Love Means No Boundaries - Andrew Grey

years earlier, and they appeared extremely happy.
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“It’s on the tool bench.” The guys took that as a sign that the stories were over for now and got up to leave, saying goodbye before heading home. “I’ll get it and put it in the trunk,” Chris volunteered as he got up, his hand traveling lovingly over Len’s shoulders.
“So, Robbie,” Len started. “How’d you get messed up with this group?”
Joey explained about Mari being desperate, and Robbie told him about all the things he’d done on the farm. Regardless of being blind, Robbie’s eyes shone as he told Len about Joey helping him ride a horse.
    “I take it you’re having a good time.”
“The best!” Robbie squeezed Joey’s thigh under the table, and Joey did his best not to squeal in surprise.
The back door banged, and Chris walked back in the kitchen.
“All set.” He took a seat around the table.
“Geoff, that’s a terrific motorcycle in there, is it yours? It looks really cool.”
Most eyes around the table turned to Joey. “It’s mine,” he said as he tried to figure out how to disappear into the floor.
“Shit, I’m sorry. It looked cool, and I guess I forgot.” It was funny, but the last few days, Joey had forgotten. The accident and his face didn’t matter so much when he was around Robbie.
    “What are you going to do with it?” Chris asked.
Joey shrugged, but it was Robbie that spoke up. “Take me for a ride.” It wasn’t a question.
“I don’t think I can.” Joey wasn’t sure he’d ever be able to ride that bike again, or any motorcycle for that matter. When he got the 86 Love Means … NO Boundaries
courage to look at Robbie, he saw that beautiful face set in a completely foreign expression, but he said nothing. Joey had the sneakiest suspicion he hadn’t heard the last of it.
     
Eli got up from the table. “I’ve got horses to tend, rain or not.” He leaned forward and kissed Geoff. “I’ll be in later, and it’s your turn to cook.” Eli smiled knowingly.
    “Dinner in town, it is.” Everyone laughed, including Eli, and after getting another kiss from his lover, Eli headed to the barn. Chris said he needed to make a few calls and went into the other room.
“I should get things done too.” Geoff put his dishes away and headed into the office.
“I should rehearse before tomorrow’s performance.” Joey handed Robbie his violin case, and he went upstairs, leaving Len and Joey alone. Len didn’t waste any time. “So are you and Robbie an item?”
“For now.” Joey tried not to think about the end of the week and Robbie going home.
“I thought so. You’re smiling more and you seem… happy.
Something I haven’t seen in a while.”
“I am happy and scared at the same time. He goes back to Mississippi in a week.” He tried to keep the disappointment at bay. “How do you feel about him?”
Joey looked into Len’s face and saw only care. Len was as close to a father as Joey’d ever had, and he almost worshipped the man. “I think….” Joey couldn’t say it. He wasn’t ready to admit out loud how he felt. If he did he’d have to deal with it.
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Joey felt a hand on his arm. “There’s truth to the old saying that it’s better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.
Our hearts decide who we get to love, but only God decides how long we have them to love. You have to make the most of the time you have, be it seven days, seven months, or seven years.”
    “I don’t know how I can let him go.” Joey wiped his eyes.
“He’s one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever known. He made spreading manure and riding fence fun.” Everyone hated those jobs. “You won’t have a choice. All you can do is enjoy the time you have.”
The sound of Robbie’s violin drifted through the house.
“Thanks, Len.”
“What are you going to do?” Joey saw the knowing look.
    “I suppose if Robbie can be brave enough to ride a horse, I can try getting back on one.” Both men stood, and before Joey could leave, Len pulled him into a hug. “I’m glad you’re home, Len.” A glint of gold caught Joey’s eye. “Is that new?” Len pulled up his sleeve to expose the large watch. “Yeah, Chris bought it for me while we were gone.” The huge gold watch shone in the light.
    “Is it real?” God, it must have cost a fortune.
“Yeah. Chris insisted on buying it for me when I looked in a jeweler’s window in St. Maarten.” Len didn’t seem too thrilled.