Andy’s Gift

Part Nine: Justice

The task before Chris as he looked at all those empty cups suddenly seemed overwhelming. He pressed his fingers to his eyes, trying to keep the tears back. ‘Empty,’ that’s just exactly how he was feeling. His enthusiasm for the night was gone, completely. Without his partner, none of this meant anything. Christmas really was Andy’s holiday. It always had been. It was Andy’s high energy and excitement that made the holiday special for Chris. Without Andy, this was all just a lot of hassle as far as he was concerned. He sighed as he finally took up the coffeepot and began filling cups. ‘Maybe I’ll just go upstairs too,’ he thought bitterly. ‘Douglas can do this then, since he’s so anxious to help.’

He finished pouring the coffee, and then retrieved the teabags and the sugar (which he finally found) from the pantry. He placed the pot of hot water on the counter, set four teabags to brew, and then turned once again to contemplate the cups he had already filled. ‘God, without Andy this was going to be a huge pain in the ass!’ He began digging around the cupboards for something he could use as a tray. He finally found a shallow cake pan, and admitting to himself that it was the best he could do, he began placing the coffee cups inside. Even so, he could only carry about four at a time.

He knew Liz would help him if he just went out there and asked. In fact any one of his family members would be glad to lend him a hand, but then Douglas would also be sure to volunteer, he was certain, and Chris didn’t want Douglas’ help. For that matter, he really didn’t want to deal with Douglas at all right now; he didn’t trust himself around him.

Tensely, with that thought in mind, Chris picked up the “tray” and made his way into the breakfast room where his laughing, chattering guests awaited him. The cake pan worked better than Chris had anticipated, the tea and coffe got delivered without a hitch, and as he went back to the kitchen for the fourth and final time, Chris breathed a sigh of relief. So far, no one had asked the question he was dreading.

He had only his own end of the table left to serve, now. He placed Alex’s coffee in front of him and handed Liz her tea. “Where is Andy?” Liz asked quietly, meeting her brother’s eyes. Chris shrugged and looked down as an unexpected rush of emotion prevented him from answering immediately. Carefully, he set his own tea down at his place and then turned to Douglas.

“Yes, where is the dear boy?” Douglas simpered and Chris gritted his teeth.

“He’s still not feeling too well,” he replied quietly, placing Douglas’ tea in front of him as his friend looked up at him. There was a warning in Chris’ tone as well as his eyes, but Douglas either didn’t recognize it or didn’t heed it.

“I’ll bet he’s not,” he smirked.

“What?” Liz inquired irritably. Her eyes had been on Chris, but now she shifted them to her brother’s friend.

“Not another word, DOUG!” Chris hissed in his ear. Douglas abhorred the shortening of his name and Chris knew it.

“I said,” Douglas’s voice rang out clearly now, “I’ll just bet he’s not feeling well!” There was a lull in the conversation as Douglas' loud assertion caused everyone to look their way.

“What in the hell is that supposed to mean?” Liz demanded impatiently.

“Doug, did I just hear your pager?” Chris placed a hand on Douglas’ shoulder, digging his nails in deep and making his friend squirm.

“No I don’t think so, Darling . . .” Douglas started, and Chris tightened his grip, “oww! Darling, oww!” Chris bent low once more and placed his mouth practically over Douglas’ ear.

“If you do not want me to kick the ever living shit out of you right here and now, you son of a bitch, then you get your ass up and excuse yourself!” Douglas’ face went pasty, and he swallowed.

“Oh, look at that, Darling,” he squeaked, pulling his pager from his pocket and pretending to glance at it. “It seems you were right after all. Well everyone,” he started as Chris helped him stand, “it’s been lovely. I’m sorry to have to go, but it seems that duty calls . . .,”

“What a shame,” Chris responded and without another word he ushered Douglas towards the kitchen, keeping a tight grip on his arm and making good use of the ‘you’re going to get it’ hustle, that Andy often experienced just moments before he found himself nose to the wall, rubbing his red and inflamed bottom while he sobbingly contemplated his partner’s speed and efficiency.

Douglas was likewise somewhat astonished by the rapid progress they were making as Chris propelled him through the kitchen, pausing just long enough to place the tray he was still carrying on the counter. “What in the hell is the matter with you?” Chris demanded, forcing Douglas against the wall as they entered the hallway.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Christopher, Darling . . .,”

“Oh yeah? Then just what were you implying with that little comment you made a few moments ago?”

“Why nothing,” Douglas sneered, “nothing Darling. I can’t help but feel sorry for the dear boy you know, already not feeling well, and bound to be feeling worse later on, what with the little outburst we had earlier and everything. I mean I know how strict you are, Darling, and your tolerance for such rude behavior is I’m sure minimal at best.”

“All right, Douglas, listen to me, and listen to me carefully,” Chris started evenly, regarding his friend with serious eyes. “First of all, you are the only person in that room who knows that I discipline Andy and that is not because I chose to confide in you! Your discovery of that fact was a complete accident, and I don’t mind telling you that you are the last person in the world I would ever choose to share that information with. Common decency and respect for me as your friend should therefore compel you to be discrete! Second, you are sadly mistaken if you think I’m going to reprimand Andy for the comments he made to you earlier today! He is the only reason you’re still standing here in one piece, in fact. If I’d had my way, I would have wiped the floor with your ass then and there. Quite frankly, I’d like to pin a medal on Andy for finally finding the courage to defend himself!”

“Darling, I’m amazed at you!” Douglas scowled as Chris’ sharp words finally penetrated the outer layer of selfishness and conceit, and pricked what little other feeling Douglas was capable of. “How long have we been friends?”

“We’ve been friends forever, Douglas, but this is not about you!” Chris returned in exasperation, finally letting go of him. “It’s about time you got that through your head! Andy is in my life now! He is not going anywhere, ever, I hope, and if you want to keep my friendship you will have to learn to accept that,” Chris handed him his scarf and coat.

“Well,” Douglas responded sulkily as he shrugged into his coat, and threw the famous scarf carelessly over his shoulders, “I know you’re going to spank him for something. You can deny it all you want, but there was way too much drama going on for there to be any question about that.”

Chris narrowed his eyes, getting right in his friend’s face once more, “And I know what you did!” he snarled. “You bought me the same watch you knew Andy had already gotten me, and you did it on purpose!” Chris opened the door as Douglas blanched, finally losing his swagger along with every last trace of his cocky air. “Don’t try to understand things you know nothing about, Douglas,” Chris cautioned heatedly. “What goes on between me and Andy is none of your damn business, and as of this minute you have a choice to make! You either accept that Andy is my partner, and in the future you respect that, or you leave right now, understanding that our friendship is over. In that case, I do not expect to see you here in our house ever again! Is that clear?”

Douglas for once in his life was too overwhelmed to respond properly as he looked at his friend’s irate face. “Do you understand me, Douglas?” Chris repeated, raising his eyebrows, and finally Douglas nodded. “Fine, then! Merry Christmas!” Douglas stepped out into the cold and Chris shut the door hard