Free All About Yves by Ryan Field

pointed black shoes, and a wide white leather belt. He was carrying a folder of papers. He turned all the way around once so Marco could check him out.
    Jane Francis looked at Yves and frowned, then walked to the other side of the room and started folding the clothes Marco had worn the day before.
    "You look fine,” Marco said. “Much better than I looked in that outfit. It's much too twinkie circuit boy for me. Men of a certain age look silly wearing low-rise jeans, even if they still have the body to pull it off."
    Yves smiled. The haircut and the outfit seemed to have resurrected a part of his personality that had been missing. “That's ridiculous. You sound like an old man. You can still wear anything you want with your body."
    "I'm just not sure I want to dress like all the circuit boys anymore,” Marco said. “My twink days are long over."
    "I just stopped in to see if you want me to do anything else today,” Yves said, holding the folder under his arm.
    "I need those contracts mailed today."
    "I have them."
    "I need the tuxedo I'm wearing tonight to be picked up from the showroom uptown."
    "I have the receipt in the folder.” Yves patted the folder under his arm.
    "I need you to drop those papers off to the accounting firm, and I need you to deliver that check to the decorator who is doing that new chair for me."
    Yves smiled. “I have the papers and the check right here. Is there anything else you want me to do?"
    Marco smiled. “Looks like you've thought of everything, Yves.” Now there was a sarcastic edge in his voice.
    Yves stood up from the bed and walked to the door. Before he left the room, Marco stopped him.
    "Yves,” Marco said. “One more thing. Would you happen to know how an anniversary card wound up in my partner's suitcase last night?” His voice rose. He sat up in bed and folded his arms across his chest.
    Yves halted and turned around.
    Jane Francis stopped folding and waited for Yves to answer.
    "I knew I forgot something,” Yves said. He looked guilty. His puppy-dog eyes drooped as if he was waiting to be scolded for making a mess on the floor. “I knew you'd want to give him an anniversary card. But you've been so busy this week. I meant to tell you last night, but you were reading and I guess I forgot all about it.” He pressed his palm to his chest and leaned forward. “I was asleep by the time you went to bed. Oh, I'm so sorry I forgot to tell you, Marco.” His voice became soft and apologetic. He slipped right back into the nervous, timid boy Marco had first met in the dressing room. He even bowed as if he were about to genuflect.
    "You were sleeping when I went to bed?” Marco asked, wondering if Yves had watched him have phone sex.
    "Sound asleep,” he said. “I'm so sorry I forgot to tell you."
    "I'm sure you are,” Marco said, sipping his coffee. For the first time, Marco noticed the insincerity in Yves's voice. He spoke as if he were acting in a play. No one could be that sweet and simple and shy. “It was very nice of you to think of the card. You're the most thoughtful young man I've ever met. I don't know what I'd do without you.” He decided to play with him, and not mention the fact that he and Frazier didn't exchange mundane greeting cards for birthdays or anniversaries.
    "I also put a sweet little card of my own in his suitcase,” Yves said. “Frazier is such a special man. I wanted him to know how much I admire a man who can remain in a long-term relationship. You're so lucky to have him, Marco."
    Then Yves smiled and turned in the other direction. When he was out the door, Jane Francis gave Marco a knowing look. She didn't say a word. She didn't have to say anything, because Marco already knew what she was thinking.
    [Back to Table of Contents]

 

    Chapter Seven
    Marco stepped out of his dressing room and looked at himself in the mirrored wall near the white sofa. He made mental note to remove the mirrored wall as his next renovation project in the