by Kyle Baxter
Joel’s phone chirped an alert. The appointment with Drew and Scott for another venue tour was due. Like him, they had just returned from vacation, theirs on Mykonos. Bitches.
After tossing his tablet into his messenger bag, he gave Enrico a wink and got up to leave. “I have a meeting with a client. I’ll see you later.”
“Wait a second. What is that?” Enrico pointed to Joel’s left bicep. “Is that new ink peeking from under a short-sleeved shirt?”
“Maybe.” Joel tugged the sleeve down. “A little reminder of my trip. I got it last night.”
Enrico put his chin in his hand. “It wouldn’t happen to be a small white flower, now would it?”
“I can’t hear you!” Joel darted out the door.
Today’s appointment called for a second look at the venue in Jersey City. They all liked it, and everyone agreed that the view of Manhattan was spectacular, but it being off-island was a deal-killer after all. Truthfully, he didn’t expect it to fly, but you should tick every box before moving on. After taking lunch with them in the Village, he went back to the office.
“How was the venue?” Enrico asked.
“Still amazing, but it’s out.” Joel unpacked his messenger bag. “I’m trying to get them to take the rooftop in the Village.”
“You like that one.”
“It is spectacular,” Joel agreed and spun around in his chair. “But I have a feeling they’re going with Battery Park for the view of the Statue of Liberty.”
“Come on, that is pretty amazing for a wedding, and they are Log Cabin Republican adjacent. Their guest list will love it.”
Joel raised his arms. “I know, I know, but if it were me . . .”
Enrico threw a smile at him. “The rooftop garden in the Village at night under the stars?”
“God yes, it’s so romantic.” Joel’s cell phone rang, and he flinched as he saw the caller ID. “Yuck.”
“Who is it?”
“Seth,” Joel said with a groan. “He’s been calling almost every day since I got back and I’m tired of ignoring him. I need to end this once and for all.”
“You do . . .” Enrico’s eyes narrowed. “Hey, that’s not his ringtone.”
“Yeah, I changed it while I was on vacation.” As Joel picked up the line, Enrico gave him a thumbs-up and threw him the stress ball. “Hello, Seth, what can I do for you?”
“Hey, babe,” Seth’s deep voice said. “How is it being back at work?”
Joel let out a grumble and squeezed tightly on the ball. “It’s good, all in all, but I have to be honest . . . That’s not really any of your business.”
“Wha—?”
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rude.” Joel spun around in his chair. “But I’ve thought a lot about it, about us, and I’m asking you not to call me or my mother anymore.”
“But I’m just trying to—” Seth stammered.
“Seth, it’s over. You ended it. I moved on, and now I’m blocking your number. Take care of yourself, and hey, I mean that. Please, take care of yourself.” Joel thumbed the phone app closed and quickly blocked his ex-boyfriend’s number. He found Enrico staring at him wide-eyed.
“Who are you and what have you done to Joel?”
After giving him an exaggerated wink, Joel threw the stress ball back and then dialed a new number. “Hey, Dad, got a minute?”
“I’m on my way to a meeting, but I have just a minute. What’s up?” His voice was hurried.
“Quick question, did you ever get a final word about your fracking deal with Etreustein?” Joel reached for the ball as Enrico tossed it back to him.
“Oh, that,” his father said bitterly. “Unfortunately, that did not happen. The Crown declined our proposal.”
“I don’t understand. I stayed away from Freddie . . .” Joel’s stomach dropped. “How did it not go through? I stayed away.”
Dad stammered, “You knew about that? How did you know about that?”
Joel held up the ball up by his ear, kneading it in his hand. He liked the squishy sound it made. “I overheard you and Prince Karl talking at the castle party.”
“I’ll be right there. I’m talking to my boy,” his father said to someone else, then continued. “Is that why you broke up with Fredrick? That’s why you let him go? Son, I wish you’d come to me. I would never ask you to do that.”
“I know, Dad. That’s why I didn’t talk to you about it,” Joel said. “I know you needed that deal. I couldn’t let you sacrifice it for me. “
“Joel, that’s what parents do. They sacrifice for their children.”
“Thank you. I love you, Dad.” Joel let out a deep breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. Now that this weight was off him, he could act. He’d find Freddie, go to him, and tell him what a butthead he was being, what a butthead he’d been. They belonged together.
“I love you too, son.” His father’s voice was soft but firm. “Now, what are you going to do about it?”
“That is the ten-thousand-dollar question. I’m making plans, but I’ll let you know. Talk to you later.” Grinning like a fiend, Joel slapped the arms of his chair and stood up. “Okay, this is it. Is Alex upstairs? I need to talk with him.”
“What about? After that phone call, I’m dying of curiosity.” Enrico folded his arms and leaned forward on his desk.
“First things first.” Joel bolted to the stairs. “I need to talk to him about my community co-op idea.”
“It’s about damn time!”
Joel stopped halfway up the stairs, turned, and tossed the ball back to him. “And ‘if any young men come for Mary or Kitty, send them in, for I am quite as leisure.’”
Enrico caught the ball and shouted after him, “What the hell does that mean?”
Let’s do this. Taking a deep breath, Joel peeked in through Sheryl’s open door. Alex looked up from the computer and smiled at him.
“When does Sheryl come back?” Joel walked in and sat down. “I heard she called.”
“Yes, she’s taking another week. By then, I may even have the payroll software down and not make any more mistakes.”
“God willing.” Joel knocked on the wooden desk. “Is your other half okay with you being here?”
“David? Yeah, he knows it’s not permanent, and while we work on getting the theater off the ground, the extra money coming in helps.”
“You seem very happy.”
“I am. I never thought I’d move back to Edgedale, but here we are. Life is surprising.” Alex stopped his work and looked him in the eye. Seeing something in them, he sat back in his chair. He was always good at reading people. “What can I help you with?”
“Yeah . . .” Joel fidgeted in his chair. “I have a question for you about the charity you help run.”
“The CYA?” Alex played with his pen.
“I’ve been doing a lot of research, and I’m thinking of starting a charity. I’d like it to be a community co-op to help people in need: food, clothing, what have you.” He stood up and paced around the room. “Aimed at LGBTQ+ folk specifically, of course. I’ve been researching, but there’s just not a lot out there for kids or for seniors.”
“Oh, Robert . . .” Alex chewed on his pen.
“You know he has a pension, but sometimes he still needs help and he doesn’t have anyone. I think this will be a good resource for people. A co-op can take donations and then purchase things with mass buying power that people need but can’t always afford. I saw that even in Etreustein, a country with a high standard of living. Sometimes people just need a little help, and sometimes they just need a meal. The co-op would have a building and a help line, a social network so if someone in the community has a crisis, we can help them. We can help each other. I mean, if you ask, someone else probably has the answer. But most people don’t know who or where to ask.”
Alex came around the desk and sat on the corner. “I think that’s a great idea. It has a lot of possibilities. Do you want help? My aunt and soon-to-be mo
ther-in-law can give you all kinds of advice.” Alex picked up his coffee cup and took a sip. “They’d love it, to be honest.”
“That would be great, thank you.” Joel let out a deep breath.
Alex stood and patted him on the back. “You’ve clearly been thinking about this a while. Why’d you wait so long to ask?”
“Fear, I guess. I wanted to get all my ducks in a row before I approached you. And maybe I didn’t want to inconvenience you?” He put a hand to his chin. “I mean, are we friends?”
That made Alex sputter. “Of course we are. Why?”
“I thought so, but Robert said something once about us only being work friends.”
“That may be true.” Alex crossed his arms in front of him. “But remember, in Robert’s day, it wasn’t always safe to be out at work. So his qualifications may not apply. I mean, we weren’t braiding each other’s hair or anything, but I always thought of you as a friend.”
“Thank you.” Joel gave him a hug and Alex reciprocated. “I’d really appreciate any help with the charity. I’ve been doing research, but it’s a lot.”
“That’s why I think you should work with us.” Alex pointed a finger at him. “So you’re not out there reinventing the wheel, sign up with us and you’ll get access to our resources. You don’t have to do it alone unless that’s what you want. You can even use the name if you like.”
“About that? Cooper Youth Association?”
“CYA can stand for anything: Cooper Youth Association, Cover Your Ass, anything . . . After all, what’s in a name?” Alex waved a hand in the air. “As long as we’re helping the community, I’m fine if it branches out a little more.”
“We will absolutely be helping queer youth and seniors.”
“Good, I’ll email you some information, and congratulations, you’re now part of the CYA.” Alex held out his hand and they shook on it. Joel fidgeted for a minute and Alex asked warily, “Anything else?”
“Yeah, I need to take some time off.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
10,000 Hours (Acoustic)
It was a beautiful summer day in Manhattan, and after his last meeting for the day, Joel walked along the High Line. His earbuds were and his favorite playlist was on. Things were good. Things were looking up. He had a plan. It was harebrained and stupid, but it was a plan.
Then his favorite song came on: “10,000 Hours,” the pop ditty that used to be Seth’s ringtone. It didn’t make him think about Seth anymore. Now when he heard it, he was back slow dancing with Freddie in his living room. It was a good memory.
Smiling, he put on his shades and soaked in the sunshine. He loved the city at this time of year.
He made his way down through the Village and walked to Chinatown and back to the office. A long walk. Any other day, he’d take the subway, but it was too beautiful and he was in too good a mood. Fresh determination gave him purpose. He had a plan.
Alex hovered over Enrico at his computer. When he walked in, they quit talking. They shared a glance as he slid into his desk.
“You two okay?” He squinted at the pair. They both nodded. “Okay then . . . I have an announcement. I want to take off tomorrow. I decided to move up my ticket and fly to Etreustein tonight.”
“You can’t.” Enrico’s eyes were saucers. “I mean, don’t you already have a flight out Monday?”
“And we need you this weekend,” Alex stammered. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and his fingers flew over the screen. He wagged it in the air after he finished whatever he was doing. “Yep, we need you. We have a pop-up event. You can’t go until—”
“Tomorrow,” Enrico chimed in. “Yes, you can leave tomorrow if you still want to.”
“What kind of event do we have tonight? I don’t see anything about it on the calendar,” Joel grumbled, pointing to the large dry erase board on the wall. Why were they being difficult?
“And that’s why it’s a pop-up,” Alex said slowly. He looked down at Enrico.
“Yes, it’s tonight. It’s a . . . a goodbye party for Alex.” Enrico grinned like a kid who just won a spelling bee. “Yes, it is. It is a goodbye party for Alex.”
Joel narrowed his eyes at his friend. “Okay . . .”
“Yes, it’s my goodbye party, and you have to come. We’re friends.” Alex nodded enthusiastically. “David is coming. Robert is coming. Everyone is coming. Please?”
“Look, I know you’re chomping at the bit, but what is another day?” Enrico leaned forward on his desk. “It’s not like he’s going to run off and elope with someone. Your prince will still be there tomorrow, right?”
He eyed them carefully. Something was up with them, but they were right. Etreustein would still be there tomorrow. Joel shook his head and let out a long, resigned sigh. “Fine, fine, you win. But you’re both acting very weird.”
“It’s because I’m leaving,” Alex volunteered, and he sat on the edge of Joel’s desk. “He’s hiding it, but Enrico’s upset.”
“Yeah, I’m distraught.” Enrico almost beamed.
Yeah, so distraught. Joel’s phone chirped and he looked at the caller ID. It was Robert. “All right, Lucy and Ethel, I’ll be there—after Movie Night.”
“Oh yes, after Movie Night,” Alex agreed.
“Are you two coming?” Joel asked. “Robert would love it if everyone got together for Movie Night again.”
“Can’t. We’ve got to get set up for the party.” Enrico pulled Alex upstairs and into Sheryl’s office.
God, they’re weird. Joel shook his head and picked up the line. “Hello, sweetie.”
“Hey, duckling. How’re you?” Robert asked. “We’re still on for Movie Night, aren’t we?”
“Apparently,” he groused. “I’m leaving here shortly. What’s on the docket tonight?”
“The Opposite Sex.” Robert almost giggled. Joel wondered what was up with him. Something was in the air.
“Never heard of it,” he admitted.
“It’s a musical version of The Women, original recipe,” Robert explained. “We won’t even talk about that so-called modern adaptation.”
Joel smiled. “‘I’ll be darned, Nancy, if I’ll let you ride me anymore!’” It was one of his favorite lines from the old movie.
“Well done, little duckling. I’ll make a swan out of you yet.”
“I’ll pick up dinner,” Joel said. “What are you in the mood for?”
“How about Indian?” Robert asked.
“Sounds great. I know a place.” He went back to work, but he was left to his own devices. Enrico and Alex spent most of the afternoon in Sheryl’s office. He noticed there were lots of phone calls coming in and going out. This must be some party.
At five o’clock, he picked up his messenger bag and left for the day. “See you guys later,” he shouted upstairs.
“See you later, Jo-El,” Enrico called down. Joel thought he heard giggling. Everyone was acting weird today. Were they always like this when they worked together? He couldn’t remember; he worked mainly as a waiter back then.
Making his way across the Village, he stopped at Masala Munky for takeout. Robert already waited at the door of his condo when Joel arrived. He was in a very chipper mood.
“What is going on with everyone today?” Joel asked as he walked in and sat the go-bag on the counter.
“It is a lovely day in the city, is all.” Robert gave him a kiss on the cheek. “That and I am glad to see my duckling.”
“You saw me two days ago, queen.”
“It’s never enough.” Robert pulled out plates and silverware while Joel opened the wine he brought.
“Okay . . .”
After dinner and the movie, they cleaned up. Joel expressed surprise that June Alysson was ever a sex symbol even of the Doris Day variety.
“The fifties were wild. One day I’ll tell you about the eighties. It’ll blow your freakin’ mind,” Robert said. “Now, are you still leaving town?”
“Yes, I fly out for Etreustei
n on Monday.” Joel grinned as he walked to the kitchen sink. He did not add in the unless I leave tomorrow caveat; there was no point at the moment. He hadn’t exchanged his ticket yet. He was frustrated that Alex was being difficult with that timing. He originally insisted that Joel wait until Sheryl got back before he left. Tonight’s event aside, they weren’t busy at the moment, and they could spare him, but he gave in. Five Points was part of his New York family; he owed them a little delay.
“What exactly is your plan?” Robert put the cork back in the bottle of Etreustein Riesling Joel had sent to him while he was overseas. He slid it in the dark wooden wine rack on the counter.
“I have no idea. Show up and hope for the best?” Joel shrugged. “Castle security made Freddie surrender his phone before I even left, so I can’t text him. And my emails to Astrid aren’t being answered.”
Robert pulled the mini vacuum off of the wall and walked over to the couch. “Are you sure you should even go?” He turned it on and ran it over the cushions, picking up any pieces of popcorn they had dropped. “I mean, it is a long way to travel, especially when you don’t even know if you’ll get to see him.”
“Robert, I love him. I have to do something.” He was not going to cry. He was not going to cry. “I almost said screw it all and left today, but Alex and Enrico talked me down.” Joel’s phone beeped and he glanced at it. “Speak of the devil.”
“What are you doing right now?” Enrico asked. Music pumped behind him.
“We just finished watching the movie.” Joel looked at his watch. It was still early.
“It’s time. Put on your party dress and get down here.”
That explains the music, Joel thought. Looking up, he saw Robert standing there with his socks and shoes in hand.
“Is it time for the party?” Robert waggled his head.
“Yes, Enrico texted the address,” Joel said. “You know David came back into town yesterday to cart Alex and the rest of his things back home?” He liked David and Alex; they worked. I want that.