Beneath the Pear Tree

It was an amazingly hot day that day. So much so that Jace had decided to go without a shirt. Stay out of his home and lay under his pear tree. Taking a bottle of lemonade along with his favorite book with him. Laying his back against it as he set the lemonade down. Cracking the book open, he began to read from where he left off.

At least ten minutes into his reading, he heard a voice calling his name. Peeking over the book, he spotted his neighbor. A single Father of two, Alexander. Who was coming down to the tree the younger man was seated under. Wearing a pair of black shorts, gray tank-top and black sandals. Looking as if he'd recently dyed his hair a brighter blond. It suited him. Jace didn't point this out as he turned his gaze back to his book. Instead, the younger man questioned,"Hello, Mr. Porter. What brings you to my backyard?"

"Oh, just came to see if you needed some company. And if you'd like to try this new ice cream I made.",Alexander answered. Slightly shaking the cooler that was on his arm. Making some noises that sounded like sloshing ice against plastic. Which was very tempting on such a hot day. And it was definitely tempting for the young man. So, he asked,"Well, I would like some company. And ice cream sounds great right about now. What kind is it?"

"Oh, it might be weird but it's lavender dark chocolate.",the older man answered. It sounded slightly weird. But, the combination definitely seemed like it would work together. Putting his bookmark back, Jace stated,"A little. But like in a good way."

"I bet it'll taste pretty good.",he added. Alexander plopped down on the ground next to Jace. Opening the cooler as Jace set his book to the side. Jace looked into the cooler to see what the ice cream looked like. It looked like normal dark chocolate ice cream in a large plastic tupperware container. In fact, it looked like something that he could've bought from the store. Well, sort of looked like it. Jace did notice there were little pieces of lavender stuck in the ice cream as well. It was kind of cool. Jace asked,"How long did it take you to make this?"

"Oh, a couple of days. I saw a YouTuber making ice cream and wanted to make a weird flavor.",Alexander answered. Telling the younger man how hard it was to get some of the ingredients. Mostly the lavender syrup as he couldn't find one that wasn't too sweet. The older man had also ordered lavender pieces that were safe to set on top of the ice cream. Smiling slightly, he continued,"It was really hard but like satisfyingly hard. I recommend trying it out for yourself."

"I don't have an ice cream maker.",Jace informed. One thing that he felt he would've needed for such a venture. Alexander shook his head at this. Then he said,"I don't have an ice cream maker. So I used my egg beater instead and it worked really well."

"If you have that you can make this too!",he chirped. A big smile on his face as he got a spoon out from the side pocket. Handing it to the younger man and then opening the tub for ice cream. Both men almost immediately dug in as Jace thought it over. It sounded like it wouldn't be easy but, it did sound fun. Like a lot of his baking and kitchen experiments. Jace questioned,"I might give it a shot sometime. Mind telling me the YouTuber's channel?"

"It's called 'Baking with Jessalyne', you'll totally love her stuff. She's so funny and sweet.",Alexander answered. Then told the younger man everything about this Jessalyne. Who not only made ice cream but, huge cakes that were shaped like different things. Cupcakes with strange ingredients like savory foods. And a lot of pastries with weird flavor combinations. Like the lavender dark chocolate they were eating. That was admittedly a lot better than Jace anticipated it would be. The lavender wasn't overpowering and complimented the dark chocolate nicely. It was sweet but not too sweet. Smiling slightly, Jace complimented,"This is great, Alex."

A relieved smile came to Alex's face. And he gave a soft sigh at this. Alex said,"I'm so glad that you like it. I mean, I do. But, I made it. So, clearly I'm kind of biased."

"Well, if you like it then that's all that matters.",Jace stated. Not in a rude voice but just gently. The older man raised an eyebrow as he stared at Jace. So, Jace continued,"If it makes you happy then you shouldn't care about what others think. Cuz why else make things?"

"I guess. I just want to make sure others like it considering how hard I worked.",Alexander answered. Which was pretty fair. But if people did complain about it then it was on them. Well, a little on them. But then again, who complains about free homemade ice cream? Instead of saying this, Jace said,"Eh, fair enough. But I still say screw other people and just make it for yourself."

"Especially if you liked it.",Jace added. A small smile on his face. If you liked what you made that's all that mattered in Jace's mind. And as long as it didn't hurt others who cared if they didn't like it? Alexander shrugged and he stated,"I suppose you've got a point."

"...can I use some of your pears for a baking experiment?",he asked. It was a random question. And Jace hadn't anticipated that he wanted any of them. Since, Alexander never really seemed to like his tree. But, his curiosity got the better of him. And after swallowing another mouthful of the chocolate-lavender ice cream, he answered,"Sure. Take as many as you'd like."

"What're you making by the way?",Jace questioned. A bit curious as to what baking experiment would require pears. Alexander gave him a mischievous smile. Then winked as he said,"It's gonna be a surprise."

"Not even a little hint?",the younger man asked. Alexander shook his head as his mischievous smirk grew. Giggling a little as he stated,"Nope. No hints, kiddo. It wouldn't be a surprise if I gave you a hint."

"So just try to be patient, 'kay?",Alexander added. Jace gave an exaggerated sigh but nodded his head in agreement. Which drew a laugh out of the older man. Causing the younger man to laugh along with him. Soon as their laughter quieted down, they both went back to enjoying the slightly melted ice cream.