Taste. Part 37

"Do you know what it means to hear you say that?"

"I mean every word."

"I know, Grier. It's not that I don't want to be with you. I need some time to work on this."

"Please try."

"I'll do the best I can. Goodbye, love."

"Later," Grier replied.

Lil held the phone in his hand and looked around, hoping against hope that Sebastian would appear, but so far, nothing. He dialed Jody this time.

"Dr. Williams, I presume?"

"What's up, my friend?"

"I'm recovering from a shaker."

"Was it bad?"

"They're all bad. I f.u.c.king hate them."

"So move already. We don't have earthquakes in the Midwest."

"You just have mounds of snow."

"Would you rather be buried in rubble or freeze to death?"

"Gosh, those are really good choices, Jody. Why don't you throw in fire and brimstone while you're at it?"

"This wake-up call should make your decision much simpler."

"What decision?"

"Building our f.u.c.king house."

"Language."

"Christ, Lil, look at this like an extended leave of absence. I'm sure your competent employees can muddle through without you."

"I'm sure you're right. It's the perfect solution, actually."

"I know it is."

"Are you just doing this for me?"

"What?"

"Building a new house-whose idea was this, anyway?"

"I told you. Clark went out and came home with a pa.s.sel of puppies."

"You guys are crazy."

"Come on, Lil. You know you'd rather be here than in that shaky town."

"No kidding. Tell Clark to start working on his wish list."

"What does that mean?"

"I need to know what you want in a house so I know how to design it."

"Alright, but try and remember we're on a tight schedule."

"Demanding already, and we haven't even signed a contract."

"I'm only reminding you that there's a building season out here. You can't dig a foundation when the ground is frozen."

"f.u.c.k, you're right."

"It's only August, so you have at least four months until things get really nasty, on the other hand, it's the Midwest. We could have a blizzard tomorrow."

"Very rea.s.suring, really, Jody. I am so looking forward to this."

"Hey, you'll get a taste of winter, fatherhood, and being in a committed relationship. What more could you ask for?"

"The perfect trifecta."

"Exactly. Are you coming?"

"Have you bought the land we're building on?"

"Done."

"That's good to know. Jodes?"

"What, babe?"

"Thank you."

"Hey, I like having you around, and I know Grier will appreciate your company."

"I miss you, too, and yes, Grier will be ecstatic."

"Get your a.s.s on the next plane out here. We've got plans and permits to deal with."

"I'll leave as soon as I clear my desk."

Lil hung up and stood, looking around one last time, but still no sign of the cat. He moved slowly, crossing the street and noting that everything had quieted down. People were going about their business again as if nothing had happened. Locals putting their heads back in the sand and telling themselves they'd skirted disaster one more time. Lil knew it was a question of when, not if, but he hoped that the big one would be years in the future. He didn't want to see this beautiful city destroyed, but all the signs pointed that way. Still, Californians, in general, were eternal optimists, probably due to the perpetual sun shining on their faces, unlike the people in the Midwest who lived in a world of frigid darkness half the year. Really, was he better off leaving or staying? What if he and Grier didn't last, then again, what if this was the real thing, and he pa.s.sed it up because of a weather issue. How stupid was that?

He was crazy in love, and yes, Grier was young and somewhat unpredictable, but he was the most exciting man he'd been with in years as well as the most creative lover. He'd always wanted a son, and now he was being given the opportunity to have a ready-made familya gift and an honor. He'd be insane to pa.s.s up the chance for a future with these two wonderful people because he was tied to San Francisco. Maybe they could do a reverse commute: live here in the winter and stay in Chicago when the weather was decent. It was certainly food for thought and something he was willing to explore. However, there was one stipulation he was going to insist on or all bets were off.

He dialed Grier from the foyer of his building and was relieved when he picked up almost immediately. "Are you home yet?"

"No, we stopped at McDonald's 'cause we were both starving. Did you find Sebastian?"

"Not yet, but I have a feeling he'll turn up. It's been one of those days when the stars seemed to be aligned in our favor."

"We've had a few of those," Grier responded.

"I need you to promise one thing before I can make a decision."

"What's that?"

"I want you to go back to school; become an interior designer."

"I think I can do that."

"I need a definite answer, Grier."

"I'll do it."

"No matter what your old man says?"

"My dad has acted like a saint, considering all the c.r.a.p I've thrown at him in the last week. I'm pretty certain he'll back me, if it's what I want. The big plus is the Illinois Inst.i.tute of Art is right next door, in Schaumburg, so I wouldn't have that far to commute. I could work my cla.s.ses around Luca's schedule on the days I have him."

"I want to make sure you're ready to get on with your life."

"I'm more than ready. I can't wait."

"Then I'll come."

"For real?"

"Yes, but can I tell Luca myself?"

"I'll put him on the phone."

"t.i.to Lil?" Lil?"

"Hey, sweetie, guess what?"

"What?"

"I'm coming to live with your t.i.to t.i.to G, and I'm bringing Sebastian." G, and I'm bringing Sebastian."

"Not t.i.to t.i.to G Ghe'th my daddy." my daddy."

"Is he?" Lil smiled through his tears.

"It wath wath a big, giant a big, giant thecret thecret, but now I know."

"Your daddy is good at keeping secrets."

"I love my daddy."

"He loves you, too, sweetie."

"Bye."

"I'll see you soon."

"Hey," Grier's voice was husky with emotion.

"Your son is so f.u.c.king cute I could squeeze him to death."

"He's pretty amazing, but so are you."

"I'm glad you told him."

"I got all choked up."

"You're supposed to, love. I got all emotional hearing him call you daddy."

"We're so queer, aren't we?"

Lil laughed. "Amen to that."

"Hey."

"What?"

"Don't forget my stuff."

"What stuff?"

"You know-the bag from Alla Prima."

"Are you serious? It's the first thing I'm packing."

"Good, I have a special evening planned."

"Oh G.o.d. I'm going to be hard until I see you."

"Save it for me."

"I will. I've got to go, love. I have so much to do before I can get on a plane, but I'll call you with my travel plans as soon as possible."