Back Where You Belong by Maggie Blackbird

Author:Maggie Blackbird
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, gay, lgbt, contemporary
Publisher: eXtasy Books Inc

* * * *

Stephen slipped from the SUV to the icy cold attempting to find its way into his clothing. His face stung from the shivering air daring to try and freeze his exposed skin. Everyone would call him crazy if they knew he was going to this extreme for sex. But it was more than sex. Being asked back to Hudson’s house meant his former lover was thawing.

The Hudson that Stephen had known in the past would’ve never made such a suggestion, not the vindictive man whose scorn knew no mercy. If he was patient, Stephen stood a chance.

He scooted up the walkway he always kept shoveled and salted so Mom wouldn’t unnecessarily slip. Walking was hard for her, no thanks to the disease attacking the joints on the soles of her feet that had created bulging thick balls. Grandma had also suffered from rheumatoid arthritis, and so had Great-Grandma.

Stephen shivered because the autoimmune disease was inheritable. All he could hope for was once he reached his late forties, it wouldn’t attack him, too. But he was Mom’s only child. She had to pass the disease to someone, and he was the only someone.

He threw open the back door, and the cold followed him inside. The utility door was closed, containing the frigid air within the room. Since Mom hated messes, he made sure to slip off his big boots that kept his toes warm and cozy.

“Stephen?” Mom called out.

“I got your chicken.” He kept his parka on and entered the kitchen and adjoining living room. “Did you want me to get you a plate?”

“Please.” Mom had the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network on, her favorite channel. She was watching the news.

Stephen strode over to the cupboard and retrieved a plate. He also grabbed some cutlery and ketchup.

Mom’s lubricating drops sat on the end table—the disease also attacked her eyes and made them extremely dry. Already she’d had her corneas replaced because the woodstove heat had been too hot for her to handle and had created ulcers on them. So Stephen had installed propane to run an electric furnace, which was less drying for Mom and easier on her eyes. Of course, purchasing the fuel was super-expensive, but they had no choice.

The humidifier ran on the end table, letting out steamy moisture to keep Mom’s eyes hydrated.

Stephen fixed up the dinner tray in front of Mom’s spot and set her chicken on top, along with the plate, cutlery, and condiments. “Did you want anything to drink?” Evenings were difficult for her, a time when her joints were at their worst. The temperature didn’t help either.

“Please.” Her voice was soft.

He glanced at her finger braces in their usual spot instead of on her fingers to keep her joints from becoming disfigured. Grandma’s fingers had shifted to the side, making it difficult for her to do anything, and if Mom didn’t start following her therapy, she’d face the same fate.

Stephen opened the fridge and grabbed the pitcher of filtered water, Mom’s go-to drink.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.