Chapter 9

Nine

L uther

“There you are,” he said as he rejoined Violet and Mila next to the food truck. “Have you ordered yet?”

“Daddy, can we go to the book bus first, please? I want to look at the books.”

“You know I will never say no to books,” he said to her. “Lead on.”

“Hey, you okay?” Violet asked.

He grinned and rubbed his chest. “Real good. I might need your help, though. Soon. With a discussion.”

She frowned, but then she nodded. “You got it. I’m going to go grab us some chairs for the show. You want to be front and center?” She winked at him. “You guys bring back some teriyaki bowls when you come. I’m starving.”

“Copy that.”

Mila took his hand and started to drag him toward the rainbow-colored bus, but then she looked at his cane and she slowed down, settling for doing some sort of skipping, twisting dance instead. As they got closer, Mila read the words painted on the side.

“Hook’s Traveling Book Nook. Daddy, is it their job to ride around with books all the time?”

“Sounds like a pretty awesome job.” Luther grinned. There were two older women dressed as brightly as the bus sitting on camp chairs next to the bus, knitting.

Mila stepped behind him as they approached.

“Well, hello there! Welcome to Hook’s Book Nook! What kind of stories do you like to read?” One of the ladies pulled her glasses down her nose and looked at Mila.

Mila stared at her with wide eyes and didn’t answer.

“I love fairy books,” Luther finally said. “And dragons. Basically any animals.”

The other woman chuckled and set down her knitting. “I think we have just what you’re looking for.”

“You hear that?” Luther stage-whispered to Mila. “They have fairies and dragons. And animals.”

Mila giggled and followed the woman up the steps into the bus, but she tightened her grip on Luther’s hand. He felt her excitement as she trembled with joy at the sight of all the books, which were organized by age rather than genre.

“Let me guess,” the woman said. “You’re in second grade?”

Mila’s eyes went wide. “How did you know?” she whispered in awe.

The woman shrugged. “I’ve got an eye for that sort of thing. So, here are the shelves where I think we’ll find what your…dad is looking for.” She winked at Luther, who gave her a subtle thumbs up.

But instead of perusing the shelves the woman had shown her, Mila was drawn to a basket with some picture books inside. Luther watched as she knelt down in front of it and plucked a book with the utmost care, as if she were removing a priceless jewel from a display case. Luther couldn’t see the book’s title so he moved behind her.

“ Pringle and Finn, The Pengrooms . That’s cute.”

Mila hugged it to her chest and walked down the aisle to the benches and sat down with the book.

Luther shared a look with the woman, both of their eyebrows raised. He hobbled down the aisle of the bus, hunching slightly to avoid smacking his head. He lowered himself to the bench next to her, making the minimum old-man noises possible, but the bench was low. He wasn’t exactly sure how he was going to get up.

“You like that one, sweetheart?”

She nodded and spoke in the tiny voice she’d used when she first came to live with him. “I used to have this book. I wasn’t allowed to take it with me when I left.”

Luther’s heart nearly broke, remembering how frightened she was that day, how she’d had to sleep with the lights on for days, how she wouldn’t let Terry D’actyl out of her sight.

“I’m sorry,” he said, putting a hand on her back. “Books are really important. I’m sorry I haven’t taken you to the library more, or the bookstore. I forget how much I loved books at your age.”

She looked up at him. “This one was special. I got it from my old school for getting good attendance.”

“Can you read it to me?” Luther asked, not trusting himself to speak.

She opened the book and started telling the story of a pair of penguins who made special wedding cakes for their animal friends, until finally, they had a wedding for themselves in their backyard. Luther’s breath grew shaky as she got to the end of the story .

“I love when you read to me,” he said to her. “That was a nice story.”

“I like reading stories about people who love each other.”

“Me, too,” Luther admitted, although most of the books he read were fantasy, they weren’t really love books. “What do you like about them?”

She ran her fingers over the picture of the penguins cuddled together in a chair at the end of the story, their rainbow bow ties on the floor. “I like it when people who love each other get to be together, be a family. My older brother had to leave because our mom wouldn’t let him be with his boyfriend. They loved each other a lot.”

Luther’s face got hot, and he clutched the top of his cane tightly. This was the most she’d ever talked about her family. He’d known there had been neglect and abuse with one of Mila’s siblings, and that her mother had dumped her on an elderly parent with dementia and split.

“That must have made you sad,” he finally said.

She nodded and continued to trace the penguins on the page. “He took care of me. He told me when two people love each other, it doesn’t matter if they’re boys or girls.”

“I think your brother is pretty smart,” Luther said, his voice cracking. This conversation was delicate and he wanted to do it just right. “Do you think he was right?”

She looked up at him with big eyes and nodded vigorously. “As long as people love each other and are kind to each other.”

He took in a deep breath, ready to step off the ledge. “Mila, sweetheart, you know that I’m gay? That someday I may have my own groom?”

She nodded. “I heard you and Miss Vanessa talking about it before. Do you love somebody?”

“I think so,” he said. “But no matter what, you know you’re always going to be my family, right? No matter who else comes into our lives? ”

“Yes, Daddy. We’re family.”

Luther exhaled and put his arm around her, pulling her in for a hug and kissing the top of her head.“You’re the smartest girl I know,” he said. This was a big enough revelation for the day, but it opened the door to other conversations. He would find a way to talk to her about Doug, and then, maybe they could spend some time together. Maybe he really could make it work, being her dad and being Doug’s person.

That scenario gave Luther hope.

“Did you want to look at some more books?” he asked, thinking Violet would start texting him soon if he didn’t feed her.

She held the book to her chest.“Can I have this one?” she whispered. “Can I use my allowance money to buy it?”

“Sweetheart, I told you. Daddy will always let you have books. You save your allowance money for something else, okay?”

She grinned. “Thank you, Daddy. I love you.”

Well, there went the waterworks. Luther had asked Miss Vanessa at their last meeting what to do about I love yous . He wasn’t sure whether it was okay, whether it would make Mila feel uncomfortable if he said it, but Miss Vanessa told him absolutely he could say it to her.

“No matter what happens with her placement, you will always have a bond with her, and I get the sense that she didn’t hear it much at her home. Kids need to know they’re loved.”

Luther fully agreed. He’d found that familial love with Violet early on and that had been all he needed to make it through. He’d felt that love for Bunker and his teammates, and that made the hard times bearable. He wanted to be that person for Mila, and to hear her say it, made his hard times more bearable too.

“I love you, too, sweetheart. I’m so glad you’re my family. ”

They pressed their foreheads together and he squeezed his eyes shut to hopefully keep the tears from falling.

“Dear, if you like that book, I think I have some other books you might like, too. Would you like to come look?” The kind old woman stood there smiling at them, her eyes a little shiny too. “I can hold on to that one for you, if you like, until you’re done looking.

Mila looked to Luther and he nodded. “I’ll hang on to it. Go ahead, Mila. Take your time.”

He appreciated the time to flip through the book again and smile at the little penguins and their rainbow bow ties, spreading love through sweets all through the land.

Just like Doug.

Maybe you can have it all. He wouldn’t have his beloved Marine Corps, but he had a daughter to love, a sister at his back, and a man who made him feel ten feet tall.

His thoughts traveled to Oscar. Obviously someone had spent a lot of time with that dog, and somehow he’d ended up without a home. Luther hoped it wasn’t because he’d been discarded, and it also bothered him to think his owner might have passed away, and he’d had no one to take on his dog.

Luther had no business thinking about adding a pet to his mix right now, but something in that dog’s demeanor called to him…and man it felt good to have a dog at his side, even if it had only been for a few minutes.

Maybe he could see if Dinah wanted him to work with Oscar a little more. Spending some time with the dog could help him come out of his shell and make him appear more attractive to folks looking to adopt. He’d had a pretty shaggy coat and a little gray around his muzzle, so he’d definitely seen some mileage. Luther worried the dog might have medical needs that would go beyond his meager ability to pay.

No soldier left behind.

Luther’s heart hurt thinking this dog very well may have been in service to a human being, and as such, he deserved better than to live out his days alone in a kennel.

“Daddy! Come look.”

She had a book in her hands and was bouncing on her toes. When he managed to get to standing and made his way to her side, she turned the book around—and his heart thudded hard in his chest.

“He looks like your dog, Bunker.”

The book was Max . He remembered seeing ads for a movie version. “He sure does,” Luther said, his throat tight.

“He’s a military dog, just like Bunker was.”

One afternoon, he’d been hanging up her artwork after her second week at camp, and she came wandering in his room. She’d asked about his pictures, and they’d spent the afternoon talking about his job as a soldier and about Bunker. She’d wanted to know everything, but there were things an eight-year-old didn’t need to know about the work he’d done.

“That book sure is popular with young folks,” the lady said. “It should be okay for her reading level. She showed me some of the books she’s read at school, and I think it’s a good fit.”

Luther agreed, but he also needed to mentally prepare himself for the questions she’d have after reading it.

“We could read it together, Daddy.”

“Okay, okay,” he said. If he didn’t get out of that bus he was going to sweat through his shirt and cry his damn eyes out. He reached for his wallet and the lady held up her hands.

“Our books come from donations. They’ve all been read and loved by someone previously. If you wish to make a donation, there’s a box and a QR code on the side of the bus.”

Luther nodded, and he handed the penguin book back to Mila. “Say thank you, sweetheart.”

Mila hugged the books to her chest and gave the woman a big smile. “Thank you for the books. I will love them very much.”

The lady held out a fist and Mila bumped it with hers, letting out a little giggle, then she scampered out of the bus.

“You all right there, soldier?” the woman asked kindly.

“Yes, ma’am. Be even better if you have a tissue.”

She chuckled and held out a box. “I hope I didn’t pry too much.”

He shook his head as he wiped at his eyes and nose. “Not at all. She’s my foster daughter, so every moment like this is a win, you know? Thank you for being part of that today.”

She gave a funny curtsy and laughed.“You’re welcome.”

At that moment, a squeal of feedback ripped through the air, and Mila came running back up the stairs.

“Hurry, Daddy. Doug is going to play!” And then she was gone again.

That was enough to get Luther moving. He thanked the lady once more and made his way gingerly down the steps of the bus, grateful he’d brought his cane. His legs had felt like they weighed a hundred fifty pounds each this morning, but thankfully the pain hadn’t been too bad. He hadn’t wanted to miss seeing Doug, and after this breakthrough with Mila, he was even more grateful they’d come.

The band started playing a Clash tune that he recognized, and Mila once more tried not to drag him up the path to where the stage area was located.

“Wait, we gotta get food for Auntie Violet.”

Mila did not seem happy about that, but she stood impatiently by as he ordered them each bowls and drinks. One of the women sang the first song, and when it finished, another feminine voice sang a Hole song he remembered well.

They’d just gotten their food when the third song started, and this time a deep voice rang out, singing “I Wanna Be Your Dog” by the Stooges. He quickened his pace, letting go of Mila’s hand so she could run for Auntie Violet. He made it around the corner of the house and the stage came into view. Luther nearly dropped the food.

Doug was front and center on the stage wearing an open black vest with patches on it and no shirt, black hot pants, and fishnets that hugged his gorgeous legs all the way down to the tops of his platform boots. Jesus . Luther’s mouth watered at the sight. He managed to make it to Violet, who had grabbed chairs on the outside aisle near the front, but no one was sitting. Mila was jumping and dancing with some of the other kids in front of the stage, and Violet was bobbing her head to the beat.

“Your man wears the shit out of those hot pants,” she yelled into Luther’s ear.

“You think?” he said, his face hot. Goddamn, he hadn’t prepared himself for how fucking sexy his man would be playing guitar and singing his heart out, his black-lipsticked lips pressed to the microphone. He looked up and caught Luther’s gaze, and he smiled that same smile he’d had when he’d gone down on Luther the first time.

This was not going to stay a family show for long if Luther didn’t get his libido in check.

Doug was captivating to watch onstage. All that energy, all that charisma, he let it all out. He had that chameleonic type of voice that could sing just about anything, and he really did. The members of the band took turns, but Doug belted out tunes from The Misfits, Rise Against, and the Ramones, as well as a lovely rendition of The Smiths’ “There Is A Light,” which, despite its morbid lyrics, Luther took as quite a romantic proclamation, especially since Doug’s eyes were on him for most of the song. He was magnetic, sensual, and Luther felt like he was levitating. Today, he’d had an overdose of emotions, and by the time Doug finished the tune, Luther had to sit down, though he worried he might not be able to get back up.

The band played a riotous version of “Seven Nation Army” by the White Stripes to wrap up their set and everyone jumped to their feet to sing along. Luther sat back and closed his eyes, absorbing the energy around him, the sounds of Mila and Violet laughing above the other crowd noises, and the cool breeze of the fall evening.

This might have been the closest to heaven he’d ever been.

“Hey, you okay, LuLu?” Violet asked, her hand gentle on his shoulder.

He opened his eyes as folks around them were packing up their stuff to leave. The band members were mingling with the crowd, and Mila was frowning at him.

“Daddy, how did you fall asleep?”

He made a show of looking at his Apple watch and frowned. “Because it’s past my bedtime. Which means it’s past yours too.”

She rolled her eyes, giving him a glimpse of teenage-hood to come, and he laughed.

“Let’s go say goodbye to Doug and Dinah and hit the road,” Luther said, accepting Violet’s help to get to his feet.”

“Actually, Mila and I decided that she and I are going to have a sleepover and do facials tonight, since you and Doug have work to do.” Violet’s eyebrows went way up, her expression letting him know this was not up for discussion.

“Yeah. Work.” He frowned, looking for Doug. “Does…Doug know about us working?”

“Oh yes,” she said. “I talked to him earlier. He said he wanted you to stick around and help him with the thing.”

Bless his sister and her conniving ways. He could barely stand, but if he could hold out for a few more minutes, he might get to actually spend a whole night with Doug .

“But I’ll miss out on all the fun,” he said, winking at Violet.

“It’s okay for you to miss facials, Daddy,” Mila assured him. “You can make me pancakes for breakfast.”

Violet snorted and gave him a little shrug as she placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder. “Or, we could go get donuts,” she stage-whispered to Mila.

Mila was definitely like her dad, she had a bit of a sweet tooth. She turned to him and patted his arm. “Yeah, Daddy, you should stay working with Doug. Just come home when you’re done, okay?” She hugged him around his waist, and then grabbed Violet’s hand. “Good night, Daddy. See you tomorrow.”

Violet waved as the two of them did their twisty skip dance down the path to where they’d parked Violet’s car.

“You stayed,” Doug said, wrapping his arms around Luther’s waist from behind. “I was hoping Violet would talk you into it.”

Luther placed his hand over Doug’s and sighed. “I wasn’t given a choice. The deal was cemented when she promised Mila donuts in the morning.”

Doug nibbled on Luther’s earlobe, and he had to steady himself with his cane.

“You’re so much sweeter than donuts,” he whispered into Luther’s ear.

He turned and pulled Doug close.

“Be careful, I’m sweaty.”

“You know I like sweaty.”

Doug grinned at him. “You like the show?”

“You know I did.”

Doug sighed. “So, are you ready to…work?”

“You know it. No way I’m letting you take those stockings off by yourself.”

Doug’s expression grew serious as he stepped back. “I’m so glad you came.”

Luther was tempted to make a lewd comment, but something had shifted. Doug really was worried, even after their conversation. Luther couldn’t have that.

“Wouldn’t have missed it, but I’m fading fast. Any chance we can get started?”

Doug pulled him toward the house. “Let’s do it. The girls are finishing breaking down the equipment, and I told Dinah I’d be in charge of cleanup in the morning. Let’s get you to bed.”

“Copy that.”

Luther was introduced to several people—he was sure he’d have to ask Doug for their names again later—and then they made their way into the house, where he waved to Dinah.

“I promise I’ll make proper introductions when you’re not ready to drop,” Doug said. “Thankfully my room is downstairs. It’s just through here.”

Doug led Luther through a living room and down another hallway toward the back of the house. The place was old but sturdy, and someone had added on to it several times over the years. The section he and Doug were headed toward looked older than the front.

“I’ve got a bedroom and an office back here, plus my own bathroom.”

Luther exhaled in relief when they passed through a door and he spotted Doug’s bed. He wouldn’t have cared if it was a cot at this point. He just needed to get horizontal.

“You look like you’re going to drop,” Doug said, sitting Luther on the bed. He bent down and unlaced Luther’s boots, gently pulling them and his socks off. “You need the bathroom?”

Luther wordlessly pulled Doug close and wrapped his arms around his torso, resting his head on his chest. “I just need you.”

Doug smiled and bent down to kiss him. “Me too. Let’s get you undressed and in bed. I’ll take a quick shower and join you, okay?”

Luther complained about missing out on fishnet stocking removal duty and supervising shower activities, but Luther allowed Doug to get his jeans off and pull off his shirt. Doug lifted his legs onto the bed, and Luther didn’t even growl about being able to do it his damn self. The bed was unbelievably soft and as soon as his head hit the pillow, he could barely keep his eyes open. Well, he managed to keep one eye open to watch Doug begin to undress, but once the hot pants were off, Luther lost the battle.

He woke sometime before dawn and tried not to wake Doug as he got to his feet, held back the old-man noises, and was grateful for whoever put a nightlight in the bathroom so he didn’t stumble and fall in the dark. He did his business and crawled gingerly back into bed with Doug.

“Don’t say it’s morning,” Doug said, wrapping himself around Luther. “I haven’t gotten to use a Marine yet.”

Luther brushed his hair back and kissed his forehead. “Then get on up here and use this Marine.”

Thank the powers that be that Doug was not only strong but incredibly coordinated. He straddled Luther’s hips and whispered sweet nothings as he used his fingers to prepare his entrance for Luther. He managed to roll a condom onto his Marine and lowered himself carefully, taking all of Luther inside him without putting any weight on his pelvis.

“You’re so fucking good,” Luther said, as Doug took care of them both. He moved at an achingly slow pace, only trembling from the sensation, not from the effort of supporting himself. Luther stroked him in time with his movements as they stared into each other’s eyes.

“You feel so fucking good,” Doug whispered back, bending down to kiss Luther deeply. “So good, I’m going to come too soon, baby. I’m sorry, you’re hitting my fucking prostate so good… fuck .”

Luther held his face and forced Doug to look at him. “No sorry. Take what you need, beautiful. Ride me. Get yourself off. I can take it.”

Doug’s eyes went wide for a moment, and then he moved with a little more determination, though not as much as Luther knew he could. He squeezed Doug’s thick thighs and let his head fall back. His eyes closed, and he lost himself in Doug’s body, the heat and the pressure working in tandem to pull forth the mother of all orgasms from his very soul.

He cried out, the sensation so intense he had a moment of fear that his body was going to quit, but then Doug’s muscles clamped down on him, and Luther felt Doug’s warmth coat his chest. It was enough to clear his mind of worry and allow him to relax enough for his own release to barrel through him.

“Fuck, Doug ,” he cried, and then his heart was pounding so hard he could barely catch his breath. Doug pulled off of him carefully and disposed of the condom. Doug used a washcloth to clean them both up, and then he lay back down beside Luther, caressing his chest as Luther fought to slow his breathing down.

“Are you okay?” Doug asked him ,and Luther chuckled.

“I think so? Damn. That was?—”

“Divine, oh my God.” Doug pressed his forehead to Luther’s. “Did I hurt you? I tried not to.”

“You were perfect,” Luther said, running his thumb over Doug’s lip. “Best sleepover ever. Way better than facials.”

Doug fell back on the bed cackling, then he kicked at Luther’s leg. “I can’t believe you.”

“What? It was! ”

Doug shook his head and pushed up on his elbow. “I was worried there for a minute.”

Luther sighed. “Me too. I need to work on my cardio, I guess. Told you, I’m an old man. You’re trying to make me one of those ancient bazillionaires who croak in bed having sex with their hot young things.”

“I mean, it’s a helluva way to go,” Doug said, and it was Luther’s turn to kick at his leg. “I’m kidding. Gosh. I want to keep you around long enough to enjoy those bazillions. Plus, you’re right, it’s handy to have a Marine around for my personal use. I could get accustomed to this.”

“Do. Do get used to it,” Luther said, cutting through the banter. “I had a conversation with Mila. It’s a long story, but she’s…she knows I’m gay, and she understands.”

Doug blew out a breath. “That’s really good news.”

“Yeah,” Luther said. “I want us to… Do you want to?—”

“I want to. Let’s make this happen.”