Ryan
When I arrived home I took care of my dogs. Bessie was unusually hyper. I owed her a walk, so I decided to make time to take her on one. Duke was never interested in walks; just sleep, his food bowl, treats, and quick breaks outside.
I had a dog door for them, so Duke took trips outside whenever he felt like it. Once he was done, he would always find that perfect spot back inside to just plop like a bundle of dead weight.
There had been countless times where I thought I’d lost him because his breathing was so shallow, only to be pleasantly surprised that he still had a pulse. He had given me many heart checks over the years. But Bessie sure made up for his lack of energy. I guess she had enough energy for the both of them.
I took her on a different walking route than normal. I saved different routes for when I really needed to expend her pent-up energy.
Whenever a routine was changed for a dog like Bessie, they became better able to concentrate on their training and behavior. The ‘new’ kept them interested and on task. It was a trick I had learned a few years back. While ‘routine’ was helpful for new recruits to help them settle in and feel safe, change was good for dogs who were more hyper. Keeping them on their toes, so to speak.
Bessie loved the walk and thankfully when we returned home she seemed tuckered out and ready to settle down. Good. That gave me time to cook.
I probably went overboard the day before at the grocery store, getting supplies for the crawfish pie and for what I had planned for tonight. I was out to woo Tucker with my food. I heard it was the best way to win a man’s heart, and as a man myself, I could attest to that.
When I opened the fridge, I had a hard time finding what I required, as I had packed it to the rim. I slowly found everything I needed, then began prepping for dinner.
I had a couple of things planned. I probably went a little extreme in my menu planning, but I wanted Tucker to have a taste of what I could do.
I was making a crab bisque for a starter, with homemade garlic cheddar biscuits, shrimp etouffee, and a New Orleans rice pudding for dessert. I also made a batch of Hurricanes, a sweet but deadly cocktail, for our drinks. Oh yeah, I was breaking out my full arsenal.
While I cooked, I listened to Cajun music on the internet radio that I had piped throughout the house.
Mood music.
Tucker had said he liked spicy food with some heat. So I was making things the way I liked it, fire hot. It matched my mood, as I was hot for Tucker.
After a few hours of cooking, I freshened up with a quick shower, new clothes, and a splash of cologne.
I was ready.
Earlier I texted him my address, so when he arrived exactly on time, I was impressed. I grabbed the remote to lower the music, then headed to the door.
When I opened it, Tucker was standing there, cane in one hand, a leash and flowers in the other hand. Morgan woofed at me from his side.
“Well, hello to you, Morgan. And Tucker.” I leaned in and kissed his cheek. I specifically kissed the side with the scar. I loved every part of him and I wanted him to know it.
Tucker smiled. “Hello to you too. Something smells incredibly good. I can’t believe I’m hungry again, but I guess I am.” He walked in as I stepped aside and accepted the yellow flowers he had brought.
“Thank you for the flowers. Sunflowers are my favorite. You remembered.”
“I did. I know we’re guys and all, but dammit, I love sunflowers too.”
“Well, it’s incredibly thoughtful. I’ll go put them in some water. Please make yourself at home. Morgan too.” I walked off to the kitchen to take care of the bouquet.
When I returned to place the flowers on the coffee table, I found Tucker getting to know Bessie. Even Duke was over there greeting him and Morgan.
Tails were wagging, so that was a great sign.
Once Duke was satisfied with their smells, he moseyed on back to his dog bed along the wall.
Bessie was too busy trying to lick Morgan’s face. It was her way of saying hello. Morgan seemed to understand and allowed the golden dog a chance to get her licks in. Then Morgan looked up at Tucker for permission to leave his side.
Tucker was quick to figure it out. “Go on, Morgan. I’m fine. Go play with your new friend.”
Morgan and Bessie took off, barking all the way. Bessie went through the large dog door. Morgan stopped and sniffed it from the other side, unsure of what to do. Bessie barked a word of encouragement, and that seemed to be all that Morgan needed as she quickly disappeared through the door to play in the yard.
We both chuckled.
“Well, that went very well,” I said.
Tucker’s dimpled smile grew wider. “It sure did.”
“Want to join me in the kitchen?”
“Sure thing.”
Tucker followed me into my kitchen and sat at the breakfast bar on a stool, placing his cane along the wall there.
“Care for a drink, Tucker? I made us Hurricanes.”
“You did not! Hurricanes?”
I nodded, my smile devious.
Tucker shook his head in disbelief. “I got totally shitfaced the night before a game drinking those things. Coach heard about it and warned me that next time I did something that stupid, I was out. Luckily it was a pre-season game. But I just couldn’t help myself. That stuff was so good!”
“I make the best, so I guess we better make sure you drink a lot of water too.”
“Aren’t you a confident bartender?”
“Well, actually I worked as a bartender for a while to put myself through college.”
“I didn’t know that. And please don’t take this wrong, but I didn’t know you had gone to college either.”
“Oh yes, I studied animal psychology and then apprenticed under a dog trainer I admired.”
“Wow.”
“I make a pretty good living. It pays the bills. But I’m hoping to expand my operation soon so I can take on more dogs and hire extra help. I just bought the lot behind me, so I can expand my operation back there. Since we’re on acres as it is, the zoning laws allow for me to work out of my home.”
Tucker nodded, impressed. “You’ve got a nice thing here.”
“Did you have trouble finding me? I know my subdivision is kind of confusing with the houses spaced so far apart, and the streets laid out kind of haphazardly.”
“I admit, if I didn’t have my phone helping me, I would’ve been lost. I’m glad I’ll have it to show me the way out.”
“Yeah, it’s kind of crazy the way the subdivision is laid out. It takes a while to get used to it. When I first moved here, I got lost a few times.” I looked at the large blender, then back up at Tucker. “Back to the Hurricane: I take it that was a ‘yes’?”
“Yes, duh.”
I put my hand on the lid of the blender, refreshed the drink, then poured him a glass over crushed ice. I topped it off with a colorful drink umbrella, a small plastic sword with a maraschino cherry on it, and handed the wide cocktail glass to him. “Enjoy.” Then I made myself a glass.
We toasted.
“To old friendships and new beginnings.” Tucker smiled.
“I’ll drink to that.” After we indulged ourselves in the sweet drink, I remembered the dogs. “Let’s go check on the pups.”
Just then, the two dogs rushed into the kitchen, found a dog water bowl, and started drinking together.
“Well, damn. They must’ve been playing hard,” I said, looking down at the two.
Morgan paused from drinking and walked over to Tucker at his stool. He rubbed her head. “I’m okay, girl.”
Reassured, Morgan led the way as the two dogs ran off for parts unknown. Their feet made little scratching noises on the tiled floor as they flew off.
We both laughed.
“So, hungry?” I asked.
“Famished.”
“How is that possible? After that brunch? You ate nearly half the crawfish pie!” I laughed.
“Seriously? After what I’m smelling here? I’m dying of hunger!”
“Well, okay then. Let’s hook you up.” I motioned toward the small kitchen table behind Tucker. “Please have a seat.”
He got up and moved over to the already prepared table, bringing his cane and drink. Once he was settled, I brought him over the first course: a large bowl of steaming bisque.
“Wow. That smells incredible. Crab bisque! Aren’t you joining me?”
Forgetting myself, as I was just standing by the table taking in Tucker’s reaction, I got my bowl and sat down in front of him. “Okay, dig in!”
We both sipped from our spoons.
Tucker’s eyes widened. He took some Tabasco from the table and put a few drops on his bisque. Then he grabbed a slice of french toast I had cut in slices on a plate in front of him and dipped it in his bisque and took a bite.
“Ah, you’re familiar with the proper way to eat a N’awlins bisque,” I teased. “I do make a homemade french bread, but this is from the store.”
“It’s all very good. You should be a dog training chef.”
“If only such an occupation existed.”
“No, really. I’m in heaven. The flavors are crazy good.”
“Well, wait until you try the next dish.” I winked.
We sat there eating, looking at each other, deep in thought. The Cajun music softly played in the background. I noticed his drink was low. “Refill?”
“Yes, please!”
I got up, refreshed his drink, then mine, then grabbed our soup bowls and placed them in the sink. I returned from the kitchen with the main course. “Ready for more?”
Tucker looked up and smiled as I approached with his plate. I placed it before him. He leaned over and took a deep breath. “What is this heavenly concoction?” he asked.
“This is shrimp etouffee.” I placed my plate down and then returned to my seat.
We both started eating.
Tucker managed to stop his devouring of the meal to comment, “Okay, seriously. Wow.”
I smiled and kept eating.
We dined for a while, making small talk, taking our time.
The dogs returned and both sat patiently by the table, well-trained dogs that they were, hoping for a bite. I tore some of my french bread into two small pieces and gave them each one.
“I did not just see that, did I?” Tucker asked. “Isn’t that breaking some sort of dog training rule?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, playing dumb.
“I saw what you did.”
“What?” I asked batting my eyes, doing my best feigning of innocence.
“Uh huh.” Tucker smiled.
After a while I asked him if he was ready for dessert.
“Yeah, of course.”
“Okay, hang on a sec.” I grabbed our dishes and headed for the kitchen. I returned moments later with a casserole dish of rice pudding, a golden treat, along with two small dessert bowls. I placed the dessert on the table, spooned out a goodly portion into a bowl, then placed it in front of Tucker. “Bon appétit!” I spooned out a second bowl and took mine to my seat.
“Mmm, this is outstanding! Okay, that’s it. Is there anything you can’t do?”
“Yeah. I can’t wait for seconds,” I said as I eyed him up and down.
Tucker’s blue eyes fixated on my mouth just then. He grabbed his cane and stood up from the table, coming over to my side. He reached for my hand and gently pulled me to my feet. “How about you give me a quick tour of the place?”
“S-sure, okay.” I pushed my chair in, then led Tucker out of the kitchen back into the living room, hand-in-hand. The dogs followed behind us. We stopped for a moment and I said, “So, this is the living room.”
“Uh huh. Nice. Continue.”
I walked him to the back door and we stood looking out the huge windows. “That’s the yard.”
“Lovely. Go on.”
I led Tucker by the hand to the hallway. We stopped in front of a door on the left and I opened it. “This was my garage, but now it’s where I train dogs. It’s real fancy with all kinds of training things.”
“‘Training things,’ huh? Is that the technical term?” Tucker poked his head inside. “Real nice.” He then turned and stood right in front of me, staring at my lips, my eyes.
I cleared my throat. “Right. So onward we go.” I led him down the hallway. We continued down the hall, my pace hurried as we stopped at the next door. “My office.”
“Excellent.” He squeezed my hand.
“Oh, and spare room to your left,” I said without stopping.
“Spare room, check.”
Then I led him into my large bedroom on the right. I stopped suddenly and whispered, “Master bedroom.”
Tucker pulled me toward him so that we were standing face to face. Nose to nose. Then he tossed his cane aside, and put his hands on the sides of my face.
“Master bedroom. How lovely,” he whispered, then kissed my lips gently. He paused to turn and shut the door, leaving our two dogs in the hallway. He then returned to kissing me.
We kissed ferociously. Like we were searching for something, hungry for more.
I stopped us suddenly and placed a finger to his lips as I backed away. “One second. I’ll be right back.” I turned and headed for the bathroom. I left him standing there with his erection bulging through his jeans. He had made me wait all these years; it was only fair for me to make him wait a minute longer.