“I hope he comes to his senses soon,” Sarah said. “He’s a catch and you’ll be upset if some other hot bear gets him first.”
“I know if Rory asked you out, and you said no, you’d be a fool,” Kelly said.
Kelly was right. Rory had everything going for him. He was smart, funny, sweet, and handsome. Rory wouldn’t hurt him. Bernard would say yes.
They cooked up some hamburgers for dinner. There were still plenty of chips, potato salad, and coleslaw left.
They watched the fireworks from the lakeside while they ate. It was a sky of every color.
They cleaned up and packed everything away. Bernard said his goodbyes and headed home.
He unpacked the leftovers Sarah and John gave him in the fridge after letting Ginger back in. She seemed unphased by the fireworks.
He sat and playedFinal Fantasy VII.The conversation with the group occupied his mind, distracting him from thoughts of Rory.
He defeated Sephiroth, the final boss, and watched the end credits. Ginger sat next to him on the couch.
“Another one down,” he said. “I have to figure out what game I’ll play next.”
Bernard rummaged through his closet and foundTomb Raider.
He played for a few hours. He looked at his watch and saw it was past ten.
“Let’s go to bed, Ginger.”
He saved the game and changed. Rory might be interested in him. They noticed Rory looking at him the way he looked at Rory. He wasn’t sure what to make of it.
*
THE NEXT MORNING, Bernard took Ginger for a walk. He made it to the dog park at nine to see Kelly there with Chester.
“Hey, Kelly,” Bernard said.
“Hi, Bernard. Good to see you here.”
“Nice to see you too. I’m glad there’s a dog Ginger knows, so she has someone to play with.”
“Same. Chester loves other people but is skittish around strange dogs sometimes.”
They watched the dogs run around and play.
“I’m sorry about yesterday,” Kelly said. “With you and Rory.”
“It’s fine.”
“It’s not fine.” Kelly looked at him. “It’s obviously something that bothers you and that you’re struggling with. I should know. It isn’t easy to have feelings for someone who may never return them.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m here for you, you know. If you ever want to talk. I’ll be a willing ear.”
“That means a lot. Thanks.”
He knew he needed to figure this out. The urge to tell Rory boiled up inside him. Even if Rory wouldn’t return the feelings, he’d know how Bernard felt. He’d know what torment it was to have feelings for someone and never be able to be with that person. Rory had to know the feeling. He’d never dated in his life, as far as Bernard knew. If Rory had feelings for him, and he suspected he did, Bernard would have to tread carefully. Rory’s connection to the church was stronger than his own. He went with his family, but after his excommunication, he kept his prayers slim. The church destroyed his faith when they removed him. He didn’t want Rory to face the same fate.
Chapter Seventeen
Bernard
