Page 103 of The Long Way Found

They clinked cans.

"Tell me again how you two met?" Luke asked.

Evan's face lit up. "San Francisco, 1980. I was visiting from Denver, and he was there working construction. We met at a bar in the Castro."

"It was a different time," Dale said quietly.

"Different world," Evan agreed. "We thought we'd stay there. Big city, gay mecca, all that. But then..." He trailed off, a heavy sadness passing over his face. "Dale’s family had land here, so we came back. Best decision we ever made.”

"Even with all the snow?" Luke joked.

"Especially with the snow," Evan said with a grizzly grin. "Keeps the riffraff out."

They all got the plow, chains, and shovels stored away in no time.

"You just turned 40," Evan said. "And we're about to have our 40th anniversary."

Luke blinked. "That's... wow."

Evan grinned. "It goes fast."

"Any advice?" Luke asked. "For making it work that long?"

Dale looked at Evan. Evan looked back.

"Don't keep score," Dale said, brushing a bit of straw off Evan’s shoulder. "Don't go to bed angry. And don't forget why you started."

"And get a good truck," Evan added with the faintest smile.

Luke laughed.

On the drive back into town, Luke thought about what he'd seen. Dale and Evan, still together after forty years. Still choosing each other. Still holding hands when they thought no one was looking.

It was possible. A long life. A good life. With someone you loved.

He thought about Jack. About how they'd almost lost each other. About how they were finding their way back.

Forty years.

Could they have that? Could they build something that lasted, something solid and real and worth protecting?

Luke didn't know.

But for the first time, he knew he was going to try.

After a shower at home, he stopped to pick up ingredients for pasta, sauce, a salad, and a crusty bread roll. Nothing special or fancy, except for a particular olive oil Jack wanted to try in his new cast-iron skillet.

He arrived at Jack’s new house right at 7, and Jack was pulling into the carport ahead of him. Looked like another long day. He thought of Dale casually brushing straw off Evan, one in a million little moments between them.

In the kitchen, Jack put the grocery bags on the counter, and they exchanged a quick hug and a kiss.

“You’re just getting home? How’s your day?” Luke asked.

“Better now,” Jack said, pulling Luke back into a longer hug and giving his back a little rub. “I’m glad you’re here. I’ve been looking forward to this.”

“Same! You hungry?”

“I will be by the time we get this ready. Do you have everything you need for your recipe? I’m afraid I don’t have much here yet…”