Saturday Snippet

 

Saturday Snippet

Taste

Mickie B. Ashling 2020

All Rights Reserved

By the time the cab made its way to Bucktown, it was close to ten thirty in the morning. Lil was already waiting at the door, looking very summery in khakis and a Tommy Bahama shirt. He’d left his hair product-free, rather than dealing with a sticky mess due to the high levels of humidity. The end result was more youthful, with the soft hair falling over his forehead. Grier couldn’t help admiring the blond who’d captured his interest so acutely.

He would have greeted him with a kiss but held back due to Luca’s presence. “Hey.”

“Hey, yourself.” Lil smiled broadly. “And who is this young man?”

“I’m Luca.” The boy stared at Lil with frank curiosity. “What’s your name?”

Lil was charmed. “My name is Lil.”

“Do I have to call him Tito Lil?” Luca turned toward Grier.

“That would be best,” Grier replied.

“Tito?” Lil inquired.

“It means uncle in Filipino.”

“But I’m not his uncle.”

“And neither am I, but we’re adults, and in his culture, it would be disrespectful if he addressed us without a formal salutation.”

“I see.”

“Everyone buckle up, and let’s get this show on the road,” Grier said, helping Luca into the cab and adjusting his seat belt. They headed toward the Loop, not very far distance-wise, but with the perennial gridlock, they inched their way across town. Finally, a few blocks away from Willis Tower, they asked the taxi driver to stop. Walking would be far more enjoyable than sitting in a stuffy cab. Lil paid and they exited onto the sidewalk.

“Wow,” Luca said, craning his neck when they finally arrived in front of Willis Tower. “I can’t see the top of the building.”

“It’s certainly impressive,” Lil seconded. “This should prove very interesting.”

“What’s the problem?” Grier replied, noting the tiny bit of apprehension in Lil’s voice. “I thought you wanted to do this?”

“I’m not comfortable with heights,” Lil confessed. “They make me queasy, and I always have this urge to throw myself over the edge.”

“I’ll hold your hand, Tito Lil,” Luca said solemnly. “Don’t be afraid.”

“Thank you, Luca. I need all the help I can get.” Lil looked at Grier and mouthed, He’s so fucking cute!

Grier smiled. “He is.”

They stood in the line with the other tourists waiting their turn to get into the elevator that would take them up to the Skydeck. Willis Tower, according to the brochure in Lil’s hand, was the highest building in the western hemisphere, and the third tallest in the world. It was a big tourist attraction, and the lines were a small price to pay to get to the top and enjoy the magnificent view. The express elevator soared up to the hundred and third floor in less than sixty seconds.

Luca held his head when the door slid open and turned to Grier. “Tight?”

“It’s the pressure building up in your ears,” Grier explained. “Try pinching your nose with your fingers and blowing.”

Luca did as he was told and he looked at Grier and smiled. “They popped, Tito G.”

“Good.”

Luca moved quickly, heading toward the Ledge everyone was talking about. Lil held back when he realized what he was about to experience.

“Come on, Tito Lil,” Luca urged, pulling him along. Grier brought up the rear and watched in amusement as Lil stepped into the glass box with much trepidation. It extended approximately four feet over Wacker Drive, allowing one to look through the floor to the street, one thousand plus feet below. Lil would have passed out if not for Luca’s innocent face looking up at him.

“How cool!” Luca exclaimed.

“Way cool, buddy,” Lil croaked.

Grier put his arm around Lil’s waist and drew him close. “I got you.”

“Thank God,” Lil whispered. He turned toward Grier and tried to suck in some air, so caught up in his fear he forgot how to breathe. The look on his face was priceless, and Grier couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Can we please get out of here?”

“Come on,” Luca sighed loudly. “You’re a big baby, Tito Lil.”

Grier burst out laughing. “You tell him, buddy.”

“Shut up,” Lil hissed. “I have to maintain my dignity around this child.”

“I think it’s a lost cause,” Grier joked.

“Oh my God.” Lil clutched Grier’s hand. “Let’s go.”

“Don’t you want to see anything else? What kind of architect are you?”

“The kind that enjoys skyscrapers off a blueprint!”

Grier picked up Luca, and they entered the elevator, which hurled them down the many flights in record time. Lil felt like he’d left his stomach somewhere up on the eightieth floor. By the time he staggered out onto the street, he was paper white. “I think I need a drink. What time is it?”

“Who cares?” Grier replied. “It’s after five somewhere in the world.”

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Taste is the second novel in the Horizons Series but can definitely be read as a standalone. It's available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. 

You can buy Taste HERE or read for free with your Kindle Unlimited subscription.