Sometimes, Things Just Happen

Chapter 2

By the time Vin and Ezra arrived at Ezra's place, they had both sobered up. Vin probably could have made it back to his place without any difficulty, but he couldn't bring himself to admit that to Ezra or to make himself leave him now that he was there.

As they stepped out of the cab and paid the driver, Vin whistled, starring up at the facade of the two-story gray and white stucco townhouse. "Ezra, this is a mighty fine place ya got here."

"Why, thank you, Mr. Tanner. I feel one's home is a most important investment." Ezra stopped next to Vin to admire his townhouse as he pulled his keys from his pocket.

Vin followed him up the short front walk to the porch. It had a light that turned on automatically as they approached the door. Ezra opened the door and disarmed his alarm system at the key pad next to it, then moved aside to welcome Vin inside. "Please..." He gestured for Vin to walk into the living room. "I need to check the mailbox. Make yourself at home."

Ezra had sparse, nondescript, but fine, tasteful modern furniture. In the living room, a bland, low trendy ottoman/coffee table sat in front of a tailored sofa and a matching chair was placed catty-corner, though they were dwarfed by the spacious room. Against the far wall in the living room was a large plasma television. The carpet was standard, developer beige. Most everything else was white. White doors, wood-work and trim, white tile in the kitchen beyond the living room toward the back of the house, and all but one wall was white. To the right of the wall with the tv, where the staircase led to the second floor, the wall going up and the wall below the stairs was painted a bold grass green that stood out in the stark interior.

"I like the color," Vin gestured to the wall as Ezra joined him in the living room.

Ezra gave him a wry smile. "It's called 'Lady Luck.' I was forced to come to the conclusion that it had been ordained by Fate."

"It's real nice," Vin nodded and continued to look around the room. It didn't feel too much like Ezra. At least, not from how Vin perceived him. Ezra was a strong, bold man, full of secret passions and hidden depths that Vin wanted to explore.

Vin shook himself from that thought. There he was being a romantic again.

Still, other than the green wall, the room was devoid of Ezra. There were no personal photographs, no mementos. It was too cold, too correct. It didn't look "lived in" comfortable. And that... kind of bothered Vin.

Ezra interrupted his thoughts, saying, "If you'll follow me, Mr. Tanner, I'll show you the guest room."

They walked up the stairs and the paint color continued to the upstairs hallway.

Ezra walked into the first room to the left of the staircase and flipped on the overhead fan-light. Here too the walls were all white. There was a double-bed, covered by a plain blue comforter, set between two small windows, and a bland nightstand. "I'm sorry that everything is so spartan, Mr. Tanner. As you know, I only moved in a few months ago and the decorator has not seen to the upstairs yet."

"'S'alright, Ezra. It'll do me just fine." Vin had turned his head to stare at the green wall again. He didn't see Ezra's jaw tighten in a knee jerk, adolescent reaction to hearing Vin say the words "do me."

Ezra shook his head to clear it of the accompanying mental images, cleared his throat, and busied himself with taking care of Vin's needs to keep his mind off his own. "The bathroom is right through here." He opened a door across the room from the bed and flipped on the light. "There are towels if you'd like a shower. There's shampoo and conditioner, soap, razors and shaving cream under the sink, and there are toothbrushes and toothpaste in the medicine cabinet."

Vin had turned back to face Ezra. "Ye're cert'nly well prepared."

Ezra gave him another wry smile. "I'm from Georgia, Mr. Tanner. We're not known for our hospitality in vain."

Vin laughed.

Ezra enjoyed the sound more than he wanted to admit to himself, but passed him by, turning back at the door. "I'll take my leave so you can see to your repose. If you need anything else, just let me know."

Vin took off his jacket and began turning down the bed. "A'right. I think I'll be jist fine though. Good night, Ezra."

"Good night... Vin." He shut the door behind him and let out a deep breath. So far, so good.