Page 56 of Embers Glow After the Fire

“C’mon.” Matthew takes his hand and leads to join the others at the table.

The backyard is alive with bouncing bumble bees, gathering pollen from the dandelions scattering the knoll. Trees sway on a breeze that cools the sun’s radiant heat. A crow squawks, startling a little brown rabbit and her babies who shuffle for cover under the shrubs and saplings.

They bid silent goodbyes to the tranquil mountain-scape at the edge of the forest and prepare for a return to their altered reality.

Dennis gulps the last of his water. “We should get rolling—Is everyone packed?” He stands and kisses the top of Robbie’s head. “I think the cleaning lady is coming in an hour. I want to clear out so she doesn’t have to work around us.” He flip-flops back into the kitchen.

***

The drive back to Portland is quiet. Everyone buries their noses into their phones as soon as Phoenix announces his service is live. Brendon spends most of the ride staring out the window watching the trees cruise by. His pinky finger pets Matthew’s on the seat between them the entire way.

Brendon and Eli’s old cars are still parked against the edge of Dennis and Robbie’s freshly manicured lawn. The landscapers must have just trimmed it, the scent of cut grass is still pungent under the mid day sun when everyone piles out of the Yukon and scatters the driveway to stretch their weary muscles.

Eli says a pouty goodbye to Phoenix who pretends to be unbothered after his holiday boy toy grumbles off in the patchwork Toyota. He and Perry follow Dennis and Robbie, wheeling their luggage inside.

”We’ll see you on Tuesday Bren—let us know if you need anything. You can stop by here anytime. We love you.” Dennis assures.

Matthew stands in the center of the driveway with his duffel bag hung over a shoulder and his rolling case gripped in his hand. He watches Brendon carry his case to the old Subaru and stuff it into the hatchback, slamming it shut with a piercing creak.

“Why don’t you stay here with us tonight?” Matthew’s heart aches at the sadness on Brendon’s face. He shouldn’t go home to an empty space after the few days they’ve all had. “There’s plenty of room. You can rest before moving in tomorrow.” Matthew isn’t ready to say goodbye. His heart might actually be aching for himself.

“The new landlord is expecting me to pick up the keys today. I’m just going to stop by my storage unit for a few things and go get acquainted. I’ve never had my own space and I don’t think I’ll be very good company right now.” His eyes drop to the ground and his toes wriggle inside his dirty canvas sneakers.

“You don’t need to be.” Matthew pets his arm. “I don’t want you to be alone right now.” He cranes his neck until their eyes meet.

“You could come with me.” He peeks through his dense lashes. “If you want?”

“Okay.” Matthew doesn’t hesitate. He tingles with selfish excitement at one more night together.

Brendon’s eyes squint and the side of his mouth curls. There’s a faint sparkle in his eye again.

Matthew climbs into the passenger’s seat and Brendon drops into the driver’s, turning the key to fire up the old jalopy.

Matthew pulls his phone from his pocket and types a quick message to Dennis, “Going to stay with Brendon tonight. Call you tomorrow.”

Dennis kisses his fingertips and blows the gesture through the kitchen window as they pull away from the curb.

Brendon’s storage unit is small and neatly packed with an eclectic mix of second-hand décor and boxes. A few mismatched lamps and the parts of a futon leaning against a wall. He huffs two large blue plastic bins into the trunk and asks Matthew to help with a brand new vacuum-shrunk mattress in a box.

“I’ll get everything else tomorrow. Sebastian and Molly are supposed to help.” He pauses with one leg in the car door. “Shit. I can’t call them without my phone.” He darts back into the unit and fumbles through a bag of papers for a little slip he’d written their phone numbers on. “Could I use your phone?”

“Of course.” Matthew passes it along.

He sits patiently while Brendon calls his moving crew, briefly explaining why the number is strange and thanking them ahead of time for helping move tomorrow morning. “It won’t take us long, I don’t have much stuff.” He apologizes, hanging up the phone and handing it back. “Thank you.” The car revs. His sweet smile is intoxicating.

“Should we stop and get some things before we go to your place?” Matthew considers the empty studio they’re walking into with just a mattress, two bins and their luggage full of dirty clothes.

“I’m good—do you need anything?” Brendon chews his cheek.

“I’m good.” Matthew shrugs.

Brendon’s fingers find his hand and wrap around his palm.

“Thank you for staying with me a little longer. I’m not ready to say goodbye to you.” He’s focused on the road but peers from the corner of his eye.

“I’m not ready to say goodbye either.” Matthew squeezes his fingers back.

They ride through the small city and over a bridge across the bay, linking the south borough, parking on the street in front of a charming white cape with dark-green shutters, a large detached garage and flower beds bursting with colorful arrangements.

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