Fear - 40

"I thought, well, that a farmer's market meant lots of vegetables and fruits, not all this." Shawn swept his arm out to encompass the various booths, almost hitting an unsuspecting woman in the process. He apologized profusely then told Gene to stop laughing.

Gene did, but seemed to have trouble hiding his amusement at how excited Shawn was about everything.

Shawn saw that and scowled, then grinned. "Okay, so I've never been to one. Shoot me." He continued looking around then grabbed Gene's arm. "They even have artists. Fantastic!"

"You like that, huh," Gene said, allowing Shawn to drag him to the booth in question.

"Oh yeah. I used to draw sometimes, way back when before… well, just before."

"BJ."

"What?" Shawn swung around to stare at him.

"BJ, before Jared. Oh hell…" Gene shook his head when he realized what that usually stood for. "Sorry," he said, laughing.

Shawn grinned. "I'm going to remember that." He sobered a bit. "It kinda makes it easier to think of him that way. I can sort of smile then, because…because you said it and it was stupid that you didn't think what it meant and…"

"You're rambling again."

"Yeah, I am. So anyway…" Shawn pointed to a picture of a cabin surrounded by snow covered trees with a mountain behind them. "He made it look almost real but fanciful too."

Gene studied it and nodded. "Idealized, the way you'd like it to be."

"Yes, exactly."

They looked at some of the other artwork then moved on to a booth of jewelry. "I should get something for Mrs. Spitzer. To thank her for letting me stay there," Shawn said, fingering a pair of green earrings. "Or maybe some of that soap." He practically bounced over to the next booth, which held baskets full of organic soaps in all shapes and colors.

"Looks like he's having fun," Max said, coming up beside Gene.

"Definitely. He doesn't seem to have a care in the world right now. At least mostly. Did you know he used to draw, according to him?"

"Nope. I gather that was before Jared came along."

"Yeah. I suspect he pretty well crushed that part of him. Probably told him he wasn't any good so he should forget it."

While Gene and Max talked, Shawn moved on to the next booths, oblivious of the fact Gene wasn't following along. He stopped again at one laden down with loaves of homemade bread, inhaling their heady aroma. When he felt an arm around his waist he almost sighed with happiness, leaning back into the embrace.

I thought he'd never do this. At least not so soon, and in public

Then a well remembered voice whispered low against his ear. "Hi, baby, did you miss me?"