"THE ASSIGNMENT"
by Gail Gernet
Rafe sighed, placing a steaming plate of bacon and eggs in front of Gabe. The knife scraped butter across the crisp pieces of toast. Gabe inhaled deeply, treasuring the warm smells of bacon, toast and coffee.
“I’m gonna miss all this,” he mumbled around a mouthful of the breakfast.
Rafe placed his plate on the table with exaggerated care, fixing the arrangements of the knife and fork. He shook his head.
“You know Gabe, I never thought it would be so much work.”
“What?”
“Maintenance, you know.”
Gabe put down his fork and looked directly at Rafe. “I don’t know, why don’t you tell me.”
Gabe picked up his coffee and blew across the surface, watching the patterns of steam swirl.
Rafe cleared his throat. “This is my first assignment.”
Gabe nodded, motioning with his fingers for Rafe to continue.
“I didn’t know what to expect. These bodies...well, you’ve had experience before. This was my first time and I just wasn’t prepared for all the maintenance that these bodies require.”
A frown furrowed Gabe’s perfect brow. He finished the last few bites of his breakfast.
“I love corporeal assignments,” he told Rafe.
“I know Gabe, I know. In fact I took this assignment because you said such glowing words about corporeal life. It made me really want to try it.”
“Regrets?”
“No. Not really, I just...well take defecation for a moment. I mean, well, the eating part is good. I like that. But having to eliminate all the time, it makes me uncomfortable. And it stinks.”
Gabe’s handsome mouth quirked upwards at the corners. He sipped at his coffee, laughter deep within his magnificent blue eyes.
“And shaving,” Rafe continued, “what about shaving. Even you have to admit that it sucks. And getting dressed and hot and cold. I’m glad that this assignment is almost over.”
“Rafe, I think you are just getting nervous.”
“No, Gabe, I’m going to be glad when I’m back to being me again. I don’t think I’ll ever take a corporeal assignment again.”
“We all get nervous at the end.”
Rafe rose and paced around the cozy kitchen. One hand tucked beneath his armpit while he bit the nails of the other hand. Gabe joined him, pulling the bitten hand from his mouth. Rafe started to cry. Gabe put his arms around him and just held him.
“It’s okay. It’s okay. I’ll be with you.”
Rafe pulled away, wiping tears with the back of his hand like a child.
“Oh great, now I feel like such a fool.”
Gabe laughed. “Don’t worry about it. Mike literally sweated blood. I don’t think a few tears are going to damage your reputation.”
“It’s tonight isn’t it?”
“That’s right.”
“Howling mob, brutal treatment, bludgeoned to death.”
“I’ll be right there beside you Rafael. We’ll do this together.”
“Thanks Gabe. I’m glad I don’t have to do this alone. And I think you are right. I‘m going to miss all this. Especially touching you.”
Gabriel gave him a buffet on the arm. They picked up their matching leather jackets and put them on. Rafe started to tidy the breakfast things into the sink.
“Forget that,” commanded Gabriel, “let’s get this started.”
Together they walked out of the house, holding hands. The streets were crowded today and the men were jostled as they walked. On the corner they paused. Gabriel took Rafe into his arms and gave him a deep kiss. Rough hands tore them apart and it began.
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Gail Gernet writes: "I've always been a writer but only in the last couple years have I steeled my nerves to let other people read my work. I've been published in Wynterblue Thunder magazine, Ticklec by Thunder magazine, and have poetry published in ARC, by TOPS, and included in three anthologies. I have an e-book, "Shadows of the Lynx" and have self published a cookbook. For the last three years I have had a regular column "Pet Talk" in my local newspaper The Mirror."
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