Page 128 of Rhymes with Metaphor
“Of Flip?”said Reg in disbelief.
“The way he’s so angry at us.”
“You don’t have to go to his party.”
“I want to,” said Joel.“That’s why I’m angry.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Neither do I.”
“Let’s go to bed.To sleep.You’ve been overworking yourself.”
Joel didn’t contradict him, and he allowed Reg to lead him upstairs, arm around his shoulders, Joel leaning into him, up to the loft and into the bathroom.
“There you are,” said Reg.
“Reg?Would you take my clothes off?Please?”
“What?”
“You dressed me,” said Joel.“It’s only fair you undress me.”
Reg unbuttoned Joel’s jacket and shirt while Joel stood there with a face like he was being prepared for execution.Reg finished stripping him and got him into the shower.He looked strange to Reg in the dim light of the bathroom, his dark patches of body hair like handprints, darker under the water, staring back at Reg.He was getting hard again.
“Do you remember that time in the kitchen in Wales?”said Joel.
“How could I forget?”
“You looked after me then,” said Joel.“Will you, now?”
So, Reg took his clothes off and joined Joel in the shower.Afterwards, Reg dressed Joel in a pair of white silk pyjamas he’d bought him.He looked so vulnerable in the moonlight flooding the loft.In bed, Joel bundled himself against Reg before falling asleep, his head tucked into the hollow of Reg’s shoulder.
Chapter 31: Turning Legal
On the day of Reg’sconvocation, he asked Joel to come, and Joel shifted his work schedule so he could leave early for the day and attend.He wore a suit, just for Reg.Reg knew the day was likely to be difficult, as Martin would be there.Reg was ready to forgive him, but Martin wasn’t ready to forgive Reg.He was with Juliet, and he saw Reg, but didn’t say “hello” and kept his distance during the reception afterwards.
