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Jim had been living with Chris for a week and he got home from driving the pilot car.
Chris had tears in his eyes and he said," I have some bad news for you and I think you need to sit down."
As they sat down Chris took a deep breath and said, "Your girlfriend called and she said she thinks she wants to break up with you. She said you living with me she thinks you maybe at least bi."
Jim chuckled and said," I am not surprised she has been acting weird for about a month and throwing that I am living with you is just an excuse. She is probably going out with another guy already."
Chris slid over and started hugging Jim and Jim didn't fight it.
After about 5 minutes Jim said," I am alright I am sorry she made that remark about you, that just shows you what kind of a bitch she is."
He said," I can take that. I am glad you are alright." Jim said," I was kind of expecting this in the back of my mind because the way she was acting if I wasn't living with you, she would have made up another excuse and the thing is she is a coward because she knew what time I got off work so she wasn't even brave enough to talk to me."
Chris said," Are you sure you are alright?"
Jim grinned and said," Yes, I just thought I would share that part with you. Whoa, I smell something good."
Chris smiled and said," Yes, that is a roasted duck with asparagus and Russet potatoes."
Jim said," Wow, I never had roasted duck before." As they walked into the dining room Jim was absolutely amazed he couldn't believe the place settings and also the food on the table and he saw the dinner rolls and he couldn't believe what he saw.
He said," This is unbelievable, this table is unbelievable. My parents would love you."
Chris said," Why don't we sit and enjoy this meal. With you here has given me the opportunity to cook meals like this."
They sat down and Jim got himself a duck and passed the plate to Chris and then took some asparagus and put it on his plate and then got a Russet potato and then put the butter and what looked like homemade sour cream.
He bit into the duck and couldn't believe how moist and the duck was and the asparagus had butter on it.
When he bit into the potato and tasted the homemade sour cream he said," Ummmmm delicious I can't believe how good the dinner is."
Chris said," I love the thought of sharing my cooking with another man. I love having you here even though we sleep in different rooms. "
Jim said," I knew we would be good friends and this is further proof. Our conversations have been outstanding. It is funny I look forward to the evenings I spend with you and also the weekend we spent together. " Chris had tears in his eyes and said," I really enjoy the fact that you appreciate this. I also appreciate your help very much. You have been such a dear friend and I love the fact that you are here."
As they were eating there was a ring of the doorbell and Chris went to answer it.
Chris came back and said," There is some piece of equipment being delivered here do you know about this?"
Jim said," The smoker?"
Jim walked to the front door and there was the man with the smoker.
Jim said," That is the smoker I built when in high school. Come bring it to the back."
They put the smoker on the back patio and Jim came back smiling.
Jim asked," Chris, have you ever tasted barbecue ribs or briskets?"
Chris said," Yes I believe so."
Jim said," The ribs or briskets the best way to do them is slowly like several hours over say the ribs over hickory and briskets or any other beef type meats over mesquite."
Chris said," I see I would love to see you doing that."
Jim said," How about this weekend?"
Chris said," Ok, that sounds good."
They finished dinner and Jim after strong insistence helped Chris with the table and the kitchen.
Jim said," I should have told you it was coming but I forgot it was coming."
Chris said," Oh that is alright, you brought so little here and are you going to use briquettes?"
Jim said," No, there will be two types of wood out there if you don't mind I will have them stacked neatly and off the lawn."
Chris said," No, I don't mind what kind of wood?"
Jim said," Oh it is hickory and mesquite that wood burns slower than briquettes."
Chris said," Oh good will love seeing you smoking some meat."
Jim said," Good if we aren't careful you might be knowing the neighbors intimately after this smoker gets fired up a couple of times."
Chris laughed and said," I can imagine I bet the aroma will have the neighbors over here." Jim asked," So you don't mind?"
Chris said," No, I don't mind and besides you have very little here and I loved barbecue food."
Jim said," Great, Chris you are such a good friend and it is such a joy to come back after work."
Chris said," I always look forward to when you come back through the front door. You have been such a tremendous help to me. I love our conversations and I love the friendship which I feel will be such a deep and endearing friendship."
Jim said," I wasn't sure what would life be like living with a gay man but now that has been answered."
Chris asked," Where did you learn about smoking this meat?"
Jim replies," My uncle from my father's side is from South Carolina and he hunts wild hogs and he smokes them all this done during the fall. I remember sometimes during the fall I would be there when he smokes it. I remember it being so good. Now I am going to try to remember his recipe for the sauce it is good."
Chris said," Wow, I am finding out more and more about you what else have you been holding out?"
Jim said," Well, I am just a regular guy has some southern roots. Also evidently I made a bad choice with a girlfriend and by the way, my mom couldn't stand her. "
Chris laughed and said," We all make mistakes who we have relationships with."
Jim chuckled and said," You are right."
Chris said," Well, Jim I suggest that prepare for any kind of relationship you might get into it might be a "straight" relationship or you might go into a same-sex relationship and I believe it doesn't matter as long as it is a loving caring relationship."
Jim said," Wow, you are a man of great wisdom."
Chris said," I don't know about that I believe I am muddling my way through life like just anybody else it has taken me years to realize I am homosexual or as it is commonly known as gay. Now, I am now accepting who I am and I am taking my time to find my true love. "
Jim asked," Do you have any ideas?"
Chris said," No but I am not too worried and I believe time will tell me or maybe not. I just won't rush into a relationship just for the sake of having the relationship. Now, I have met one incredible young man who is also a close dear friend and I appreciate that very very much."
Jim for the first time in such a long long time felt himself blushing.
Chris laughed and said," I am so sorry but I do like seeing you are a man of humility also."
Jim said," Well, I think my parents will love you."
There was a knock on the door and Chris opened the door and Jim heard Chris speaking cheerfully.
Jim got up and he saw his mom and his dad and he was shocked.
Chris said," Jim has been so helpful and delightful being here."
Jim went over and hugged his mom and dad and said," This is a surprise we had a delicious meal which Chris cooked."
His mom said," Really?"
Chris said," We had roasted duck with asparagus and Russet potatoes a simple meal but good." Jim's mom and dad were impressed and his dad asked," Did you get your smoker?"
Jim said," The smoker got here just about an hour ago."
His dad said," Where are our manners. I am Bob and this is my wife Saundra and you must have guessed we are his parents. So how is it going now that you have my son as your roommate."
Chris said," Oh, it has been wonderful, he is so helpful around here and having him as a roommate well it does help make this house a home."
His mom looked so happy with that and his dad was still looking concerned.
His dad pulled him to the side and said," I heard your girlfriend broke up with you because of your living arrangements."
Jim got angry and said," If I wasn't living here with Chris she would have made another excuse. No, dad, she was acting strange for about a month like distant."
His dad asked," What do you think it could be?"
Jim said," In my opinion, she has been seeing somebody else behind me back. Besides, how do you know about it this quick?" His father said," Well, she called us a little concerned."
Jim laughed and said," That bitch, she wasn't happy just breaking up with me but she had to stir the pot huh. Hey, Chris come over here you won't believe this shit."
His dad said," It seems that my son's girlfriend is concerned about his living arrangement."
Chris said," What do you think?"
Bob said," Well, evidently, in my opinion, she deserves the brand bitch and yes Chris you are just an excuse it seems. I just pulled Jim to the side just to get his side and when we get home I am calling her and telling her to lose our number."
Chris teared up and said," Thank you."
Bob said," No no I never cared for her and it seems you two men are doing well together and I can't think of a better way for Jim to start his life as an adult."
Sandra said," Oh why don't you and Jim come over for supper Sunday evening. Chris you can consider it a break."
Chris said," I enjoyed cooking here at the house again."
Sandra said," But aren't you a prep chef and then come home and cook again no I insist."
Chris saw that he couldn't win and said," Jim and I will be there Sunday."
As they left Jim chuckled and said," That was smart mom would have stood there through the next morning if she had to."
Chris laughed and said," I grew up in a family that would argue at the drop of a hat and if there wasn't a hat they would drop a shoe."
They both laughed and Jim said," For better or for worst they have accepted you as part of the family like a brother."
Chris said," I like the sound of that."
Jim said," Be careful with what you wish for, one of my mom's idiosyncrasies with a new family member is sometimes coming around at the most inconvenient times just out of concern."
Chris laughed and said," Maybe your mom and my mom are the same woman."
They both laughed until they had tears in their eyes at that thought.
Chris said," This has been an eventful day I thought you moving here was eventful."
Jim laughed and said," First a smoker that you knew nothing about showing up and then my parents showing up because of my ex-girlfriend and now being invited over for dinner at mom's and dad's."
Chris said," Yes, but I don't think there is any better man to open my home for."
Jim said," Thank you well, in my opinion, I couldn't have found a better friend than you."
Chris laughed and said," We better stop flattering each other or I am going to have to kiss you."
Jim laughed and said," After my ex, I wouldn't mind."
They both fell back on the couch and just relaxed content in their friendship. They were experiencing a friendship which without talking they were still at peace. Not that they wouldn't talk but they can sit quietly next to each other.
Chris said," So you like sharing the house with a gay man?"
Jim said," You know I don't care that you are gay all I care about is can we live together. I found that answer is a resounding yes."
Chris said," Wow that makes me feel good."
Jim said." Like I said be careful what you wish for."
Chris looked at his watch and said," Oooh it is time for bed."
Jim got to his room door and Chris passed by him on the way to the master bedroom and stopped for a moment.
He said," Good night Jim and it is such a pleasure for me to have you here and please don't leave."
Jim stopped for a second asking himself what that meant and thought to himself that Chris probably meant being such good friends.
After Jim got undressed for bed he was thinking about his circumstances of his past week and knowing he had it good.
As he was going to sleep he could never realize how much his life would change in the coming weeks from him and Chris relationship evolving to more just friends.