Advent Calendar Day 5

 

Good morning! As promised, we have fiction to share from one of our generous and talented friends, Byron Beach. Those of you who belong to my Patreon will recognize Byron as the guy who posts all those interesting and insightful comments about the stories, as well as sharing snippets from his own work.

Today we have a quickie coda for Griff and Pierce from Stranger on the Shore. This is actually a prequel to a coda we're going to get next week.

Here's how Byron explains it:

A Pirate's Christmas Eve takes place ten years on. Griff and Pierce have a son named Nick ( after Nick Carraway - from Gatsby). It deals with Griff finally being able to start his book about the kidnapping.    But to do this I felt the need to write a set up one, Wisconsin Reunion, this takes place one month after the events in the book and it is about Griff's feelings of giving up his old life and the impact of his new one.  
Wisconsin Reunion takes place one month after the events in the book and it is about Griff's feelings of giving up his old life and the impact of his new one.  
WISCONSIN REUNION

Griff stood, lost in a quietcontemplation of wealth and waiting. Did those with deeper pockets truly spendfewer moments in idle anticipation, or was this languid drag of time universal?The hum of activity at Dane County Airport painted a picture of mundane comingsand goings, and amid it all, he tried to pinpoint Pierce's potential flight.Though Pierce had hinted at touching down around 11:30, the board displayed noNew York arrivals fitting that bill.

 

He retrieved his phone, thumbskimming their recent texts, looking for a flight reference. Yet heconsistently found himself sidetracked, captivated by the blend of playful and intimatemessages they'd exchanged. Like Pierce's light-hearted note on mastering theart of blueberry pancakes in preparation for their shared Sunday mornings. He’dchuckled at that text more times than he'd care to admit. And that snapshot ofa pale blue tie, patterned with sailboats and anchored with a gleaming oar tieclip.  That pic was now was hisscreensaver, a soft reminder of their bond.

 

Leaving Long Island behind amonth prior, Griff had sought a respite, asking the Arlingtons, and Pierce, forroom to breathe and recalibrate. They had understood, giving him the space, heyearned for. But soon, the weight of longing nudged Griff to send a singleheart emoji, only to receive in return an image of Pierce's favored colognebottle. That simple exchange bridged the miles between them. And now, afterweeks and myriad messages, they were on the cusp of a long-awaited weekendtogether.

 

Griff glanced again at thearrival board, Would Pierce even appreciate the simplicity of Janesville? Whatwould he make of Griff's circle of friends? Alvin, his cousin and a ghost fromthe past, flashed through Griff's thoughts. Their paths, and outcomes haddiverged so starkly when it came to the Arlingtons. Shaking his head, Grifftried to shove the dark thoughts aside. He was just about to dial Diana whenthe familiar and intoxicating scent of Pierce's cologne enveloped him. Beforehe even saw him, a warm breath brushed his neck.

"Hello, handsomestranger."

 

The ambiance momentarilyshifted, and in the next second, Pierce was there, embodying the elegance of abygone era, as though they were characters from a 1930s black-and-white filmmeeting at a train station. Griff leaned in, nestling his face in the curve ofPierce's neck, the familiar embrace evoking a swell of emotions.

 

Their lips met in a gentle, longingkiss. Drawing back, the playful twinkle in Pierce’s eyes was evident. “Such areception,” he quipped.

 

Griff smirked, “Didn't wantto risk you getting lost. Imagine where you might have ended up.”

 

Pierce shot him a teasinglook. “I had your bedroom in mind, to be honest.”

 

A light blush warmed Griff'sface. “Easy there. Luggage first, plans later.”

 

Swinging his modest bag witha flourish, Pierce’s grin grew. “I always pack with intent.”

 

Navigating their way to thecar park, Griff felt a flicker of self-consciousness. Pierce had never been apassenger in his vintage Karmann Ghia. Despite its meticulous engine rebuild,it was, a bit dented and rough on the outside, a far cry from the sleek linesof Pierce's Boxster. Yet, this car was Griff’s, an emblem of his identity, orat least, the identity he once held dear.

 

“Ready to indulge in somebona fide Wisconsin delicacies?” Griff queried, hoping to divert his ownattention.

Pierce's lips curled into ateasing smile. “My appetite is insatiable today.”

 

Griff chuckled, yet he couldfeel the weight of an impending conversation. He was purposefully evading thetopic of their accommodations. Much as he tried, Griff could not imaginePierce, with his polished leather bag and black silk boxers, in his studioapartment, with its stunning view of the Janesville mall. Taking a steadyingbreath, he shared, “I've reserved a room at the Edgewater in Madison. It'scentral, and the view of Lake Mendota is breathtaking. Thought you’d like it.”

 

Pierce gave him a thoughtfulglance. Instead of delving deeper, he offered, “If you're there, it's bound tobe special.”

 

Once on the mainthoroughfare, the drive to Madison unfurled before Griff. A route he hadtraveled innumerable times suddenly appeared fresher, every detail accentuated,thanks to his new co-pilot.

 

Pierce’s penetrating gaze washard to miss. Meeting those amber eyes, Griff sensed an undercurrent of bothhumor and inquiry. "Been keeping yourself engaged? How's the book shapingup?" Pierce’s question, subtly touching on the Arlington mystery andGriff's newfound heritage, hovered in the air.

 

Griff hesitated momentarily."I’ve been pulled into a different direction lately. I'm uncovering someunsettling truths about the foster care system," he ventured, adeptlysidestepping the topic that still felt raw. "There are allegations of fraudand manipulation, especially in institutions that house numerouschildren."

 

The seriousness in Pierce'sdemeanor was unmistakable. "It's a disturbing and I've heard all toooften. Vulnerable children, compromised by the very guardians meant to shieldthem. It's grievous how these stories get buried."

 

Griff's expression softenedinto a playful smirk. "You do have a knack for defying my perceptions,huh?" he teased. Beneath their light-hearted exchange, Griff felt a bond, ashared empathy for the less fortunate.

 

“I thrive on defying yourexpectations," Pierce said with a sly twinkle in his eyes, "and Iplan on keeping it that way for quite some time. But speaking of defyingexpectations, this car of yours...”

 

"What's wrong with mycar?"

 

Pierce chuckled softly,letting his fingers trail over the dashboard. "Absolutely nothing. Irather admire it. From the outside, it might seem a bit, um, seasoned, but itsperformance? Absolutely athletic. The interiors, efficient, direct, honest and devoidof any unnecessary pretense, much like its owner."

 

Griff shot Pierce a wry look,"I've always believed in maintaining what's important."

 

Pierce's response was acontemplative hum, his fingers now coming to rest on Griff's thigh. "So,how's work been since you got back?"

 

Griff's grip on the wheeltightened momentarily. "For the most part," he responded feeling ahint of tension in his voice "Things have been... different. People treatme like I've become a character from a story, not the colleague they've knownfor years."

 

"You had to expect somechange, right?" Pierce ventured.

 

"I get it, I do. Butit's the silence that gets to me most. Friends tiptoe around the Brian thing,never addressing it outright, yet there's this underlying assumption that Ishould suddenly play the magnanimous heir or always have a solution ready. Andthen there’s Marleen in finance. We used to exchange laughs, had this easy camaraderie.But these days, she pores over every detail, questions every expense, insistingon repeated documentation. It's as though she’s suddenly skeptical of everymove I make. She even held up my paycheck, demanding I use my 'true' name on aW9 – as if my identity has become this big question mark. It'sexhausting."

 

Pierce, leaning slightlycloser, seeming to choose his words with care. "Griff, your return hasrewritten the story for everyone. It's unsettling terrain for all involved. Butif you ever need any help, especially with paperwork, just-"

 

"I appreciate theoffer," Griff interrupted, softening his tone. "But I need to find myway through this. On my own." Seeking a change of topic, he ventured,"How about some food before we check in?"

 

A playful glint returned toPierce's eyes. "Let’s drop my bag at the room and then get something toeat. If we get settled in that room, I suspect we’ll find other...diversions."

 

As he pulled into thecircular entry of the Edgewater Hotel, Griff's chest tightened, and not justfrom the splendor it represented. The hotel, grand as it was, embodied thetug-of-war Griff felt inside.

 

The hotel was elegant and thenicest in Madison. He had been here often, but always to interview someofficial and always on an expense account. But today, accompanying Pierce, itwas as if he was seeing it all anew. Every tiny imperfection, be it a slightmark on a baseboard or flowers past their prime, seemed to stand out starkly.He couldn't help but wonder, would Pierce view these details with a criticaleye? Would this setting seem less than luxurious to him?

 

His apprehension deepened ashe handed his credit card to the receptionist. Those recent, unreimbursedexpenses weighed heavily on his mind. His worst fear materialized when theclerk uttered, "I'm sorry, sir. Your card seems to have been declined."

 

Before the weight ofembarrassment fully settled, Pierce, ever the picture of poise, intervened."Let me handle this," he offered, laying his own card on the gleamingcounter. The card's significant weight and emblem signaled privileges Griff wasunaccustomed to. And then, the kicker: "Could we possibly upgrade to alakeview suite, if available?"

 

Though Pierce’s intention waspurely to ease the situation, Griff couldn’t help but feel a blow to his pride.He wasn't prepared to lean into the Arlington privilege, an unchecked bountythat didn't demand effort or accountability. Yet, as they moved toward theelevator, Pierce's reassuring wink reminded Griff that the quality of theirroom wasn’t what mattered in the grand scheme of things.

 

Stepping into the luxurioussuite, Griff's spirits plummeted as he spotted Pierce removing a thick bundleof legal papers. The juxtaposition of the intimate setting with formaldocuments made him feel suddenly trapped, caught between the pull of romance andthe tug of independence.

 

“Now, Pierce? Really?”

 

Pierce appeared genuinelytaken aback. “I assumed you’d want to get these out of the way?”

 

Frustration clouded Griff'smind, tension palpable in the air. Struggling to maintain composure, hechallenged, "Did you fly out here solely to pressure me into thesesignatures? What's your actual agenda?"

 

Pierce's face betrayed aflicker of hurt, possibly even regret.

 

“Which hat are you wearingtoday, Pierce? Lawyer or lover? Because you can't be both.” Griff’s heartthudded, fiercely protective of the boundaries he was trying to establish.

 

Pierce, attempting to defusethe tension, raised his hands in a placating gesture. "Griff, my onlyreason for being here is you. I genuinely believed getting these documentssettled would offer you some closure."

 

Meeting Pierce's gaze, feelingthe depth of their shared history his heart started to race. "I need someair," Griff murmured, turning quickly, and making his way toward the exit.

 

Pierce was quick on hisheels, their steps echoing in the Edgewater's opulent corridor. "Listen,Griff, I'm here for you, not paperwork. You are the one I cherish."Planting a gentle kiss on Griff’s lips, he playfully added, “How about a properlunch date? That's what decent boyfriends do, right? Admittedly, I'm stillgetting the hang of it."

 

Griff's breathed, took amoment wanting to make things work, "I guess we both could use a little boyfriendpractice."

 

The streets of Madisonwelcomed them with a radiant splash of sunlight, casting a warm glow on theirpath. As the fresh air enveloped Griff, it seemed to whisk away the weightbearing down on him.

 

Wanting to open up and slowlyfinding the words, Griff began, "Pierce, learning that I'm BrianArlington... it didn’t grant me clarity. Instead, it's cast a shadow overeverything I once knew. It's as if every memory has been tainted."

 

Pierce's gaze met Griff's."Your foundation has been shaken. I understand."

 

Interrupting, Griff pressedon, "I grapple with identity every day. Is the name on my driver's licensea façade? Even considering a new name feels like I'm turning my back on myhistory." He paused, taking a breath. "I don’t expect you to have allthe answers. In fact, I don’t want you to."

 

Pierce tightened his embracearound Griff. "All I can offer is to stand by your side, in whatevercapacity you need."

 

Returning the gesture with atender kiss, Griff smirked, "You’re scoring major boyfriend points,Mather. Keep this up, and you might just find me permanently attached."

 

Pierce entwined his fingerswith Griff's, a sense of longing in his gaze. "I wish you'd come back withme to Syosset, even if just for a day.  Iknow Jarrett would love to see you. It would lift his spirits immensely."

 

Griff nodded seriously."I care about Jarrett and I do want to properly get to know mygrandfather," he affirmed. "It's just finding the time isn’t thateasy. I've already been off work for over a week; taking another so soon is notfeasible."

 

Pierce's eyes twinkled with agolden hue, a fervent hope simmering in them. "What if we made it just aflash visit,, even, say, tomorrow? We could share a leisurely lunch there. It'sabout a 90-minute flight; you’d  back byearly evening."

 

Griff's eyes widened,momentarily overwhelmed. "Tomorrow? Pierce, it's a bit whirlwind, don'tyou think? Even assuming I could secure a flight on such short notice, it'sjust too much to juggle at the moment."

 

A bashful grin spread acrossPierce's face. "Actually, about the transportation..." he hesitatedbefore admitting, "I might have borrowed Jarrett's Gulfstream."

 

A bubble of laughter escapedGriff, the surrealism of the situation finally dawning on him. "So let meget this straight: here I am, barely scraping by with maxed out credit cardsand a bank balance that wouldn't impress a squirrel, and now there's a privatejet at our disposal? Its….Its, well its absurd.”

 

Pierce's laughter echoedGriff's, a hearty sound that reverberated with genuine joy. "You aresingular Griff. The poorest rich man or the richest poor man I know, yetunfailingly yourself through it all."

 

Griff straightened up, "Alright,counselor, for this arrangement to work," he gestured grandly between themas if encapsulating their shared universe, "I have somestipulations."

 

Pierce raised an eyebrow injest, playing along. "By all means, let's draft a mutually beneficialagreement."

 

"First order ofbusiness, I require an attorney whose scent doesn’t derail my thoughts wheneverthey enter a room and does not have skin which I need to explore every inch of."

 

Pierce smirked, "Theattorney bit, I can find you someone else in my office. As for my resisting theurge to explore you – that clause is void."

 

Griff, playfully rolling hiseyes, landed a swift peck on Pierce's lips. "Second, I'm game for visitingJarrett tomorrow, I truly miss him. However," he held up a finger,"YOU are covering our exorbitant parking fees at Dane County Airport.Their rates border on criminal."

 

"I reckon that's wellwithin my designated boyfriend duties," Pierce quipped.

 

"Thirdly," Griffdrew closer, his voice softening, "I love you." He sealed his wordswith a gentle kiss on Pierce’s smiling mouth.

 

"Fourth – If you everdrag me to a country club luncheon with individuals named Bunny or Skyler andthey solely prattle on about yachting..."

 

Pierce raised his hands inmock surrender, "In their defense, they occasionally delve into equestriandiscussions, but point taken."

 

"And lastly," Griffsaid earnestly, "Before any move to Long Island, I need to secure a job. Ineed my work; there are stories out there begging to be told."

 

As Pierce's embrace envelopedhim, his deep voice whispered reassuringly, "There's an abundance of newsoutlets that would vie for your talent, and countless tales awaiting yourvoice. But the only narrative that I care to hear is the one we're writing,together."

 

Griff's smile radiatedgenuine warmth, the weight on his heart significantly lighter.

"On that note” saidPierce, “let's make lunch quick. Because I have some... conditions of my own tolay out once we get back to the hotel"

“We could do room service?”

Pierce smiled, grabbed Griffhand and ran.