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Chapter Text

Adam leaned heavily on his cane. His right ankle and hip throbbed painfully as he walked outside.

It was a beautiful fall day, summer's heat long gone, replaced by cool crispness. The sky was bright blue and the sunshine warmed Adam's face as he carefully descended a slight hill toward the apple growers' set-up.

Sterling Orchards had been coming to Ocean View since the fall of 1959. It gave the patients the opportunity to buy fresh apples, jellies, jams, pies and doughnuts, all made by the farm. The Medfield Foundation paid for the purchases of the NYPD and NYFD patients.

Adam took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet smell of apples. He checked over the bags.

"What do you think, Frank?"

The teenaged girl from Sterling Orchards looked oddly at him. What was the matter with her? Didn't she see Frank standing right next to him?

"I agree, the Macouns are good. I'll take a bag of these, Miss, and an apple pie, too."

She continued to regard him warily but recorded the purchases. Adam walked along the rows of jams and jellies and added a jar of strawberry jam to his purchases, followed by an apple cider doughnut. The girl put the items in a bag, including the pie.

Now Adam was stuck. He couldn't carry both bags with his cane. "Looks like I'll have to make two trips."

"Don't sweat it. I'll carry one."

Bart Finkel grabbed the bag of apples and Adam picked up the other bag. He started laboriously up the hill.

Bart matched his pace to Adam's. Adam huffed a little when they reached the top of the hill.

"Thanks, Bart."

"You're entirely welcome." Bart watched Adam hobble. "How's the ankle?"

"Painful. My hip, too." Adam grimaced. "Wrenching it did me no favors."

"Well, dangling over the cliff didn't help." Bart gazed out at the ocean. "Julie Sheffield sure saved your bacon. She saw what was going on and got Brick and me."

"Wise choice." Orderly Brick Hauser was built like a brick wall.

"He was a big help with Becker."

Adam shuddered. He could not remember details but could recall the feelings of terror and despair as he dangled over those rocks. There were screams and shouts and he began to fall...

"Julie took some rope from the gardener and roped you like a buckin' bronco. She and I and Morrie pulled you up while Brick wrestled Becker down. It was crazy, man."

Becker screamed in outrage as Brick sat on his back and looped rope around his wrists. He rolled off his captive and quickly tied his ankles together. The spew of profanities from Becker was impressive.

"Boy, are you dumb, Becker," said Bart. "Did you really think you would get away with it?"

Becker spat in his direction and howled, "He's mine! I'm the one who should pop his cherry! Split him wide with my banana!"

Bart rolled his eyes. Julie and Morrie were caring for Adam, who was moaning and clutching his hip.

"Hurts," he cried. "Ankle, too."

"You might have re-broken that ankle," Julie said grimly. "Morrie, go to the hospital and get some orderlies and a stretcher."

"Right, Miss Sheffield." The gardener took off

"I know it hurts, Adam, but we're getting you help," she soothed.

"Frank," he sobbed.

"I had 'im! I had 'im spread and ready! He would have felt so good!"

"Shaddup," said Bart, kicking Becker in the hip.

"You fuckin' toady! I'll kill you!"

Bart flipped him the finger.

Orderlies appeared with a stretcher and placed Adam in it, carrying him away. Julie went with them

Morrie stood next to Bart as they looked down at Becker.

"I had Maxie call the police," Morrie said.

"Good, though maybe we should roll him off the cliff and save the cops the trouble."

Morrie snickered.

Becker struggled with his bonds. "I'll get you for this! You denied me sweet virgin ass!"

The captive continued raging right up to the moment the police arrived and took him away.

Bart and Morrie dusted off their hands.

"That's that," Bart said.

"I hear Becker's been proved a rapist in other cases," Bart said.

Adam shivered as they entered the hospital. It was a slow walk up the stairs to the second floor. His hip and ankle might never heal properly, he thought disconsolately.

"Good," he said.

When they reached Adam's door Bart said, "I'll have the kitchen staff label all these goodies as yours. Are you keeping the apples in your room?"

"Yes." Adam gestured at the bag. "Pick one."

Pleased, Bart said, "Thanks," and selected a juicy specimen. "See you around, Adam."

Adam opened his bedroom door and brought the bag of apples inside, closing the door behind him. He selected two apples and went out on deck, placing the fruit on the table. He sat down in the chair to the right of the table.

The day was so beautiful, so why was he feeling uneasy? Frank was with him and he was happy. There should be no problems, but he knew better. Something was bothering him.

He glanced over at Frank, sitting in the other chair. He was hesitant to speak about it until he knew just exactly what was bothering him. Sighing, he picked up his apple and bit into it, letting his thoughts drift...

& & &

September 28, 1963

The day was crisp and clear, a beautiful fall day. It was late September and the trees were starting to put on their annual autumn show of radiant gold, flaming red and crackling orange.

Adam and Frank strolled through the grounds of Sterling Orchards, enjoying their Saturday away from the city as they breathed in the fresh air.

"How many bags of apples did we get?" Frank asked.

"One for me and two for you and your mother."

"Mama will make quick work of those apples for the best pies you've ever tasted."

Adam smiled. He knew that Frank spoke the truth. Adam had enjoyed Sofia Arcaro's pies in the past.

"Why didn't she come out with us?" he asked.

"Oh, you know Mama. If it's not sold in an outdoor market in New York, she considers it suspect."

Adam laughed. "A typical New Yorker."

"Yep."

"Maybe she'll come with us next month. Still ripe apples around Halloween."

"I know. More pies!"

Adam laughed. "Speaking of Halloween, Libby has an idea. She's reserved costumes from her theatrical troupe." He pointed at Frank. "King Arthur." Then he pointed at himself. "Sir Lancelot. And she'll be Queen Gwenivere."

"Sounds like fun. The Spirit of Camelot lives!"

"Yes." Adam sounded contemplative. "The holidays come so quickly. Exactly two months from now it'll be Thanksgiving."

"What, not November 22nd or 23rd?"

"Nope, the 28th. Late this year."

"The businesses will lament a week less for shopping."

"That's true. FDR tried to help them out by moving Thanksgiving around in the late '30s."

Frank chuckled. "Do you think JFK would be so bold?"

"Listen, after saving the world from blowing up last year, he can move around Thanksgiving all he wants."

"I'm sure he'll be happy to enjoy it on the 28th."

They were at the orchard by now. Thick woods surrounded the orchard of apple trees that were more spaced out. Adam indicated the woods with a tilt of his head and Frank followed. Their shoes crunched on fallen leaves. Adam slipped his hand into Frank's.

After going deeper into the woods, they paused by an enormous old maple tree, its golden branches spreading out wide. Adam closed his eyes and rested his head against the tree.

"You really love the country, don't you?" Frank asked affectionately.

Adam opened his eyes as his gaze met his lover's warm brown eyes. "Yeah. I'd like a deck to sit on and watch the leaves turn, listen to the birds sing and watch the squirrels gather nuts."

"Not in the city."

"No, in the city there isn't much greenery outside of Central Park, the birds are mainly pigeons and the nuts gathered are by us, the NYPD."

Frank laughed as he pressed his body against Adam's.

"I should tempt you with an apple," Adam said mischievously as his hazel eyes twinkled.

"You're the one who's supposed to be tempted, Adam". Frank pressed harder into Adam's groin.

Adam writhed. "Are you saying you're Eve?" he gasped.

"I could look at the ocean. All we see is down by the docks. Not the prettiest part of the city."

Frank rubbed up against Adam. "But the seediest."

"Not apple seeds."

"No, not apple seeds." Frank glanced around. No one around. He leaned in for a kiss.

Adam moaned as their lips met. His eyes were closed and the scent of Frank's cologne tickled his nose: light but with a hint of musk. The wind blew and Adam could hear the leaves falling all around them.

"I'll be back," Frank whispered.

& & &

Adam opened his eyes and looked to his left. Frank was gone. He wished his lover could stay longer but felt lucky to see him everyday.

He finished his apple and threw the core off the balcony onto the ground below. Immediately a squirrel darted out and grabbed it, running off with it. Adam was glad to see that. He always felt a little guilty as he was technically a litterbug, but the wildlife around here always took care of things. 

He suddenly felt exhausted and went inside, his uneasiness wearing him out. He closed the slider.

The table behind him was empty.