The Invasion of Adam (Tork and Adam Book 2) (7 page)

“Are you sure you’re up to telling me this? Just an hour ago, you were hacking off your own arm.”

Tork shrugged. “I want to be free of it all. It’s followed me around for so long. That’s why I went to see him. Whatever I do, there is a full stop in front of me that I can’t argue with. He—he doesn’t deserve it. I don’t want to be this crazy guy anymore, and I want you to know the real me.”

“You’re not crazy. Except in bed.” They giggled together. Adam moved as close to Tork as he could get without sitting in his lap.

“That’s one of the things I love about you, Adam. You have an excellent sense of saying what is appropriate.”

“Oh, you think so? Go on, out with it, then. He’s a murderer, right?”

“No! No, nothing like that. One day he just sat there in the kitchen and told us he’d fallen in love with another woman. Then he left us and moved in with her.”

Adam finally breathed, relieved it wasn’t so much worse.

“But, that’s not all.” Tork dropped Adam’s hand. “I’m so ashamed, Adam. I was such a shit after that.”

“But it wasn’t your fault! You were just a confused kid,” Adam said indignantly.

“Yes, to start with, I was. But then I got to be an adult. I idolised him, you see. I believed every word he said—that he was this great guy…” He stopped and buried his face in his hands. “You’re not going to think much of me either, once I tell you what I did.”

“What
you
did?” Adam was so confused.

“Yes. It could all have been so different. He tried, you see. After he left. He tried to make it right. He called, sent me letters, gifts, books. And you know what I did?”

Adam shook his head in silence.

“I hated him. We had to move house, and suddenly we were poor. I—I resented it all. I had to go to a new school, and Mum started drinking. I did not act honourably. I was a cruel little bastard.” He took a deep breath. “I shunned him. I threw away his letters, got the phone number changed. Told Mum he didn’t want to bother with us. You think I am a good person, but I’m not.”

Adam’s mind went spun, trying to process what Tork had said, but still he couldn’t see.

“But, Tork. None of that is terrible. It’s normal kid behaviour! I once took my dad’s car without asking and crashed it into a wall. It’s just what kids do.”

“Not me! I don’t do those things, or at least I didn’t. And that’s the point—what he did, it happens every day. People fall in love and move on. But I treated him like he did a terrible thing. It was me, Adam, not him. And, that’s not the worst of it. My mum drank more and more. If I had seen Dad and got over it, maybe she would have stopped. I killed her, Adam, with my lies and my hate. It was up to me to look after her, and I didn’t.”

Finally Tork’s voice broke, and he cried.

* * *

Adam stroked his hair for a long time. He’d never seen Tork cry before, and he was terrified of saying the wrong thing. “That’s what you wanted to say to your dad?” he whispered into the green hair.

Tork shrugged. “I wanted to put it right and get rid of the lump in my chest. He was just a man, not a god. I know that now. We all do things we did not plan. I wanted to say sorry. But then he opened the door, and I lost it. I don’t know what I said. You see how awful I was?”

Adam thought hard, about everything Mike had told him about people and life. He rubbed his forehead and went for it. “What you just said about your dad? About him being just a man? That’s true of you, too. You make mistakes like everyone else. No one’s perfect.”

“But my mum,” Tork said. “I made it worse for her, much worse. It’s unforgiveable. I left her to go to college. Then one night, she drank too much and took a load of pills. And I got a phone call the next day.”

“Jeez, what a mess.” Adam hugged him harder, thinking maybe his own parents weren’t so bad after all, and he better give them a ring tomorrow. “You didn’t see your dad at the funeral?”

“He came, but I wouldn’t talk to him. I was so stupid. Then after that, I could not cope with anything. My boyfriend dumped me, and…” He caressed Adam’s face. “I met you, after I was on the streets a long time.”

Adam kissed him and felt so much pressure in his chest and head, he thought he might explode in a roll of emotions. “And look at us now,” he said.

“You still want to see me?”

“What do you think?” Adam said quietly.

They lay facing each other, holding hands. It was daylight now, and weak sunshine began pouring through the window. Adam wished he could stay here forever.

“We’ve been awake all night. But now I know what I have to do,” Tork said, and for once, Adam understood.

“Yeah, but this time I’m coming with you, and we talk it through with your therapist. No turning up on a doorstep alone, and no shutting us out! You need someone there who’s sensitive and appropriate. What you need…” he said, kissing Tork and slowly grinning, “Is a hunk who passed his exams.”

He got all the way to Adam’s hall before he baulked. But he resolutely walked through the piles of late autumn leaves, noting the crisp chill in the air.

There were so many students around, and although none of them took any notice of him, still the anxiety creeps began seeping into his muscles.

He slowly uncurled his fists and imagined Adam’s face when he knocked on the door. It was enough to get him through the main doors and up three flights of steps.

He knocked sharply.

“Yeah?” Adam’s voice rang out, sounding bored and cross.

“Yes? What do you want? Who is that banging on my door so rudely?” Tork called back.

There was a thunderous crash as Adam yanked open the door. He was wearing only tiny underwear. The morning sun danced across his skin, illuminating the fair hairs on his stomach.

“Good morning, Adam. You dressed for me,” said Tork, gently moving Adam to one side so he could enter Adam’s room.

“You could have told me you were coming!”

“You’d have baked a cake?” Tork shut the door firmly and slid his hands up Adam’s sides, wanting to devour him. Morning Adam was always grumpy and in need of firm discipline.

“Yeah, I’d have got something up for you.”

Tork opened Adam’s soft lips with his own, rubbing the rough stubble against his chin. “I see you already have,” he said, rocking his hips slowly against Adam.

* * *

An hour later, they were both in underwear and cleaning up the room. “Don’t you ever hang your clothes up? And why does one man need so many jeans?”

“I’m so embarrassed you saw this. Honestly, I’m normally fastidiously tidy. Dusting is my middle name,” Adam lied. “So, you’re coming to have breakfast with me, then I’ll show you round the college?”

“What’s this about? A Christmas dance?”

Tork held up a leaflet that was stuck to the desk with a piece of old pizza, remembering how much Adam had wanted to go to the Summer Ball.

“Yeah, but I’m not going.”

“But why? You said everyone who is anyone went.”

“Can’t afford it, now my dad’s cut my money back.” Adam imitated his dad’s voice. “
Got to stand on your own two feet sometime.
I can barely afford rent and food.”

“Oh. Didn’t your friends ever pay you back for all that money you lent them for rent?”

“Nope. Sore point, actually.”

“But you get paid for the art classes at the shelter now, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I do. I’m so lucky Mike gave that session to me. But I’m saving that money up for Christmas presents.”

Tork kissed him. “Remember what I said? You’re only allowed to spend ten pounds on me at Christmas.” He smiled cheekily at Adam, who glowered back. “There is a thrift store you might like to visit.”

Adam groaned and pulled his pillow over his head. Tork slipped the grubby leaflet in his pocket.

* * *

The college tour took a couple of hours, because Adam wanted to show Tork every building where he would attend lectures in January. Tork still couldn’t believe it was real, but the warm hand holding his was solid enough to keep him from worries.

“I can show you again, before you start. And I’ll just be around the corner to help if you need me.” Adam beamed. “I’ll draw you a map.”

“Thank you. I don’t know what I would do without you,” Tork said seriously, meaning every word.

“You’re going to meet your dad again now? Want me to come?”

They had met a few times. The first visit was so difficult, but now at least they were able to look each other in the eye. He hadn’t yet met Dad’s wife or her children, but one step at a time.

“No, you’d better get to your lectures. It’s just a coffee. I’ll call you after, OK?”

Adam pulled him into an alleyway to kiss him goodbye.

It was bloody freezing. The stall was outside the shelter, in front of the cathedral. They’d worked around the clock, trying to get it all ready for the December shoppers. Their origami models were spread out, each one a tiny masterpiece. Tork had showed the art class how to make a few simple designs, but then the class got inspired. Now they had everything from cats to a Christmas tree. Some of them even had little lights inside.

“You warm enough?” he said to Tork, who was fiddling with the models.

“No. Are you?”

“No, I’m freezing my tits off.”

They giggled together.

“I wonder how much money we’ll make. Mike says they’re shorter than ever on cash for this year’s Christmas dinner. Not too many people donating anymore. I hope we make enough to buy them a big, fat turkey. Remember last Christmas?”

Tork nodded. “I do. But Mike says we’re not allowed to help this year. Adam! People are coming over! Put your best smile on.”

They had a flurry of sales, with lots of shoppers charmed by the little models. The cash in their box began to grow.

By lunchtime, they had sold all their first models and were on to the next. Adam loved having a chance to show off in front of Tork, showing people how the models were made and telling them where all the money went. He felt Tork watching, and glowed inside.

“Well done, this looks great. Adam, I’m so proud of you.”

Adam nearly dropped his coffee in shock when he saw his own parents standing there. He’d told them about the stall, but he hadn’t expected them to drive the forty miles to see him.

“Hello,” he said, going all hot and cold as his mum came around the back to kiss him. “And you must be Tork. Nice to meet you,” Mum said, leaning forward to kiss Tork too. “We’re Adam’s parents.”

“Lovely to meet you,” Tork said, shaking Dad’s hand.

“This is just wonderful! All those poor people having to live on the streets in this cold. You did all this to help them?” Mum hugged Adam again, and a fog of surreal happiness and her perfume engulfed him. He nodded, tongue-tied.

“Here, let me put something in your tin,” Dad said. “And we’d like to buy a few of these little decorations. Had no idea, Adam, really. You made it sound like it was nothing, and look at you both, standing here doing all this work! Well done.” Dad hugged him and patted him on the back. “You’re a good boy.”

Mike appeared with a camera. “Smile nicely, boys. We can put this in the local newspaper. Be good publicity for us. Can I say you’re an ex-client, Tork?”

“Of course.”

“You mean our faces are gonna be in the local mag?” Adam demanded.

“I can blank your face out if you want, son?”

“No way. Just let me comb my hair, ’kay?”

His parents laughed. “Can we take you both out for a meal after you finish?” Dad asked. “We’ve come all this way. It would be nice to spend time with you both and get to know Tork and have a chat about Christmas.”

Adam glanced at Tork, wondering if it would be too much for him.

“We would love to. Thank you for the offer,” Tork said quickly, and Adam realised right there and then that he loved him. Of course, he’d already known it.

“Oh my god,” Adam said, as his parents wandered off, waving. “Wonders will never cease. Proud of me!” He laughed giddily.

“I’m sure they always were. Except maybe that time you stole his car.”

“And used his credit card once when I was drunk.”

“Hmm. You’ve come a long way. I didn’t know you’d told them about me.”

“Of course I did. Said you were like James Bond with green hair.”

They sold most of the models, even the fairly crap ones Adam had made, and eventually began to pack away. His hands were numb, and he was dying for a pee. He went inside to use the loo.

When he came back from the shelter with Mike, Adam saw the best thing ever. It took his breath away in one gigantic motion and made tears spring up against his eyelids. He clutched Mike’s arm.

“Wait,” he said.

Tork was standing outside the cathedral, talking to a man, a woman, and three children. The man had the same oriental features as Tork—the same smile, too.

“He came,” Adam said fiercely to Mike. “It’s Tork’s dad.” He gripped Mike’s arm tightly.

“Easy, son,” Mike said hoarsely.

“If they hurt him, I’ll—I’ll…”

“Yeah, me too,” said Mike.

But after a while, Tork beckoned them over, smiling.

It was Christmas Eve, and also the day of the college Christmas dance. Their little Christmas tree was lit up with the origami models Adam had brought back from the garages this morning and resurrected with glitter. The
star with attitude
was right up on the top, catching the lights and casting pretty patterns on the carpet.

Beneath the tree were presents, some wrapped with paper from the thrift store.

“Are you sure you’re up to going to my olds tomorrow night? We can cry off if you’d rather stay here?”

“No, Adam, it’s fine. I am looking forward to it. No screaming in bed, though, in case your parents are listening.”

“Hmm, I guess not. Then meeting your gorgeous dad on Boxing Day. It’s like having Tork clones. You think he’d, y’know…?” Adam gave Tork a saucy wink.

“No,” Tork said firmly, snorting. Adam was pulling a shoe lace across the floor for Dickens, who was lazily dipping his paw into a cup of tea. Tork thought maybe he had made Adam wait long enough. “Adam? Shall we go out tonight?”