We were still talking about the tornadoes on our taxi ride back to the house from the airport. I said, “Yeah, I was scared, but I was absolutely fascinated, too. It was sort of like watching The Wizard Of Oz. I wanted to be safe, but I also just wanted to feel the awe of watching nature at its most powerful.”

Marshall said, “Yeah, I agree. For everything that I know about the weather, I have a healthy respect for all that we don’t know. Those storms can still be unpredictable, and there was always a slim chance that a disturbance could cause it to move toward us.”

I said, “I was glad that the two we saw didn’t cause any serious damage. Afterwards, I thought it would have been really hard to say we went on a trip specifically to see a storm that leveled houses and killed people.”

Marshall grabbed my chest and said, “Aw, you’re just a warm and fuzzy guy inside. I love that about you, Jordan.”

The taxi driver stopped outside the house and we hauled our luggage out of the trunk. I opened the kitchen door and said, “Home sweet home!”

Marshall pulled two roller bags through the door. He said, “It is really good to be home.” Then he sniffed the air. “Something smells really good.”

I said, “It’s the cookies here on the counter.”

“Cookies?” asked Marshall.

“Yep, there’s a note, too.”

Marshall peered over my shoulder. He laughed and said, “They’re from Billy. I recognize the handwriting.”

The note welcomed us back and said that they wanted us to feel comfortable in our home when we arrived. He said we might find a few more surprises. The note was signed by both Billy and Becca.

I asked, “What else do you think we’re going to find?”

Marshall shrugged. “With Billy, it’s hard to tell.”

We walked into the living room arm in arm and I said, “They moved the furniture around!”

Marshall laughed out loud. He said, “That’s so funny. I started to move the furniture over a year ago, and told Billy how heavy the couch was. I never tried to move it again.”

I said, “That’s true. We just threw out my ratty old couch when I moved in.” Then I pointed at the coffee table. “There’s a new framed photo there, too.”

Marshall reached for it and then showed it to me. “It’s a great photo! I guess Becca moved in while we were gone. Those chairs aren’t Billy’s.”

It was a posed photo of Billy and Becca with Ernie and the Great Dane. The sofa was familiar from Billy’s house, but Marshall was right, there were chairs that I didn’t recognize.

Before we could discover any other surprises from Billy and Becca, Marshall’s cell phone rang. He tugged it out of his pocket, and I asked, “Who is it?”

Marshall grinned. “It’s Joey.”

I said, “Put him on speaker. He should be moving in this week.”

Joey said, “Dr. Easterling, I remember that you said you were getting back home this weekend. I can’t wait to see your photos of the tornadoes, but I also wanted to thank you again.”

“Thank me?” asked Marshall.

“Yes, for talking to me about the meteorology department. Mr. Vaughan was so helpful in talking to me about math, but I needed something a little more, um…and I hope he’s not listening, practical.”

I laughed and said, “I heard that, Joey. I love you, too.”

Joey said, “Oops. Well, anyway, I move into the dorm tomorrow, and I can’t wait to see you in class Dr. Easterling.”

Marshall said, “Thank you for calling, Joey. I’m really looking forward to the semester, but for the next few days just relax and enjoy getting to know your new friends. The classes will start soon enough.”

“Will do, Dr. Easterling, and give Mr. Vaughan a big hug for me. Tell him to keep an eye on Shane. He needs it like always.”

After Joey hung up, I said, “He really has what it takes to be a great math major, but I guess I can settle for him being into meteorology.”

“Settle?” asked Marshall. “And what is wrong with meteorology?”

I grinned at Marshall and said, “Not a thing. Not one thing.” I hugged him tight and kissed his sweet lips. Then Marshall stared at me with a look of confusion while I slowly counted out loud, “One, two, three…”

My voice was drowned out when ten of our best friends leaped from out of closets and behind furniture shouting, “Surprise!” and “Welcome home!”

Marshall slowly spun around in a circle and I saw tears slowly come to his eyes. Billy stepped up and put an arm around his shoulders saying, “Don’t cry, buddy. This is a happy day.”

Marshall protested, “I am happy, but I can cry, too, if I want to.” He turned toward me and asked, “And you knew about this, too?”

I grinned and said, “I had it arranged before we left for Kansas.”

Marshall said, “I’ve never had a group of friends like this.”

Billy pointed at me and said, “And you’ve never had a man like that. It just goes to show, Marshall, when those two uneasy pieces fit exactly right, then the whole puzzle comes together to make one glorious, beautiful picture.”

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Thank you for reading Uneasy Pieces. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed writing it for you.

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