My Baby Chased Away the Blues by R.A. Thorn

Author:R.A. Thorn [Thorn, R.A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: NineStar Press, LGBT, Romance, historical, gay, bi, genderqueer, cross-dressing, law enforcement, blue-collar, 1920s
Publisher: NineStar Press
Published: 2019-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

IT WAS FOGGY in the morning, and Ev burrowed closer when he awoke, dragging the blanket over both their heads.

“Happy birthday,” Del told him.

Ev grunted into the pillow.

“If you get up, we can go out for waffles.”

Another grunt.

“I have a present for you.”

At that, Ev lifted his head, pushing his hair back and frowning. “When did you get a present? You didn’t even know it was my birthday until yesterday.”

“I dashed out when you were in the bath.”

Ev kept frowning, still grumpy. “Does it have anything to do with coffee?”

Del admitted it did not, and Ev disappeared back under the blanket.

Finally he allowed himself to be coaxed from the bed and into his clothes. Suitcases in hand, they found a café, soon had hot cups of coffee at their elbows, and Ev descended upon the promised waffles with wolfish glee. When he was mopping up the last pool of syrup, Del handed him the little brown package.

Ev stared at it, his fork still in his mouth. Slowly he reached for it.

“If you don’t want it, you don’t have to keep it.”

“A camera,” Ev said, having torn aside the paper.

“Happy birthday,” Del repeated, trying not to be disappointed that Ev didn’t seem more excited. He’d known Ev might not like it straight away. “Later we’ll go find that milkshake.”

“Thank you—you’re a peach to run out and get something for me. But,” Ev hesitated. “What am I to take pictures of?”

“Why, anything you want. Remember how Teddy said it was important to learn how to frame shots? Even if it’s a cheap camera, I thought you could practice with this.”

Ev nodded, turning the camera over in his hands. “I suppose.” He sounded reluctant.

Del wished he would come out and say plainly whatever was bothering him. “Like I said, if you don’t want it—”

“No. No, I do.” He forced a brighter smile onto his face.

Del dragged his fork through the remains of syrup on his plate. “I don’t know what you want sometimes.”

Ev bristled. “You’re the one who got me the present. I didn’t ask you to do it. I wasn’t even going to tell you about my birthday.”

“But why? I’d have wanted to know.”

“Do I have to spell everything out for you?” Ev snapped and then scrubbed a hand over his face. “Look, I’m sorry.”

He nodded, trying not to let his hurt show. He’d known the camera was a sensitive subject, for whatever reason, and maybe he shouldn’t have bought one for Ev. But it didn’t sit right with him, Ev giving up on his dreams. “Shall we go?” he finally asked after a long minute of silence.

“Yes.” Ev tucked the camera into his coat pocket and rose to follow him to the door.

They took the ferry over to San Francisco and spent a few hours wandering around the city. Standing on the docks, watching the bustle at the ships, Ev slipped his hand into Del’s for a second, squeezing it, and Del gave him a smile.

At the bottom of one of the long, steep hills, Ev took out the camera and snapped a hesitant picture.

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