Page 48 of Tooth and Nail

“Oh? Everything’s okay, I hope,” Mr. Greenberg said.

“I was renting a room but since I’m new to L.A., I wasn’t familiar with the neighborhood. It was pretty awful.”

“Someone vandalized his car which is why he’s here,” Eoghan said.

“Oh, dear. Well, I hope you find something soon,” Mr. Greenberg said. He frowned and looked over at his boyfriend. They exchanged a silent look for a minute before he turned back. “In fact, there might be a vacancy here soon.”

“Where?” Eoghan asked, frowning at his landlord. “Not Mr. Lawless?”

Mr. Greenberg nodded. “He and I were talking and it seems his daughter is moving to Montana.”

“She wants him to go with them and you know how attached he is to the grandchildren,” Ted added.

“But, he’s undecided about it?” Eoghan asked. He knew the older man had health issues. “Maybe the climate wouldn’t be good for him with his arthritis.”

“Well, that’s what he’s worried about, but his daughter is insistent about him going with them. Ever since Marjorie died, he’s practically lived for the grandchildren,” Mr. Greenberg said. “Anyway, I told him to let me know as soon as he’s decided.” He turned to Ari. “If it’s available when Eoghan gets tired of you sleeping on his couch, I’ll let you know. Ted and Ialways feel safe when our favorite marshal is around. Having two around might be even better.”

“Thank you, sir,” Eoghan said.

“Well, it was nice meeting you. I see you have groceries so we won’t keep you. Have a good night.”

“Nice meeting you,” Ari said, shaking the men’s hands. After they watched the couple drive away in Mr. Greenberg’s car, they headed down the side drive to the back where Eoghan’s house was.

Once inside, he was greeted by the familiar meow of Bear who came charging up to greet them at the front door. He’d barely had a chance to close the door when the small, orange tabby was jumping up. He caught him, holding the little cat to him as his motor turned on.

“Hey, baby,” he cooed into the cat’s fur as he kissed the top of his head. He glanced up at Ari. “I hope you’re not allergic to cats. I forgot to ask.” He kissed the tabby’s head again.

“Not at all,” Ari said, reaching out to stroke the cat’s back. “What a pretty little guy.”

Bear’s purr got louder as he blinked up at Ari with bright green eyes. “This is Bear. He loves people.”

“He’s gorgeous and so friendly,” Ari said, smiling at his cat. “How old is he?”

“About a year. I can’t be exactly sure. He was already full grown when I adopted him, but that’s a close approximation. He was a neighborhood stray who just moved in one day. I’ve had him for about three months and he hasn’t gotten any bigger.” Bear stretched up, rubbing his face under Eoghan’s chin.

“Look how affectionate he is,” Ari said, holding out a hand toward the cat. Bear reached out and touched his hand with apaw which made him laugh. “He just high-fived me.” He held his hand up and sure enough, he did it again.

Eoghan grinned, holding out the cat. “Would you like to hold him?”

“Definitely.” Ari set down the suitcase and took Bear, kissing the top of his head. The sight of the big, tall man cuddling his eight-pound cat was adorable. When Bear finally protested, Ari bent and set him down on the ground. He glanced around as Eoghan walked into the kitchen to unpack their groceries. “This is a great place,” Ari remarked.

“Thanks. I love this small bungalow. I’m told it was built almost a hundred years ago as part of a much larger estate. Al told me he inherited the property from a great aunt who’d been a contract player for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer during the 1940s. She’d purchased the front house where Al and Ted live and she built the two units in the back to keep as rental units. According to Al, she’d lived in the property all her life, long after retirement. They rented this place to me shortly after I got my job with the I.S.R. unit. They like having me around to do little maintenance projects on the three units for a small reduction in rent.”

“You do the maintenance?”

“Don’t sound so surprised,” Eoghan said. “I can be handy when I want to be.”

Ari’s eyes danced. “I’d just bet.”

Eoghan cleared his throat “And I like having a gay couple as landlords.”

“It sounds ideal,” Ari said. “So, I guess I’ll start dinner after I wash up.” He glanced around. “Where’s the bathroom?”

Eoghan pointed down the hall. “All the way in the back.”

“Thanks.”

He watched the man shuck his short leather coat and walk down the hallway, hearing the familiar creak from hishardwood floors. He looked around the living room, taking note of his décor from where he stood in the kitchen. The place was small but had a nice open floorplan with a living room, one bedroom, a full bathroom, and a kitchen. Between the kitchen and living room was a dinette where a built-in table was attached to the wall. It was just big enough for two to eat at and was designed in a 50s diner style with a turquoise Formica tabletop with a wide, polished silver band around the edge.

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