Twas the day before Christmas, and I was more than a little
nervous of what was to come. Excited nervous, not scared. I wanted this first
time with Ethan to be something we’d both never forget. I wondered if there was
something I should do to prepare myself for him, but I didn’t have a clue and I
didn’t want to ask. It’s not like he didn’t know I was a virgin, but I didn’t
want to seem to be any more ignorant about sex than I was. Bad enough, I’d
never had a boyfriend or even been kissed before Ethan. I only vaguely
remembered what we’d learned in so-called Sex Ed. I don’t remember the teacher
discussing the actual mechanics of sex, and certainly not as it related to two
men.
I’d have to trust that Ethan, being more knowledgeable than
me, would have whatever we would need. I couldn’t help but smile at the thought
of making love with Ethan.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
I probably looked pretty goofy, smiling at nothing in
particular. I resisted the urge to giggle, my spirits rising as I looked into
his handsome face. “Just thinking about you,” I said, which was quite true. I
was. I didn’t feel the need to add that I’d been thinking about him naked. On
top of me.
If I thought his smile was beautiful before, it was radiant
now. “I never asked, do you care if we exchange gifts tonight instead of
tomorrow? Or we can wait, if you like. Whatever you want to do.”
Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day? I couldn’t think of any reason not to. Then I
realized that meant our lovemaking would be tonight… oh my. Assuming he was
willing, which I was pretty sure he was.
“Tonight’s fine,” I managed to choke out.
“Have you thought of anything you’d like to do tomorrow,
Vin?”
“I thought we could play it by ear, if you don’t mind.” I
wanted to see how tonight went before I committed to tomorrow. In case I fucked
something up, or if I was bad at it or something. I didn’t want to second-guess
anything right now.
“Sounds good to me,” he agreed. “Want to do a couple rounds
together before we split up?”
“I’d love to,” I said. I reached for his hand, which was
very unlike me. Generally I waited for him to make the first move, but I was
feeling daring. I joined our fingers, and was rewarded for my boldness with a
kiss.
The mall crowd was surprisingly orderly for the day before
Christmas, everyone intent on their own errands. Was it too much to hope that the
criminal element had taken the day off, infused with the spirit of good will to
men and brotherly love? Or was that just so much wishful thinking on my part?
I had checked the hours of the men’s boutique after we
arrived that morning. I would have plenty of time to make my purchase before we
left the mall. Suddenly, I was glad we’d gotten this assignment. Everything was
falling into place. It would be a perfect Christmas with Ethan.
After making our rounds, we split up and we each went our
own way. I noticed there were more kids than usual today, hanging around the
mall, or maybe I just hadn’t paid attention to them before. Out of school and
looking for something to do? Hopefully causing trouble wasn’t on that list of
activities.
They congregated in
groups of two or more, laughing and joking as they went from store to store. I
remembered there was an arcade on the second floor. Seemed a harmless way to
spend time. I liked to play video games myself whenever I
got the chance.
I noticed Kevin, the mall cop, talking to a thin,
dark-haired boy who looked to be maybe fifteen or sixteen. The boy’s eyes were
fixed on the floor, and he appeared to be on the sullen side. As I drew near,
the boy nodded tersely then slunk away. There was no Christmas spirit to be
found in that young man, I decided.
“Hey there!” Kevin greeted me. “How’s it going?”
“So far, so good. Everyone’s behaving,” I replied. “What
about you? Something up with that kid?”
“I dunno.” Kevin shrugged. “He was hanging around some women’s
store, and one of the clerks flagged me down as I walked by, said he made her
uncomfortable.”
A women’s store? I wondered what was up with that. “Maybe he
was shopping for someone?” I suggested.
“She didn’t think so. She says she can tell when someone’s
up to something. Besides, she said he didn’t look like he’d have the kind of
money to buy anything there, you know what I mean?”
I knew too well what he meant. I’d had that lean and hungry
look myself, once upon a time. I nodded. “Yeah, well, I’ll keep an eye out for
him.”
“Thanks. Tell your partner I said hello.”
I promised I would, and went on my way. There was no sign of
the kid, and I figured he’d left the mall.
All in all it was a quiet day. Ethan and I kept in contact,
either crossing paths now and then, or phoning one another. I was becoming
almost giddy with anticipation. I wondered if, when I gave him his gift, and
showed him my matching robe, he would understand the significance of what I’d done?
Or would I have to spell it out?
I wasn’t sure I could do that. I hoped he was as intuitive
as I thought he was. At least, when it came to me, he sometimes knew me better
than I knew myself. How scary was that? Maybe I should take some initiative and
buy a condom? Then I realized I didn’t know what size to get, or if he had a
preference. Guess not then.
We’d arranged to meet at the end of our shift at the South
Mall Entrance. It was almost that now. The men’s shop was on my way. I hurried
down the wide mall avenue, my cash burning a hole in my pocket, my heart
beating rapidly as I quickened my steps.
Damn. Just my luck, I stepped on one of my shoelaces, and
almost tripped.
Calm down, boy.
I moved to the side, bending over so I could retie my shoe
without danger of tripping anyone. When I straightened, I was standing in front
of one of the several jewelry stores in the mall. I glanced in the window,
attempting to even out my breathing a little bit before I met Ethan.
Someone had done up a
beautiful display for the holiday, showcasing jewelry for all tastes and
budgets. There were some very colorful bracelets there, I couldn’t help but
notice. Blue and green stones that caught and reflected the light. And others made of abalone. Not that I was in
to bracelets or anything. Or any kind of jewelry, really. But these were the
kind of things my mom liked to wear, on the rare occasions when she dressed up.
Looking at them made me miss her all the more. I wished she could see me now,
see what I’d made of himself. I was a federal undercover cop, and I traveled
all over the country, trying to make the world a safer place. I just knew she’d
be proud of me.
Lost in my thoughts, I was surprised to see a hand slowly snake
its way into the display. It looked very much out of place, and my instinct
told me something was up. My suspicion was confirmed when the hand closed
around one of the bracelets and began to slide back with a little more urgency
than when it had originally gone in.
Time to put an end to this nonsense now. Looked like the bad
guys were not taking the day off.
My weapon was in my shoulder holster, hidden beneath my
coat. I touched it briefly, as if to reassure myself of its presence. I could
call for the Charlotte PD if I needed to, once I figured out what I was dealing
with here. I sighed. So close to getting out of here I could taste it. And I
still had to get the gifts.
I entered the store slowly. A middle-aged clerk stood behind
the far counter. He was showing some rings to a customer, and was totally
engrossed in pleasing her. He had no clue what was going on in his store. No
sense in disturbing him if I didn’t have to.
With catlike tread, I turned a corner, approaching the area
behind the window, looking out for the thief. Just as I did, someone barreled right into me.
He’d been looking down at his feet, walking quickly, and never saw me until we
collided. He started to fall backward. Thinking quickly, I grabbed him and
helped him keep his feet.
What the hell? It was that same kid I’d seen before.
to be continued
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