Page 25 of Creature
“Okay. Hey,Chief?”
“Yes?”
Harry wanted to tell him about John. The wayhis eyes lit up over small gifts. The look of wonder he’d hadduring a simple walk in the park. How he caught on to things reallyfast—reading a thick volume as if it was a comic book—but didn’tmake Harry feel stupid. How his smile was so sweet that the scarsno longer mattered and he became beautiful.
Townsend wouldn’t want to hear any ofthat.
“Nothing. Night,Chief.”
Chapter Eleven
Gazing patiently through the lace curtainson the front window, John saw Harry park in front of the house andget out of the car. But instead of coming inside, Harry spent amoment staring at the house before shuffling up the sidewalk in thedirection of the park. John was sorely tempted to follow, but Harryhad ordered him to stay put, and so he did.
It was over an hour before Harry returned,his trouser cuffs wet from the rain and his eyes troubled. Heappeared to be sober, however, as he nodded at John and went intothe bedroom, returning a few minutes later in jeans and a whiteT-shirt. John thought that a better look for him, more natural thana suit. The shadow of a beard had sprouted on Harry’s chin andcheeks, and John found himself longing to stroke it.
With a sigh too heavy for such a young man,Harry collapsed onto an armchair. “You’ve been listening to theradio.”
“I can turn it offif—”
“No, I’m glad you like it.That’s why I bought it.” He leaned his head back and closed hiseyes.
“Harry? Can I help youwith something? I’m much stronger than I was.” John could stand fora long time now, and when he looked down at his arms, they were nolonger skeletal. Although he was grateful for the vigor, it alsomade him restless and a bit uneasy.
Harry peeled his eyes open. “Yeah. Youlook….” He pressed his mouth closed and looked away.
“Do you have work for meto do? I can clean, I think. I’m not sure whether I can cook, but Isuppose I can try.”
“No. Just….” Harry’s jawworked and then he raised his chin. “I don’t know how long you havehere. Maybe just a couple of days. And after that… I don’t know. Sorelax while you can. Read your books and listen to Nat King Cole.”He gestured toward the radio.
It was good advice. If John was sent back tothat cell—or worse—he’d need all the good memories he couldcollect. Treasures he could cherish when despair dug its talonsinto him. But maybe it would be worse than ever to lie naked, weak,and filthy in the darkness, knowing how much he had lost.
John gathered his courage. “Do you want meto go back to the cell?”
“No! Jesus,no.”
“Then why send me there?Why can’t we stay here? I’ll be no trouble, I promise. Or we couldgo somewhere. Anywhere you like.” He crossed the room and fell tohis knees in front of Harry. “Please. I’ll do anything you tell meto. I’ll be your faithful servant—your slave. Don’t send me away.Please, Harry.” Something tickled his cheek, and when he brushed atit with his fingertips, they came away wet.
Harry shot out of his chair and rushed tothe opposite side of the small room, then backed into the corner asif trapped. “Don’t. Don’t do this, John.” He sounded close totears.
“I have to. What otherhope do I have but you? And Idohope. I feel. I….” He pressed his hands to hischest. “My heart doesn’t beat, but it aches.”
Harry fled past him and out the front door,not even pausing to grab his coat and hat.
John sank to the floor and hugged his kneesagainst his chest.
***
Harry returned soaked and shivering, hisT-shirt transparent and hair dripping. But he stood in the doorwayto the living room for a long time, silent except for waterdroplets pattering on the floor.
John spoke first, his voice barely more thana whisper. “I’m sorry. You’ve given me so much already. I shouldn’thave—”
“Don’t.” Harry rubbed hisface. “I need to tell you things. Everything, I guess.”
“Dry off first. I canwait.”
“Yeah. Okay.”
Harry returned quickly, wrapped in a blanketand with hair in disarray from a towel-rub. He sat in the armchair,tucking his bare feet and legs under his body. His face stilllooked cold-tinged, and he hadn’t stopped shivering.
