"Different tomatoes," DJ elaborated.
Wyatt laughed. "There's your list of ingredients."
"I'll figure it out," Sam said and found himself grinning. It was terrible how much he was already looking forward to this.
He walked with them for a little bit until the boys started urging him to come home with them right then. Wyatt joined in even though a minute ago he had been telling Sam how he had to get back to get some work done.
"My break is over," Sam reminded them. Good thing Mrs. Del Rio had told him to take an extra long lunch break. "I'll see you all tomorrow." He then waved to them as they walked down the road out of town. The boys kept turning and waving as long as they were in sight. Once the road curved and he couldn't see them any more, Sam felt sad.
For God's sake, he just met them. That's what Sam was telling himself as he hurried back to the café. But that whole bunch was like some list scrawled in a child's hand, spelling out everything he wanted for his future.
Sam couldn't remember ever writing that kind of list, but maybe somewhere deep in his heart he had. It included a family, maybe a dog or cat, a place where he belonged. Then as he grew older, he added a gorgeous man to the list.
After Wyatt and the boys disappeared from sight, and Sam was going the other way, he could almost convince himself that his eyes had been fooled and they had been a mirage. But then he wouldn't have all these crazy butterflies in his stomach and Wyatt's number in his phone.
Chapter 5
Wyatt and the boys were going home loaded down with groceries, but that wasn't the only reason why he considered it a successful trip into town. The highlight was seeing Sam, finding him right there in town and knowing he would get to see him again.
Those bright, gray eyes and his cautious smile, he seemed to Wyatt both unique and beautiful, someone special he discovered in the unlikeliest of places. Not that he knew what to expect from him.
Sam was friendlier with the boys, but he wasn't standoffish with Wyatt either, just unsure. That was to be expected. They didn't know each other. They just met. Only it didn't feel that way. Somehow Wyatt was certain that he would like Sam once he got to know him. How could he not like a guy who was so helpful and knew how to cook?
There was that odd moment when he first went into the cafe and Sam didn't seem to be feeling well, but he got over it fast. But it made Wyatt worry about him. It reminded him how suddenly he lost Lloyd. He hated to think that what he saw at the cafe was some kind of warning sign that he might lose someone he barely just met.
"Are you sad because of Mom and Dad?" DJ asked him suddenly. He must have noticed Wyatt's mournful expression.
Wyatt shifted the bags he was carrying. "I am. But I'm glad I have you guys," Wyatt told him. "And tomorrow Sam is coming to show us how to cook."
"All of us?" DJ asked, looking up at Wyatt as they walked. "Can I learn how to cook too?"
"Sure. You'd be great at it," Wyatt said to him.
"Learn how to cook pie then you can make chocolate pie," Riley said to his brother.
"Maybe I will," DJ said and started to walk with a more determined stride.
Wyatt smiled. He had mentioned Sam's visit to remind the boys they had something good to look forward to, as a way to dispel their gloomy thoughts for a little bit.
Sam seemed so reserved, but the effect he had was completely different. And the way he offered Wyatt a cooking lesson. That surprised and delighted him. Now Wyatt was looking forward to it more than he should.
He didn't know if Sam was gay. He didn't know if he would be interested. He didn't know if getting involved with anyone right now was a good idea. But even with all those unknowns, Wyatt was still eagerly anticipating spending time with him.
Wyatt, the boys and Barney were walking up the path toward the house. When they got to the front door and he opened it, Wyatt noticed how quiet it was inside and the kids had gone quiet too. It was as if all of them, and even the house itself, were aware that two people who were supposed to be there weren't and would never again cross that threshold or yell out a hello to those who had just arrived. It was a hollow sort of emptiness and hush and even Barney whimpered.
"Let's put away these groceries," Wyatt said and led the way inside.
"Sam is gonna come tomorrow to show us how to cook stuff," Riley said and he seemed cheered by that thought.
"That's right. We'll be eating something good," Wyatt said as they put away the groceries. "And tonight you can help me heat up some frozen dinners."
"Yay!" Riley said like frozen dinners and his uncle's inability to cook were things to be celebrated. "Can Barney have a frozen dinner?"
"No. He has his own food," Wyatt told him.
"I heard you when you said he was ours. He's our dog," Riley said.
"He isn't really ours," DJ pouted though he obviously wanted it to be true.
