A Tale of Nine Read online

  “I’m happy to know that and it certainly eases my nerves, but no, it’s none of those things.”

  “May I open it?”

  Makai’s gaze shifted to the present. His anxiety sparked anew with the simple thought of, what if he thinks it’s cheesy or silly? This was quickly followed by more pessimistic worries, like what if he laughed when he saw it or was disappointed in what he found? The knots in Makai’s stomach tightened further, his breath catching in his throat a moment.

  Maybe this whole idea was crazy.

  Maybe he’d made it to his forties without anyone because that’s the path the universe laid before him; solitary, quiet and alone.

  A hand on his knee made Makai jump, snapping him out of his downward descent. His gaze fixed on Nolan, who looked genuinely concerned, eyebrows knit together.

  “Makai, are you sure everything’s okay? I’ve never seen you this way before.”

  For fear he might shatter his wine glass, realizing he held it a bit tightly, Makai settled it on the coffee table. The crackling flames were warm, but he was quite chilled. “I…” He bit his bottom lip.

  Nolan followed his lead, disposing of his beverage. “I don’t have to open the gift. You don’t have to give it to me if it’s causing you this much anxiety.”

  With a spark of courage, Makai grabbed the box and thrust it toward Nolan. “No. I did this for you and for a very important reason. If I don’t follow through now,” at this point his voice broke a bit, “I’m afraid I’ll never do it. Open it.”

  “Alright, as you wish.”

  Chapter 3

  Nolan handled the nicely wrapped gift with care, admiring the precision of the job. No matter how hard he tried, his own giftwrapping efforts looked about the same as they did when he was a child. He ran a hand over the magenta paper, a curly bow of silver perched atop. The size and shape of the box reminded Nolan of the coffee table books he often looked through on his lunch break at the bookstore.

  Could that be what awaited him within, a lovely tome full of beautiful photos?

  Nolan took a moment to glance at Makai, wondering why his beloved acted so strangely about the contents. They’d exchanged gifts here and there over the course of months they’d been together. Just little things mostly, but Nolan found he cherished each item for the meaning behind them was far greater.

  It meant that upon seeing whatever it was, from a book to a pair of funky socks—they’d been rainbow colored and covered in fuzzy sheep—Makai thought of him. Was there any better feeling than knowing he’d crossed the mind of a man who left him smitten?

  “Oh please,” pleaded Makai, his hands clutched tightly in his lap. “Please open it before I die over here.”

  Nolan shook his head. “I’ve never seen you this way.” He found it worrisome.

  To appease his beloved, and to ease his unspoken but clearly visible misery, Nolan took to peeling away the paper. Then he was removing the lid of a white box, sweeping aside tissue paper to discover the treasure buried within. At first, he wasn’t entirely sure what he was looking at, it was a book, of that there was no doubt, but not exactly the type he expected.

  “Oh no, you don’t like it,” lamented Makai, his shoulders slumping.

  “Cut it out,” Nolan replied as he ran his hand over the cover. The leather cover was simply black with a gold embossed heart on the front. Elegant. Nolan removed it from its nest of tissue paper, setting the box aside, and again giving the cover a loving stroke. “I’m intrigued.”

  Upon opening to the first page he discovered an inscription; which he read out loud. “‘Nolan, my love, you will always be my one and only. The nines have it.’” The last bit brought with a frown, his eyebrow popping up. “What does that mean, that bit about the nines? Is that some sort of slang I’m unfamiliar with?”

  His question prompted Makai to flinch, the likely involuntary reaction quick and barely noticeable; a blink and it would have been missed. There had been some question from friends when they made it official that they were exclusive, mostly his own, wondering if he’d lost his mind wanting to date someone more than a decade his senior. They told him horror stories and made jokes, but Nolan followed his heart and it always led to Makai, who was he to deny it?

  “I…”

  Was that a blush of rosy red he spied on Makai’s cheeks? Was he embarrassed or was it a byproduct of the fire? Nolan gazed at Makai, loving the way the fire made the streaks of gray in Makai’s black hair look more like glimmering silver. If only he could capture the moment forever, but as per usual when with Makai his cell phone had remained in the pocket of his coat, and a picture wouldn’t have done it justice anyway.

  While Makai seemed to search for words, Nolan turned to the next page. That’s when he realized that he held in his hands a scrapbook. He quickly scanned a few of the pages finding them similar. Each contained writing and random items or photos, sometimes both.

  “What is this?”

  Makai hung his head, letting out a breath. “Moments captured forever.”

  “Huh?”

  He rubbed the back of his neck, then finally met Nolan’s gaze, a half smile on his lips. “I stumbled upon it by accident, mind you, but as I was looking back through my journal the other day, yes I journal, I began to notice a pattern. The nines have it,” Makai echoed. “They kept popping up. A nine here, another there, and the more I found, the more I searched until I finally came up with this idea.” He pointed at the scrapbook. “Maybe I’m not making sense. Go ahead, read a page or two.”

  “Okay.”

  Nolan focused on the first page, with its copy of the journal entry, a napkin from a local coffee joint, the printed cover of a book and stickers all related to the warming beverage.

  January 9th, 2018

  Today was quite unremarkable. It snowed again for the umpteenth time and people were quick to vocalize their usual complaints about it. But you know come summer they’ll be whining it’s too hot. Personally, I saw it as a perfectly good excuse to try out that new coffee joint. The inside was kitschy and the music mostly eighties hits, which is great. The crowd was decent, busy enough to suggest the goods were worth it, but not so busy as to turn me away.

  I had a hot cocoa and the most divine piece of apple pie. It reminded me of my mom’s. I’ll call her when I finish this, see how her and dad are getting on down in Georgia.

  But none of this is all that important really, it’s all set up for the real reason I felt compelled to rush home and make this entry.

  I crossed paths with the most ravishing guy today. I’d settled at a table with the Dean Koontz book I’m reading and let myself get lost in the pages. You know how I am when I read, the world ceases to exist, at least, the real one does. So, there I was, nose deep in the enthralling tale of a talking dog when the juggling of the bell over the café door drew me back to reality. It wasn’t loud or even noteworthy, but it did the trick.

  I looked up.

  And saw him.

  He was absolutely splendid. Somewhere around five-eight, brown hair and the build of a man who makes time for the gym but also likes to indulge his sweet tooth. He’s somewhat younger than me. Age is just a number, right?

  I was captivated by him, watching him move through the café as though he’d frequented it often. When he flirted with the barista my heart broke a little. Of course he’ll be straight, what else is new? And yet, I still felt drawn to him. What’s the point of having, what do they call it, gaydar, if I can’t pick out my fellow gays?

  Part of me felt like a creep for watching him so intently, yet I found it hard to tear my eyes away. And when he smiled, oh my, he has dimples! I saw them from across the café! And the way his face lit up, oh be still my heart!

  And then it happened.

  He started walking back my way, his order in hand, a simple coffee with cream by the way, and I reached for my cocoa, nearly knocking it over. The sound of the mug knocking against the empty pie plate caught his attention and he looked at me (eep!). For a split second our eyes met.

  I may have stopped breathing.

  Then he nodded his head. “Good book,” he said, and I practically died.

  He’s a bookie! A bibliophile just like me! Or at least, he enjoys a little light reading.

  Be still my heart!

  I fumbled for something to say, but words failed me and he was sailing out the door before a witty retort came to mind. The agony!

  Now I’ve been home for hours, had myself a healthy filling dinner, watched my fave show, and guess what? He’s still on my mind! Is it possible this man is my meant to be? Is that love at first sight thing true? Is this fate, destiny, or any of those other things mentioned in books and movies?

  Or am I just expressing loneliness since it’s been a while?

  Ugh. Why is this so frustrating?!

  Nolan looked up to find Makai studying him intently. “You wrote about that, our first encounter?”

  If possible, the color of Makai’s cheeks deepened. “Yeah, is that weird?”

  Nolan shook his head, reaching out to squeeze Makai’s hand. “No, I think it’s kind of cute. I feel special to know you noticed me. And that was a good book, by the way.”

  “Absolutely. Did you know it was my first by Dean Koontz?”

  “No. Have you read more?”

  “Of course. You loaned me some, remember?”

  “Oh yeah,” Nolan chuckled. “I forgot.” He flipped to the next page, which upon a quick skim of the journal entry decoy red the second time their paths crossed, this time involving introductions. The one surprising detail was discovering Makai had stopped by the café every day since the 9th until that moment with hopes of seeing him. “You waited for me?”

  Worry clouded Makai’s brown eyes. “Soun
ds creepy and stalkerish, doesn’t it?”

  Nolan shrugged. “To some, sure, it doesn’t bother me, though. However, I’m still not sure I know what you meant about the nines.”

  “Look at all the dates,” prompted Makai, tapping the open page.

  Nolan leaded through the scrapbook, eyeing the first notation of each entry. Each and every single one of the dates contained a nine. Except for one. He drew up short on the sixth page and pointed at the date.

  “How does this one fit?”

  Makai leaned forward to get a better look, the firelight making the shadows dance. Outside the unpleasant weather continued, rain tip-tapping against the window. The wind howled every once in a while, and for a brief moment Nolan wondered if they might be in for a brutal winter. This September had already been chiller than usual. It had even snowed a little the other day, nothing more than a passing flurry, but certainly still a surprise this time of year.

  “Oh, that’s the moment we first kissed,” Makai explained, a touch breathless. “We’d just gotten out of the movies, remember? We were holding hands as we strolled down the sidewalk, discussing the feature when you abruptly stopped and pulled me to you for a kiss. Our first.”

  Like someone hitting play, Nolan recalled that moment with perfect clarity. It had been chilly, dark, clouds racing across the sky, people chattering on the sidewalk as they hurried toward their destinations. Passing cars splashed through the slush. They’d been talking about the superhero movie they just saw, discussing the ups and downs and their favorite moments, when they were stopped at the corner by a No Walking sign. With the lights of the businesses glittering off the wet streets, a park across the street covered in a blanket of snow, the warmth of Makai’s hand in his own, something struck Nolan and he just knew it was time.

  He’d turned to Makai, and in the middle of a remark about the spandex outfit worn by the superhero, Nolan cut-off Makai. The kiss started out sweet, tentative, a trace of salt from the popcorn still on Makai’s lips. A heartbeat later it deepened as Makai melted against him, the chill of the winter evening disappearing as it became just the two of them. Nolan distinctly recalled the feeling of Makai’s hand against the back of his neck, the other on the small of his back. He’d placed his on Makai’s hips, slipping them around for a full embrace.

  “I loved that night,” Nolan said softly. “I think it was the night I knew.”

  “Knew what?”

  “That it was the real thing and not some fling.”

  Makai moved closer, putting his arm around Nolan. He planted a quick kiss on his cheek. “I’m glad it turned into something more. I think this is the happiest I’ve been in a very long time.”

  “And look, you’ve relaxed,” Nolan said, resting his head on Makai’s shoulder, his gaze falling on the fire, the book still in his lap.

  “Do you like it?”

  “No,” Nolan replied, quickly adding, “I love it.” He ran his hand down the page about their first kiss. It featured a ticket stub from the movie—he hadn’t known Makai held on to it, he had, too—and silhouette of the superhero, amongst other little things. “This is probably the greatest gift anyone has ever given me. The thought, the time, this is a true labor of love, and you did it all for me. I must be the luckiest man in the world.”

  “I think I am, too.”

  “Why were you afraid to give it to me?” Nolan finally asked, having found Makai’s earlier behavior upsetting.

  It was a minute before Makai answered. “I worried you might not like it. That you would find it silly.”

  Nolan gasped. “Never! I’m going to cherish it forever.”

  “Good, because I cherish you.”

  “As I do you,” he countered.

  For a little while they cuddled in companionable silence, arching merely enjoying the company of the other. While the weather showed no signs of letting, the fire kept going, keeping them warm and wrapped in a magic embrace. The book truly hit Nolan in the heart, making him more thankful than ever that he decided to try the new café back in January. If he had frequented his normal place would their paths have never crossed? Would they not now be sharing another wonderful date?

  How had he gotten so lucky?

  And yet, a little voice nagged at him, one which refused to be hushed or ignored. So he let it say what it needed, the words popping out of his mouth as soon as the thought crossed his mind.

  “Today is the 19th of September.”

  Chapter 4

  The fact Nolan loved the gift filled Makai with such joy, and eased some of his nervousness. Of course, there remained the matter of the question he wished to ask, the one he started the day feeling so hopeful about, and nearly backtracked on. Fresh determination stomped out the remaining anxiety. This mattered to him.

  Makai cleared his throat. “May I share with you my favorite entry in the book?”

  “By all means,” Nolan said, offering up the scrapbook. “I think I’m going to enjoy every entry. Maybe I should start keeping a journal so I can capture all these thoughts and feelings and never forget them.”

  “You haven’t forgotten anything, I bet, it’s up here,” he tapped Nolan on the head, “waiting for you to reminisce.”

  “Why reminisce when I can simply lose myself to this very moment? You’ve truly outdone yourself this evening, Makai.”

  “And I’m not even done yet.”

  “No?”

  “Nope.” He’d turned to the page he wanted, already knowing the words by heart, recalling each and every single one from the moment he put pen to paper. It had been the greatest day of their relationship, hopefully to be slightly overshadowed by tonight. The journal entry was joined by ticket stubs to the county fair, a brochure for the Freak Show—which he’d been amazed still existed—and a little rift of pink cotton candy in a small bag to preserve it.

  With the book resting in Makai’s lap Nolan was able to see it. “Oh, that was such a fun day. You won me a teddy bear. I still have him, you know, he sleeps on the pillow at my side every night I’m not here with you.” He paused a moment, then added in a voice barely louder than a whisper. “I like to think it’s almost the same as having you with me.”

  That was the instance Makai knew he was on the right track. That one simple declaration gave him all the hope he needed.

  He cleared his throat. “I’m honored you feel that way.” He yet again kissed the top of Nolan’s head. “Let me read this passage, then there’s something I would very much like to ask you.”

  “Oh, whatever could it be?” Nolan asked with childlike wonder.

  “You’ll know soon enough, I promise.”

  “Will it include more wine, per chance?”

  “Definitely. There’s also cheesecake in the fridge.”

  “My favorite,” Nolan sighed. “You spoil me so.”

  “Because you’re more than worth it. Shall I read?”

  “Yes, please. I find my curiosity in regards to this purposed question is quite piqued.”

  “Okay.”

  Makai began to read.

  July 29th, 2018

  I’d like to say this summer has been refreshing, but let’s be honest, the days have been hot and the nights almost unbearably muggy. We haven’t seen rain in nearly a month it seems, though I’m guessing it’s actually shorter and just feels horribly long because it’s always sunny.

  On the bright side (can I consider that a pun?), I’ve spent so many wonderful hours in the presence of Nolan, my sweet love. Who knew something like this could be so wonderful, so magical?

  I’ve dated before and I have foolishly thought myself in love before as well. Oh, but how wrong I was! The way Nolan makes me feel, it’s indescribable. Like I’m walking on air or floating on cloud nine. Yet neither of those sound right. They fall short of how I feel. The way my stomach gets that butterfly feeling when I see him and how I smile just thinking of him.

  And then, today, he said the most splendid words!

  But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let me start from the beginning because I want to remember every little detail of today. To have it etched permanently in my mind for years to come.

  We went to the county fair. Yes, under the rays of the unrelenting sun in its endless field of blue, we went to entertain ourselves around a swarm of people. I haven’t attended the fair in years! As soon as we stepped out of the car I was assaulted by the heavenly aroma of fair food, deep fried deliciousness that’s all so bad for me but too yummy to resist. And the music, it was like being jettisoned back to my childhood.