Page 64 of Dreams and Reptiles

Sauce.

My Francis.

It had only been a day and a half since I’d left him, but man, he was all I could think of. Last night, we’d had to put out a fire in the park started by some kids with firecrackers, and I nearly got distracted thinking about sitting by the fireplace with Francis the second evening we’d spent together. We watched a movie and talked for hours. I hated leaving that night, but I knew I needed a full night’s sleep, especially after all our activity. I was counting the hours until I could see him again and so damned happy.

Arnie, on the other hand, was bummed. Roger kept passing by and whispering to him. At one point, I walked in on them holding each other in the locker room. I closed the door and covered for them with the captain. I knew they’d be all right if they could just be patient, but I also knew how hard it was when your heart was flapping in the wind. I wanted them to be happy, and I knew Derek made them happy, but it was complicated. As much as folks were opening up about their queerness, there was still a lot of stigma surrounding polyamory, which made me sad for them. Whatever had Derek worried about being with them, I hoped they were able to work through it.

We served probably about two hundred meals that day in the baking sun, with the help of our opposite shift and some of the guys from the police department. Chief Mike worked alongside our fire chief, grilling hot dogs for the kids, while his daughter and her friends scooped out potato and fruit salads. He made his way over to me as we were cleaning up that afternoon.

“How’s Francis doing?”

My grin made him laugh.

“He’s good. He was in great spirits when I talked to him last night. His first big retreat started this morning, so he has plenty to keep him busy.”

“That’s good. Great guy. Love what he’s brought to the town.”

“Me, too.”

We both chuckled.

“Sometimes it’s hard not to be cynical at our age, but I’m happy for the two of you. I hope it’s the last time he has to deal with his past.” He patted me on the shoulder and strolled over to help his daughter and her friends.

I hoped so too. I was glad he’d let me be there for him. I worried about leaving to go to work, but he’d told me that he was fine being alone overnight and would be so busy the next few days with his guests, he wouldn’t have time to even worry about it.

So far, he really did seem okay with my schedule and my absence. I knew what we had was so different than my previous relationships, but there was still that little voice in my head asking me, what if it wasn’t enough? What if he needed more than I could give him? What if he got sick of me having to work, or having to deal with my creatures, and decided I wasn’t worth the work?

Speaking of my creatures, I’d had several messages from Alberto during the past two days, which was more than usual. Thankfully, the animals had all been fine, but first he thought the three rhino iguana eggs that were viable were about to hatch in a couple of days, and he’d let me know he’d found a nesting spot where some of the radiata tortoises had lain eggs. I had to decide if I wanted to allow them to hatch. I hadn’t wanted to be a breeder, and I could always feed the eggs to my other creatures—the circle of life and whatnot. The rhinos, though, I would allow just this once, to have the experience. I’d give them to friends, or I’d keep them all. I had plenty of space, and they were just so cool.

Those decisions were more things to take care of when I was back home, I knew, but like a teenager in love, all I wanted was to be back in Francis’s arms.

Then Shay called to remind me she’d be flying in day after tomorrow, and I was preoccupied with all I needed to do to get her room ready. I was excited to see her, but that was one more thing that would keep me from being alone with Francis.

Being with him made everything else fall away. I felt lighter than I had in years, more hopeful, too. I could see how some people gave up on everything else in their lives when they fell in love. At my age, however, it was even more tempting. I loved my job, but I’d worked so hard for so many years… Maybe I would retire at fifty. That was just over two years away. I wasn’t sure what that would look like financially, now that I had the big place and the animals, but it was more tempting than ever. I’d have so much more time, more energy…

Whoa, but then I’d be the way older retired guy dating someone not much older than my kids.

I needed to stop that line of thinking before I started to get ridiculous. We’d addressed the age difference multiple times, and I was the only one who seemed to have an issue with it. I’d more than kept up with him in bed, and he was so competent. So smart. Even when he’d needed help with his toilet, he’d asked for help and had me show him what to do so he could fix it on his own if it happened again.

My phone buzzed, and on my screen was a picture of Francis giving a thumbs up. Behind him, his dining room table was full of people smiling and toasting the camera with glasses of wine.

Saucy Boyfriend: So far, so good.

I was so busy smiling at the picture of Francis looking happy that it took me a minute to notice he’d changed his contact name in my phone.

Boyfriend.

I hadn’t had one of those before. It filled me with even more joy. I was so damned giddy, I was going to start pumping my fist in the air and doing a victory dance.

Saucy Boyfriend: I can’t use the same naming convention on yours, though. Reptile Boyfriend doesn’t have the same ring to it.

Saucy Boyfriend: Wait! I got it.

He texted a picture of my contact, with a picture of my face and⁠—

“Oh, God.”

I burst out laughing so hard, Mercy frowned at me from the sink where she was doing dishes.