Installment #5

　

Kevin

Kevin breathed a sigh of relief as he watched the big American Airlines plane lift off headed West and then bank to the left and disappear in the Eastern sky. It had been great having mom here for the four days. It was especially nice to have her to run with early in the morning. And the fact that a piece of fruit, or a bowl of soup, or crackers and cheese could constitute a meal was even better. She understood his current passion for being a vegetarian and she could take meat or leave it. He had tried to show her a good time in hopes that she might sell the farm and move to California. They could afford a house if it were the two of them. And it did not have to be California. They could go back to Boston or back to Dallas or maybe up to Seattle. There was really nothing holding her in Colorado except memories. No family. Just the farm. Her sisters were in Kansas and he was just not comfortable with her being alone on the farm.

It was a lot of work and while there was room for a hired man and the chickens brought in enough to afford help, she still refused. It was good that she was occupied with her little store on eBay. He checked in from time to time and her merchandise seemed to move well. Her descriptions were written like she was talking to an old friend. Meg Paker was definitely a force to be reckoned with in the technology department.

Kevin pulled his little Subaru into a parking place in front of Your Little Pub. Guess it was alright to have a brew since it was almost noon. And he wanted to see Greg. He had not talked to him while mom was here. Not quite sure he was ready for mom to meet a male friend. It could be awkward.

When Greg caught sight of Kevin walking across the floor and up to the bar, he smiled and changed directions. He had been taking a tub of dishes to the kitchen but that could wait. He smiled shyly at Kevin. He had never met a man before that could turn his knees to jelly and his insides to butterflies, but this man did. Kevin was so sure. So aloof, but when he turned his brown eyes on him, Greg was done. He felt like the man looked into the very depths of his soul. Eyes of brown did that to him.

“Hey, Greg, how goes it?”

“Great Kevin. And how did your mom’s visit go? I guess she is gone now.”

“Yeah, just put her on the plane. It was all good. I should have had you over, but ..”

“I know. You don’t need to say any more. You have not met my mom either!” They both laughed uneasily. They had discussed the mother thing before and were both sure they needed more time to adjust and accept themselves as a couple before holding each other out to the family. Greg was more sure then Kevin, but then he had been out in San Francisco while Kevin had never held hands in public with a man. It would take some getting used to that was for sure.

“Hey, Kevin, I picked up that old Loretta Lynn movie with Sissie Spacek, you know Coal Miners Daughter. Don’t know how good of shape it is in. Got it at the junk store. Want to come by tonight and watch it? “ Kevin hesitated and sat his brew back on the bar.

“Can I bring the eats? You do know I don’t do the carnivore thing, don’t you?”

“Hey man, I was there way before you! That is no problem at all with me.”

“I’ll pick up a bottle of wine.” He turned back to his brew and thought to himself, “This just gets better all the time!” No one else would ever understand his deep love for country music. It just did not fit in with his lifestyle, but here was Greg understanding him so well. Not only understanding, but accepting him just as he was. Life indeed was good. Maybe Greg would get to meet his mom yet!