Sam heard that as Wyatt making a clear declaration that he was gay. He couldn't deny that it made him happy and also a little nervous. If Wyatt wasn't gay, things would be simpler.
"Not that I expect you to come over here and help me cook all the time," Wyatt said after Sam went quiet. Maybe he was worried that he made him uncomfortable.
"I didn't mind," Sam said. He felt like it was his turn to tell Wyatt he was gay too, but he immediately felt anxious. He sternly told himself not to blurt out something stupid like I loved every minute of this evening, let's do it again. "I had fun," Sam said timidly then he started to get up.
"I'm glad. I'll try to make you proud and do some cooking," Wyatt said and walked Sam to the door.
They stepped outside into the cool, night air, and Sam looked up at the sky. It was beautiful, full of stars and he just stared at it for a while. Sam wasn't sure why he was lingering there. He just didn't want his time with Wyatt to end.
As he sighed, Wyatt's gazed into the distance where darkness swallowed everything. "Does it ever make you feel lonely to look out there and not see any lights," Wyatt asked and turned back to Sam.
Thinking about it, Sam wanted to say that it didn't. He didn't miss lights or the company of a man who smacked him around.
Sam was fine being alone, but suddenly he didn't feel that was true any more. After tonight, he might find himself lonely for this -- for cooking with Wyatt and talking with him.
While Sam was silent, Wyatt reconsidered his question. "Maybe you don't see this kind of view out your window. I don't even know where you live."
"Above the hardware store. I have a room there. The view is pretty dark, but I don't mind it too much," Sam told him. Then he shifted the conversation back to Wyatt. "So you moved here for the boys instead of them coming to live with you?"
"The boys don't even know me, so I thought they should be somewhere familiar, at least until we get to know each other better," Wyatt said.
"So you're planning to move away?" Sam tried not to feel sad about that. Of course someone like Wyatt would want a bigger playing field.
"I don't have any definite plans yet. I'll see how it goes," Wyatt said, but the way he had looked into the distance made Sam feel that it was just a matter of time before Wyatt decided to leave.
"And work isn't an issue while you live here?" Sam said.
"To do my work, all I need is my laptop. A while back I started translating technical manuals between German, Italian and English. Now I mostly check over other people's work. Speaking of all work and no play," Wyatt said as he eyed Sam kind of sharply. "What do you do for fun around here? Or is that question too much of a cliché?"
"No one has asked me that before, so I guess it's not. I usually just go for a drive. I pack a sandwich then..." Sam stopped and hung his head. "Oh God. My idea of fun sounds pathetic."
"No, it doesn't," Wyatt assured him.
"A picnic for one. Why doesn't the earth just open up and swallow me?" Sam said then he took the leap. "But it's not like there are any gay clubs around here. That can be my excuse."
For a second Wyatt just stared at him. Then a grin spread across his face slowly.
"If I find one tucked away somewhere, I'll let you know," Sam told him.
"So you're gay too and this is how you're letting me know. OK," Wyatt said. "I usually like to whip out my rainbow flag, but I had to pack light. I did see a rainbow blanket online. I'll order it for when I take the boys on a picnic. I'll let you share it with us. You and your sandwich."
"OK," Sam said with a laugh. He knew he was blushing but hoped Wyatt couldn't tell since it was dark. There was something about being teased by Wyatt. Maybe he thought of it as a show of affection like when Wyatt teased the boys. There certainly wasn't anything mean in it.
"They're still talking," a voice whispered and Sam and Wyatt looked at each other.
Wyatt had left the front door ajar and now the boys were hiding behind it.
"Sam, did you hear something? Like a little mouse squeaking," Wyatt said and looked all around, into the bushes and behind the garden fence, everywhere except where the boys were huddled together.
"It's not a mouse. It's us," Riley told him while DJ tried to shush him.
"Oh it's you guys, the guys who are supposed to be in bed and asleep," Wyatt said.
"Sorry, Uncle Wyatt," DJ said and he looked a little apprehensive.
"Don't worry. You're not in trouble. Unless I can catch you," he said with a big evil laugh. That sent the boys running away, squealing. Wyatt then turned to Sam. "I guess I have some boys to put back to bed. I'll be right back."
Sam was going to tell him that it was time he went anyway, but Wyatt was gone, chasing the boys down the hall while they laughed and screamed. Sam heard some more giggling then everyone saying goodnight once again. Then everything went quiet.
