Senses 03 - Love Comes Home (DA) (MM) (10 page)

“Davey,” Sophia said, rushing up to him. She took him by the hand and guided him across the sand to where Howard and Gordy were already waiting. Greg watched for a few seconds as she chattered away, helping him toward the table.

“That’s what he needs—someone his own age who doesn’t see him as any different than anyone else,” Tom said from beside him. Tom took his hand. “Come on, let’s get the basket and stuff out of the trunk. I brought enough food to feed an army.” Tom opened the trunk and pulled out a basket, cooler, and a bag of food. He handed Greg the basket and cooler before closing the trunk lid. Then they headed across the sand. When they reached the table, Sophia was still chattering, and Davey was talking almost as fast. It was nice to see Davey’s animated personality make a reappearance.

“Let me help,” Gordy said. He took the basket and then the bag.

Tom began opening things and setting everything out. It was indeed a feast, with salads, bread, spreads, crackers, dips—most of it finger food. Greg’s stomach rumbled, and even Davey leaned over the table with avid interest when they said the food was ready.

“Take a seat and we can get started,” Tom said. He handed out plates. Greg helped Davey get what he wanted, and Sophia sat next to him, explaining where everything was like a pro. “She’s something else,” Tom whispered, and Greg followed his gaze. Davey was laughing and smiling.

“After lunch, Gordy is going to take me swimming,” Sophia said. “Actually, I’m going swimming, and he’s going to take Uncle Howard in the water.”

“I’m going too,” Davey said.

“Yup,” Greg agreed. He was determined that Davey do as much as possible. “Davey’s a good swimmer.”

“I’m not,” Howard countered. “I can keep my head above the water, but I never learned very well. My parents were afraid to let me near the water, so it wasn’t until I was older that I ventured into pools and things.”

“I’ll be with you,” Gordy said softly, and Greg watched Howard lean closer to him. With those two, it was like a magnet drawing them together. Howard seemed to know where Gordy was, regardless of whether he could see him. Greg turned away, but his gaze was drawn back to them. They were happy, contented, and secure in each other. It was something to aspire to. Greg shifted his gaze to Tom and smiled slightly to himself. He wanted what Gordy and Howard had, that much he knew.

Greg swallowed hard as he watched Tom play host. He made sure everyone was served and settled before taking the seat next to him. They shared a smile, and Tom bumped his shoulder slightly, nodding toward Davey, who was eating with relative ease compared to a week earlier. He was quiet, probably concentrating on what he was doing, but Sophia chattered away, and every now and then Davey would respond.

“It’s nice to see him happy,” Tom whispered. “You know, it’s nice to see you happy and smiling.”

“There hasn’t been a lot to smile about lately,” Greg said. “Sorry,” he added quickly. “That isn’t a reflection of you, but life in general.”

“You’re thinking about your ex-wife, aren’t you?” Tom whispered to him.

Greg nodded. He looked across the table and knew Howard had heard their little conversation. Thankfully, Davey hadn’t. Greg shifted his gaze to the food in front of him. He didn’t want to ruin everyone’s day, especially Davey’s. He seemed so happy, and Greg felt like a wet blanket.

“Can we play in the sand?” Sophia asked. “We won’t go near the water.”

“All right,” Gordy said. “But stay where we can see you.”

“I’m going to get the buckets and toys,” she told Davey and then hurried to where a net bag full of stuff rested with the rest of the beach bags. Sophia lifted it and lumbered back to the table. “I’ll find us a good spot and then I’ll come get you,” she said to Davey. She hurried away again and set the stuff on the sand.

“Davey, come around here. I want to put some sunscreen on you, and I’ve got your sunglasses,” Greg said, and Davey made his way around the table. Greg sprayed sunscreen on Davey’s legs, arms, and carefully made sure his face, ears, and the back of his neck were protected. He handed Davey his glasses, and once Sophia had received the same treatment from Gordy, she guided Davey to where she’d set down the toys.

“Greg, I might be out of bounds, but Davey seems to be doing very well,” Gordy said.

“I know it’s hard being the caregiver for someone who’s blind,” Howard said. “Gordy makes it seem easy, but I know there are a lot of things that he does just because they need to be done.”

“I want to help him,” Greg said.

Gordy chuckled. “Of course you do. But there are times when it seems overwhelming. Believe it or not, it’s the same way for me and for Sophia. We both love Howard very much, and he’s the other half of my heart, but there are times when I need some time to myself. Some time for me.” Gordy threaded his fingers in Howard’s. “That doesn’t mean I don’t love him or wish I wasn’t with him. It only means that I’m human.”

Greg looked at Howard, who didn’t seem upset by what Gordy had said.

“I’m perfectly able to take care of most of the things in my life. But it’s easy to rely on someone else when they’re there. So at least one evening a week, Gordy goes out on his own, usually to one of the local sports bars for a few drinks. He meets some friends, and they yammer about whatever ball people are kicking or throwing. The important thing is it gives him an evening of his own, that’s about what he likes.” Howard sighed. “Things in our lives can very quickly become about me. And in your life, things are very much about Davey right now.”

“You’re saying I need a bar night?” Greg teased.

“Maybe,” Howard quipped right back. “What I’m saying is, it’s okay to feel overwhelmed and even a little angry. Hell, it’s normal. You had a life that was taken away from you.”

“Remember how I said Davey was grieving?”

Greg nodded.

“It’s okay for you to grieve too.”

“I know. And I’ve thought I’ve done a good job with Davey. I’ve pushed where I thought I needed to and tried to guide where I can.” His thoughts went to what Joyce had said. “My ex-wife, who hasn’t been part of Davey’s life, accused me of not taking proper care of him. Davey asked if she knew, and she returned my call while we were in the car.” He shook his head to try to banish what she’d said. “Let’s talk about something else.”

“The baseball equipment arrived,” Tom said, like an excited teenager. “If it’s nice tomorrow, I was wondering if you’d like to take Davey to one of the parks to play. Do you want to give it a try too, Howard?”

“Sure,” he answered. “I have no reference for playing baseball, but it could be fun. I did contact some of the blind support organizations in the area. They were extremely interested in helping. The sight-impaired community in this area is small, but I think they’ll welcome any resources. I can call them and let them know when we’ll be playing next. They can help get the word out.”

“Perfect. I ordered two sets of bases and multiple balls as well as some helmets. I think it will be fun. It doesn’t matter if we never actually play a game. I think having the activity available will be a benefit,” Tom said.

“I agree,” Howard said quickly. “When did you want to meet tomorrow?”

“Say ten at Grafton Park?” Tom offered. “It won’t be too hot. I was thinking we could work on hitting and running to the bases.” Tom looked at him.

Greg nodded, Tom’s energy and enthusiasm infectious.

“Good,” Howard said with a little apprehension in his voice.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be there. This should be fun,” Gordy said softly, patting Howard’s hand. “Token can watch you too.” The dog shifted slightly beneath the table, brushing Greg’s leg before settling once again.

They finished the last of the lunch, and Greg helped Tom pack things away. “I brought dessert but I thought we could go in the water first.”

“Davey is both scared and excited about going in the water,” Greg admitted as he watched Davey digging in the sand. Sophia was building a sandcastle, and it appeared Davey was supplying her with wet sand from a nearby hole. “He’s having a ball,” Greg said, finally letting go of some of the tension he’d allowed to build up. He hadn’t realized it was there until he took a few deep breaths and let some of it go.

“I’m going to take Howard to change,” Gordy said.

“We’ll watch Davey and Sofia,” Tom offered.

“No digging into the chocolate cake, though,” Howard warned.

“How did you know?” Tom asked.

Gordy chuckled. “Howard can smell chocolate of any kind from half a mile away, I swear.” They moved away, with Howard between Gordy and Token.

“I need to get Davey a dog like that. I know he needs to learn things first, but having a dog to help him and be his constant companion would be good,” Greg said, watching Davey, who had moved over to where Sophia was working, feeling his way around the castle, which was really just a pile of smoothed sand.

“Hey,” Tom called and took off in Davey’s direction as a group of three older boys ran down the beach. They marched right over the castle, knocking Davey backward onto the sand.

“You should watch out, baby!” one of the boys called.

Greg raced across the sand to Davey. Sophia was already helping him up, scowling at the boys.

“You meanies!” she cried at them, her hands on her hips.

“I’m okay, Dad,” Davey said. “They surprised me. I heard them coming but kept expecting them to turn away.”

Greg looked in the direction they’d gone and saw Tom walking back toward them, holding two boys by the arms. He marched them past and up the beach to where two ladies sat on chairs. They were too far away to hear what Tom was saying, but from the looks of it, the boys and their mothers were getting quite an earful. Greg saw Tom let the boys go and stood back as the entire party, along with the third offender, who’d worked his way back, packed their things. Tom was still scowling as he made his way back.

“They won’t be bothering you again. They’re gone,” Tom told Davey and Sophia and then shifted his gaze. “I explained to their mothers that they had the choice of leaving or I’d call Don Marshal, the park manager, and they could be thrown out and banned for the rest of the year.”

“You can do that?” Sophia asked, eyes wide.

That was exactly the question Greg had been about to ask.

“Yup,” Tom said with a wry smile. “Gordy and Howard went to change to go swimming.”

“I already have my suit on under my clothes,” Sophia said.

Greg was grateful he’d thought to have Davey do the same thing. It would save one change of sandy clothes. Sophia hurried back to the picnic table. Gordy and Howard had returned. Greg guided Davey back.

“Could you really have had them banned from the park?” Davey asked.

“Yup,” Tom said, popping the “p.” “The women argued that it was a public park. I simply informed her that last year the park needed new picnic tables and bathrooms. My family’s foundation helped them secure the money. I worked with the park manager, and he was grateful for my help and owes me a few favors, so having them banned from the park for bad behavior would take a phone call and nothing more. They left.”

Greg sat down and guided Davey onto the bench. He helped him out of his shirt and then began spraying on more sunscreen. “I need to change, so you stay here with Uncle Howard and Uncle Gordy until I get back. I shouldn’t be long, and then I’ll take you in the water.” Greg hurried to the bathroom and changed into his suit. When he returned, Tom was sitting next to Davey, ready to go into the water. Greg did his best not to stare. He and Tom were about the same age, but Tom didn’t look like most guys in their mid to late thirties. There might have been a touch of gray in his hair, but the strength and fitness that had been hinted at under Tom’s shirts was most definitely on full, mouthwatering display.

“Let’s get wet,” Gordy said, and their group made its way toward the water. Sophia raced ahead, wading into the edge of the water while she waited for everyone else.

“Take a few more steps and you’ll be able to feel the edge of the waves,” Greg said. They stepped onto the wet sand, and a few seconds later, water raced around their feet and then ran back out. “God, that’s cold.” Greg shivered.

“Wimp,” Davey said from next to him, laughing.

“The water gets deeper just ahead,” Greg said. “Do you want to go out?”

“Yeah,” Davey said, inching forward. In a few steps the water went from ankle to knee depth.

Greg shivered, and Davey bent down. “If you splash me, you’re on your own,” Greg warned.

Sophia walked over, splashing Davey a little, and he retaliated. Within seconds, water was flying everywhere, with Greg in the middle. He released Davey, who stood still and sent water in every direction. Gordy and Howard got into the act. Greg stepped out of the water, watching Davey closely.

Tom stood next to him on the sand, still dry, laughing like a fool. “Now, that’s something I never thought I’d see—a water fight between two blind guys.”

Gordy had moved away, carrying Sophia along with him, leaving Davey and Howard to splash each other, laughing and grinning like fools.

Tom moved closer, and Greg felt him slide his arm around his waist. It felt good, and he closed his eyes. He’d always imagined being swept off his feet with passion and desire, but this was much quieter, calmer, and equally nice. “Maybe I should get Davey in case he falls.”

Gordy joined them, carrying a squealing and laughing Sophia. “No. Let them have their fun. The waves are small, and I doubt either of them will move a step until they wear themselves out.”

Token ran back and forth along the shore, playing right along with the two of them.

“Okay, Davey,” Howard said. “You win.”

Davey put his hands in the air, and Greg moved back into the water to help his dripping son out. “I take it you had a good time.” Tom brought a towel and Greg wrapped Davey in it. The water was indeed cold, and Davey was shivering by the time Greg got him out. “Let’s get you in dry clothes and then we can have dessert.”

Davey nodded, shivering. Greg got the bag of dry clothes and guided Davey toward the bathrooms. Once inside, he helped Davey get dry and change into fresh clothes. Then they made their way back to the table.