Page 29 of Small City Heart
“Nice night.”
Patrick jumped out of his skin at his mom’s voice. She was standing in the doorway with a beer in hand.
“Hi, Mom.”
“That’s a beautiful picture of him.”
He flushed because it was a noticeably sexy picture, and there was no way to deny it. Charlie was obviously in bed and shirtless.
Rather than deal with his embarrassment, Patrick simply said, “Thank you.”
“You’re pining. It’s weird.”
He laughed as she sat beside him. “Well, look at him. Who wouldn’t pine?”
Shetinked her beer can against his. “What’s going on in that big brain of yours, Pattie?”
“I’m twisted up over a boy. What else? Story of my life.”
Her eyebrows rose, and she took a drink. “I think it’s more than that. Maybe Charlie has you tied in knots, but something else secured the rope.”
“Just the normal existential life questions. Where do I belong? Where’s my home? What’s my purpose? Why is it a bad idea to sleep with your boss and ruin your career?”
“Oh, darling. Is that what happened?”
He shrugged and stared resolutely at his computer screen, clicking through the photos quickly. Some were not quite safe for work, especially the ones where it was obvious Charlie had snuck his hand onto his cock, but he flipped through them too quickly for his mom to see clearly. He ended on the selfie they’d taken together.
“That’s my son, right there,” Mom said. “That happiness and light. I want you to look like that all the time, and I don’t want it to be because of a boy or a job or where you live but because your life is full. One thing—whether it’s a man, your career, a house, or a subject to photograph—is not going to make your life full, Patrick. Life is a mashup of good things. You need a balance.”
“I know. I’m just so tired of feeling isolated.”
“Let’s do an experiment.” She had a suspicious smile on her face, but he nodded reluctantly. “Okay, close your eyes. I saw this onCriminal Minds.”
He snorted a laugh. “I haven’t seen anyone serial murdered, Mom.”
“Whatever. Now listen. Imagine a home, the home you most want, the first one that appears in your heart. Think about its kitchen and bedroom and windows.”
“Okay.” He frowned.
“Imagine the outside. The street it’s on, the yard or courtyard or front stoop.”
Light cresting over a hill appeared in his brain.Tall grass and wildflowers. Low limestone fences. A sunset like a watercolor in the sky.
“Who is there with you?”
He smiled because in his head his mom’s cobbler was on the counter. Then that smile died as a dark-headed man with bedroom eyes, a dimpled chin, and a beautiful heart walked through his imaginary kitchen.
“Where are you?”
Patrick opened his eyes.Here. He’d been here, in this town, with the man he’d kissed goodbye tonight.
* * *
Charlie got home from the Alumni Cookout and Ice Cream Social and did the only thing he could think of. He called his best friend.
Suzy answered the phone, her mouth obviously full of food. “Hey, Nort’. Wha’ up?”
“You busy?” She was on shift at the firehouse, but hopefully it was a quiet night.
