Christmas 2023 © 2023 by David Lee
Levi Meeker woke up around 8:40 a.m. on December 25th with a satisfied smile on his face. He was the happiest he'd been in his 26 years of life. The redheaded guy sleeping beside him was the major reason. Christmas would be great this year.
He slipped out of bed carefully, making sure he didn't wake his companion.
As he looked out at the trees, he could see that they were covered in a thick blanket of snow. He was thankful that he wasn't responsible for removing it from the sidewalk. His condo association dues seemed like a bargain at the moment.
After going into the bathroom to pee and brush his teeth, he climbed back into his cozy nest and closed his eyes again. His mind drifted to the events of the past months. Back to the day he'd first gotten acquainted with Casey.
Casey roused slightly and snuggled closer to his chest.
Levi hadn't been all that enthused about spending his Fourth of July holiday helping to host a picnic in the park for the local needy population, even though he had no other plans. The church, which he was attending, was located across the street from the park in the heart of the city. They were desperate for a few extra hands to help serve the food. Since some who would attend were living on the street, only gloved servers were allowed to touch the dishes for health reasons. An additional crew was needed to tend the grill and scoop ice cream into cones. He would have felt guilt-ridden if he hadn't agreed to help.
Unlike many in the congregation, he had no family obligations, so he had volunteered. A guy named Casey, had also felt obligated to do the same, and for similar reasons. The two of them ended up manning the grill and conversing as they did.
It took only a few hours out of their day, and the experience of doing something charitable was a good one. The men received a lot of thanks from people whom they served. It especially warmed their hearts to see the smiles behind ice cream mustaches on the children's faces.
It made them decide to volunteer again.
An unexpected benefit came in the form of making a connection with another person who had a lot in common. Both were young professionals who worked in office buildings in the downtown area and who were kind of all alone in the world. They didn't share a lot of personal information, but from what was said, each felt he could use a like-minded friend. That had served as a starting point for them.
"Have you checked out the new microbrewery with the pickleball courts yet?" Casey asked, as they were cleaning up after eating.
"Not yet. I've never tried the game and I don't have anyone to go with."
"Well, if you're interested, I'd love to have you join me. I've only started, but the game isn't difficult and I'm sure you'd pick it up quickly. You look fit and healthy. We could be good competition for one another since we're about the same size.
"My housemate doesn't like pickleball, so I don't have anyone to do it with either."
"Yeah, that sounds like fun. Do you want to stop there for a beer after we're done here?"
"Sure."
That had been the beginning of a new social life for both. They had lingered over a beer long enough to be hungry again and had eaten a light supper. The more they chatted, the more interests they found in common. Casey was considering joining the church choir in the fall when it started up again. Levi had been thinking about doing the same. They decided to do that together, so they'd have at least one person in the group that they knew.
They also talked about volunteering occasionally to help with meals which the church served every Sunday evening. Today's experience had been a positive one. It had made them aware of the need in their community and it had given them satisfaction that they could help in a small way.
Casey was willing to fit it into his already-packed schedule. He was in the final stages of writing the thesis for his MBA. Although he needed to devote a chunk of time to it, he also needed a social life. He'd never dated much because of having to work his way through college. Being with Levi was the closest he'd come to having a relationship with someone. Of course, he didn't know if Levi was gay or straight. The subject of orientation hadn't come up and Casey was hesitant to broach it.
He could really go for this handsome blond guy, but he didn't want to chance messing up the great friendship which they appeared to be developing.
Levi was growing increasingly fond of Casey as well. He, too, was rather naïve when it came to relationships. He was afraid that if he seemed too eager, he would jinx the friendship they shared.
During the next couple of months, the pair found many opportunities to do things together. They attended band concerts in the parks, watched an amateur waterskiing show, which looked quite professional, and went to see exhibits at the Art Museum and the Czech Museum on several occasions.
They also learned a little more about each other's living arrangements. Levi had a three-bedroom condo with a double garage which was only a few years old and was in an upscale neighborhood.
Casey lived in a two-bedroom furnished apartment with a housemate who shared expenses. The two of them had little in common, but they were compatible enough to coexist. It wasn't in the nicest of locations, but it was all that they could afford. Both were hoping to finish their graduate degrees so they could move up in the world.
In September, Levi and Casey officially joined the church at the same time as a couple of new families and two middle aged females who were also single. Some of the older ladies in the congregation thought the men looked like eligible bachelors and had plans to possibly match them up with some of the younger women. However, the guys didn't seem interested.
Two of the ladies thought perhaps the men were boyfriends since they always came to services together. Those women weren't put off by that possibility. In fact, they thought it would be cool if the guys would decide to get married in the chapel and they could help plan the wedding. Obviously, this was a welcoming institution.
Dr. Scofield, the music director, was thrilled to add two basses to his choir. Several of the older men who used to sing in that section were no longer able to do it for health reasons, and one younger man had moved because of his job.
The choir now numbered 20 members, five in each section. While it wasn't a big group, the sound they produced was great because each member could read new music quickly and had good pitch. The acoustics of the sanctuary made them sound like a much larger ensemble.
Autumn was a busy season, especially for Casey. He was in the last semester of his MBA studies and felt like maybe he'd bitten off more than he could chew. Perhaps he should drop out of the choir. It would get even more intense as the holidays drew near. When he voiced his concerns to his buddy after rehearsal on Wednesday night, Levi quickly came up with a solution.
"You're in the same program I was in a couple of years ago, with some of the same professors. I'd be glad to proof your thesis and make suggestions about what they're looking for, if you would like. I don't want to make you feel like I'm meddling, and I'll back off if you feel like I am."
"I'd be thrilled to have your advice! I could really use your expertise, especially since you've been through the process."
"I think it will work best if you pack enough clothes for the weekend and stay with me. Bring your laptop and whatever else you need. I'll make all the meals and you can isolate yourself in one of the bedrooms so you can work without any distractions."
"That would be perfect! Don isn't making much progress on finishing his degree, and he's been drinking quite a bit. I think he's depressed. He often plays his stereo loudly when I'm trying to work. it's almost like he wants to sabotage what I'm doing."
"In that case, why don't you just move into my spare room for the rest of the semester. When is your lease up?"
"The end of January."
"What will you do after that?"
"I'm not sure. I think I can swing a smaller place and be by myself. My salary will go up when I finish my master's. Then, once my loans are paid off, I can look for something better."
---------- Casey couldn't believe how much progress he made in the couple of days he spent with Levi. Of course, they did have church to break the time up. But they hadn't signed up to serve meals that Sunday, so that gave him more time to work on his thesis after supper.
When he said he should probably get ready to go home, Levi invited him to stay.
"I know you might not want to work much longer tonight, but you could go to work from here in the morning. The clothes you wore to church would certainly be appropriate attire for your job and you didn't wear them long since we've been hanging around in sweats."
"Okay, I'll take you up on it. I'm in the middle of an idea that I'd like to finish before I go to sleep, lest I lose my train of thought in the meantime."
Levi was about to text Casey after work on Monday when he received a frantic call from him.
"Casey, what's wrong? You sound distressed."
"I don't know where to begin. Don is dead! I found him a few minutes ago and called 911. The police are here, and I may have to ask to stay with you overnight. The apartment is considered like a crime scene though they don't suspect foul play. He was really sick before he died and, um, there's vomit all over his bedroom."
"Of course, you can come here. Bring everything they'll let you take – especially your clothes. You'll live with me for as long as it takes to get things straightened out. Do you want me to come and help?"
"Um, I hate to ask. It's pretty bad."
"I'll be there as soon as I can."
Don's body had been removed from the apartment before Levi arrived. The police had closed the door to the bedroom and put yellow tape across the door frame. But they let Casey have the run of the rest of the unit.
The men made quick work of putting Casey's personal items in their vehicles. The authorities advised leaving other things in place. For Casey, that wasn't a problem because he didn't own much else except for the microwave and the coffee pot. Once the policemen found that out, they let him take those items too. They figured the landlord might try to seize anything that was left, especially since there would be an expensive mess to clean up before the place could be rented again. Casey would lose his deposit, no doubt. There was no reason for him to lose personal items as well.
Levi was a kind of minimalist and didn't own a lot of extra crap, so finding a place for Casey's clothes in the guest room was no problem. The closet was almost totally empty, as were the drawers in the dresser. However, it was around 6:30 by the time things were settled.
"I'm taking you out to Cheddars for dinner," Levi said. "I would have cooked something special had I known earlier."
"I called the minute they police were through asking questions."
"Hey, I wasn't blaming you! I'm just sorry you won't get a homecooked meal."
"I don't care about that. I'm just thankful to have a roof over my head."
"I'm glad to help. We're compatible, so don't go looking for an apartment until you can't stand living with me."
"Be careful what you offer. You could be stuck with me for a long time."
"No problem."
Casey's change of residence had a miraculous effect on his studies. There were no distractions. With Levi making their meals as well as proof-reading his work, Casey made more progress in the next two weeks than he'd made in the last three months. When he turned in the final copy of his thesis two weeks before Christmas, it was approved, and he was set to graduate.
He had thought he would just pick up his diploma instead of going through the ceremony, but Levi convinced him otherwise.
"You've worked hard on this with no support from family. You're the poster boy for the self-made man. You owe this to yourself."
"But who will care?"
"I will. I'm going to be there and take lots of pictures."
On December 20, 2023, Casey graduated with his MBA. Levi rewarded him with drinks and dinner at one of the finest restaurants in the city.
Four days later, Casey found himself rushing around the fellowship hall at church. He couldn't find Levi anywhere. Because of their schedules, they hadn't driven together. Levi was supposed to be there already to help serve meals to the needy before the early Christmas Eve service. No one seemed to know where he was. In his desperation, Casey decided to ask the bulky man in the Santa suit.
"Hey Santa, have you seen this guy?" he asked, holding up a photo on his cell phone.
"Yup, every time I look in the mirror. Ho, Ho, Ho."
"Levi? What have you done to yourself?"
"Something stupid, I fear. All this padding and the fake beard are going to cook me to death. After I hand out toys to the kiddies, I'm going to change."
Santa was a big hit. There was a small toy for every kid who showed up. Adults and kids alike received gloves or mittens and warm hats. Everyone appreciated the gifts he brought. He bade them a Merry Christmas and left the hall just before the host for the evening said grace. A few minutes later, he reappeared from the kitchen to help dish up the food. Only the volunteers knew about the transformation.
Snow began to fall just as the Christmas Eve service ended. It was beautiful but could become deadly. The prediction was for a major amount of accumulation with winds to follow. The church staff was thankful that they'd heeded the forecast and cancelled the 11:00 o'clock service this year. No doubt, some of the older traditionalists in the congregation would complain. However, the pastor felt it was better to put up with their bitching than to be visiting them in the hospital or holding their funerals when they got into accidents trying to drive there when it wasn't safe.
Back at the condo, Casey found a note on the kitchen table from Santa addressed to him.
"Dear Casey, you've been especially good this year. I think you should consider moving in with Levi permanently. He wants you to. You seem to have a lot in common."
Casey looked up at Levi who was smiling and nodding.
"Um, Santa seems to be kind of presumptuous about how you might feel. I thought he knew all about everyone, so he must know my secret. There's something I need to confess before we discuss this. The reason I have nowhere to go for holidays is that my family threw me out years ago for being gay. I'm sorry."
"Don't be sorry," Levi said, as he enveloped Casey in his arms. "I was hoping you were like me. Santa thought your story might be a lot like mine. We've never discussed why we're all alone in this world. I've been cut off from most of my family probably for as long as you have. My grandma stood by me and helped me get my education without any loans. She made me her sole heir. Sadly, I lost her last year. She's the reason I can afford my condo. I'd like to share it with you for the next year. At the end of that time, I hope you'll come to care about me enough to make it permanent."
"Oh wow! This is the best Christmas ever!"
"I think the next one could be even better.
"If I take a shower, would you consider sharing my bed tonight? We can keep our boxers on. With the wind howling outside, I'd like to snuggle, and I promise I won't ravish you."
"Oh darn," Casey lamented, with a big grin on his face. "What if I'd love to be ravished?"
"That could be arranged too, if you insist."
"I do, if I can ravish you in return! May I join you in the shower?"
"Yes! I'm sure Santa would approve."
----------------------------------End------------------------------------ Author's notes:
Thanks for reading this story. If you enjoyed it, please feel free to contact me a dlee169@hotmail.com and let me know. Your emails are the only reward I receive for writing. Please put the story title in the subject line in case your email goes into the spam folder.
Thanks to David S for editing. He finds typos and missing words! He also makes valuable suggestions.
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
David