"Right." Jason then jumped up and dashed into the bar. Adam looked over at Ken with a crooked expression.
"I think you may have over exaggerated the situation."
"It was for his own good. From this point on, he can only feel better. Set the bar low enough, and even failure can seem like success."
Jason pushed through the crowd inside and he finally saw David. He was leaning over the bar giving his order to the bartender. He seemed to be rather calm and comfortable in the club, and Jason was a bit curious about that. He walked up to David and gently tugged on his arm, causing David to turn and smile once their eyes met.
"Hey! There you are. I thought you were going to meet me inside."
"We usually hang out on the patio." The bartender returned with a small glass filled with a clear fluid and slid it to David.
"So, where's the firing squad?"
"Outside. Come with me."
"Hold on. I need to do something first."
"Bathrooms are on the way, if that's what you need."
"No. I need to do this," David then slid his arms around Jason and pulled him into his chest and pressed his lips to his. . "I've been waiting for that all day." All the fear and tension Jason had been feeling was starting to melt away once he tasted David's lips. He saw in the corner of his eye a few people staring at them, but he didn't care.
Chapter 7
Getting To Know Him
As Jason and David came out to the patio, Jason noticed more than a few heads swivel in their direction. He could see the flare of interest in their eyes, and they were all directed at David. It was not a surprise. He was fresh meat slathered in blood amongst a swarm of sharks. The 'new' factor was a big selling point at Coconutz, especially since it was so rare anyone new ever walked through those doors.
It was a neighborhood bar and week after week, the same faces could be depended upon to put in their appearance, but when someone fresh turned up, they would become the nightly celebrity. Everyone would want to buy them a shot and they would be the center of all the attention. Normally, it wasn't such an issue because the new people usually came in alone, but David was most definitely with someone. Jason quickly clasped his hand around David's and wrapped his arm around him, marking his territory. A few gazers looked away, but a few cocky ones maintained their stare.
"Don't freak out. I'm here with you." David whispered as though he were hearing Jason's jealous thoughts.
"I know. I trust you. It's these others I'm not so sure about." David twisted around and locked his eyes to Jason's. His stare was strong and definite. It felt as though they were the only two people in the world.
"I'm with you, Jason." He then smiled and kissed Jason once again. This seemed to repel the wolves and Jason was feeling much better.
"Hey, love birds! Over here!" Ken called out. Jason and David made their way over to the table and sat down.
"Guys, this is David. David, this is Ken and his boyfriend Adam."
"Nice to meet you at last." Ken said as he offered his hand.
"Thanks. Jason told me a lot about you all. Where's Mike?"
"He will be joining us later and Cynthia sends her regrets, but you've already met her, so no big deal."
"Jason tells us you're a preacher." Adam said.
"Yes, that's right."
"That's really interesting. I'd think being gay would have repelled you from organized religion."
"Not really. We're all on this journey together and we all seek answers to the big questions. It may not suit everyone's tastes, but religion can help in that quest. It sure helped me."
"How so?" Jason turned to David in fascination. For all the conversations they had since they began dating, he hadn't remembered them ever talking in any great detail about what brought him to his calling. Adam and Ken seemed genuinely invested in what he was saying as well. There was just something about David. It was as if the very sound of his voice cast a spell over anyone within earshot.
"Well, I had hit rock bottom one day, but not in the way you'd think. I had it all, by most people's estimation. I had a fancy car, a big loft apartment. A fat bank account, but at the end of every day I came home to nothing and one day I looked around and I asked myself what was I doing it for."
"A fancy car? A loft?" Jason asked. "You never mentioned any of this before."
"It's a part of my life I don't really like talking about if I can help it."
"You mentioned a fat bank account," Ken said. "Where did that come from?"
"Well, if you must know, for about ten years, I was a lawyer." As the words came out of David's mouth, Jason's jaw fell open.
"What!? You were a lawyer? As in Law & Order, L.A. Law lawyer?"
"Yes." David said as though he were ashamed of it.
"So, you just weren't very good at it?"
"No. I actually had quite a large practice in Beverly Hills. I had a lot of entertainment industry clients. I got invited to all the big parties and I mingled with the hottest people in the world."
"And you decided to become a dirty hippy who recites from the Bible?" Ken asked.
"No. I saw my life was empty. I wasn't living the way I really wanted to and that was when I found the truth."
"So," Jason blurted. "You gave up a successful law practice and threw everything away to be a preacher?"
"All those things may seem impressive and important, but they really aren't. A car is just a machine. A loft is just a roof over your head. Those things can't bring you peace and happiness. I know it may be hard to see from where you all are, but the life I live now makes me happier than I've ever been. I have friends. I have a feeling of connection with the world," David turned to Jason and smiled as he slipped his hand around his. "I found you. Everything I've had was valuable, but what I've found now is priceless."
"Wow. That is incredible." Adam said.
"Thanks."
"No, I mean it. You had the guts to shut out the pressure of the world around you and found your own way. I admire that."
"Calm down, honey." Ken said as he nudged Adam.
"I just remember when I thought like that. I just never had the courage to do anything about it."
"It doesn't take courage, Adam. It just takes a conviction to live your truest life, no matter what."
"Okay!" Ken said as he bolted up. He grabbed Adam and yanked him to his feet. "Before your boyfriend brainwashes mine, we're going to go get some drinks." Adam turned to Ken.
"But, sweety, maybe he's right."
"No. We are regular materialistic people and we are happy. Now let's go get some tequila in you so you won't remember any of this tomorrow morning." Ken pushed Adam away and back into the bar.
"Did I do something bad?"
"That remains to be seen, but it's fine. Those two drift from each other’s wavelengths a lot. I'm just kind of floored by this lawyer thing. Why didn't you tell me?"
"Like I said, I don't like talking about it. Back then, I was a different person."
"How different could you have been?"
"Very. Jason, the man I was then you would not want to be around. I was a selfish, money obsessed asshole. I was a user,"
"As in drugs?"
"Well, I meant I used people, but yes, I did dabble in drugs. I mean nothing too intense. I've smoked pot. I had cocaine a few times, but that's as far as it ever got."
"Oh, my god." Jason saw David's eyes lock onto his and there was a pained look in his gaze.
"You see? Just mentioning it is hurting you. When I closed the door on that life, I swore I would never hurt someone I loved. Trust me. That chapter of my life is closed and it's best left in the past. Right now, I'm only interested in the present." David then leaned in and pressed his lips to Jason's. The taste of his lips was sweet and the feeling of his body pressing against his filled Jason with a giddy excitement, as it always did.
"You're right. The past is the past."
"Exactly. We're starting this new leg of our journey together and what went on before this w
ill not take anything from us."
"It's just so hard to picture you as a lawyer. Suit and tie. Lying."
"I know, I know. I didn't like who I was, but I was blinded by the money and prestige. I learned a long time ago, those things are only valued by bad people, and that wasn't who I wanted to be." Jason smiled and slid in closer to David.
"I know this may sound weird, but all that you just said made me super horny."
Ken and Adam made it up to the bar and the bartender flashed his smile as he always did.
"Four Slammers." Ken ordered.
"Four?"
"I think the evening could use a little lubrication. I don't want us to be sitting around all night while you and David pontificate on the sorry state of the global consciousness."
"I'm sorry, but what he said just reminded me how I've kind of been getting kind of lazy with my principles. Do you realize how long it's been since I bought anything organic?"
"I hope you aren't saying that's any of my fault. You want to go full force with your hippy dippy stuff, be my guest."
"No, no. I guess I've just been letting myself get wrapped up in work. We don't have much of a life."
"What are you talking about? We go out. We hit the Rose Bowl flea market every month."
"But what are we doing to bring more meaning into our lives? We work to earn money and pay bills. What is that getting us?"
"Well, you're working."
"You know what I mean."
"Yes, but I don't know what to tell you. Life is life. I'm happy with what we have. Aren't you?"
"With you, yes. With everything else, I don't know." Ken's attention was broken for a moment as he noticed Mike walking into the bar.
"Mike! Hey! Over here! Bartender? One more of those Slammers." Mike pushed his way through the crowd toward Adam and Ken.
"Hey, guys."
"You look terrible." Ken said as he hugged Mike gently.
"I feel terrible."
"What's wrong?"
"I don't want to talk about it right now. Are Jason and his lover here?"
"Yes, out on the patio. You and Adam go check on them. I'll be out with some drinks."
"Whatever you're getting me, double it." Mike said as Adam took him by the arm and led him out to the patio.
As Adam and Mike made it out to the patio, they saw Jason and David nuzzling each other at their table.
"Ahem!" Mike coughed as he sat down across from the couple, causing them to stop abruptly. "I see we got here just in time."
"Mike. Glad you could make it. This is,"
"I think I know who this is. David, right?"
"Yes. Nice to meet you, Mike."
"Likewise."
"So, what kept you so late?" Jason asked.
"Work stuff."
"Don't tell us you're shifting back into workaholic mode."
"No, but I just needed to be doing something to distract me."
"From what? Or is it a who?" Just as Mike was about to answer, Ken appeared with a small tray of shots and he set them down in the middle of the table. "What are these?"
"Slammers. One for each. Come on." David looked at the drinks with some trepidation.
"I don't know. I'm not really a drinker anymore."
"One shot. Please. They aren't even that strong. Besides, we're celebrating, aren't we?"
"I guess." Everyone picked up a glass and held them up and with a quick clink, they all downed their shots. Jason and David coughed a bit as they choked, but the Slammer went down Ken's throat like silk. Mike had swallowed his shot, but was trying to lick a little bit more out of the glass with his tongue.
"Easy, there, bud." Ken said as he took the glass away.
"I need all I can get."
"All right," Ken said as he sat down again. "What is going on?" Mike took a deep breath and looked over at his friends.
"My parents came into the bistro on Valentine's Day."
"Okay."
"They had some news for me. It seems they have decided to open up their relationship." Mike looked at the faces of his friends and their reaction was difficult to read. They seemed stunned, and a bit confused.
"Your parents?" Ken asked.
"Yes. They said that they still love each other, but they've become bored and want to do something fun and wild."
"Well," Jason began. "I guess it's, uh, I don't know what to say. I mean, I get why you're upset, but to be honest, it's their business. It's their marriage."
"What if it were your parents?"
"You met my mother."
"Fair enough, but you get this, right? You see how weird it is?"
"I think it's great." David said. All eyes turned to him.
"Do you?"
"Well, yes. I think this is better than them getting a divorce, and besides, this time of their life is for them. They should be having fun now. It's also really great that people of their generation are still enjoying an active sex life. Gives me hope for the future."
"They're old! They can't turn each other on. How are they going to find other people who will want them?"
"Then the problem is solved," Ken offered. "They'll look around for a little while and when they see how dismal the playing field has become, as we all know, they'll give up and go back to being another old, married couple."
"So you're saying there's nothing I can do?"
"What would you even do?"
"I don't know. Stand outside their house with a gun?"
Chapter 8
Hell Is Dieting
Cynthia awoke at five in the morning and slipped out of the bed as carefully as she could so as not to wake Douglas. She crept out of the bedroom and headed for the kitchen. The sun had not risen and it felt as though it were the middle of the night still. She switched the light on and reeled from the bright lights come from above. She trudged to the fridge and opened the door. She let out a soft sigh as she looked at all the food. Her stomach growled a bit. She saw the little scrap of leftover apple pie that Douglas had brought home the other night. One of his workers brought the pie in as a treat and Douglas volunteered to give what hadn't been eaten a good home. He swore he was going to finish it the night before, but had yet to do so. Cynthia reached for it but drew her hand back when she regained her senses. That treasure was not for her. She then turned her attention to a small shelf above the pie. There was a carton of organic eggs, a bag of vegetables, and a small canister of something that looked like seeds. She took the eggs and set them down on the counter behind her. She grabbed a glass bowl from the cabinet below and carefully broke three eggs and deftly removed the yolks. She then beat the egg whites in the glass bowl and set it by the stove. As she grabbed a small pan, she could hear Douglas moving around in the bedroom.
Cynthia turned on the burner, set the pan down and emptied the egg whites into it. They sizzled as they slid along the hot pan. She pushed them around with the spatula and stared at the little bubbles along the edge of the egg blob pop. Once it was done cooking, she slid what she referred to as an omelet onto a small plate and set it down on the kitchen table. She then went back to the fridge and got the bag of vegetables and placed three carrot sticks and three pieces of broccoli carefully next to the eggs and topped the whole thing off with a bottle of water. She looked down at her breakfast for a moment and then sat down.
It looked so small to her, but it had been her breakfast every day for the previous three weeks.
"Morning!" Douglas chirped as he charged into the kitchen. He went straight to the coffee maker and switched it on and then ran over to the fridge and grabbed his apple pie and sat down with it across from Cynthia. "I said good morning, honey."
"I know."
"What's the matter?"
"Nothing." Cynthia then began poking at her egg white omelet with her fork.
"I know it's tough being on a diet."
"You do? How do you know? When was the last time you were ever on a diet?"
"In college. When I was trying for the footbal
l team. I had to gain like six pounds to make weight." Cynthia's hands balled into fists.
"You had to gain?"
"Sorry. I don't understand this. When we met, you were all about this ultra-healthy crap. Why is it bothering you now?"
"I don't know. I guess I got so used to enjoying real food. Besides, I never ate like this. I'm not even sure if any of this can really be called 'food'," She looked over at Douglas' pie. "No fork?"
"Don't need it. When it's cold like this you can eat it like a slice of pizza." He then picked up the pie and shoved it into his mouth.
"Is it really a good idea to be having pie for breakfast?"
"Why not? It's got apples. Milk. Eggs. Besides, I have all day to burn it off."
"Well, you just have it all figured out, don't you?" Cynthia snapped as she bit down on one of her carrot sticks.
"I know you're not happy about this diet, but think about what you're getting in return. How much weight have you lost so far?" Cynthia slumped back in her chair.
"Three pounds."
"Three pounds this week? That's great!"
"No. Three pounds total. Eating all this non-food, busting my hump at the gym and I lost three pounds. What is happening to me? It used to be I would gain three pounds and I could burn them off and an extra pound to go with them."
"I was reading in one of your 'mom-to-be' books that after childbirth, the mother's body can kind of change."
"Believe me, I know."
"I mean beyond the physical. Your hormones are in shock or something. Your total body chemistry has been altered. You may not be able to shed those extra pounds as easily as you could pre-baby."
"So I'm stuck like this?"
"No, but you may need to just work a little harder if you want to lose the weight."
"What do they want me to do? Cut it off?"
"Babe, if this diet is making you so miserable, then stop."
"I can't."
"Yes, you can."
"No. I can't. I've gone up three dress sizes and you've see my ass."
"But I don't care about the extra weight. I keep telling you that."
"And I keep telling you that's a load of shit. You cannot tell me you, a man, have no feelings about the extra weight I'm carrying around."
Beautiful Days (Jason Of The Valley Book 5) Page 5