Page 22 of Only Time Will Tell

“I planned to, but then I met Thomas and he offered me the room above the bakery. So thankfully, I never had to. I have no idea who’s bed this is or was. It’s disgusting, isn’t it?” Charlie turned and faced me and took my hand in his. “Alex, you don’t belong here. Hell, we don’t belong here. Not in this year.”

“What do you mean?”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a pocket watch. “This watch belonged to my father. It’s a time-travel device. We belong in the year twenty-twenty-six, Alex.”

His words made no sense, utter nonsense. The ramblings of a madman. I walked across the room, taking a seat on the stool carefully contemplating my next move. This was not how I expected things to go. Resigning myself to accepting I had feelings for another man only to find he wasn’t of sound mind was heartbreaking.

Yet somehow some of what he’d said made sense. The not belonging here part that is. Did that make me not of sound mind as well?

Charlie crossed the room and crouched down before me. “I love you, Alex. We’ve been a couple now for seven years. We have a house and jobs and live in a day and age where men are able to marry men.”

Two men allowed to marry?

“Here, we would be condemned and hung for our love. Can’t you feel it in your bones? We don’t belong here.”

I stood and pulled him up with me and did something completely uncharacteristic. I think… I kissed him. Our lips pressed tightly together felt right, like we’d done this before. Having him in my arms calmed me, all other thoughts fled, leaving nothing but Charle.

From what he said – my Charlie.

Could that be true?

“Alex, I’ve missed your touch. I’ve missed you so much.” Tears formed at the corners of his eyes, cascading down his cheeks when he blinked. I leaned over and kissed one away. “I love you. I’ve loved you since the first day we met.” He nuzzled against my palm.

“Step away from my son,” my father bellowed, as he and the police barged in. I’d been so wrapped up in Charlie I hadn’t heard a thing. Guns drawn and focused on Charlie. An overwhelming urge to protect him kicked in as I moved in front of him like a human shield.

“Father, what’s going on? How did you know where I was?” I asked.

“When you didn’t show up for work, I contacted the Baker who told me you’d been seen walking around town with this man, and I immediately went to the police.” He gestured between the two of us. There was no way they hadn’t seen us kissing. “My God, Alex, what has he done to you? Arrest that man for attacking my son.”

“Attacking? Father, he did nothing of the sort. I’m fine.” I’d never hated my father more than I did right then.

“I don’t want to know what corruption this man has brought upon you. I’m thankful you were spotted walking out of town or who knows what would’ve happened. He will pay for his actions. You — young man, you’re coming home with me. You’ll be lucky if that woman will still want to marry you when word gets around town about your indiscretions.” He turned and walked away, fully expecting me to follow him.

The police cuffed Charlie’s wrists. I tried to convey my sincerest apologies to him without words, but the terrified look on his face killed me. They hauled him off, and my heart shattered.

Nothing about what we’d just shared felt wrong. But did I love him? How could I feel love for someone I’d only known a couple of days? The things he said about us not belonging here were mad ramblings, but he was so certain they were real.

As I turned to exit, something shiny caught my eye. Charlie’s pocket watch was lying on the dusty floor. I carefully scooped it up and slid it into my pocket before my father could ask what I had.

Chapter Eight

Charlie

Trapped in that cold, dreadful cell, I shamelessly pleaded with the guards to let me see Alex. They laughed, muttering horrible things in return, joked about a lynching in the morning for my actions against God. What a fucking mess I’d made and there was no way out of it. I’d die in the morning, and Alex would be stuck in a life he didn’t belong in.

So much for a trial by jury or even a chance to plead your case before a judge.

I glanced around for anything to pick the cell lock with, not that I’d picked a single lock in my life, but desperate times called for desperate measures. The handful of cells they had were full. Surely they were anxious to have them freed up for the next round of visitors.

And to be rid of a sinner like me.

I couldn’t imagine what Thomas thought of me, and I was sure word of our actions had reached him. I hoped Alex found my watch. I’d hate for it to fall into the wrong hands. But if he did, and he brought it to me there was a chance, albeit slim, that we’d survive this mess. Without it, I’d surely be dead by sunrise.

As I watched the sunset through the bars on the window, tears fell and the darker the night sky got, so did my will to live. I was certain all hope was lost and a life without Alex wasn’t worth living.

Exhaustion overcame me, soon I’d be with my parents again. Heartbroken, but our family would be reunited in the afterlife. Young, naïve and far too curious, though somehow I know knew the watch had somehow played a part in my father’s death.

“Psst, psst. Charlie? Are you in there?” Someone whispered, but it was far too dark to see.