Tenement Funster

In Better Spirits...

"You sure you're going to be okay?"  Roger questioned as he looked down at Brian laying in their shared bed.  His long curly hair a wadded mess and 2 days beard growth on his face.

"I'm fine...go on..."  Brian assured him as he stirred under the covers.  Preparing to rise.  Roger stepped back and watched Brian stand up.  Stretching a bit before giving the blond a tepid smile and bending slightly for a goodbye kiss.  

"Call me if you need anything..."  Roger advised as Brian followed him out of the bedroom.  Observing him gather his keys and slip on his coat.   They shared another kiss before Roger opened the front door.  The chilly morning air blasting through.   "I love you..."  he said as he stepped outside.  Offering Brian an encouraging smile.

"I love you too..."  Brian replied.  "Have a good day and tell Freddie hello for me..."  he added.  Roger liked the friendlier nature between Brian and Freddie and waved to his boyfriend as he headed down the stairs.  Off to resume work since the shop was re-opening today.  The wind was gusty and his blond hair flew away from his face as Roger buttoned up his coat and shoved his hands inside his pockets.  Reminding himself he needed some new gloves as he walked towards the bus stop.  And possibly a hat.

Brian closed the door and leaned against the wall.  Feeling tired and envious of Roger as he left to go to the shop.  It had been three days since the newspaper article and his dismissal and his fight with Roger.  It had been two days since they reconciled and Brian became better friends with Freddie.  Finding a new understanding with him as a result of his recent setbacks.  The reminder of his parents confrontation made Brian's stomach hurt.  He clutched at it as he made his way to the bathroom.  Needing a shower and a shave and needing to find a way forward.

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"I look forward to seeing them around 11 then..."  Freddie told the firm and hung up the telephone.  Leaning back in his office chair as he sighed.  Hoping the interview with the man coming at 11 would result in him having a new driver.  Not having a car and driver at his disposal had grown tiresome.  

Freddie had lost his driver and lost his boyfriend.  His mind turned to John as it had often since  the younger man had returned to Leicester to deal with his parents.  To help them understand who he really was after finding out he was gay.  Freddie always found himself waiting for the telephone to ring.  He had yet to hear from John.  With each passing hour he grew concerned the call might never come.  He tried to shake off the worry as he got up from his chair and walked out of his office.  Ready to open the shop door for business.

"Here we go!"  Freddie announced as he walked past Roger and went to the front door.  

"I'm almost done..." Roger told him as he finished sweeping the shop floor.  Freddie unlocked the door and flipped the sign to indicate they were now open.  He took a quick peek outside before returning to the counter.  He heard Roger in back emptying the dust pan in the large bin.

"I think it's going to rain any second..."  Freddie remarked as Roger reappeared.  Checking his appearance after the quick tidying up.  

"That wind was the devil this morning!"  Roger complained as he remembered he should get some gloves and a hat.   "I need some gloves Freddie..."  he stated as he walked to the accessory table near the coats.  

"Those red ones are probably the warmest..."  Freddie suggested as Roger looked over the half dozen styles they carried.  "I've got a man coming at 11 to interview for the driver position..." he informed his employee as Roger tried on a pair of the red gloves.

"I hope he works out..."  Roger told him as he wiggled his fingers inside the glove to see how they fit.  The door to the shop opened and Roger quickly extracted himself from the glove.  Smiling at the young man approaching.