Home at last


He hit the button, causing the garage door to close. He turned off the engine, slipping his keys out of the ignition, but not moving out of the car. Three days, three cities, four air plane trips. He wasn’t really sure what time it was; hell, he was lucky he’d found his house from the airport! Wearily, he opened the car door and exited the automobile, leaving his bags in the car and opening the door to his house. Detecting a faint smell of food lingering in the air, he smiled.

Tossing his keys on the kitchen table, he opened the refrigerator, withdrawing the plastic covered plate. Ripping off the plastic, he picked up the sandwich, taking a huge bite of the grilled chicken, sighing at the tangy taste of the garlic mayonnaise. He pulled out a beer before closing the fridge with his hip, and pulling out a chair with a foot, he sat at the table, devouring the food and the brew, going through the stack of mail left neatly on the table.

He placed his dishes in the dishwasher and turned the machine on. He finished his beer and placed the empty bottle in the recycling bin. After wiping down the table with a damp cloth, he flipped off the kitchen lights and climbed the stairs.

He quietly went into the bathroom attached to the bedroom, smiling again at the fresh tee shirt and pajama pants sitting on the counter. After changing his clothes, he brushed his teeth and washed his face, surveying himself in the mirror. His eyes were bloodshot, the bags under them dark and large. He shook his head, realizing he’d better start getting used to these crazy hours again.

He left the bathroom, moving quietly into the bedroom. It was dark, the heavy curtains tightly closed in preparation against the bright morning sunshine. But he knew where to go. He reached the bed, pulling back the covers and sitting down, removing his watch.

A hand touched his hip. “Hey,” a sleepy voice whispered.

JC turned to his lover, barely making out Justin’s face in the dim light. “Hey,” he replied. JC slipped under the covers of the bed, pulling Justin close to him. “Thanks for the sandwich,” JC said.

He felt the younger man snuffle his chest. “Anytime,” Justin said with a yawn. “Missed you.”

JC hugged Justin closer. “I missed you too,” he said, leaning down and kissing Justin’s fuzzy head. Justin returned the hug before falling asleep once more. JC sighed softly, the feel of Justin’s heartbeat next to his lulling JC into slumber. He was home at last, Justin was in his arms, and all was right with the world.



Lisa Chasez Stories
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