Entering Autumn by Wayne Mansfield

Author:Wayne Mansfield [Mansfield, Wayne]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2014-10-30T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

By Thursday Clayton had finished his programmes. Small wonder since all he’d been able to think about was Dean. The shame and guilt of his uninvited grope had worn off, and now the young man had returned to haunt most of Clayton’s waking hours and quite a few of the ones he spent asleep, as well.

He’d also been shopping, for some new shoes and a new summer wardrobe for the start of the first school term of a new year. He was fully prepared. At least for everything work-related. He wasn’t at all prepared for the phone call he got from Emmett just after midday.

“The tissue samples have come back positive,” he said, sounding more frightened than he ever had before.

“I’ll be right over,” said Clayton. “Are you home?”

He heard Emmett sniff. “Yes,” he said as though the effort to say anything more would have him in floods of tears.

“See you soon.”

Clayton moved like a whirlwind, snatching up a bottle of wine from the wine rack in the pantry, and his car keys from the table. He flicked the kitchen light on so the place would be lit if and when he returned home later. As he was hurrying down his front steps, he spied Dean coming along the footpath.

“Hi Clay,” said Dean.

“Hi Dean. How are you?”

“Great. I was wondering…”

Clayton hurried around to the driver’s side of his car. “I’m sorry, Dean. I really have to rush. A bit of an emergency. Sorry.”

He jumped into the driver’s seat and hoped Dean wouldn’t think him rude, although he was certain the look of anxious panic on his face would say whatever he hadn’t had time to verbalise. He indicated, then sped off in the direction of Emmett’s house. He considered calling Jan, but wasn’t sure whether Emmett was up to hosting a small group. I’ll call her later.

Emmett looked exhausted when he opened the door. Drained and exhausted. His nose was red and his eyes were rimmed with the same colour. His complexion was pale.

Before they said a word they hugged. He could hear his friend sobbing gently. For many minutes they stood together, holding each other in silence. It was a good thing he hadn’t called Jan. This was all Emmett needed, just someone to be there with him so he didn’t have to go through his ordeal alone.

“Thank you,” said Emmett after his tears had stopped.

Clayton put his arm around Emmett and together they walked into the lounge.

“You sit here,” he said, “and I’ll go and pour us a wine. It’ll settle your nerves. Help you calm down a bit.”

When Clayton returned after pouring the wine, he handed one to his friend and sat down beside him. He took a sip and waited for Emmett to speak.

“It’s funny, you know,” Emmett said finally.

Clayton smiled. “What is?”

“Here I am, almost grief stricken, and all they want to do is take a little more skin. It doesn’t necessarily mean anything. And it’s not like I don’t have any to spare,” he said, grabbing a small roll of flab at his middle.

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