Unto Us the Time Has Come Read Online Free Page B

you need me, call the coffee shop or Jay’s Toys on 3rd. I’ll see you later.”
    “Are you really still at work? Kenn, that job is killing you.”
    “Just cleaning up. I was late getting in.” Late getting mugged. They took his phone, his bus pass, what little cash he had on him. It had been great. A banner fucking day.
    “You can’t keep burning the candle at both ends, ba—bad for you.”
    “Yeah. I….” I have to buy a new phone. “I have to get going home, Chris. You taking the kids to look at lights tomorrow or Christmas Eve?” At least it was just a few days before he’d have to buy a new bus pass.
    “We went today. We’re going skating tomorrow, and we’re going to my folks early Christmas Eve because we’re coming home early. You’re coming at eight, right? Help put the kids to bed?”
    “I’ll do my best, yes.” It was a long walk and he still hadn’t bought a tree for the apartment.
    “Are you… is everything okay? You sound… well, not.”
    “It’s been a bad day,” he admitted.
    “And you just wanted to hear the kids’ voices. I’m sorry.” Chris really did sound like he was.
    “That’s okay. Really. I’ll try to call from the toy store during a break tomorrow. If you see a weird number, it’s just me.”
    “Why aren’t you using your cell?” Chris asked.
    “I don’t have it anymore.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose, pinching it hard.
    “Why not?” Chris demanded. “I paid for the extended warranty, so if it’s broken, you just have to bring it in.”
    Kenn smiled. His logical lover. “I got mugged, babe. It’s gone, along with everything in my wallet that was worth a shit.”
    “Aw shit, no. Kenn, I’m really sorry. Hey, how are you getting home tonight?”
    “I’m hoofing it. I have to go. Like you said, it’s getting late and it’s been a long day.” Endless.
    “Shit, baby, call a cab. Have him bring you here and I’ll pay him when he gets here.”
    God, he wished. “And what are you going to do with me?”
    “Feed you. Keep you company. See with my own eyes that you’re okay.”
    Kenn leaned his head on his hand, fighting to breathe.
    “Then I’m going to put you to bed so you can sleep. I’ve seen the bags under your eyes.”
    “I have to be at work at….” God, he didn’t even know.
    “So? The kids and I will drive you. Or you could tell them you’re not coming in.”
    “You’re sure?” If Kenn was honest, he was scared and tired, a little bruised up, and sad.
    “A hundred percent. If you’re not here in a half hour, I’m coming looking for you.”
    God, that sounded so much like his Chris. Kenn capitulated. “I’ll call a cab.”
    “You do that. I’m serious. Come home.”
    God. Home. He wished.
    “A half hour or I’m coming for you.” The words were followed by a click, indicating Chris had hung up.
    Kenn shook his head and called a cab. He could tell himself it was because Chris might leave the kids at home and come for him, but honestly, he knew Chris never would and it was really because he’d had a bad day and needed his best friend.
    The cab played canned Christmas music the entire way, and the cabbie was chatty, going on about the storm in the forecast and about the things his grandkids had asked Santa for this Christmas. At least Kenn didn’t need to respond, just nod every now and then.
    Chris came out as soon as the taxi pulled up in the driveway, bills in hand.
    “Thanks, man. Merry Christmas.” The cabbie waved and pulled away, leaving Kenn standing there.
    “The house looks great.” It did. It was bright and beautiful.
    “I let the kids choose what they wanted.” Chris’s hand landed in the small of his back, guiding him up the pathway to the door.
    “They did a good job.” He was going to just break down.
    “They did. We bought new so I didn’t have to fight with the stuff in the attic,” Chris admitted.
    They went in, and the table was set for one. Chris moved to the microwave and turned it on.