Blind Faith

I was still pissed off when I went to work the next day.I was flabbergasted by his rude behavior.We had a perfect afternoon, and the longer I spent with Isaac, the more I realized I liked him.Not just liking... I adore him.

But his moods were volatile, and his temper was violent.

I knew it was just some kind of defense mechanism on his part, and I could understand that.But I have no idea why he suddenly changed his face, what I said or what I did that caused him to accuse me of my tirade.

I could hardly sleep because I kept replaying our conversation in my head, so in the morning I was tired and cranky and, frankly, just mad at him.

Instead of sleeping, I took Missy for a morning walk, hoping to clear my head.Because today is Sunday, theoretically I don't have to work, but I think since Dr. Fields has retired, I should think more about the pet hospital.As the morning goes by, I'm almost done for the day and feeling pretty good.Tired, but in a good mood.

Until Lanny poked her head through the door of my office and interrupted me. "Doctor Reese?"

"Is something wrong, Lanny?"

"There's a call for you on Line Two," she said softly, obviously because she wasn't sure if I was still at work. "It was Isaac Branigan. I told him you were not the doctor on duty today, but he insisted on you."

persist in.I knew he would.

I smiled at Lanny. "Thank you. I'll take the call right away."

She turns away while I stare at the glowing buttons on the phone.I had no idea what the call was going to be, whether he was calling to complain about me, to tell me he was going to a straight vet, or to apologize.

For Isaac, all of the above options were possible.I sighed when I realized that all three could come together.

I picked up the microphone and pressed the lighted button. "Hi, I'm Carter Reese."

There was a moment of silence. "Uh, Carter, I'm Isaac. Isaac Branigan." His voice sounded cramped, even apologetic.Before I made it clear where the topic was going, I still put on a businesslike tone. "Isaac, what can I do for you?"

"I thought you weren't working today," he said. "I called your cell phone, but it went to voicemail."

I take my phone out of my pocket. "Oh, I put it on mute," I said absently.There are three missed calls displayed on the phone.One is from last night and two are from this morning.I suddenly realized something. "Is Brady okay?"

Isaac cleared his throat. "Oh, it's fine," he replied softly. "That's not why I wanted to call you."

I took a deep breath and had to ask him, "Then why are you calling me, Isaac?"

He cleared his throat again, and I thought I heard him fidgeting, or moving his seat. "I want to apologize to you."

I still can't believe what he just said. "Apologize?"

"Yes," he said sadly, "I was rude to you earlier, and I'm sorry."

"Isaac, it's okay," I told him, even though I was sure it didn't sound like that at all.

"No, there's something to it."

"Isaac," I said, but he cut me off.

"Can you come over here?" he said quickly. "I know I'm asking too much given the circumstances, but I'll have lunch ready. That's the least I can do."

I rubbed my temples. "Um……"

"Around one o'clock?"

"You don't get rejected very often, do you?"

"Uh," he hesitated, as if he really needed to think back. "Yes, I haven't been rejected much."

I smiled: "Okay. I'll be there around 01:30. See you then." I was still smiling when I hung up.In fact, I could have arrived at the one o'clock he appointed, but I decided to make him wait for a while.

***

I arrived at Isaac's house, not really sure what was going to happen when I rang the doorbell.I thought it would be Hannah who opened the door, but it was Isaac who held the door without saying a word and waited for me to enter. Then Brady ran to meet me with a wagging tail and a smiling face.I patted it, then turned to watch Isaac close the gate.He looked nervous.

He looked as handsome as ever in jeans, a T-shirt and his designer sunglasses.I waited for him to close the door while he took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Come in," he said softly. "I've got my lunch ready. It's in the kitchen."

"Actually, you don't have to," I say as I walk across the living room to the open kitchen. "But thank you for the invitation anyway."

The situation is a bit awkward.I felt a little out of place and still confused about the purpose of my trip.

"That's the least I can do," he said.His voice is soft but direct. "I was rude to you earlier, and I'm sorry."

It was a very sincere apology, and I couldn't doubt his sincerity. "I accept your apology."

He nodded, almost into a smile, and turned to the refrigerator to pull out a plate of cold cut chicken and salad.He put the plate on the counter, then turned again and took two empty plates from the cupboard.I was hesitant to step forward to help, but he did everything in order.

I sighed as he put the cutlery on the counter. "Isaac, I want to apologize to you too."

He quickly turned his face to me. "Why?"

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Well, first of all, I shouldn't be gossiping about other colleagues in the clinic. It's so unprofessional to do so. And it doesn't matter if Kate likes me or if she's my type. In fact, She does a fantastic job and I wouldn't be able to do my job well without her."

Isaac looked away, as if he disagreed with what I said. "It's clearly not your fault. I brought it up."

"That's true, but," I admitted, "I shouldn't talk too much."

"Well, I accept your apology, although I don't really agree with your statement." He replied with some dissatisfaction.

I shook my head.I knew he didn't agree with me. The words "nature is immovable" popped out of my head.It doesn't take long to know that Isaac seldom thinks he's wrong, and I'm a little curious about how hurt it would be to apologize to me.It made his apology slightly more meaningful.

Isaac hands me an empty plate and gestures with his other hand toward the chicken salad. "Please take care of yourself."

"Okay," I replied, and filled his plate as well.When I handed him his lunch back, I said, "I should also apologize for... well, telling you that women aren't my type."

He put his plate on the counter, opened and closed his mouth, and then a blush appeared on his face. "Don't apologize for that," he said softly, "I'm glad you told me about it."

He's glad I told him about it?

He changed the subject quickly before I could speak. "There is still a jug of water in the refrigerator, can you bring it for me?"

"Of course," I said and did as he asked, while he took two glasses from the top right cabinet.I pour water into two glasses and place one on the counter in front of him. I take his left hand and gently guide his fingers around the glasses.

He blushed, and his voice sounded like he was holding his breath: "Thank you."

I suddenly woke up.He was glad I told him I didn't like women, he blushed when I touched his hand, Hannah said he liked me.It's the kind that likes, likes me.

Knowing that I had nothing to lose, I took a deep breath and asked, "Isaac, are you gay?"

He turned his face to me, looking totally shocked by my explicit question, and then blushed.I didn't give him embarrassment time.Instead, I chuckled and asked, "So, is anyone interested?"

"Not in the past 18 years," he said deadpan.

"Oh shit," I exclaimed when I realized what I had just said to a blind man. "I don't mean to see what I mean by seeing. What I mean when I say see is to see someone right."

Isaac smiled at me. "Oh, that makes sense," he laughed wryly. "You mean a date?"

"Yes, date!" I yelled. "Damn, I'm sorry."

Isaac laughed again. "It's okay, Carter, it's really okay. I'm just joking. You can say things like 'You should really watch this' or 'Have you got your eye on anyone.' I won't take offense."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "My God, I'm so sorry," I said to him again.

He grinned at me. "Stop apologizing and drink some water," he suggested. "I hope it helps to get all your talk back down."

I rolled my eyes at him, even though he couldn't see.And he still smiled and put the plate on the cooking table, then walked around me, dragged a stool from the table below and sat down.

"We could sit at the table and eat too, don't you think?"

"No, that's fine," I told him, and pulled out a stool beside him and started eating my lunch.

After taking a few bites, Isaac said again: "The answer to your previous question is: no."

"No?"

"No, I'm not dating anyone."

Oh.

"What about you?" he asked me, before taking another bite of lettuce and tomato.

I swallowed the food in my mouth, then took a sip of water. "It's been a while," I admitted. "I had a boyfriend before, but we broke up almost a year ago."

Isaac nodded, looking calm. "What's his name?"

"Paul."

"Why did you break up?"

Gosh, he's not shy about hitting the straight ball. "Ugh, we want something different." That's a euphemism.

"What?" Isaac asked. "Career, family?"

I forked a small tomato. "Looks like he wants to sleep with someone else."

The fork that Isaac brought to his mouth stopped halfway. "oh."

I was amused by his expression. "Yeah, that didn't feel good."

"Oh," he said again.He took another bite of the chicken, chewing thoughtfully. "Is that why you moved here and got a new job?"

I shook my head, but then I realized I had to speak up. "No. No, not at all. Like I said, this was a year ago. I was out of the shadows long before this job came along, but when it came out, I thought it was a terrific job. Great opportunity to move on in my life."

"Good job," he agreed.

"What about you?" I asked again. "How about the ex-boyfriends?"

He shrugged. "It's been a long time," and then he corrected, "I once hung out with a guy at school. I guess that's what you call a date."

"What's his name?" I asked.He looked hesitant, so I added, "To be fair, I told my ex-boyfriend all about it."

he laughed. "Daniel."

"What happened to Daniel?"

"They moved," Isaac said. "We were so young and not really sure what we wanted, really."

I laughed too. "So you two just mess around and experience the experience?"

Isaac's mouth opened wide, then snapped shut again.He shrugged, "Well, sort of."

I chuckle at him. "Does Hannah know?"

Isaac takes the last bite of his salad, then nods. "Yes, of course. I can't hide much from her."

I find myself smiling. "Where is she now?"

"At her house."

I had to spend a few seconds thinking about this sentence. "She doesn't live with you?"

"No," said Isaac, shaking his head slowly. "She used to live with me, but she got married last year and has her own house. Her husband, Carlos, is a very nice guy."

"You live here alone?" I asked in disbelief. "Is this safe?"

He lifted his chin and said in a tone as if he had answered the question a thousand times: "It's absolutely safe here. Hannah is here from breakfast to dinner every day except Sunday. I have the most Great security system, the place is locked at night and I'm an adult. I'm a 26 year old adult and I should be allowed to live alone."

"No offense intended," I said to him sincerely, "I'm just amazed at how independent you are, how skilled you are at handling things and taking care of yourself,"

"Well, I actually had no choice," he told me. "I can either nest in a cave and eat and die, or I can live a good life."

I shook my head. "You're amazing, Isaac."

He shrugged one shoulder, and I knew he didn't believe me.After a while, he pushed his plate away. "Carter, can I tell you something?"

"of course can."

He thought for a while, as if he wanted to organize the language in his mind before speaking. "I live here alone, and I'm completely blind," he said softly. "So I think you can see how difficult it is for me to invite people into my home."

I nodded, and then I remembered again that I had to speak. "certainly."

Isaac's voice was soft.This is the first time I've seen him so vulnerable. "I know Max, I mean Dr. Fields, said I could trust you to come to my house and take care of Brady, but I want you to know that I do trust you. You took me to the park yesterday, That was the best thing someone else did for me in a long time, but I ruined the whole thing by yelling at you. I'm sorry I did those things. I didn't mean to… I just…" He shrugged off the words. "Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that, well, yesterday you said you'd like to go to that park later, well, I would, too."

I smiled and was about to speak when he continued.

"Of course, if you still want to," he said quickly, "if you prefer to maintain purely work visits, I won't blame you, and that's fine. Besides, we're both gay. What does it mean, I'm not suggesting you by coming out to you, or suggesting that you..."

I was amused by his chatter.He's kind of cute like this.

"I just thought I should let you know that I understand and have no problem with it. I don't want to upset you that I might be offended or want a different vet or something—"

I still keep smiling. "Isaac." I interrupted him.

He turned his face to me and waited for me to speak.

"To shut up."

He opened his mouth. "You're smiling, aren't you?"

"That's right," I said with a big laugh. "I'd love to go to the park again," I told him, "I had a great time."

He pouted and smiled. "You tell me to shut up."

I laughed again. "Yes, yes, that's what I said."

"Do you often tell people to shut up?" He asked me with a suppressed smile.

"If necessary."

"Well," he nodded, "I don't think I've ever been asked to shut up."

I laughed and said, "I thought so too."

He smiled a little embarrassedly. "So, what about this Saturday?"

At this point I grinned. "I'll check the weather, but how about we bring lunch? We can take our dogs too."

"I'll get food ready for us," said Isaac, "you worry about the dogs."

"sounds good."

Isaac nodded. "Yes, that sounds good."

There was a moment of silence between us because we were still smiling at each other. "Hey, where's Brady?" I asked him.

"Oh, he's in the back room," he told me, "do you want to meet him?"

"Of course!" I said.

"Are you full?" he asked me. "I don't know what you like to eat."

"This meal was delicious," I said as I cleared the dishes and put them in the sink. "did you do it?"

Isaac nodded. “Yes, Hannah usually prepares the ingredients for me, or leaves the cooked food for me so I just heat it up, or she cuts the food for me. For example, chicken, she will cut it Smaller pieces so I don't have to worry about cutting or eating too big pieces, especially in front of other people."

These are little things that I haven't given much thought to. "Well, you did a great job. The meal was delicious, thank you."

Isaac laughed, and walked around the stool into the kitchen. "Keep the dishes. I'll wash them later. Let's go see the dogs."

He turned and walked through the back door of the kitchen.I'd seen Hannah go through that door with the laundry before, so I figured it would lead to the outside.I followed him through the door and found myself in a spacious sun room.There is a door on the right, and I see there is a laundry room, but right now this sun room is really nice.

There are white wicker chairs and matching tables, as well as large potted succulents and primroses.Glass windows take up nearly the entire rear wall, overlooking a sprawling, manicured lawn and small swimming pool.

And the golden Labrador is lying on its bed.When he spotted us walking towards him, his tail began to wag vigorously in a joyful rhythm.It has a happy smiling face and bright eyes.It appears to be smiling.

"Hey, Brady," I said, getting on my knees and patting it in greeting.Isaac stood a few steps away, the indifferent distance he had put between himself and the dog palpable.

"Can we take it out of the backyard?" I asked. "Let it run by itself for a while?"

Isaac hesitated. "All right."

Isaac's nonchalant treatment of Brady is troubling.The dog was well cared for, but Isaac never made the familiar gestures that owners would make with him, no pats, scratches behind the ears or belly rubs.It's very sad.As a veterinarian, it bothers me too.Unfortunately, I don't have any professional solutions; there's no law that requires showing affection to animals.It is well cared for and eating hassle free.I recalled Dr. Fields saying that he only hoped that in time they would cultivate an intimate relationship.

We stood in the backyard and continued talking while Brady sniffed and pissed and sniffed.I skipped the Brady topic and asked Isaac if he swam regularly, and he told me yes, at least once a day, sometimes twice.It appears he's turned a guest room into a gym and is keen to keep in shape with cross-training and ladder exercise equipment.No wonder he looks so tall.

"Do you work out?" he asked me.

"Uh, not much fitness." I confessed. "I used to be a gym member when I was in Hartford, but haven't had time to find a new one yet. But I take Missy for a few miles for a walk most nights."

"Do you think you're in good shape?" he asked, before adding, "I'm just trying to picture you in my head."

All right. "Well, yeah, I think I'm in pretty good shape. I might not be able to do a triathlon anytime soon, but I'm in good shape." I wondered if that was specific enough, but I quickly realized it was probably not enough.So I told him, "I'm five foot ten and 150 five pounds."

Isaac nodded thoughtfully, then smiled, "What do you look like?"

I frowned.I've been told once or twice that I look a bit like Colin Farrell, but admitting it doesn't make any sense because Isaac probably never even met him.

"Uh, I don't know. I think it's just what normal people look like."

Isaac was quiet for a long time, but I could tell by the way his forehead was furrowed between his brows above his dark glasses that he was thinking. "Can I touch your face?" he asked.

I looked at him, startled by his request.What?touch my face?

Isaac's smile was obviously disturbed, or awkward. "Because there's no better way to describe what you look like, I just had to look at it myself that way. Your brows, nose, chin...lips."

I swallowed. "Uh, fine."

I was standing close enough to him that I turned to face him.He slowly raised his hand, and I took his hand and placed it on my cheek.

I almost stopped breathing.

He raised his other hand, and immediately his fingers were touching my hair. "Your hair is black, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"Your hair feels prickly and limp."

I laughed. "Yes, I cut my hair very short because it always grows in different directions."

He tilted his head and his fingers traced my forehead, my eyebrows.I closed my eyes as his fingertips brushed my eyebrows, eye sockets and temples. "Your eyes are brown; you told me that before."

"Yes," I whispered, "they're dark brown, almost black."

"I imagined you with blue eyes."

I still keep my eyes closed, but I smile and say, "I'm sorry to disappoint you."

His soft voice was very close to me. "I'm not disappointed."

Then his fingers stroked my chin, the tip of my chin, and finally my lips.

My breathing was shallow, but my heart was beating so loudly that I was worried about being picked up by his amazing hearing.His fingers touched like feathers, stroking my lips, my skin.I slowly opened my eyes and saw him licking his lips.

He said softly: "You have a pair of soft lips."

I leaned over to him.I want to kiss him.I want to kiss him so badly I can almost taste him.But I can't.

I shouldn't.

Shit, I want to kiss him.

He licked his lips again and I couldn't help but moan.

He strokes my lower lip with his thumb and I lean back again.I can feel his breath on my skin, and then his hands gently cup my face.Now it's not that I'm ready to kiss him.

It was he who was going to kiss me.

It turned out that Brady was gasping at our feet.

Isaac was startled, and then he took a step back, bowing his head in the direction of the dog's sound.I took a deep breath and laughed, although a little disappointed and out of breath.I pat Brady on the head. "I think it's just kind of curious. Wants to know what we're doing."

"Oh." Isaac said, taking a step back, putting distance between us.

I shook my head.gosh.I've been in love before, but never this intensely. "I've got to go," I said, as briskly as I could. "We'll go back to the room now, and then you lock the doors and set the alarm for the night."

Isaac nodded, then ran his fingers through his hair, looking as lost as I did. "good idea."

I took a deep breath. "Have we agreed on Saturday's appointment?"

"Yes."

"Fine," I said, "I'm looking forward to that day."

"Me too."