Biting the Christmas Biscuit by Dawn Kimberly Johnson Page A

flying British Airways,” she announced.
    They had been sitting on their coats, and Eli held Alec’s open so that he could struggle into it. Alec returned the favor and unfastened his seatbelt. He sat a bit forward in his seat, ready to leap to his feet and grab their bags from the overhead compartment the instant he was allowed. Eli quickly buttoned up his coat to the neck as he looked out at the falling snow that coated the ground. He put on his ball cap and then gloves, took hold of his cane, and simply waited as the terminal grew larger in the window. What are we doing?
     
    *  *  *
    Alec quickly became uncomfortable with Eli’s silence as their taxi crawled toward the Tucker home on the precariously icy streets of New York. He had to admit he was eager to meet them. Bennett Tucker had been dead nearly two years when Alec first met Eli. He had found him broken and tormented by the loss, and it took an immense amount of patience to get past the defenses Eli had erected around himself and his heart, but Alec had done it.
    During that time he learned a lot about the man Bennett had been. He learned how beloved he was among his friends—now Alec’s friends. Most importantly, he grew to understand what he had meant to Eli. Looking out the taxi window at the nearly deserted streets, he recalled how difficult it had been to compete with a ghost.
    Now his boyfriend’s silence had him rethinking this trip. Was he thinking of Bennett? How could he not? We’re spending Christmas with his parents! As a psychologist, he understood very well what made people tick, but right now, looking at Eli, he had no idea what was ticking inside Eli and he wasn’t sure he wanted to. He watched him absently massage his bad leg.
    “Is it hurting?” Alec asked softly. “Being out in this weather probably isn’t so good for it.”
    Eli turned to him as if he’d forgotten he was in the car. “Pardon?”
    “Your leg.”
    He glanced down at his right leg and smiled. “Oh, it’s not too bad. Don’t worry.” Eli removed his cap and scratched his shaggy brown head vigorously. “I wish I’d gotten a trim before leaving.” He ran his hand along his cheek. “And maybe a shave.” He fell silent again and turned back to his window. Alec sighed and did the same.
    “Why did you agree to this?” Eli asked suddenly. He didn’t look at Alec right away. He was busy watching as they turned onto a street in a more upscale neighborhood. The streets had gradually grown wider, and there were now manicured lawns and grand homes illuminated with holiday lights and tasteful decorations.
    He had not answered and Eli turned to look at him. “I… I wanted to….” Alec’s words failed him. “Why did you agree to this, Eli?” he asked quickly in defense. “It can’t be any more comfortable for you.”
    Eli thought about it for a few moments. His soulful blue eyes blinked slowly at Alec in the dark backseat of the taxi. “I guess I missed them,” he said quietly. He sighed. “They’re not like our families.”
    “How so?” Alec asked.
    When Bennett was alive, traveling to New York with him to visit his family had become like visiting another planet. The Tuckers were loud, crazy, and loving. Eli felt more welcome in their home than he did in his own, and he could hardly get enough of them. They embraced him because their son loved him and because he loved their son.
    However, three years ago he had watched helplessly as Bennett was beaten to death in a London alley. He’d nearly died, as well, and after waking up in the hospital, there were many times he wished he had. He had suffered broken ribs, internal bleeding, a shattered leg, cracked eye socket, broken nose, broken jaw, and scars—lots of scars, the worst of which was waking up without his lover.
    He glanced at Alec and smiled. “Let’s just say that Mr. and Mrs. Tucker never forgot to bite the Christmas biscuit.”
    “I’m sorry?” Alec asked, more confused than ever.
    The cab