Not knowing if they can actually survive such a distance. North Carolina could change things and he’s not prepared to withstand that. He hates how fast and hard he falls. Out of sight, out of mind. He can’t help worrying that he’ll be forgotten. Nathan could meet someone new. Just the thought, twists his insides. The short time they’ve had together has been intense, but can it overcome hundreds of miles between them?

“You okay?” Andrew leans his forehead against Jamie’s.

“Yea.” He chews his lip. “Three weeks.” He reminds himself.

They turn toward the stoop.

“Let’s get inside. It’s freezing out here.” Andrew guides him toward the door. “I’ll brew us some cappuccinos and warm-up leftovers.”

Jamie takes one last look over his shoulder.

The Jeep is sat at the end of the street. The left signal blinking for the turn it’s about to take. He’ll be gone after that.

“Three weeks will fly by.” Andrew tries to comfort.

“I know.” Jamie smiles lopsided.

The Jeep is still sitting at the intersection. Longer than it should.

“What’s he waiting for?” Jamie’s pauses, one foot on the first step up.

Andrew shrugs.

Jamie’s phone chimes in his pocket. He pulls it out. “Maybe he forgot something?” A banner alerts a message from Nathan has come in. He swipes the glass to open it.

“Come with me. Please?” It reads.

Jamie turns to Andrew. His eyes, flowing over. His whole body rushed with a fury of emotions.

“Go.” Andrew smiles.

Jamie’s head turns back to the Jeep. Waiting on his reply. He steps into the street and walks toward the patient vehicle.

Nathan’s door creaks open. Echoing through the neighborhood. He steps out, tossing his phone back into the cab and stands there, looking back. Wiping his cheeks with both hands. He jolts forward and jogs at Jamie, throwing his arms around him.

“I need to pack.” Jamie struggles to laugh with breath squeezed out of him.

“I was hoping you’d say that.” Nathan steps back. His whole face beaming. “Hurry up.” He kisses him. “We’ve got a long drive ahead.” His lips feel like home.

Epilogue

June

Jamie drops into the cranberry velour passenger’s seat, folding his right leg under his left, still draped into the space between he and Nathan. Twirling a fork into a carton of leftover lo-mien cradled under his chin and scooping the mound of cold noodles into his mouth. “Mmm—so good.”

Nathan leans over his armrest, dropping his jaw, inviting a bite. His eyes remain glued to the road ahead. Both hands clutched to the cranberry vinyl wrapped steering wheel. The vintage motorhome is a gaudy beast, but has been kept in pristine condition. Nathan purchased it off a nurse who’d inherited it from their late father. It makes more sensible living arrangements for two men and a cat who’ll be traveling between work contracts, for extended periods of time.

Jamie obliges the silent request. Loading the fork again and filling Nathan’s mouth. “I’m going to miss Jan Mei. This lo mien is amazing.” He swallows, digging the fork back in for another twisted mound. He’d taken a serving position at the restaurant over their six month stay. The owners and staff send him off with an abundance of leftovers as a farewell gift.

“I can’t wait for some Antonia’s pizza!” Nathan chews, bouncing in the captain’s chair, wagging his eyebrows.

Jamie laughs, tapping his toes against the beige plastic console. “It’ll be nice to see the crew at Truffle, and Andrew.”

“We’ve got to figure out what to do with all of your things?” Nathan sweeps curls off his forehead. Leaning in for another helping.

Jamie scoops a second bundle of noodles onto Nathan’s tongue. “I’ll just donate most of it. We don’t have space in this old beaut for it.” He dips the fork into the dark oily sauce and slides his tongue over its prongs. “It’s not worth renting a storage unit. Who knows if, or when, we’ll get back to Portland again after this.” He offers another helping of twirled noodles to Nathan.

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