Page 41 of Embers Glow After the Fire

Matthew rips away the shiny paper and bursts with laughter.

“You’re welcome.” Phoenix giggles.

Matthew holds up the framed photo of Phoenix posed tastefully nude and sprawled over a yellow chaise in the middle of a grimy abandoned warehouse.

The group all laugh. Robbie pats the proud twink on his shoulder.

Perry passes Matthew the next gift with similar shiny wrapping in red.

He slips a finger under the folds and peels away the paper, lifting the top half of a white gift box with two envelopes inside neatly laid layers of tissue paper.

“We were talking about that new restaurant in town, Scales that we both want to try so I grabbed a gift certificate.” Perry smiles. “The other is really a gift for all of us to celebrate your 50th next year. Its tickets for a cruise around the Caribbean. Phoenix organized 10 top notch suites and we can add more if we add the bookings soon.”

“Perry!” Matthew lifts off the couch and wraps around his rigid shoulders. “This is amazing.”

“50 is a big year. We’re going all out.” Perry grins.

Matthew briefly admires the itinerary and closes the envelopes back into the box. He reaches for the next package in white paper with firework blooms printed all over. It’s heavy with objects that shift and crinkle tissue paper inside.

“From Brendon?” Matthew reads the tag.

“It’s not much.” Brendon’s cheeks burn.

Matthew’s fingers tingle as he tears the flashy paper and pries apart the cardboard box. He unravels the first bundle of tissue paper and exposes the classic electric clipper. “This is amazing. Where? How?” He searches for words.

"Robbie and I did a bit of shopping yesterday."

“Brendo did good.” Robbie chimes.

Matthew unrolls the leather satchel holding a collection of scissors and combs. “This is an incredible find! I think these are from the sixties and in amazing condition.” He reaches over and squeezes Brendon’s knee.

“The nineteen hundreds?” Phoenix teases.

“Watch it, young man.” Matthew scolds with a smirk.

The last package is covered in the same white paper with firework blooms and its large and flat rectangular shape leans against the side of the ottoman. Matthew digs his fingertips into its hollow side and tears the wrapping away. The huge canvas is a painting of Dennis, Robbie, Perry, Adam, and himself from a memorable moment when they all went on a hiking and white water rafting adventure just before Adam’s diagnosis.

Matthew’s eyes swim and spill over. He stares at the treasure and lifts the neck of his t-shirt to catch his tears.

“Aww—Matty.” Robbie pushes past Dennis and cuddles up to his side. “I was hoping it would make you sob like a baby.”

Matthew chucks.

They all roar in laughter.

“It's beautiful.” Matthew chokes words.

“Happy birthday Matty.” Dennis wipes his wet cheeks.

Matthew leans over Robbie’s lap to squeeze his forearm. “Love you all.”

Jamie triggers a blow torch in the kitchen and ignites the forty-nine sparklers poking from the top of a massive sheet cake. He and Nathan carry the glimmering light show into the living room as everyone breaks out the “Happy Birthday” song.

“Am I supposed to blow those out?” Matthew quirks his face.

“I hadn’t thought about that.” Robbie ushers everyone out to the patio before the sparks set the cabin ablaze.

Chapter 17

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