About Another Border

by K.I.L. Kenny
22 pages / 4300 words
Ebook zipped file contains - html, lit, Adobe and Sony optimized pdf, prc, epub

When his weary lover comes home after a twelve-hour shift on the Alzheimer's ward, Jeff wants to offer comfort. A little banter and some massage are easy, but getting Ed to open up about what's on his mind is a trickier proposition. A teacher's Socratic methods aren't going to work. It will take a lot of TLC and some unorthodox healing methods for Jeff to lull his man into a restful sleep.

Sample

Smoothing his hands slowly over all the skin he could reach, Jeff made sure there were no patches of lotion left, no hot areas, just warm, softened skin. Good. He scooted around to face Ed and pivoted the leg from his lap to the back of the couch, arranging it carefully so it bent without strain at the knee.

So nice to look at, Ed open wide, interesting bits peeping coyly through the shadowed hems of his boxers. Jeff raised an inquiring eyebrow, smiling, but Ed didn't notice. He was gazing in the general direction of the TV; Jeff got the feeling he wasn't watching the game anymore.

"So," Jeff said, squaring himself on the cushion and lifting the other leg to his lap. "Class, work, home for a late dinner, and then you get a day off?"

"Mm."

Tamping down the curl of frustration in his gut -- or maybe the Tums were doing it -- Jeff gave up on small talk and focused on his task. There was a scar on this calf. Something about a bar fight and a broken beer bottle; before Jeff's time, anyway. He tipped out more lotion and applied it methodically, letting himself enjoy the stroking. They didn't sit still often enough. Didn't touch as much as they should.

It stayed quiet. Jeff stole another look and saw Ed's head hanging down, no pretense of interest in the television now.

"How 'bout you tell me, big guy," Jeff said.