Date: Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:01:56 EDT
From: Seaview99@aol.com
Subject: Just a Trim...: Chapter 8, Trouble in Paradise...

Trouble in Paradise...

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the
property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are
the property of the author.  The author is in no way associated with the
owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise.  No copyright
infringement is intended.

Two days later, Jim, again finished with his Sunday chores, thought about a
trip to Home Outlet.  Maybe he could take a look at the bathroom fixtures
he had thought about installing in the master bath of the house.  Wasn't
today a day that Chris was working?  He hadn't been last Sunday, so maybe
he could stop by plumbing, just to say hello.

He droved down, and walked into the store.  He thought, plumbing first, and
then stop by the bathroom fixtures section.  He proceeded in the direction
of plumbing, and turned down one of its aisles.  At the other end, he saw
Chris, apparently talking with another customer, a guy who appeared to be
in his mid-twenties.  Getting a little closer, Jim got a closer look at
him.  He seemed to have a nice swimmer's build, with just a hint of a
muscular physique.  He had straight, silky blond hair, parted in the
middle, falling midway over his ears, and collar in the back.  From what
Jim could tell from his profile, he seemed to be a good-looking guy.  As
they talked, they shifted positions, until the guy was looking directly in
Jim's direction, with Chris's back to Jim.  They seemed to be laughing, and
then Chris put a hand on the guy's shoulder.  As they finished laughing,
the guy seemed to look intently at Chris with a hint of a smile, and then
ran some fingers deeply through his hair, before reaching into his shirt
pocket to pull out some paper and a pen, and writing something on it.

As Jim got a little closer, they seemed to be finishing their chat, with
Chris nodding.  After several seconds, Jim thought that Chris said, "Ok,
I'll give you a call."  The guy then passed Chris with a casual squeeze of
his shoulder, as he whispered something in his ear.  Chris seemed to give a
small laugh at what he heard, and returned the shoulder squeeze, as he
glanced at the guy, smiling.  The guy then walked past Jim.  Taking a
passing look at the guy, Jim could see that yes, he was a very good-looking
guy.  Jim walked up to Chris, and tapped him on the shoulder.

Chris turned around to see Jim.  "Hey, how's it going?" he asked
pleasantly.

"Ok," replied Jim.  "Who was that, you were just talking to?"

"Just another customer.  Greg," said Chris.

Jim wasn't sure how to proceed.  "You'll be getting together?  I mean, I
thought I heard you say, you'd be calling him."

Chris could see something was bothering Jim.  "Yeah, we got to talking, and
the subject of a new movie we had both wanted to see came up.  We made
plans to see it together."

"He's a good looking guy.  Do you think he's gay?"

"From the vibes I got, I think so.  I did get a sense, while we were
talking, that he was trying to hit on me."  Chris paused.  "What's this
about?"

Jim proceeded slowly.  "Do you find him attractive?"

After thinking about it a bit, Chris replied, "Yeah, actually, I think he
is pretty `hunky.'

Finally, Jim came out with it.  "Wasn't Friday night special at all to you?
It was to me."

Chris could see the hurt in Jim's eyes.  He continued softly.  "Jim, Friday
night was very special to me.  But we're both going through a weird time
right now.  I've broken up with Sandy, and you have with your wife, at
least temporarily.  This is a time to be exploring our feelings, not shying
away from them.  If we happen to see someone who catches our eye, this
isn't the time to look away.  This could be a turning point in both of our
lives, which we should explore to the fullest."

"I guess this means you want to be able to see other people?"

"Yes, I think we should both see other people.  It doesn't mean we might
not end up together, but we should really explore what's out there, and see
how we feel.  We should take our time."

"Does this mean you don't want to go out again?"

"Not necessarily," replied Chris.  "But seeing your reaction here, which I
sense has just a bit of jealousy behind it, makes me think, let's cool it
for a few weeks, and see what happens."

Jim seemed to be backing off, and gave a small laugh.  "Yeah, I think you
summarized things well," he conceded.

Chris looked at Jim.  "Is there anyone else you've had your eye on?" he
asked.

Jim thought a moment, and then chuckled, as he remembered Ken's blue eyes.
"Yeah, there might be," he replied, with a smile, and glance at Chris.

"Hey, go for it," whispered Chris, encouragingly.


Reader comments welcome.  Please send to seaview99@aol.com