“We found a new place to live,” holding my breath, waiting for a loud and negative reaction. And they say ripping off the band-aid was supposed to be relieving. David’s eyes widened in surprise. Then I added, “In the city.”
His mouth dropped, making him look like a marionette doll with its jaw broken. Charlie had been face-first in my chest, but shifted to look at David, head laying in the crevice of my neck. At the sight of Charlie’s face, David snapped out of it, “Holy shit, that was fast! Didn’t you just start looking today?”
I nodded. I told him the circumstances and where it was. He was happy for us, but I could tell he was sad too. Then he shocked me by asking, “Would I be welcome? You know? Down there?” He looked concerned, which confused me.
“Why would you ask that? You are my best friend. Of course you are welcome to come visit. Who is going to bang on our door and drink all our coffee if you don’t?” Charlie giggled against my chest, which gave me life.
I needed him happy again.
To smile again.
I know it would take time, but I’d take any little thing at that point.
“No, Jim,” he shook his head, and avoided eye contact. “Not there. I assumed I’d be welcome at your new place. Which I know is rude, but…,” he shrugged his shoulders. “I meant where you and Charlie are allowed to hang out and where Charlie is going to be working? I overheard you talking to that pretty-looking man at the tavern after the service.” He had an apologetic and guilty look on his face, like a child being caught snooping.
Charlie disconnected from me and went and hugged David, who wrapped his arms around my man without a second thought or fear. After a moment, Charlie pulled back, kissed David on the cheek and said, “You are always welcome wherever we are, David.” Then smiled and shot off, “Except in our bedroom,” before coming back to me, leaving David laughing hysterically with his hand pressed where Charlie kissed him, and me in awe that the joke even came out of Charlie’s mouth.
After the moment calmed, I added for confirmation what the reality of the environment was and what he might see and who he may meet, which he just brushed off. “Please. I see you both practically canoddling with each other every day. I don’t think anything would phase me. Hell, Charlie just kissed me on the cheek, but if he had gone for my lips, I wouldn’t care.”
“What if other men approached you for your juice?” I raised my brow in question. David was a very good-looking man that was built like a marble wall, with a big dick that’s hard to hide in any pair of pants he wears.
It’s going to happen.
David tiled his head in thought for all of a second before saying, “No. I’d be fine. So, I get attention. Oh no,” throwing his hands up, clear sarcasm in his tone, “I have to bat men away from me that keep giving me compliments and want to take me home! How am I to handle it?” He placed the back of his hand on his forehead like he was about to swoon dramatically.
I rolled my eyes. Typical David. But I also smiled. His support and comfortability were refreshing.
“How about we go get drinks to celebrate?” David smiled with all teeth. “It’s been a while and I know ‘celebrate’ is probably the wrong word in this case, but any good thing right now should be acknowledged, yeah?”
“Um,” Charlie mumbled into my chest. “I’m not much in the mood to go out, but you both should.” He rubbed my back up and down in confirmation, his eyes were a little sullen, but the blue was starting to brighten back up to its normal shade.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to leave you if you still aren’t up for socializing. I’d feel like I was neglecting you and your feelings.” I didn’t like this idea at all. My gut wanted me to stay close to my honey.
Charlie shook his head side to side, “No, you should go. You deserve to be with your best friend. You need time to unwind too. You’ve been so busy taking care of me, you need to do something for you.” He nodded his head like that was final. I sucked my lips in, peeking at David watching us having this conversation, when Charlie spoke again, “I promise. I’ll be fine. I’m just going to crawl into bed, maybe with a book. That’s where you’ll find me when you come home.” He leaned up on his toes and kissed me softly, making the decision final for me.
But my gut was rolling with discomfort.
Drinks were fine. David was as lively as ever. We ran into Will and John, who were off at the far end of the bar by themselves. David still didn’t know about them, so I waited for them to make their way to us, not wanting to be obvious. They have the right to know who knows about them.
I updated them on what was happening with Charlie and I, where we planned on landing. We also talked about town gossip, who was struggling after everything and people coming together to help.
Karen and Patricia being cast out of all social circles, and Karen having moved in with Patricia until she could land on her feet. There was even an investigation open on them to see if they knew about what had been planned or if they had helped.
The topic of me working at a library was brought up, which apparently is all over town and people were confused. Let them be. Not like I’m going to be around much longer anyway.
Will filled us in on what the city was doing with the site of the mine now that it was closing up. Before any of this had happened, the mayor’s office and the Pittsburgh Coal Company were in negotiations to close-up shop and for the city to purchase the land. The company had been hurting and going under anyway, so staying open wasn’t even feasible in the long run for them, especially the more we dug, the more unstable the site would have become.
The plan, which hadn’t been announced to the public yet, was to dig two tunnels side by side through the mountain like they did over in Squirrel Hill, which opened recently, but would end up on top of each other city-side. They would open up right onto a new bridge they will build, creating a highway straight through the mountain, instead of having to go around. It would directly connect the northern and western townships to the City of Pittsburgh, our new airport and PA Route 60 that was recently completed that takes you there.
The industrial park at the point of the city triangle where the three rivers connect and two of the current bridges would be demolished and the point would be expanded for a major highway interchange, exits, on-ramps, off-ramps and bridges into and out of downtown in multiple directions. Not just to and from the tunnel, but north, northeast, and south as well. It would be a record setting project that would take years to complete.
But to do all that, the mine had to be stabilized, and the mountain side had to be cleared so they could dig safely. They needed the railroad back open as soon as possible to bring machinery, steel, and concrete in to complete the job. Everyone had their work cut out for them, including my former coworkers, who the city said would make sure they had jobs to help, and they would be able to continue to live in Chatham Village as the city was taking that over as well.
For how bad the outcome had been or could have been, I was happy with this result. Job security for those that needed it, in a growing and soon to be vast infrastructure that will keep people busy for a long time to come, and allow our city to grow.
We parted ways with Will and John, both giving me a hug, asking me to pass them along to Charlie. I needed to grab them in private to invite them down to visit either our new home and The Underground, if and only if they feel comfortable.
David and I walked back together. He didn’t branch off for his place, keeping me company, chatting aboutwhat we hoped for after the move, and maybe this will be the motivation he needs to get out on his own too.
