Page 89 of The Long Way Found
He wanted to share his parents with Luke, and Luke with them.
He wanted to prove to himself and to Luke that he truly understood how to show he was choosing Luke fully, not merely wanting him. And, perhaps instinctively, he would watch for signs from Luke that Jack’s choice was enough for now, a good-faith bet on their future. He was grateful that Luke might be ready to spend the night together. The other day, after coffee, Jack could barely keep his hands off him.
Is this what life feels like when you stop thinking about missions and strategies? Just pride, enjoyment, pure love? He knew one thing: Jack had never desired anyone like he desired Luke. Man, woman, Anna. Anyone.
“Thanks for choosing the restaurant,” Jack said when Luke got into his jeep. “It sounds perfect.”
“Quiet, elegant but not pretentious, a famously deep wine list, and the best Italian food on the Western slope,” Luke said.
Jack hadn’t pulled out of the driveway. They sat in the darkness, nervously smiling at each other, and Jack touched the back of Luke’s head.
“Hey,” Jack said.
“Hey,” Luke repeated.
They came together for a soft, tender kiss that was brief but powerful. They rested their foreheads on each other for a moment, and Jack said, “OK, time to go meet the folks?”
Luke pulled Jack’s hand up and kissed it. “Let’s go.”
Jack and Luke walked into the dark restaurant, and the hostess led them to the Garrisons’ table.
The parents rose to meet their son and the other man at his side.
Jack kissed his mother on the cheek and put an arm on Luke’s shoulder. “Mom, Dad. You remember Luke.”
“Yes, of course we do,” Mrs. Garrison said, shaking Luke’s hand and beaming.
“Evening,” The Colonel said, also shaking Luke’s hand.
The Garrisons returned to their seats while Jack pulled out the chair next to his mother for Luke, then sat on Luke's other side.
“It’s so nice to see you both back in town after so long,” Luke said with a warm smile. “How does it seem to you now?”
“Oh, it’s a special place, always has been,” Mrs. Garrison said. “We’re enjoying it so much, and the weather is cooperating for the most part.”
The initial chitchat flowed easily, with no long, awkward stretches of silence between comments about air travel and the hotel renovations. The Colonel talked enough to be cordial, but he seemed to be holding back, observing more than trying to stamp his signature on the scene.
The waiter took drink orders and asked about appetizers.
“What do you like here?” Jack asked Luke.
“The burrata looks nice.”
“We’ll start with that while we select our entrees,” Jack told the waiter.
“Yes, of course, Colonel Garrison. I’ll get this order in for you right away.”
Jack paused and smiled up at the young man. “Do we know each other… Donnie, is it?”
“Yes, Sir, Donnie. And no, we’ve never met, but I’m a student at Calder Ridge University. Well, everyone on campus has noticed you, Colonel.”
“Nice to meet you, Donnie. These are my parents, visiting for a few days, and this is…”
“Luke Calder, of course. Everyone knows Luke Calder.”
Luke was used to this kind of attention. “Donnie, hi, nice to see you tonight.”
Jack noticed that Luke never said, “Nice to meet you,” because he had explained that it would be awkward for the other person if they had already met. It was a small act of kindness, one of many Jack noticed in Luke.
