by AnDerecco
JACOB (yelling)
Don’t be trying to get tipsy before this flight.
Dennis zipped his suitcase and was finally complete. He had only one bag which was a surprise to Jacob. He walked to the other side of the room to get his cologne for his travel bag. As he passed by Jacob he gave him a pat on the behind. Jacob looked over his right shoulder with a smile.
Ian was standing in the doorway when this transaction happened. He reminisced on the love taps that he and Jeremy used to give to one another.
He quickly ran into the bathroom and slammed the door. Jacob and Dennis allowed him some time to himself to get it all out. Both of them knew the feeling of losing someone that they loved. Regardless of how you lose them, the feeling of hurt is still the same.
After a few minutes passed, Ian came out refreshed.
IAN
So are we ready?
JACOB
Yes.
DENNIS
Jacob you are driving.
JACOB
Nope. We have a taxi waiting outside for us. I knew you were going to have me to drive. Plus I didn’t want to pay the fee to leave the car at the airport.
DENNIS
I have never seen anyone so cheap.
JACOB
I am not cheap. It is called using your head. When we get back – we all will be tired and who is going to want to drive.
No one said anything.
JACOB
OK, I thought so. Let’s go.
XXI
After a four hour flight and a forty-five minute layover, they arrived in Washington, D.C. Monique was to meet them at the airport.
They gathered their luggage from baggage claim and Ian took out his cell phone to locate Monique. Before he could put the phone to his ear she was standing behind them.
They all exchanged friendly hugs and kisses.
Of course, she was to go back and hug her Pops again. She stood back and told him that he looked like he was gaining weight. He mentioned that he had been going to the gym with Dennis.
They all walked out the airport to her car. Dennis and Jacob got in the back while Ian set in the front with Monique.
MONIQUE
So what do you all want to do?
JACOB
Well, the workshop is not until tomorrow. So you can drop us off at the hotel and you two can catch up and later we can all meet for dinner. How does that theory sound?
MONIQUE
You are not staying with me.
JACOB
We thought it would be best to give you time to catch up.
MONIQUE
OK that’s cool. I got somewhere I want us to go anyway.
Ian’s phone started to ring. He pulled it off his side clip and answered it.
IAN
Hello.
DEACON
Sup sweetheart.
IAN
Nothing and you.
DEACON
Sitting here thinking about you. Have you landed yet?
IAN
Yes.
DEACON
Don’t be giving my stuff away.
IAN
What do I have that belongs to you?
DEACON
That good-good that you are sitting on right now.
IAN
You are so stupid.
DEACON
I am serious, dude. You miss me?
IAN
Nope.
DEACON
OK, well I know where I stand. Call me later.
IAN
OK.
Ian ended his phone call with Deacon. He smiled as he put the phone back in the holster.
MONIQUE
What was that about?
IAN
Would you drive and be quiet?
MONIQUE (laughing)
You will tell me later.
XXII
Eric was sitting at his desk when he saw the picture that he and Jeremy took at the amusement park. He picked the picture up and smiled at it. He took his finger and rubbed Jeremy’s face. He could not believe what he longed for had finally come to pass.
Since this was his planning block he gave Jeremy a call. After five rings there was an answer.
JEREMY
Sup.
ERIC
What took you so long to answer the phone?
JEREMY
I was in the restroom.
ERIC
Oh ok. How are you feeling?
JEREMY
I am good.
ERIC
Well you know that this is your first day back to work. I want you to take it easy.
JEREMY
I will, trust me.
ERIC
Do you want to go out for dinner tonight?
JEREMY
That’s fine. I am cool with that.
ERIC
OK, where would you like to go?
JEREMY
It don’t matter.
ERIC
Can I get you to put in a little bit more into the decisions?
JEREMY
Mexican would be good.
ERIC
You know Mexican gives me heartburn.
JEREMY
No I didn’t know that. How about Japanese?
ERIC
I don’t eat Japanese.
By this time Jeremy was getting irritated.
JEREMY
Well you pick something. It doesn’t matter to me.
ERIC
No, I want you to pick it. I always have to make the choices.
JEREMY
How about we eat seafood?
ERIC
I am allergic to seafood.
JEREMY (pissed)
Well you pick because I can’t think of anything else.
ERIC
I bet you would pick if I was IAN!
JEREMY
Ian didn’t act such a BITCH when it came to food choices. One of us would say where we were going and that would be that.
Eric was furious with the statement that Jeremy made. He quickly pressed end on the phone and dropped it on his desk.
He took in a deep breath, closed his eyes, placed both palms on his desk and counted to twenty. When he opened them he let out all the air that he had been holding in. He took his hands to twist his head and cracked his neck left and right.
He picked up his phone and call Jeremy back.
JEREMY (harshly)
Hello.
ERIC
I am sorry.
JEREMY
You don’t have to be because I am not.
Eric pulled the phone away from his ear and looked at his phone.
ERIC
Well I am. I shouldn’t have brought Ian into our conversation. We are trying to start something new and…
JEREMY
Wait…wait…wait…trying to start something new? What are you talking about? You know what – I thank you for letting me stay with you these last few weeks but I think it would be best if I get my own place.
ERIC
NO! You are not ready. You may have a relapse or something. I don’t want anything to happen to you.
JEREMY
No I am good. I really appreciate it but I need to get my own place. I need to get myself together before even thinking about another relationship. Plus I am not ready for a relationship.
ERIC
OK…OK…we don’t have to start a relationship right now. But I do want you to stay. Besides you need to save a little money before starting over.
JEREMY
I am good. I will get my things this evening.
Eric slammed the phone his desk. There was no way that he was going to lose what he just received.
XXIII
Jeremy pondered what Ian was doing. He was still upset with Ian for not coming to the hospital immediately.
He studied his phone for about five minutes. His heart was telling him to call Ian but his mind was being rebellious. This time he decided to follow his heart.
He located Ian’s number in his phone and pressed call.
Ian and Monique were sitting on her floor with fruit, cheese and glasses of wine. Ian heard his phone singing and reached over to get it. He looked at the caller id and noticed that it was Jeremy.
IAN (questionable)
Hello?
JEREMY
Hey, sup?
IAN
Ah, nothing sitting and talking.
JEREMY
Oh ok. May I ask who?
IAN
No you may not.
JEREMY
Cool. Well have fun. I was just calling checking on.
IAN
I want to be mean to you right now but I am going to take the high road. I really don’t want to talk to you. Go find Eric. Bye.
Ian pressed end on his phone and threw it on the floor.
MONIQUE
What was that about?
IAN
Jeremy and I are getting a divorce.
MONIQUE (shocked)
WHY?!
IAN
To give you a short version of what’s been going on: I came home one day from work and found a condom in the toilet, I got a text from Jeremy to someone that said that they had sex and he enjoyed, and then I found a dildo in Jeremy’s car that we don’t use.
MONIQUE
I thought you were the bottom in the relationship.
IAN
Right.
MONIQUE
So do you two use toys to spice up the relationship?
IAN
I mentioned it and he said no. So I don’t know if he is using it on someone or himself.
MONIQUE
Baby why didn’t you call me and tell me this when it all started.
IAN
I started to but I figured that you were getting settled in your new life. I didn’t want to disturb you with my issues.
MONIQUE
You and I have been through too much together for you not to call me. Well let me ask you this, did you talk to him about all of this?
IAN
Everything except the dildo. I don’t know how to bring it up. Scared of the answer that I may get. Oh and to top it off…OK he took an overdose a couple of weeks ago. I rushed him to the hospital and your Pops and Dennis came with me. OK. They got him stable, he was in a coma, and a friend of mine came and we went to get something to eat. When we get back to the room Eric was there feeding him jell-o.
MONIQUE
Who is Eric?
IAN
Eric Wallace. He was a year behind us in high school, played in the band.
MONIQUE
Oh, that gurl.
IAN (laughing)
Honey I went home and burnt shit, bleached shit and broke shit.
Ian was laughing at his actions that he did that night. Monique laughed because she could mentally see Ian doing this. They both took a sip of wine and bit into a strawberry.
He and Monique talked for several hours about the ins and outs of their lives.
XIV
Jeremy took the time to call Jacob to check on him. He was mainly curious to know Ian’s location. He and Jacob talked for an hour. Jeremy told his side of the story to Jacob. How things happened and the reactions to them.
Jacob remained bias about the situation. He told Jeremy that he sympathized about the whole situation.
JEREMY
Have you talked to him lately?
JACOB
I spoke with him today.
JEREMY
How is he?
JACOB
He is doing well.
JEREMY
That’s good to hear. Well when you see him or talk to him tell him I asked about him and that I still love him.
JACOB
We all are going out to dinner with Monique so I will tell him then.
JEREMY
Monique – are you in D.C.?
JACOB
Yes, Dennis and I have a workshop to do here.
JEREMY
Wow. OK. Congrats on the workshop and good luck. How long will you all be there?
JACOB
About three days.
JEREMY
OK. Well I won’t hold you. I have got to get back to work. So I will talk to you later. Have a good one.
JACOB
Thanks and you take care.
Jeremy was thrilled to find out Ian’s location. He quickly ran to his supervisor’s office. Along the way he was coming up with reasons as to why he needed to take a leave.
Upon arriving he came up with something that he felt would be perfect.
He knocked on the door.
MS. MAYS
Come in.
JEREMY
Ms. Mays, I need to take a few days off for a family emergency. I have to save my marriage.
MS. MAYS
Is everything ok?
JEREMY
No not really. He left me and I just found out that he is in Washington D.C. I really need to do this.
MS. MAYS
Go on and do what you need to. We will take care of things here. You be careful.
JEREMY
Thank you sooooo much. I promise you that I will be ok. I am coming home with my baby!
XXV
Eric walked into Jeremy’s bedroom and saw him rushing and packing a suitcase.
ERIC (inquiring)
Where are you going? I thought we decided that you are going to stay until you can get on your feet.
JEREMY (folding clothes into his luggage)
I have got to make a road trip for a few days.
ERIC (folding his arms)
To where?
Jeremy popped his eyes at Eric as if he did not want to answer it.
JEREMY
I am going to save my marriage.
ERIC
What…your marriage is over. You said that yourself. Ian has moved on.
JEREMY
No. If I know Ian like I think I know him. He hasn’t moved on.
Eric did not like what he was hearing. He was not going to allow Jeremy to walk out of his life.
ERIC
Well do you want me to go with you?
JEREMY
No thanks. I need to do this on my own.
ERIC
I am going to go with you. If this is what you really want then I am here to support you.
Jeremy was shocked to hear that statement from Eric. He knew that Eric had deep feelings for him but apparently he realized that nothing could happen between them.
Jeremy walked over to Eric with his arms open to give him a hug. Eric allowed his body to be embraced by Jeremy’s thickness. When he tried to release Eric was still holding on. Jeremy made a motion to let him know that it was time to let go.
ERIC
Can I ask you something?
JEREMY
What’s that?
ERIC
Before we go to repair your relationship with Ian – can I have a kiss?
This took Jeremy by surprise. He thought that Eric was being supportive of him rebuilding his relationship. Jeremy slowly walked over to Eric, put his large hands on his shoulders and gave him a peek on the cheek. He stepped back and looked Eric set in his eyes and gave him two quick pats on the back.
Eric could not believe that he was cheated out of a kiss.
XXVI
Monique, Ian, Jacob, and Dennis walked into the restaurant ready for dinner. Monique told the maitre d she had reservation for four. He located her name on the listed and advised them to follow him.
Arriving at the table he told them that their servitor would be with them soon. Monique told them that Matt brought her here several time before for dinner.
The restaurant reflects a European heritage. It was an elegant restaurant that consistently won top awards and ratings for fine dining in Washington.
JACOB
Moni tell us how you liking D.C.
MONIQUE
Wow…no one has called me that sinc
e Teddy died. It felt funny hearing it.
IAN
Do you think about him a lot?
MONIQUE
There is not a day that go by that I don’t think about him. I can still hear him laughing, talking, and being his crazy self. But I love it here. I can drive to Virginia in less than 30 minutes. Maryland is right there. I am great.
DENNIS
Well I am going to see what you think after your first winter here.
MONIQUE
I know. I thought about that the other day.
The servitor came and took their orders. They planned to have a 4 course meal before going to the theatre.
Doing the second course Monique noticed Matt walking to the restroom. She excused herself from the table and darted to him. She grabbed him by his arm before he entered.
MONIQUE (startling Matt)
How are you?
MATT
Monique, I am good. I saw you earlier sitting with your friends.
MONIQUE
Why didn’t you come over to speak? That’s my Pops and Dennis. They are the ones that will be speaking at your company tomorrow. And my best friend Ian.
MATT
Really! OK.
MONIQUE
Why don’t I introduce you to them?
MATT
Ah, ah, not tonight. You know that I have spoken with Dennis several times on the phone but right now I am kind of in a hurry. I will meet them in the morning before the workshop.
MONIQUE
OK.
MATT
You will be in attendance tomorrow also, correct?
MONIQUE
Most definitely.
MATT
OK, I will see you then.
Matt took the side of his index finger and gently rubbed the side of her face. Monique started to blush. Matt opened the door to the restroom and stepped in. Monique made her way back to her guest.
IAN
Who was that?
MONIQUE
That is Matt Walker. He is the owner of the company where you two will be speaking tomorrow.
JACOB
Why didn’t you introduce him?
