Spanish Bay by Hans M Hirschi

have my number.” Neil reached up to Chris and kissed him. “Talk to you later. Drive safely. Wouldn’t want you to end up like me here…”
    Chris watched as Neil wheeled his way up to the door and inside the house. His mother waved, but gave Chris a funny look, before closing the door behind herself.
    ***
    Sally didn’t look so good and seemed to be in a lot of pain, so when Chris told her about the help he’d received from Neil, she was delighted he’d managed to fix it.
    “I’m giving you a raise and a promotion,” she said. “You’re now officially the manager of Sally’s. Looks like I’ll be out for quite some time, and I won’t be able to work. There are complications with the foot due to my diabetes…” She made a dismissive gesture with her hand. “Long story, but I can’t put weight on it for a prolonged period of time, and I can’t move around with crutches. I trust you, Chris, you’re a good kid. You’ll manage. If you find someone to hire, I’ll leave that to you. Let’s schedule a meeting next week, and I’ll fill you in on all the details of ordering et cetera. Okay? I need to lie down again.”
    That had Chris worried. “Anything else I can do for you?”
    “No, thanks Chris. I’ll be fine.”
    “If you’re sure…”
    “I am.”
    “Okay.” Chris turned to leave. “Oh.” He turned back again. “Can I use your phone real quick? I need to call Neil, and I don’t have a cell.”
    “Sure, but why don’t I give you my spare cell? I never use it anyway. We got it a few years ago to have down at the café just in case, but it’s never been used so I took it home. Hang on, I’ll get it for you.”
    Slowly, and with much strain, Sally turned around and hobbled back into her house, disappearing into her office. A few minutes later she returned, with a box in her hand.
    “It’s not very stylish, but it’s a phone. You can make calls, and you can hook it up to the one at the café, have calls forwarded to this number. For all I know, you might even be able to text with it. God knows I never understood these modern inventions. A phone is a phone, eh?” She chuckled, painfully, while handing Chris the package.
    “Thanks, Sally, I appreciate it.”
    “Don’t mention it. You deserve a medal…” she said, turning around and disappearing back into the house.
    Chris closed the door and drove home. It had been a strange day. He took off his clothes and was asleep before his head had properly hit the pillow.

Chapter Six: Sally
    CHRIS PICKED NEIL UP in the morning, just as he had said on the phone the night before. He was eternally grateful for the help from…his lover? Boyfriend? Boyfriend, Chris decided, happy with the term, as it was exactly how he felt toward Neil. Their relationship, as new as it was, was quickly developing into more than puppy love and sex. The offer from Neil to help him with the café—without asking for pay or anything in return—was a gift and a show of real character, and Chris felt lucky to have met Neil when he did.
    Neil was already waiting outside the house when Chris drove up. As it was early on a Saturday, Neil probably didn’t want to wake the family. Chris parked on the street, rather than in the driveway, and Neil quickly rolled down to the car. Chris helped him get in.
    “Good morning, handsome. How are you today? Did you sleep well?”
    One of the things Chris loved about helping Neil into the car was the necessary hugging involved, and that he could easily sneak a kiss, which he did, before Neil turned in the seat and fastened his seat belt. Chris put the wheelchair in the back and drove down to the café.
    “I’m so glad you could make it today. I’m really worried about Sally. She didn’t look good at all last night. I’m afraid she might be worse than I had imagined. I’ll need to see if I can get over there at some point today and check in on her.
    They opened the café on time, and shortly after, the first customers started to