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“Like what?”
“Like take him to that outdoor German Christmas market thing and buy him all the hot chocolate he can drink, and gingerbread, and let him pick out an ornament or whatever.”
Simon frowned. “Wouldn’t it be nicer to take him to Germany? Although I’m not sure he has a passport.”
Hudson groaned loudly. “No! This is just the kind of shit I’m talking about, boss.” He sat back in the chair and it creaked ominously. “I’m positive he doesn’t have a passport. Donotfly him out of the country on your private jet. Take him to the zoo to see the lights. Things like that.”
Simon thought “I think the Goodman is putting onA Christmas Carol.Do you think he’d like to go?”
“Maybe. Probably. You could always ask him, you know, what he’s always dreamed of doing during Christmas. But mostly, boss, what I think the kid would like is you. Just you.”
Simon made a face unconsciously. “Me?”
Hudson nodded. “As crazy as it sounds, boss, yeah. You. Not your money, or your influence, or your private jet. Just your crusty old self.”
“I am not crusty,” Simon said huffily, then added, “and we’re almost the same age.”
“I’ll still always be younger and you need to stop acting crusty if you don’t want to be accused of it. Now eat your dinner before it gets any colder, then get your shit together.”
“I don’t remember bossing me around being part of your job description, Hudson.”
He laughed. “Consider it a bonus. You’ve always been so smart and known what to do and how to do it. Except in this. So be a good boss and take my advice because in this arena, you need all the help you can get. Unless you really don’t have any interest in the kid. In which case the kindest thing would be to find somewhere for him to live that he can afford and to furnish it for him with things he can actually use. It’s your choice.”
Simon did think about Hudson’s suggestion. He could do exactly what he said and find the perfect place for Ben to live that was in a safe enough area and he could afford with his salary. That Simon could, of course, increase to a living wage. He could give Ben a new wardrobe of sensible, well-made, and warm clothes, sturdy furniture that could be easily moved when necessary, and a completely debt-free existence. He could make Ben’s life better without changing it significantly and while to Ben it would be probably like winning the lottery, to Simon it was practically pocket change.
Or he could keep Ben, which would mean jumping into deep and scary and possibly shark-infested waters. Scary and unfamiliar and his money wouldn’t work as a life vest. If anything, it might be a detriment. But maybe Simon could show Ben that staying was the best thing for both of them. Simon knew very little about being in a relationship, and none at all about having one with a man, but he wanted to try. He wanted, in fact, for Ben to need Simon so much that he never, ever wanted to leave. To that end, Simon was willing to do whatever it might take.
“Where should I start?” he asked Hudson.
Hudson smiled at Simon. “I’ll drive you two to that Christmas market thing and if things go okay, I’ll drop you off at the zoo to see the lights. I know it’s not what you’re used to in a dating kind of situation, but this is not a ‘reservations at Alinea’ kind of occasion. Remember what I said. Hot chocolate. Lots of hot chocolate. And if you feel moved to kiss the kid, do it. I think you might be surprised of the results. And if you fuck this up, don’t blame me. I’m just your damn driver.”
And Simon’s oldest friend. But that didn’t need saying. “I haven’t failed at anything in my life before, Hudson. I don’t intend to start now.”
“That’s the spirit, boss.” Hudson stood. “Have a good night. Get some sleep. Tomorrow’s gonna be a busy day.”
After Hudson left, Simon called Celia and enquired about a dietician for Ben.
“You’re already on a diet,” she said, sounding confused. “Why would you need a dietician?”
“Not for me. For Ben.”
“Ben?” Celia asked, sounding completely blank.
Simon filled her in on the details of the past few days, much to her unexpected shock.
“He’s still with you?”she asked him sharply.
“Is that a problem, Celia?” Simon asked, feeling a bit waspish.
“No, I just… never mind. You’ve taken in a strange young man literally off the street and he needs a dietician. Right. I’ll get on it immediately.” She sounded bewildered and not her usual calm and collected self. “Is there anything else?”
“Well, yes, actually. I’d like to take Ben to seeA Christmas Carol. Can you get me tickets? You know what seats I prefer.”
“Tickets for The Goodman,” Celia said faintly. “Of course. A dietician and theater tickets.” She seemed to rally. “Yes, I’ll take care of it. But I feel I must meet this young man of yours. I’m surprised—but delighted—you took my advice and did not get a dog. Excellent decision. Getting a young man was a much better idea.”
“He’s not my young man, and I didn’t go out and ‘get’ him, but I’d be happy to introduce you.”
“Not your young man,” she echoed with a sigh. “Oh, sir, you really are hopeless.” And then she hung up, not allowing him to reply.
