Author's Notes:
I want to thank my Readers. You guys are the best. Okay, these characters are not meant to resemble any living or dead persons. I make no apology to anyone who is offended by anything in this story. If you do not agree with the idea of guys being in love, then find something else to read. Let me know what you think of the story by emailing me at
Copyright © 2008-2018 by Chuck B
Jason and Shaun
Chapter 26
Shaun has been job hunting since he graduated college. None of the jobs have been a good fit for him. Finally, he found one that looks good at least on paper. There is one small problem. The position is located in Salt Lake City, and it would mean moving or having to find an apartment and flying home on the weekends, but that will get expensive after a while. Shaun isn't happy over the possibility of moving, but the job may not happen. Still, it's too good of a position to pass up. It's unfair to Jason to pull him away from Indiana. His family is here, his job is here, and he's going to college here.
`How can I do this to him?'
Jason is in the pet room when Shaun enters the room.
"Jason, do you have a minute?"
Shaun asks as he struggles with his thoughts. Jason closes the tank that he's working in and turns to face his husband. He can see apprehension in Shaun's eyes. It worries him to see Shaun like this, but as usual, he doesn't have to wait long for him to speak up. Shaun likes getting things out in the open.
"Jason, I...I found a job that fits me perfectly, but there is a problem. It's in Salt Lake City. It's an editor's position at a newspaper there. What do you think?"
Jason is silent as he takes in what Shaun just said. Shaun's news has come as a bit of a shock.
"You didn't see any editor's jobs in this area."
Jason asks as he looks hopes that Shaun will reconsider this job. Course, he isn't expecting him to give up on this job either.
"You can scroll through the search if you want."
Shaun tells Jason hoping to avoid a fight. Jason isn't going to argue. He'll put his trust in husband.
"Will you get the job?"
Jason's voice tone, volume, and cadence are chosen carefully so he can avoid said argument.
"I meet all the requirements for it, so I think the chances are pretty good that I'll get the job."
Shaun doesn't want to jinx the job.
"Jason if you don't want me to apply for this job, say so and I won't apply."
Shaun knows this could affect his lover and his life. Jason kisses Shaun to reassure him, then he gathers his thoughts. He wants his words to be clear and concise.
"Shaun, I'll support you no matter what so go ahead and apply."
Shaun kisses Jason and gives him one more kiss. He turns and walks back to the office where the online application is still sitting and waiting for Jason click send. He clicks send then, he watches and waits till he knows that it's submitted before walking away. Collapsing on the couch, Shaun can't believe that he sent it off.
***
Three weeks later, while Shaun is doing dishes his phone rings. A rush of emotion comes over him as he answers it. With each question, he gets more and more nervous. When the interviewer ends the call, Shaun walks into the bedroom and collapses again. He was told, it will be another week or two before the next interview.
***
Shaun calls his dad to tell him about the job.
"Shaun, what a pleasant surprise. How are you?"
His dad has always had a great relationship with his kids. His relationship with Shaun has improved since he got married.
"I'm good actually. I had one of two job interviews today. I think I did okay on it."
Shaun is glad that Shaun has landed a job interview.
"What is the job interview for son?"
Shaun is distracted by the cats. They want attention from him.
"Sorry, the cats are being pests. It's for an editor at newspaper in Salt Lake City."
His dad is thrown for a loop. It's pretty much the same thoughts that Jason had when Shaun told him. Shaun had boldly declared before going away for college, that he would never come back to Utah. Shaun had boldly announced before leaving for college that he would never return to Utah. Shaun realizes though that he needs this job, so he's willing to go if Jason is willing to go. Now, he gets ready to ask his son the most critical question.
"Shaun, why not get a job in Chicago?"
Chicago had jobs for people with majors in English. However they were not jobs that Shaun wanted to make careers out of.
"It has a lot to do with something you told me back in high school, "Don't settle..." and I'm not settling."
"So, what does Jason think of this job and moving if you get the job?"
Shaun takes a step back as he thinks about Jason and the job.
"Jason is stressing over it but he loves me so, he'll go with me to Utah."
Shaun's dad is still concerned about the possible move and what it could mean for his son's relationship. He doesn't want to see Jason hurt and he doesn't want Shaun's depression to rear up again.
"Did that come from what you want or from what Jason's heart?"
"Dad, do you think I would speak for Jason?"
His dad smiles as he listens to his son.
"No son, I think you would have talked to Jason, and I also think that it's eating at you as well. Don't let it kill you son."
"Dad, I will try my hardest to not beat myself up too much."
Shaun may say it, but he isn't making the same promise to himself. This is one time that he doesn't want to make the promise. He knows why too. It all boils down Jason.
"It's all you can do son. Otherwise you'll make yourself sick. Keep us up to date son."
"Count on it Dad."
"Bye Shaun."
"Bye Dad."
Shaun is hurting, but he's hopeful that this job and subsequent move will be the right thing for Jason and for him.
***
Jason pulls up to the house not knowing about the news that Shaun has for him. Jason gets out of his car and walks up to the house. Shaun knows that Jason is about to enter the house. When he comes into the house, his husband is waiting for him.
"I have news on the job."
Shaun's face shows the emotion that he's feeling on his face. Jason continues to put his belongings away as he listens to the news from his husband.
"I had my first interview today."
"How did it go Baby?"
Shaun isn't sure how to start this off with him, but guesses that he already has so why stop.
"I made it to the second round of interviews."
Jason is excited over the news.
"Are you okay with the news?"
His question makes Jason smile.
"Babe, you know perfectly well, that I'm okay. Sure, I have some challenges ahead of me. School and work will fall into place. I married you Shaun, and that is that. Now, we will deal with this one day at a time."
Jason is scared and anxious, but he'll make the best of the move.
"Are you excited about the job?"
Jason hopes that Shaun is excited about it.
"Yeah, but I'm stressing.
"Don't stress, I know everything will be okay."
Shaun just nods his head silently agreeing with him. Shaun and Jason are okay with the job, but the move scares both of them.
***
Shaun is in the office when he becomes emotional. He is really suffering now. Jason may say that he's okay, but he's not okay with it. After all, Jason has decisions to make on work and school that he wouldn't have to make if Shaun didn't apply for this job. He knows, he's being selfish and that bothers him. Shaun will have to deal with it though, and he doesn't like it at all.
***
Shaun wants to be productive, so he decides to enter the pet room. He decides to open Lucy's cage and reaches down to grab the water dish. The fact he can work in her cage amazes him. It's a testament to Jason's patience and Lucy's temperament. Shaun fills the water dish and then sets it back into the cage. As quiet as he can, the tank's lid and locks are put back in place. He then grabs the cats' food and feeds and waters them. At the tail end of this chore, Jason enters the room.
"Wow, you gave Lucy her water?"
"Yeah"
"Thanks, Babe."
Jason says with a smile and then hugs his husband. Shaun doesn't often water Lucy. He'll handle her, but tank stuff is a no, no.
"I didn't empty her soaking container because she was too close to it."
"It's okay Shaun, I appreciate what you did, and I'm sure Lucy does too."
Jason is glad that Shaun took the time to do that chore for him.
***
It's a little later in the day and Shaun is in a funky mood, so Jason decides that they need to do something.
"How going out to eat tonight?"
He hopes Shaun will take the bait.
"Sure, that sounds really nice."
Jason doesn't need anything else to be said. A night out would be perfect for both Jason and Shaun. They can celebrate his job interview and enjoy the night out as well. Course, it will be eating out on a budget. They decide to eat at their favorite Chinese restaurant. Jason and Shaun kept the conversation away from the interview and the job as much as possible. In the end, it was the perfect date.
***
It's the end of the day, and Shaun is sitting out in the living room writing in his journal.
"Dear Journal,
I'm working towards a new job which is a great, but the job is in Utah. I hope that I get the job because we could use the extra cash. I don't want my husband making decisions that could affect his degree or his job. I also don't want to take this job just to find out that I don't like it. All I can do is cross my fingers."
With the entry done, he looks at Jason who is reading on his e-reader.
"Babe, I'm done with my journal, so I'm going to get ready for bed."
Jason pauses his reading long enough to respond to his lover.
"I'm almost done with his chapter so I'll be coming to bed pretty quickly myself."
Fifteen minutes later, Jason and Shaun are in their bed cuddling.
***
The next day at work, Jason and Mr. Bowman are at the lunch after having a successful presentation and after the making sure that the animals are put away. Jason has had numerous conversations with his mentor, boss, and friend and today will be one of those days where he needs advice from his mentor.
"Shaun has applied for a job in Salt Lake City. He's had his first job interview and is waiting on the second job interview. I know the right thing to do if he gets the job, is to go with him, which I will. I'll have to see about graduation, find a new job, and I'm trying my best not to stress, but it's hard to not to stress."
Mr. Bowman has had moments in his life where he's agonized over a decision. It's hard to know which path to take sometimes. Even though, he knows the way that he's taking leads to Utah and a chance to be closer to Shaun and Shaun's family. Maybe, it wouldn't be so bad to be there.
"So, what are you going to do?"
Mr. Bowman asks Jason to see what's he's thinking of doing.
"I'm going to follow my husband."
His boss isn't surprised by Jason's proclamation. He knows Jason would go anywhere with and for his husband.
"I'm going to tell you this, and I want you to listen. Don't stress about this. Things will work out."
The older man is crafty and is already thinking up ways to help his employee. He can help him without Jason knowing it until it's time to reveal the news.
"Mr. Bowman, how do you know that everything will work out?"
His boss gives him a smirk and then answers.
"Just a feeling, Jason."
He has a weird feeling that he can't shake. He has learned not to second-guess his boss. Sometimes, it seems like the man has secret powers. Jason decides to go with his boss's suggestions. Jason decides to go with his boss's suggestion. Lunch is over, and they go back to work.
***
Shaun decides, that he needs some fresh air, so he steps outside and sits on the swing. At the same time, Sarah goes outside to visit with Shaun. As she gets closer to him, Shaun waves.
"Hi, Shaun, what's up?"
She says as she sits on the swing next to hear. Shaun isn't sure how to begin this conversation. Sarah has been a good friend, so she has a right to know what's going on in their lives.
"I applied for a job in Salt Lake City, and I had my first job interview, but I'm worried that it's the wrong move for us."
Sarah doesn't want the guys to move because of the help and support they've given to Eric since they moved into the house. They've been great role models and friends.
"Well, is the job worth the worry?"
Shaun doesn't have to think too hard on her question.
"Yeah, it's worth all my worrying."
He says holding his hands in his lap as he looks up into the sky.
"You've spoken to Jason about the job and the interview?"
She asks her good friend already knowing the answer, but she also knows that all too often Jason is wise for his age.
"Yeah, I've spoken to him already about the job and the interview. He keeps telling me that he supports me."
Everyone he talks too apart from Jason has asked if he's already spoken to his husband. How could he go through the process of applying for this job without speaking to Jason about it?
"Did the interview go okay?"
She asks hoping things went well.
"It went great. I think they liked me."
He would really be depressed if his future employees would have turned him down in the first interview.
"Shaun, do you want me to give Eric a heads up?"
Sarah doesn't want to see her brother hurt by his friends' departure.
"No, no reason to worry him over this mess until we know that the job is a sure thing."
She understands his reasoning.
"I know, you're not looking for advice, but I would say stop worrying about it, and listen to your husband."
She is right, Shaun wasn't looking for advice, but he likes her advice. It isn't enough to stop him from worrying, but it did help ease his mind.
"Love you, Shaun, it will be okay."
"Thanks, Sarah, love you too."
Sarah got up and heads back to her house before her little guy gets up.
***
Shaun has been trying to stay busy, and right when he's pretty much succeeded in easing his mind, Jason walks in, and it all comes rushing back. Jason wants to take his lover out of dinner. If he doesn't get turned down, then they'll celebrate. The question is can he get him to go.
"Shaun, we are going out to celebrate?"
Jason wants to get out and celebrate this significant step in his husband's life. Shaun stares at Jason in disbelief.
"I'm not sure that I want to go out Jason."
He can see the disappointment in his husband's face.
"Come on Shaun, let's go, babe. No place fancy just us and some food, what do you say?"
Jason is being sincere, and Shaun can feel it. It's practically bursting out of him.
"Okay, you talked me into it."
Shaun stands up to get ready to go. After fifteen minutes, the guys leave their house for a meal out of the house. An hour later, Shaun is glad that he allowed Jason to take him out. At least for tonight, he can relax.
***
The next day, Jason calls his advisor at school and sets an appointment for later in the day. He must do something so he can be free to move. The idea is to put his work experience towards graduation. He's been documenting his time at Mr. Bowman's company and every presentation. He grabs his binder and then texts Mr. Bowman to tell him what he has planned. He gets the green light from his boss.
"This plan has to work otherwise I'll be here finishing school while Shaun is in Utah working."
Jason is counting on his plan working. If not, he'll be depressed; really depressed. After putting his phone away, he takes his shower, gets dressed, and heads out to the university. Once arrives, he heads straight to his advisor's office. She has been an excellent person to talk to when he's needed an ear. She brings him into the office, and they immediately start their conversation. He explains the situation, that he finds himself in currently. She feels for him. He then tells her what he wants to do. Knowing that he'll only get one chance to get this done right. She knows his end goal and accepts the binder and tells him not to worry. Her actions today mean that Jason can graduate early.
***
As he leaves her office, he pulls out his phone, so he can call his mom's and dad's house. He is excited to share the news with his parents. His mom answers the phone, and they make small talk until his dad becomes available to talk.
"So, I have big news, we might be moving to Utah. Shaun applied for an editing job out there."
Concern instantly washes across his parents' faces.
"What does that mean for you?"
His mom asks out of concern. She doesn't want to see him messing up his life just because Shaun intends to return to Utah.
"It means that I had to make some decisions. I haven't take my speech class before taking my current job because I hated public speaking, but as you know my job is all about public speaking. So, I have went to my advisor and showed her my work binder and got a year worth of experience but towards graduation, and that experience went into a waiver for the speech class. Which means that I will be graduating sooner then I thought. It also means that I have to find a new job, but hopefully, that will be easier now."
His dad feels slightly better about Shaun and the move knowing that his son is thinking soundly.
"Is the job a sure thing?"
His dad asks hoping to hear good news.
"No, it's not a sure thing. There is a one more interview, and then hopefully we'll be moving off to Utah."
"Jason, I don't want you moving that far away, but I feel better knowing that you'll be able to contribute to the household."
Jason knows that his mom doesn't want him going that far from home, but at least he'll be there with Shaun.
"I had better get going. Have a great day."
Jason has one less thing that is holding him to the area. He knows a job will find him, they always do with a little preparation and work. A part of him doesn't want to move, but he wants to be with his husband. The tie to his best friend and lover is a strong one. This moment in their lives feels huge. He decides against telling Shaun right away about what he's done until it becomes a little bit more official.
***
When Jason enters the house, he finds Shaun sitting on the couch, watching television, and cuddling with the two cats. He quietly walks over and sits down next to his guy.
"Hi Babe, how are you?"
"I'm thinking about the move and all the work that needs to be done."
Jason looks around the house and realizes that there is a lot of work to be done before they can move, but at least they have one another.
"It's going to be stressful but look at this way, you aren't doing this alone. You have me, our families, and our friends. Talking about friends, have you spoke with Sarah, Mark, or Eric?"
Shaun nods his head.
"I spoke with Sarah about the move, but I asked her not to say anything to Eric because I wanted us to do that or at least me."
Jason is cool with that and then cuddles up closer to Shaun. One of the cats decides that it doesn't want to stay on Shaun's lap now that Jason's is available for napping on and moves.
***
About fifteen minutes later, there is a knock on the door. Jason gets up and opens the door. Eric walks into the house and looks at Shaun and Jason as if he's waiting for bad news.
`I asked her to keep the news quiet.'
Eric sits down in one of the other chairs in the living room.
"Sarah came home from your house and went into her room and was crying. She wouldn't tell me what was up, so someone here owes me an explanation."
Eric wasn't happy. No one makes his sister cry. He's trying not to sound angry since he doesn't know what's going on with the guys.
"Eric, we have news for you. I applied for a job in Salt Lake City, and they called for a job interview via the computer. They said they liked me and that they'll make their final decision after the second job interview."
Eric's jaw dropped. He doesn't want the guys to move away and be gone. Sure, it might have happened someday, but he hasn't graduated yet, and this just stinks. Bottom line, he's happy for Shaun.
"Well, I don't want you guys to go, and I wish that I was going with the two of you. Thanks for being my friends and my neighbors. I really do appreciate it."
Eric's trying really hard not to get emotional. It's hard though. Shaun gets up and hugs the teen. He then looks into Eric's eyes.
"We might be moving, but nothing changes. If you need us, day or night, all you have to do is call, and that goes for Steve too."
Jason looks at Eric and reflects back through their time in this house. He's glad that Shaun handles this one because he might have shed some tears as he spoke with the young man. They completely forgot about how close graduation for Eric and Steve was looming. One more month and the guys will be gone.
"You guys be good. I know Steve will want a chance to say goodbye so make sure you give us a chance to say goodbye before you move away."
Eric hugs Shaun and then moves over to Jason and hugs him too.
"Guess, I had better get home. I have homework to do."
Eric doesn't have homework. He doesn't want the guys to see him getting emotional. They say goodbye one more time and then Eric heads home. Jason and Shaun sit down and enjoy the quiet of the house. A moments pause before the stress of moving smacks them in the face.
***
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