Christmas Delights 3 (29 page)

“Sorry I woke . . . What the hell happen?” He said seeing
the bruising on the left side of his face.

“I guess I hit it harder than I thought when I skidded off
the road. But I’m all right no ringing, no double vision or slurred speech,” he
said turning to face Kevin. That was when Kevin saw his hand. When he asked
what happen again, the answer he got was rather vague and had something to do
with Josh cutting something and thankfully no patients were involved. The front
door opening ended the discussion as Kyle came in.

“Your pickup is in the drive and it doesn’t look like there
any real damage.” Kyle said setting the keys on the counter next to Jackson.
“While I was arranging to get the tow truck at the garage, the owner said he
had an apartment to rent above the garage. So I should be moving out soon.”

“Are you sure you want to live over the garage?” Kevin
asked. “I mean’ won’t it be kind of noisy?”

“I love you little brother, but I can’t take any more of you
two trying to be quiet while having sex.” A horn honking prompted Kyle, “Got go
see you later.” And he was gone.

“That is so embarrassing. I thought we were doing well at
keeping quiet.” Kevin said. He could feel the blushing even though Kyle was
gone. Jackson was looking a little flushed as well.

* * * * *

Later that day the Sheriff came into the café at his usual
time but Kyle wasn’t with him today.

“Where’s Kyle?” Amy asked looking about as she poured the
sheriff’s coffee.

“Not coming in,” Hank said looking over at Kevin, who came
up next to Amy. “He said he’s too embarrassed over something he said this
morning.”

Kevin turned towards the pickup window, “Sam I need a burger
plate to go.” He looked back at the Sheriff and Amy who were staring at him. “I
take it he’s at the station?”

* * * * *

Kyle looked up when he heard the door open to see Kevin
coming in with a tack out sack, the food smelled good and made his stomach
rumble.

“I’m . . . we’re sorry, we really were trying to be quiet.
You should eat before it gets cold.”

“I don’t know what possessed me to say that, it was never my
intention to make you and Jackson uncomfortable in your own home. I don’t know
what came over me.”

“Let’s just put it behind us,” Kevin said, wanting to forget
the embarrassing matter.

“Thanks for being there for Jackson last night and this
morning. Don’t for get to give us the bill for the towing so we can pay it.”

“Last night I was just doing my job, as for this morning,
that’s on me, cause you both have done a lot for me.” Kyle said.

“Course I may need help when my stuff in storage arrives.”

“No problem, but I don’t think Jackson can be much help with
his hand all stitched up.”

“Kev, did he happen to mention how he got injured? All I got
was, dip shit Josh, which didn’t explain much.” Kyle said.

“He was still pretty mad at his brother at the time.”

“Nope not a clue, to mention it only gets him mad again,”
Kevin said. “I’ve a feeling this is going to be one of those things that will
never be fully explained.”

“Have a few of those myself,” Kyle said opening the to-go
container. The ringing phone put an end to the conversation and Kevin went back
to the café.

* * * * *

Jackson walked into the staff lounge, it was his first day
back and although he still had a bandage on his hand it was small and he could
at least use it. It amazed him that with all the crap Josh had pulled that he
still had tomorrow, Christmas Day off. Perhaps his father felt guilty, but he
dismissed the thought because that would mean he cared, and he knew for a fact
that he didn’t. Heading into the men’s locker room he sat at his locker and
started to change. Normally he’d just wear the scrubs home, but tonight the café
was hosting its Christmas Eve party and he’d be heading there directly. He was
a bit tired, it had been a long day and he’d really just want to go home and
relax, but this was for Kevin.

Getting up and closing the locker door he grabbed his bag
and coat and walked back out into the lounge. He was feeling a little less
tired and dragged down the closer he got to the staff entrance.

“Hey little bro I need you to…” was all Josh got out because
Jackson swung around and caused Josh to step back.

“Look, I’ve been here over twelve hours so you’re just going
to have to deal with whatever the problem is on your own.” Jackson snarled at
him. Turned back around and pushed on through the doors and didn’t look back.
An hour later he was pulling into park down the road from the café. He ran into
Kyle coming out of the police station, he was working tonight but would be off
tomorrow. Stepping through the front door, Jackson was hit with the sound of
Christmas carols playing on a portable sound system. The stools at the counter
had been removed and the counter was laid with buffet, Bar-B-Q wings, coconut
shrimp mostly finger food.

“Jackson, glad you made it,” Sam, who was in high spirits
said and handed him a glass of punch. He looked around and spotted Kevin coming
out of the kitchen and started to make his way to him wrapping his arms around
him and pulling him into a kiss.

“I can see you’re not up to this. You don’t have to stay,
just get something to eat and head home.” Jackson knew he’d been failing to not
let his brother or father get to him and spoil Christmas for Kevin so no matter
how tired he felt there was no way he was going to let him down tonight.

“No I’m good, of course I could do with something stronger
than punch.” He said holding up the cup he’d been handed.

“Oh I think someone spiked it, so go easy on it,” Kevin said
with devilish smile.

“I know you put in a long day and I understand if you want
to leave early.”

“Not going anywhere without you,” Jackson said sipping the
punch and noting the burn as it went down.

“Of course you might find me passed out in the kitchen if I
drink too much of this.”

“I don’t think it’s that bad,” the Sheriff said coming up
and joined them. “Jackson can we speak to you for a moment?” Jackson asked him
who the “we” was and was led away by the Sheriff as Kevin was pulled in another
direction.

* * * * *

About twenty minutes later Kevin looked for Jackson, but couldn’t
find him. He saw the Sheriff and the Mayor standing by the front door.

“Sheriff, do you know where Jackson went when you finished
talking?” The sheriff told Kevin where he had last seen Jackson. Kevin grabbed
his coat and headed out the door. Stepping outside there was a calm hush and
the sky was bright. The clouds glowed with snow that might start falling at any
minute. Kevin set of in the direction the sheriff had told him. And when he
past Louis Street he could see someone standing on the side walk half way down
the block.

“Jackson, are you ok?” he asked when he got closer. He could
see Jackson had a huge smile on his face. He wondered if it was the punch or
something that the Sheriff had said that was making him smile. “What did the
Sheriff want?”

Jackson continued to smile as he pointed across the street
to the soon to be opened Grandville clinic, “They want me to run it. There
would be someone to run the office side but they want me to be the medical
director. I’ll still be practicing medicine, but without the crazy hours. I
thought they were looking for someone older with more experience. They didn’t
think I’d want to leave the hospital or take a pay cut to work for them. I’m
going to be free of my father and brother.” He said grabbing hold of Kevin and
hugging him tight.

“Can’t wait to see the look on my dad’s face when I hand in
my notice.”

“Now that’s something I’d like to see,” Kevin said. He
couldn’t believe the change in Jackson. The tired, fatigued look was totally
gone. He’d not seen him this happy in a long time. Even in the dim light of the
street light Kevin could see how bright and shiny his blue eyes had become.

“Come on there’s a party going and we need to be there.”
Jackson said before pulling Kevin close and kissing him. Wrapping his arm
around Kevin’s shoulder, they started walking back to the café, as a light snow
began to fall setting the mood for what Jackson called,

“
Our best Christmas
.”

Epilogue

Kevin, who was sitting next to Jackson at Thanksgiving
dinner at Sarah’s. He was listening to Jackson talk.

“I’m thankful that the clinic is doing well, that I’ve got a
great staff and we all enjoy working together. But I’m most thankful for my
Kev,” Jackson said and lean into him for quick kiss.

“Hey, hey no kissing at the table,” Sarah said jokingly.

“Jackson, what happen to you bother at the medical review
board?” Ben, Sarah’s husband asked.

“Lost his license and his job at St. Anne’s,” Jackson said.
“I know he’s my brother and I shouldn’t feel this way but I just can’t feel sorry
for him.”

“You kids settle down and eat,” Sarah called out to them
before turning. “How is your dad taking it?”

“Haven’t spoken to him since I handed in my notice.” Jackson
said. “I have heard that the board is starting to stand up to him and it looks
like his days there are numbered.”

Kevin got out his phone and scrolled through the photo’s and
showed the one Jackson took of his dad when he gave his notice. 

“I can still hear him shouting that when that clinic failed
to not come back looking for a job.” Jackson said. “Hey if we can’t kiss then
they have to stop.” All eyes turned to Kyle and Amy, who separated and sat up
straight, both trying to look innocent. 

Jackson and Kevin stepped out into the clear crisp night and
started for the pickup, Kyle and Amy were all ready pulling out of the
driveway.

“So how long do you think it will be before those two move
in together?” Jackson asked unlocking the doors.

“I’m not sure they haven’t all ready,” Kevin said getting
in.

 “So, when do you want to go for the tree?” Jackson asked,
starting the engine. “I probably need one for the waiting room. I’m going to
need to plan a party for the staff, do you think the café can cater or host
it?”

“Not a problem either way,” Kevin said.

Maybe this year would top last year as the best Christmas
ever
.

THE END

Gary Hendrickson

Gary Hendrickson lives in Troy,
Michigan with his sister.

When not writing he enjoys reading
and quilting

Contact him at either
[email protected]
or
[email protected]

Visit his Facebook page and follow
him on Twitter @gary_hen

There’s a rule for high-profile clients, for the hookers
working the Shipyards – don’t let them know you recognize them.

So when the immaculate, black Camaro pulled up to Jake’s
corner and the rolled-down window revealed Benson “Sonny” Dawes, Jake feigned
ignorance. Sonny was the captain and star center forward of the Newport News
Seafarers, the city’s ultra-popular hockey squad (and only real sports team).

“Well hello beautiful,” Jake drawled.

“Get in.”

The curt response didn’t surprise Jake, he’d been with some
local city officials before, and they don’t like to hang around the Shipyards
any longer than absolutely necessary.

Jake shrugged, opened the sports car’s door, and slid in to
the spacious front seat. He exhaled silently in relief at the room. Small
spaces had never been his thing. Jake did not do small spaces.

“How much?” Sonny asked abruptly. Jake smirked to himself as
he thought about naming an astronomical amount.

The hockey player began to drive, despite the lack of a
response from Jake.

“Three hundred for a blow, four hundred for an hour’s fuck –
a hundred more for each hour.”

“Bullshit,” the hockey star spat.

“It’s Christmas,” Jake retorted. “What do you expect?”

“How much is it really for a fuck?”

“One fifty,” Jake said as he looked out the window, the
Shipyards disappearing in the distance behind them. “I get paid up front.”

The man shifted in his seat and drove one handed as he
pulled his wallet out of his back pocket. He fingered through the black
leather, blindly fishing out a fair amount of large bills. With a quick glance,
he freed enough for Jake and handed it over.

“Where are we going?”

“My apartment.”

Jake turned to look at the muscled sports star and raised an
eyebrow in question.

Benson looked over for a second and clarified, “I spend too
much time as it is in hotels.”

Jake nodded. Plus, Jake figured no one who could avoid it
would want to spend Christmas Eve in a hotel. He looked to the dash; the car’s
clock read 12:03. Well fuck, Christmas Day now.

Jake eyed the larger man. His huge arms squeezed against the
sleeves of a dark leather coat and his legs looked like jean-clad tree trunks.
Jake figured he wouldn’t be too opposed to the night’s antics with the Adonis
of a man who’d picked him up. He reached over and began to rub lightly on
Benson’s leg, figuring it might make the trip an exciting precursor to the
apartment fuck and earn him an extra tip.

Benson sucked in a breath, but didn’t complain about the
touch. The only response Jake really cared about was the swelling in the hockey
player’s crotch, which due to the tightness of the jeans, was noticeable from
the get-go.