It wasn't like Dillon hadn't expected it. He and Jamie had talked about this very thing the day they'd moved in together. In fact, it had been Jamie's idea not to tell Jim that the two of them were partners. Jamie was afraid if Jim found out, he'd make some excuse to fire Dillon. And from the way the conversation seemed to be headed, it looked like Jamie had been right. Dillon sat back in his chair and waited for the words, "you're fired" to come rolling out of Jim's mouth.
But they never came. Instead, Jim said, "Dillon, is it your assertion that James Walker is your spouse?"
Why was Jim asking questions Dillon had already answered? "Yes, sir, it is."
Jim nodded again and reached for a stack of papers at the side of his desk. "In that case, I have a few forms I need you to fill out. Oh, and we'll have to increase your hours so that you get at least twenty-five in each week, but that's doable."
Dillon wondered if Jim had been taking samples from the pharmacy's narcotics section. "You're increasing my hours? Why?"
Jim pushed the stack of papers over to Dillon's side of the desk. "I know it might be a bit of an adjustment at first. I remember how hard it was for me to leave my wife right after we moved in together." He gave Dillon a sappy smile. "Heck, I have a hard enough time leaving her now, even after twenty-seven years and three kids." He cleared his throat. "But you already work about twenty-hours a week, so five more won't make that much difference. And I wouldn't ask you to do it, but company policy is ironclad on the subject." Jim quoted word for word as if reading from the employee handbook. "All employees wishing to qualify for health benefits must work an average of at least twenty-five hours per week."
Health benefits? "Mr. P., are you telling me you're bumping up my hours so that I can have health insurance?"
Jim shook his head. "No, son, I'm telling you that I'm bumping up your hours so that you and Jamie can have insurance. Savings Central offers benefits for same sex partners just like they would for a married man and his wife." When Dillon started to speak, Jim said, "I know at your age you don't think much about getting sick, and I pray you don't, but everyone needs health benefits, just in case. Now, I spoke with your mother, and I know for a fact she and your father cancelled your insurance as soon as you moved out. And I imagine James has insurance through his aunt, but it would be better if it came from you. For all intents and purposes, you're a married man now, Dillon. It's up to you and James to take care of each other. I'd say this is a step in the right direction, wouldn't you?"
Dillon was too shell-shocked to do more than nod, but it was enough for Jim. He pulled some more papers out of a drawer and added them to the stack in front of Dillon. "Good. Now that that's settled, we need to renegotiate your pay. Since health insurance takes money out of your check each week, I'm giving you a raise to cover the difference. And since you're a full-time student as well, you get a discount. So, with the raise and the extra hours, you'll actually come out making a few dollars more each week."
Dillon wasn't sure what to say, but he was fast learning that honesty worked best. "Jim, I can't thank you enough for doing this for me. When you called me in here, I though sure you were gonna fire me."
"Fire you? Are you crazy, kid? Not only are you one of the best employees I've got, you're also someone I've come to think of as a friend. Like a son, even. I love all three of my daughters, but it would be nice to have a son to pal around with. You fit that bill rather nicely, I must say." Jim took off his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I was hurt when you didn't tell me about you and James, though, Dillon. I want to help you in any way I can, but I can't do that if you won't let me."
The emotions swirling inside of Dillon at Jim's words were overwhelming. "I'm sorry for not telling you, Mr. P. Jamie and I have been through so much, and with my folks acting the way they are, I just wasn't sure how to handle it." Jim put his glasses back on, stood up, and came around to Dillon's side of the desk. He clapped his hand on Dillon's shoulder. "I wasn't criticizing you, son. I know you've been through a lot. I could tell that just by talking to your mother this afternoon." Jim rolled his eyes. "That woman is the poster child for a massive dose of Prozac. For the record, I don't give a rat's rear about you being gay. I'm just glad you've found someone to share your life with. Oh, and before I forget," Jim walked back around to the other side of the office and grabbed yet another sheaf of papers. "I have another offer for you. I recall you mentioning to me once that you were going to attend Garman College in the fall, up in New York, right? Are those plans still on?"
"Yes, sir. They are."
"Good. Savings Central has stores all over the country, including one in Rochester, about a twenty-minute drive from Garman College. I'm recommending you for a transfer when the time comes for you to move up there. I'm guessing that James is going with you?"
"Yes, he is."
Jim gathered all the papers together and handed them over. "That works out nicely, then. You can keep working for Savings Central and still keep your insurance benefits."
Dillon stood up, holding the papers against his chest. "Mr. P., I'm not sure what to say. Somehow 'thank you' just doesn't feel like enough."
Jim reached out and patted Dillon on the cheek. "It is, son. Trust me when I say it is."
#
Dillon took the stairs from the garage to his and Jamie's apartment two at a time. He flung the door wide and found Jamie bent at the waist, rummaging through the fridge and wearing nothing but a thin pair of boxers. Dillon dropped his papers on the small kitchen table they'd inherited from the apartment's last occupants and came up behind Jamie, finding the position too good to pass up. Jamie started a bit when he felt Dillon's crotch pressed against the most intimate part of himself, but he quickly warmed to the feeling.
"Mmm. If that's gonna be what happens every time I bend over around you, I'll be sure to do it more often."
Dillon laughed and pulled Jamie up, closing the refrigerator door with his foot and turning Jamie so that the two of them were facing. "You do that." Dillon nuzzled his neck, inhaling Jamie's hair. "You smell good. Is that my shampoo?"
Jamie looped his arms around Dillon's waist. "Yep. I bogarted some of it. I like the way it smells. Reminds me of you. Guess we'll have to stock up. You get it at the pharmacy, don't you?"
"Uh huh." Dillon looked down and into Jamie's eyes. "Speaking of the pharmacy, I have something to tell you. My mother gave Jim Pembroke a little a phone call this morning."
Jamie leaned his head against Dillon's chest and groaned. "Oh no. I can just imagine what she said."
Dillon pulled him in closer. "Yep. Gave him a real earful, from what he told me. But it's okay. Jim knows about us, and he doesn't care."
Jamie lifted his head. "Really?"
"Really. He's even arranged for the two of us to have health insurance. I'll have to work a few hours more a week, but we can deal with that. And here's the best part. He's transferring me to one of the New York stores in the fall so I can keep working while we're in college."
