Page 18 of Genie's Boy
“Um, Genie, this isn’t mine.” I wasn’t sure I even liked it—some sort of cloth pants, though light and airy, and a matching shirt with a pair of leather sandals.
“It is, along with several more in your drawers. I’d meant to purchase you new clothes for some time now.”
No use in arguing with him, and no denying the threadbare clothing I’d worn was due for replacement. Plus, Genie did what Genie wanted and having an issue with that would be a waste.
“Daddies spoil their boys, get used to it.”
Yes, a waste to argue indeed.
“When you’re done, freshen up and we’ll leave.”
Genie set to work clearing up the table. He enjoyed being in charge, whereas I had no desire to be. I’d scrounged and made the best decisions I could when left on my own, and I was done with it. I’d prefer to be taken care of at this point, no more making myself sick over what I could and couldn’t afford. That thought settled in and scrambled my brain. According to how Genie explained the type of relationship he desired to have with me, I needed a Daddy and there was only one Daddy for me.
Genie.
“Raj, your face screams epiphany. Care to share what’s going on in the handsome head of yours?” Genie’s knuckles tapped the tabletop. “Or do I even want to know given the state of your previous arousal?”
My face heated and I glanced everywhere but at him. “Just, um, just reality hitting me. Hard.”
He watched as I washed my face and didn’t say a word. When I came out of the bathroom he stood nearby and held his hand out to me.
“Let’s go.”
After the first time we teleported, and I nearly threw up, I vowed to keep my eyes shut until my stomach caught up with my body. This time when I opened them, I gazed upon a beautiful sight. Genie and I stood in a clearing atop a hill. Lush fields of green behind us, and endless rows of well-manicured vines were to the front.
“Where are we?”
“Italy. I want to show you the world, my love, one country at a time. There isn’t a single one I haven’t visited and for the most part, I’ve enjoyed them all. One of my favorite things to do is try the local cuisines when I'm there. In Italy, I’ve not had a dish I didn’t love. Though I don’t require food to sustain me, I do enjoy eating. See those rows of vines in front of us?”
When I nodded, he continued. “Those are grapes. This region produces some of the best wine I’ve had. Some of these vines have been around for centuries, cultivated by the very family living on this land which has been handed down from generation to generation.”
“Wow. I’ve only ever tasted the wine we had with dinner. Can’t say I’m a fan, yet.”
Genie smiled. “It’s an acquired taste, my love. If you wish for something different, all you need to do is ask. Come, let’s wander through.”
“Can they see us?” I asked as we walked past a family who paid us no mind.
“No, we’re under a cloaking spell. In some cultures, two men holding hands isn’t acceptable and I prefer it be just us. No interruptions or unsavory individuals to contend with. Me and my love strolling through the Italian countryside on a beautiful day.”
Genie swung our entwined hands up and pressed his lips to my knuckles. Everything he did for, and to me, was done with love and kindness. The kind that sent butterflies scurrying through my insides.
We walked along the stone pathway, past the farms. The birds chirped in the trees, singing merry melodies. Sheep grazed in the pastures. What a calm and serene village life this was, nothing like the manic one I lived in. Rows of houses came into view as we neared town, and excitement built at what lay around the corner ahead of us.
“This isVal d’Orcia,” Genie said in perfect Italian. Not that I knew any myself, but the words easily rolled off his tongue. “A favorite restaurant of mine is up ahead that I wish to take you to. I’m going to release the cloaking spell so we may sit and dine.”
The silence of our bubble came to a halt as the spell lifted. Children played soccer as the shops bustled around us, busily waiting on their patrons. The town was full of life and laughter.
“They look so happy here.” As opposed to the usual disapprovals and fear where I lived.
“This is a wonderful community and one not under the iron thumb of an unworthy ruler. In the larger Italian cities, things can be a bit hectic, but for the most part they’re still happy and welcoming of visitors.” Genie paused. “Ah, here we are.” He spoke to the waitress in Italian, and she immediately sat us at a table on the outside patio. “Perfect day for diningcenare fuori.”
“Seenare feurdy?” I absolutely butchered the words, and my face reddened with embarrassment.
Genie smiled. “Good try.Cenare fuorimeans dining outside. Today is a perfect day for that, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Yes.”
The historic cobblestone streets and structures around us had been well maintained. The town inhabitants’ pride was shown not only in how they cared for their village, but for those within its walls.What a foreign concept, I thought as I watched a young man help an older woman pick up the contents from a bag that had torn. Theshopkeeper came out and not only provided her with a sturdier sack, but re-bagged the contents for her. She thanked them both and went on her way just as they returned to theirs.
