Green

by Jeff Baker

Luis Vella opened the apartment door on the first knock. Guy Weston was standing there, dark-haired and exhausted.

“Oh, man,” Luis said. “I wish you’d texted me, I would’ve picked you up!”

“Don’t worry,” Guy said. “It wasn’t a long walk from the bus stop. And I only have one suitcase.” He set the suitcase down on the floor. “And the overnight bag.”

The overnight bag looked like it had been packed for several nights, actually.

“I got it,” Luis said, grabbing the bag. He grabbed the bag. It was heavy.

Luis grinned at Guy. Under the jacket and sweatshirt he bet Guy still had rock-hard muscles like when they had been in High School. Luis had noticed.

“Hey, I got that,” Guy said, hoisting the suitcase and shutting the apartment door behind him.

“Thanks a million for letting me stay here,” Guy said.

“No problem,” Luis said.

“Where do I put my…”

“Uh, over here.” Luis said. “By the couch. It pulls out into a…bed. Bedroom’s through there.” Luis pointed. “Bathroom’s right next to it. You’re pretty much standing in the kitchen.”

Luis nodded at the stove and fridge against the opposite wall.

“Hey, I like it. A lot bigger than your old apartment,” Guy said.

“Our old apartment, you mean,” Luis said. “But there, the bathroom was at the end of the floor, remember?”

Guy laughed. It had been three years ago, just after they’d graduated college. They were starting to get together but then Guy had the opportunity to travel and see the world.

Luis had lied and said he was all for it.

During those years they had texted each other. A lot. Now, standing in front of each other they were wondering what to say next.

“Hey, I love this old building,” Guy said, breaking the silence. “Right in the middle of downtown.”

“I shop at the convenience store across the street a lot,” Luis said.

“It’s just after St. Patrick’s Day, why does the building have Christmas decorations up?” Guy asked.

“Oh, that!” Luis said. “They’re taking pictures for a city Christmas card tonight. Watch this.”

The apartment had been sort of dark with just the kitchen light on, even though it was just after dusk. Luis walked over to the window that faced the street and the corner that was partly in shadow and flipped a switch. A small Christmas tree on the little table in front of the window lit up.

“Oh, that’s cool!” Guy said.

“Yeah,” Luis said, grinning.

“Remember the little tree we had in that apartment?” Guy asked.

“Yeah,” Luis said drawing closer. “Dancing to Christmas carols on the radio.”

“Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree. Ya dee-dee-dee da dee-dee-dee…” Guy sang as they embraced and danced, both men laughing.

Hey, I got the tree on just in time,” Luis said, glancing out the window. “Looks like they’re here to take the pictures.”

“You want to…” Guy said, thumbing at the window.

“Sure,” Luis said with a grin.

The two men stood behind the window, just far enough back to not be that obvious but where Luis knew they could be seen from the street and kissed. Several times.

Luis looked into Guy’s eyes. “You wanna stay here for a while?” Luis asked. “And not go to the trouble of opening up the couch bed?”

Guy smiled. “Sure.” He kissed Luis again. Then he laughed.

“Remember the rest of the song?” Guy asked.

Luis shook his head.

Guy smiled and sang:

“Reminding me on Christmas Day

To think of you and then be Gay…”

The two men laughed again. Then Luis’ phone buzzed.

“Hello?” Luis said. “Yeah. Yeah, we could do that. Okay, thanks.”

He stuck the phone back in his pocket.

“That was Mr. Fell, my landlord. He’s out there with the photographers.” Luis said.

“Yeah?” Guy said.

“He wants to know if we could get right by the window and kiss again.”

Guy grinned.

“Oh Christmas Tree” ran through their heads as they embraced by the little tree.

—end—