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“Thanks, Niles.” He disconnected, knowing Niles was considering whether it was worth it to work for a man who refused to live within the confines of the privileged life that had been handed to him. Torrian also knew Niles cared about him, or he hoped it wasn’t just about the paycheck. He sighed. A small, close staff was what he kept for privacy and just to be as ordinary as possible. Kenny had accused him of thinking he was somehow better. If he only knew. Every day, Torrian considered leaving it all behind.
Now he had met Jazara. He didn’t want to lie to her, but he would keep who he was a secret if it meant he could keep her in his life a little longer. He smiled as he thought of seeing her. Only a day had passed. He had meant to wait longer, but he couldn’t help it. Maybe he’d even keep on assisting her at the community center.
The day slipped by way too slowly for Torrian, but at last he gave his excuses for slipping away early, returned to his house, showered, and after much bullying from Niles, allowed his driver to take him as close to South Boston as he dared. Like before, he discarded the tailored suits to don jeans, a sweater, and a warm jacket. Nothing stood out on his person, and this time he had no protection of a mask. He strode down the street feeling self-conscious and then reminded himself the last time he had been in the area openly, other than the night of the party and early morning after leaving Jaz’s bed, he had been sixteen. His face must have changed in that time, filled in at least and his body grown bigger and more muscular.
He passed several people on the street that gave him a second and third look, but most were women who also cast come-hither looks that said they were interested. None came close to Jaz’s appeal, and he kept walking. When he reached her block, he turned onto the street and noted the neighbor, Glenda, hanging out the window. He wondered she didn’t catch a cold, but then the temperature was decent again this evening. Later it might drop, but he had dressed warm enough, and he would hold Jaz to keep her comfortable.
“You’re back,” Glenda shouted. “Couldn’t get enough of our Jaz? I saw you leave the next morning. Moves fast, I’ll give her that one. I’m Glenda by the way. You are?”
He opened his mouth to speak, but Jaz’s door jerked open and she darted out. “Hey, Glenda. Catch you later. We’re in a rush, about to miss our bus.”
They were down the street and turning the corner before the woman could stop sputtering, and Torrian burst out laughing. “You handle her well.”
Jaz rolled her eyes. “This close, Torrian. She came this close to me telling her about herself. Oh, she plucks my nerves.”
He stared at her. A knitted scarf wound around her throat, and her long hair was caught in it. He couldn’t help pulling it free and smoothing his hands over the strands. The soft lips were also demanding attention, so he offered them some with his own. Jaz’s tirade ceased the minute he kissed her, and she submitted to him as he drew her close.
“Does that make it better?” he asked as he drew away.
She grinned. “We’re getting there. I think you owe me hot chocolate.”
He chuckled. “All in good time.” He hesitated as they started walking again. “Uh, the train we take is uh…”
She eyed him in amusement. “Dude, how often do you vary from your routine to work?”
He winked, playing it off. “Well, I thought you might make a couple suggestions.”
She laughed. “You’re terrible. Where did you have in mind to go?”
He told her, and she nodded knowingly.
“Yes! It’s a bit farther out, but it’s perfect.”
Torrian began to wonder if this was such a good idea. He owned a couple of vehicles, in addition to the limo, but he couldn’t exactly offer to drive them in one of them. He should have thought ahead.
Jaz stopped before a metallic-blue car and patted the hood with a wide smile on her face. “Ready?”
Torrian scanned the tiny two-seater from front to back, mentally judging the leg and headroom and doubting he’d fit. “Is this yours?”
She pulled his arm, bringing him closer while she dug into her pocket. “Don’t be nervous. We’ll get there in one piece.”
“That’s not my concern,” he assured her, and her mirth seemed to increase. He swatted at her ass, but she ducked away. “I doubt I can fit in it.”
“You can. Come on, Tor. Don’t be a wuss.” Her teasing set him after her again, and she ran around the car to the opposite site. “This is Rhashon’s baby. I had to bribe him to let us use it. I’ll drive, and you can try to get a bit more leg space. Sorry we’re a family of short folk.”
She approached him with caution as if she neared a wild animal. He pretended not to notice and then snaked an arm out to drag her into his embrace. For her teasing, he kissed her deeply. When he let her go, he was glad to see he’d left her off balance and breathless.
“Fine,” he said. “Let’s go, but I’m driving.”
The drive from South Boston to the grounds that seemed to have exploded with all things Halloween took a good fifty minutes. Torrian navigated the car down a road lined with trees whose leaves were various shades of yellow, orange, and brown. Many had fallen and been raked in piles where kids jumped and ran through. He winced, feeling sorry for the guy whose job it was to do it all over again each day.
Flatbed trucks were parked and ready as people climbed on the back, and a feeling of nostalgia came over him. “I visited here twice with Kenny and some friends. We bummed a ride with some other kids, and my mom didn’t know.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?” She shook her head. “Did she find out and whip your butt?”
He clenched his jaw. “No.”
Torrian felt Jaz’s eyes on him as she waited for him to explain. “By that time, she was busy shooting up.”
