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Before Carter could reply that yeah, they probably would be, Danny turned on his heel. He slammed the door on his way out of Carter’s room, then again when he left the apartment. Carter got out of bed, grabbed the sock he kept hidden under his mattress, and wiped his stomach off. Danny’s appearance had killed his mood for a repeat performance. They’d only been roommates for a few weeks, but Carter quickly discovered that Danny was the type of so-called Christian he had problems with. He was one of those holier than thou, my way or the highway Christians, who couldn’t simply let people be happy, unless it wastheirkind of happy; straight and willing to use their belief to push others down. Carter had dealt with it his whole life, and now he was out on his own, he felt sick to realize he still had to put up with that kind of attitude.
In truth, Carter didn’t want to give up living in the place. It was much roomier, and far better appointed than the dorms. He had his own room, there was a kitchen, and the view...well, okay, that part sucked, but the rest was great. He doubted he’d find another room like this, especially at the price they were charging.
When he’d arrived for his keys to the dorm, the lady in the office told him there’d been a miscommunication and, thinking he wasn’t coming, they’d given his room to someone else, and that no other spaces were available. They said they’d try to find him something, but it wasn’t likely. He’d panicked, thinking he’d have to move back home.
Then he’d seen a flyer for someone who needed a roommate, and he called. The rent was amazingly cheap, and the neighborhood was awesome. Pity about the roommate, but Carter could live with it.
Danny’s tirade about the bookstore still rankled.
“Fuck it,” he grumbled. “Iamgoing to go down there. I’m tired of this crap, trying to please everyone, but never having a chance to please myself.” He looked down at his damp sock with the shiny stain. “No, wait. I’m tired of being the one who has to please myself. I want someone to pleasemetoo.”
It made little sense, and Carter knew that, but damn it, he was an okay kind of person. Why was he constantly the one who got crapped on simply because he was gay or was apparently the wrong kind of Christian? He believed that if you were good, and if you cared for someone, that was what counted. It didn’t matter who you worshipped, or even if you didn’t worship anyone at all. That was supposed to be the way it was, but these people cherry-picked quotes from their holy books and used them against anyone who didn’t fit their ideals.
Carter was sick to death of toeing the line. He wasn’t ready to confront his parents, and he might never be, but for once he could put his money where his mouth was. He could be therightkind of Christian. The one who loved thy neighbor, who wouldn’t let anyone bully another person. Hewouldgo down to that bookstore and he’d do whatever he could to make sure Danny and his people left the owners alone.
And then he’d come back to the room and wait for the fallout. Because oh yes, there would be fallout. Danny wasn’t the type who’d let it go, but Carter was past caring.
Bring. It. On.
Chapter Two
From the street, Spellbound Sky bookstore looked nothing like the satanic pit Danny had described. Carter stood in front of it, gazing at the wide window. There was a cabinet in the corner, filled with pretty crystals in different colors, and a cool statue of Buddha sat in the middle of the window display. Carter peered through the glass. He couldn’t see any customers inside, just an elderly man toward the rear of the store. Outside, whatever demonstration Danny had boasted of had yet to materialize.
Well, the store is going to havemysupport.
Carter approached the dark wood door, admiring its intricate glass inset with signs from many different religions, along with a sticker that said ‘All Are Welcome,’ and read the sign taped to the inside. The store was definitely open, and if Carter had to stay the remaining three hours until closing time, he would do so, just to be there when Danny showed up. He pushed the heavy door open and stepped inside. There was a sweet smell that reminded him of strawberries, and music played low in the background. From somewhere came the sound of trickling water, and he searched for its source. The fountain was a collection of metal bowls, arranged so that water filled the top one, spilling over into the one below it, and so on until it reached the bottom. He stood and watched, mesmerized by its soothing effect.
“Good afternoon.”
Carter gave a start. He hadn’t even noticed the bookstore owner’s approach. “Hey.” The man had the most piercing blue eyes, set in a wrinkled face, with long white hair tied back. Exactly the sort of man he’d imagined running a store like this one. His pants were white linen, and his shirt was a deep blue.
The elderly man gestured to the store’s interior. “Please, have a look around. You’re one of our first customers.”
And if Danny and people like him get their way, there won’t be many more.The thought made Carter’s stomach clench. Before he could express his thanks, the man pointed to the far corner of the store. “I’m making some tea back there. Why don’t you join me when you’re done? You’d be most welcome.”
“Thank you. I’d like that.”
The man smiled. “Then I’ll leave you to it.” He retreated to the corner.
Carter decided to move around the store counter-clockwise, to ensure he got to see everything. There was certainly a lot to take in. There were books, of course, some with intriguing titles. Then there were the candles, bath salts, oils, and soaps, with tantalizing aromas and heady scents. One display held nothing but incense sticks, and Carter was astonished by the variety. The sweet smell that had greeted him emanated from them, and one stick stood in a ceramic holder, its tip dark, a thin plume of white smoke rising into the air.
He continued his investigation, finding jewelry, dream catchers, yoga mats… There was a rack of CDs for meditation, one of which had a whale on the cover.CDs?Who buys those anymore?Carter thought they were something from his parents’ generation. The walls were adorned with paintings, some in bright colors, but all evoking a feeling of peace and tranquility.
What is there to hate about any of this?It felt like a little slice of Heaven.
He continued browsing, and when he saw the display of gemstones he stopped. This was the perfect place for a young gay man, since the stones here were in all colors of the rainbow. His gaze drifted over the stones until he came to one that said it was tourmaline. He didn’t want to touch, so he leaned in close. So many dazzling colors, it was impossible to take his eyes off it. And it was reasonably priced at only twenty dollars. He picked it up, remembered his bank balance, then decided he’d done enough shopping for now. Prize in hand, he headed for the table in the corner where the owner was puttering around. It was a cozy little nook. He could imagine sitting there, reading, soaking up the atmosphere…
“Did you find anything?” the owner asked.
“I love this tourmaline,” Carter replied.
The owner brought a tray over, containing a tea pot, and two cups and saucers. “Chamomile tea helps me relax,” he informed Carter as he placed the tray on the table. He pointed to a small dish filled with slim brown shapes. “The almond cookies are really good too.”
Carter pulled out a chair and sat. “You don’t look like the kind of man who needs something to help him relax.” There was an aura of peace surrounding him, something that seemed to seep into Carter’s bones, dissipating Danny’s and his mother’s words.
I needed this today.
The man sat. “I’m Andrew McAffrey, by the way, and this is my store. So, do you like it?” He poured tea into the cups, and Carter inhaled its fragrance.
