Page 49 of Love in Mission City: The Shorts

And my grandfather had a few hundred in his bank account that would come to me soon.Despite his continued animosity toward me, he named me next of kin.He rented that old shack and he had no possessions of value, but he had a savings account.

I shouldn’t be so dismissive.

He also had a small pile of photographs of me.Each stage of development, he had a shot.Even had kept the one of my university graduation.Those, along with the three of my mother, I tucked away.

My father’s family had sent me copies of photos from his time in Jamaica before coming to Canada, so I had those to cling to as well.I had no memory of them, as I’d been only two.I remembered being shuttled to the Yukon, and everything after that was unpleasant.

But the old son of a bitch raised me and helped pay for my education, so I owed him a moment’s consideration.

And that moment passed rather quick.

I rose and headed out of the restaurant, noting several dogs chowing down on bowls of food or resting at their masters’ feet.God, I loved this place.Feeling restless, I sprinted up the stairs and let myself into our room.

Our room.

I liked the sound of that.First time in half-a-dozen years I was sharing something with someone.Could this be more than a fling?Of course not.Mission City.Tofino.Why would he want to come and stay on an island?And I didn’t get enough vacation time to make it worthwhile.No, this was a one-and-done.

I snagged my sleep pants and T-shirt and headed to the bathroom.I also nabbed my toothbrush and paste because, well, one never knew.And oral hygiene, of course.

As I exited the bathroom, Ben and Buddy entered our room.Both were soaked to the skin.I grabbed the doggie towel and, after I made eye contact with Buddy, enveloped him in a big hug with the towel.

“Oh, he loves rubdowns.”Ben toed off his shoes and removed his coat, hanging it in the closet.“That’ll drip dry.Good Lord.”

Buddy licked my cheek as I continued to dry him.Or at least did the best I could.

“I’m going to grab a shower.”

Before I could respond, Ben made a beeline for the bathroom.

Buddy followed his master with his gaze, but, after the door closed, resumed his inspection of me.

I rubbed the top of his head.

He licked my cheek again.

I wasn’t sure I’d ever been so absurdly touched by such a small but significant gesture.

“You want to lie down in the bed?”I pointed to the bed with a stuffed animal.

Buddy moved toward it cautiously, sniffed, then settled with his head resting upon it.

I flicked on the gas fireplace.

It’d warm the room nicely.Not great for the environment, but nights like this were made for exceptions.

I closed the drapes and headed back toward the bed, but a paper bag caught my attention.

Had Ben brought it with him?The thing was mostly dry, so he must’ve acquired it after he came back inside.And when had he dropped it?Probably while I’d been focused on Buddy.

I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t help myself.I opened it to find a box of condoms and a bottle of lube.Now, maybe Mike wasn’t working the desk, and maybe the clerk who provided these necessities wouldn’t be able to put two and two together, but now a chance existed the staff knew what I’d be up to tonight.

Did I care?

No.

The lodge had a pride flag amongst their other flags from different countries around the globe.A welcome to all, they said.Including people like myself.

Ben and I’d exchanged looks over dinner.A few lingering.Enough to mean we’d be good in bed?Well, one way to find out.I yanked down the comforter and top sheet.I shed my clothes and hopped onto the bed.Finally, I removed the safety plastic from the bottle of lube, opened the box of condoms, and dropped several on the bed.

---