Page 22 of Lost Little Boy
I walked over to his table and smiled. “Is this taken?” I pointed to the chair across from him.
“You didn’t let me know you were having a late lunch. I’d have come with you.” He hadn’t yet agreed to my requests that he text me in the morning and when he arrived at work, so I didn’t know whattime he’d arrived.
Perry looked at me, his face pale. I sat, noticing he had a sandwich in front of him, but he hadn’t taken a bite. “Sweet boy, what’s wrong?”
His eyes were vacant when I moved my head to catch his attention. “Perry, tell me what’s wrong.”
“My roommate Shane called me a while ago and said I had to move out by Friday morning. Nora and he are moving to Atlanta, apparently. The leasing office guy wants to show the apartment on Friday afternoon, and I’m an illegal tenant, which I didn’t know. I still owe my share of the June rent, which means I won’t have money for a deposit on a place of my own.” He picked up a napkin and covered his eyes. My heart broke for him.
I put his sandwich and chips back in the bag and stood from the table. “Come on. Let’s go back. You can eat at the table in my office.”
After more coaxing, Perry stood from the table and grabbed his drink before I took his calloused hand in mine to lead him across the street and up the elevator. When we got off on the executive floor, I waved my badge over the security box and led him to my office. I closed the door to allow him his privacy, and I put his food on the small table in the corner. “Sit, please.”
Perry pulled out the chair and sat down while I took the other one. The expression on his beautiful face wasn’twhat I wanted to see there. It was as though the light had been extinguished in his soul.
“Tell me again what happened.”
Perry took a drink from his straw and glanced at the bag, pushing it toward me. “I’m not hungry. Did you eat yet, Daddy?”
My heart pounded at hearing him call me Daddy, but it might have been a slip of the tongue, so I didn’t point it out. I took the sandwich out of the bag and unwrapped it, taking half and pushing the other half toward him. “Eat, sweet boy.”
“I can’t, Daddy. I’m going to be homeless today. I have to get my stuff or they’ll throw it away.” I saw the tears pool in his brown eyes.
“No, they won’t. Let me handle this, please.”
Perry was crushed, but he finally nodded. I pushed the sandwich toward him again. “Will you please eat and let me handle this for you?”
“It’s not your problem, Wex.” Perry wiped his eyes and opened the sandwich. He took a bite of what appeared to be a turkey and cheese sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and mayo.
“Yes, Perry, itismy problem because I want to take care of you. I want to make your life easier, but I won’t push myself into your life. I’m asking you to let me help you.I’m not saying you can’t take care of yourself, but I’ve been around the block a time or two, and I might know some tricks to help you out.” I held my breath.
Perry stared at me before wiping his eyes with his fingertips. “Why do you want to help me?”
I stood from my chair and walked around to him, kneeling and taking both of his hands in mine. “Because I believe we are meant to be together, sweet boy. Let me help you, and I’ll let you help me.”
“Help you with what?” He truly seemed mystified that he had anything to give me.
“You can help me by letting me watch you shine. I want to see you blossom and grow, Perry. Watching you find whatever you’re looking for will make me happier than I’ve been my whole life.” God knew I meant it.
Perry finally put his arms around my neck and held me close. I wrapped him up and held him tight. “Will you let me help you?” I rubbed my hand over his back, hoping to give him some comfort.
“Yes, Daddy.”
“You can come stay with me at the corporate apartment while we figure out what to do about your living situation, okay?” I put my finger under his chin and lifted his head to gaze into those big browns. I kissed his forehead, and he finally smiled.
My heart was happy.
Chapter Eleven
Perry
Wex wanting to help me was completely overwhelming, and with the past I brought into our relationship, I had no idea what to do. I was plagued by nightmares and woke every morning in the solarium, which was never intended to be a bedroom, but it was mine.
I tossed and turned for too long, remembering how sweet he’d been to me when he asked if I’d let himtake care of me. Nobody, and I mean nobody, had ever wanted to take care of me. Certainly not the guys who I used to let fuck me so I could pay my rent for a shitty long-term motel room, nor the guy who ran the motel who I had to blow once a week to get a break on said rent.
Never, ever, could I tell anyone what I’d done to make my way in life after I’d left the adolescent boys’ home where I’d been sent to live. Nobody wanted a kid my age, so it was my best bet, but it was fucked up.
When I aged out of the system at eighteen, I thought I’d finally found independence. I believed I could finally live my life without someone telling me what to do, but I was wrong. I didn’t believe anyone ever had independence. My life only became worse.
