by Billy Taylor
“August.” Ethan said calmly.
“What?” I replied, distraught.
“We’re stood right infront of you, dear.”
I felt Madeline’s tiny hand grab mine to prove his statement. My body filled with rage, this was a cruel, cruel joke, that shouldn’t be played on anyone. They started to giggle as I felt my anger rise throughout my face.
“You mean bastards!” I screamed.
Everyone must have stopped to look at me in disgust. I took a deep breath and dropped my head. Suddenly I was extremely embarrassed.
“Do you really think Madeline could climb that?” Ethan asked. I could sense the sarcasm on his face.
“I don’t know! I was just following what you were saying. Oh my God, I feel sick, can we please go?”
They both continued to laugh as they took ahold of my hands.
“Don’t you ever do that again!” I commanded.
“The joys of having kids.” Mum said from behind me.
“Constant heart attacks.” She added.
I took a deep breath and composed myself. I desperately wanted to open my eyes after this dramatic ordeal, but I knew I would freak out and faint afterwards. They escorted me back to the elevator and placed my hand onto the railing. I opened my eyes, expecting the elevator doors to have already closed, and as they readjusted to the light, I caught a glimpse of the skyline of the beautiful city I now called home.
September 13th
I’ve had the best time with my Mum and Madeline. I wish they could’ve stayed for longer, ten days wasn’t enough. It’s a shame Madeline has school.
“Thank you.” I whispered to Mum as I hugged her goodbye.
Ethan enjoyed having them over, too. He disappeared most nights with Eleanor so we didn’t see him much during the evenings. When he wasn’t with Eleanor, he was taking Madeline to the ice cream parlour. It’s her new favourite place in the entire world. Ethan hated admitting it, but he was tired of eating ice cream. Apparently, Madeline spent so much time in there that they named an ice cream flavour after her. I’m sure they called it obsessed or lunatic for ice cream. I bet she thought it was the coolest thing ever, having her own ice cream. I wish I had an ice cream flavour named after me, but then again, I have an apartment in New York named after me. So as far as getting things named after you, I was kicking her ass. “Bye Madeline,” I said, covering her in kisses. She giggled and clung to my neck.
“Ready to go?” Ethan asked, opening the apartment door. He wasn’t wearing a tie today, which is unusual. Very unusual. He insisted on driving them back to the airport.
A date has officially been set to start filming his new show in Los Angeles for two weeks. Not only is he going to be gone for two weeks, he’ll be on the other side of the country. He’s leaving on the twentieth and returns on the fifth of October. He’s only doing five episodes as a trial run. It’s going to be like a hand held camera view. I’m guessing it’s a really good quality one if it’s going on TV. But you will almost feel like a member of the crowd watching him. That’s how he described it. Ethan being gone gives me time to bring Max over here and spend time with him. Ethan asked if I wouldn’t mind Eleanor staying with me while he’s away. Which will be… great.
I’m glad Ethan’s been given this opportunity. He deserved his dream more than anyone. He dedicated his life to magic, literally. I don’t want him to be gone for too long, and suddenly he moves to LA and leaves me alone. Our careers forcing us to go our separate ways. That’s what scares me the most, losing him.
September 19th
Ethan had another nightmare in the early hours of this morning. I was downstairs raiding the fridge when I heard him shout my name. I dropped my milkshake and sprinted upstairs to his room. I burst in to find him sat upright with his head in his hands.
“Are you ok?” I asked, flustered and out of breath.
“This nightmare is driving me insane!”
I closed the door and turned on his bedside lamp. I snuggled alongside him in bed and put my arm around him.
“Ethan, what’s going on? What aren’t you telling me? You know what happened last time you kept things from me.” I said, rubbing his shoulder with my thumb.
He kept his head in his hands and sighed. “I’m back in Max’s truck. I’m sat in the passenger seat. The 4x4 is heading straight for me and smashes into the car. And then I wake up.”
As I gazed into his eyes they appeared possessed. He was so shaken by it, and he was covered in sweat.
I rested my head on his shoulder. “I’m here.”
We laid back and he rested his head on my stomach. I ran my fingers through his hair until he fell asleep.
Since I was trapped underneath Ethan, I stayed with him. I didn’t want to disrupt his sleep. It was a slight shock to be woken up by Eleanor. Her eyes beaming down upon me with rage, maybe because were we sharing a bed and he was still asleep on me. I slid out from underneath him and stood up.
“Morning.” I whispered to her.
“What were you doing?” She whispered back.
“He had a nightmare during the night, so I stayed with him.”
She nodded suspiciously and then sat alongside him in bed, nudging him awake. “Baby, wake up, baby.” She said.
I felt like screaming, Just call him Ethan, you idiot! Does she really need to call him baby? Really?
I left them be and walked out of the room. Eleanor had popped over to help Ethan pack since he’s leaving tomorrow. Normally that would be my job, but I guess she’s beaten me to it since she’s now a higher authority in Ethan’s life.
NEW EMAIL FROM LEONARD PHILLIPS
Dear Miss Bishop,
My agent, Mary, forwarded your email onto me. Forgive me. It’s been a while since anyone has contacted me for business. So this friend of yours, Ethan, switched seats with you in a car crash? And he’s been a magician for the majority of his life? This sounds like an interesting act given the time he had to complete it, but I’m always up for a challenge. Since my Granddaughter is a latest fan of yours from all the magazines she reads, I’ll do it for free if you send her an autograph or something nice. It would really put a smile on her face. Send me all the details you can about locations and times. I have friends who will track down the CCTV footage. It won’t be easy, but I won’t know until I have seen the footage.
Best Regards, Leonard.
It was weird receiving that email from Leonard. I watched his show growing up, and now we’re going to be doing business together. Even though I was never a huge fan of his it was still cool to receive an email from him! All I need now is a letter from Scooby-Doo and my list would be complete. I sent Leonard an email regarding all the details I knew about the crash. I wasn’t much help, but he said he’d make do with it. Max has planned to arrive on the twenty-first. Ethan agreed Max could stay for a month or two. I’m glad he’s coming. I’m sure he would be more than happy to help me keep Eleanor entertained due to the fact he adores her. I’m sure he envies Ethan sincerely.
September 20th
Eleanor couldn’t keep her hands off Ethan as she said goodbye to him this morning. I practically had to drag her off him so I could hug him and say goodbye myself. He was wearing the black tie with his initials in I bought him for his birthday this year. I focused down at his bag, the more I stared at it the more saddened I became. He raised my chin with his finger and his eyes looked into mine. We didn’t saying anything we just looked at each other. I forgot Eleanor was standing right next to us so I gave him a firm hug to avoid her becoming suspicious. He kissed the top of my head as he always does and let go of me. It was sad watching him leave. But he’ll be doing the thing he loves, and he’ll only be gone for two weeks. I’d be more upset if it were two months. I offered to drive Ethan to the airport, but he preferred driving himself. Then he just left, leaving Eleanor and I staring at the door. We sat in silence for at least five minutes.
“Chinese?” I asked, I was starving, and I’d been craving one.
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br /> “You read my mind. I’ll order now.” Eleanor said, reaching for her phone. Within thirty minutes of me asking, our living room was filled with Chinese food. I insisted we sat and watched Eleanor’s film Hard Luck to brighten the mood. She made mental notes on herself as she watched.
“My ass looks so small on that shot. I need to squat more, don’t I?” Eleanor asked, picking at her nails.
I stared at her behind on the screen, maybe for too long.
“Um… I’m not sure I should comment on that subject. Kinda weird isn’t it?” She scrunched her face at me and shuffled her bottom on the sofa. “I’m gonna head upstairs and do some squats. Coming?”
I was eating noodles, and I considered carrying on watching the rest of the film. I swallowed them and nodded. I placed the box of noodles onto the table and followed her upstairs. I suppose joining her in the gym would be more beneficial than sat watching a movie and eating noodles.
September 21st
Eleanor and I were sat having breakfast, finishing the film we started last night. Five minutes after it finished a knock came at the door.
“I’ll get it.” Eleanor shouted, running over to the door like an excited toddler. She swung the door open to reveal Max stood with his mouth ajar. He stared at her for a good seven to ten seconds before I shouted, “Max, I thought I was picking you up from the airport?” Max said nothing. He remained in his stare.
“Hi.” she said enthusiastically, “I’m Eleanor.” Max grinned.
“H-h-h-hi-hi,” he replied.
“Smooth Max.” I said with a mouthful of cereal. He stepped inside and scanned the apartment in wonder.
“What happened to picking you up from the airport?” I asked.
Max returned his sight to Eleanor. “Can I have a hug?”
“Sure.” She said opening her arms.
Max dropped his bags and wrapped his arms around her. I bet you all the money in the world he smelt her hair. He definitely smelt her hair.
“Max, time to let her go, bud.” I said.
“Oh hey August.” He said, walking over and fist bumping me.
“Anyway, I’m gonna get ready.” Eleanor said, disappearing upstairs.
Max tilted his head as he watched her go upstairs.
“Could you make it any more obvious, Max?” I punched him in the arm to regain his attention.
“Would it be weird if I asked her to marry me?”
I rolled my eyes at him. “You’ve been here thirty seconds. Maybe when she knows who you are and wait until she isn’t in a relationship with Ethan before doing so?”
He nodded. “Good idea,” he began to walk upstairs. I was beginning to regret my remark of complimenting his intelligence. “I’ll ask her which room is mine.” I laughed because I knew this was either going to be a nightmare or loads of fun.
September 29th
Max and Eleanor are inseparable. It’s like they’re the ones in the relationship. They clicked from the second they met. Obviously, they’re not kissing or sleeping together, but they understand each other’s humour. They’ve barely spoken to me over the past few days. It’s like I’m invisible. I hope Ethan realises this when he returns. That they make a cute couple, and that August; his smoking hot best friend is the better choice for him.
NEW EMAIL FROM LEONARD PHILLIPS
Dear Miss Bishop,
I have returned from Italy. I shall begin right away on your demands. The thing that is taking the most time is finding the camera footage, but I’ll get ahold of them.
Our investigation is underway basically, Leonard.
I was unsure whether to inform Max of my recent arrangements with Leonard. He’s probably never heard of him. He can’t hold his own water, too. Ethan would find out within five minutes of Max finding out. Moving off subject here, but, I think Max is in love with Eleanor. He was before even meeting her, but now he has, he really is. I know this because he’s acting the same way I was, did or do with Ethan. She’s been away for an audition the past day and a half and I can see that he misses her, even though she’s only known of his existence for a week. I saw them out on the balcony before she left. He can’t take his eyes off of her. There was one moment I saw and I immediately knew. Eleanor was gazing over the city and chatting. I couldn’t hear what she was saying, it was a distant and unclear noise. Max turned and looked at her, and he smiled, not a grin, just a slight unmissable and unmistakable smirk. And I knew right then he was in love with her. Eleanor turned and blushed. There may have even been a slight spark between them there, but one cannot be sure. I’ve arranged to have dinner with Max later to talk about being my assistant person. Though I’m really planning to speak about Eleanor.
NEW MESSAGE FROM ELEANOR WALDEN
Do you think I should go to LA and surprise Ethan? xoxo
NEW MESSAGE FROM AUGUST BISHOP
It’s hard to say. Do you know exactly where he is? I don’t want to encourage you to go and then you can’t find him! xoxo
NEW MESSAGE FROM ELEANOR WALDEN
Maybe you’re right. He’ll be back next week, won’t he? Max and I were supposed to be grabbing lunch at my friend’s restaurant tomorrow as well. I don’t want to let him down! xoxo
NEW MESSAGE FROM AUGUST BISHOP
Yeah… maybe if he were gone for longer it would have been a nice surprise! Hey, thanks for inviting me! You and Max seem to have gotten close over the last week! You’re inseparable! xoxo
NEW MESSAGE FROM ELEANOR WALDEN
That’s true. Sorry I discussed it with Max and forgot about you, sorry! I guess we’re… lol. I’m beginning to think I chose the wrong friend to date! xoxo
NEW MESSAGE FROM AUGUST BISHOP
Oh it’s fine don’t worry about it! & You don’t say… xoxo
“How are you finding life in New York, Max?” I asked as we found our seats at our table in the new Italian restaurant we had discovered.
“I love it. I’m so glad you asked me to come out here, August.” I took a sip from my glass of water.
“On a scale of one to ten. How in love with Eleanor are you?” I smugly asked. My intentions of sneaking it into the conversation lasted approximately seventeen seconds. Now I understand how Stanley felt when he asked how I was coping with Ethan.
Max looked down at his glass of water. “That obvious, huh?”
You could see it was playing on his mind. I felt like someone was showing me a reflection of myself a month or two ago. In male form of course.
“Max, I know how you feel, and you know I know how you feel. If you want to talk about it we can, and yes it is obvious.”
I wanted to tell him that Eleanor might feel something for him too. But I didn’t want to mislead him in case it wasn’t true, or she was joking.
“Thanks. Its just I’ve never had a relationship before and this is all new to me… I just want her to be mine, you know. You must’ve felt horrible when you found out.”
“It honestly felt like someone kicked me in the stomach. Just give yourself false hope and pray they don’t get engaged. Maybe talk to her tomorrow when you go for food and see how she feels?”
He frowned at me immediately. “We’ve only known each other for a week, are you mad? You’ve had twelve years to tell Ethan. I think you’re unable to provide advice on telling or asking them how you, or they feel. But this is Ethan’s girlfriend. I couldn’t do that to him.”
His comment hurt slightly, but it was true, so I couldn’t argue otherwise.
“All I’m saying is don’t leave it until it’s too late, like I did. In my case until it’s a bloody long time too late.”
October 1st
NEW EMAIL FROM LEONARD PHILLIPS
Dear August,
I’ve tracked down the case file for your accident. (I told you it wouldn’t take long.) I’m going to peruse over it now. The camera footage is going to take a while longer to be sent over to me, but that shouldn’t be too long. I will update you once I have received the footage or if anything of
significance comes to my attention, Leonard.
Only one week until Ethan’s return, give or take half a day. He hasn’t text me since he’s been away. I don’t know if he’s busy or isn’t interested in talking to me. I hope it isn’t the second one. I’ve been thinking about what Mum presented with the photos. I wish it was easy to ask Ethan about the photos and if it was true. Life would be so much easier if we had the courage to ask the questions we fear the most.
As I sat and ate my morning bowl of cereal alone on the sofa, I noticed Max and Eleanor weren’t around. They went out for dinner last night didn’t they? I wonder if anything happened between them. I headed upstairs and checked Ethan’s bedroom, empty. Then I checked Max’s room, knocked, no answer. I slowly opened the door. The room was empty. Where on Earth were they? I headed back downstairs and called Max.
“Hello.”
“Max? Where are you? Did you go out this morning?”
“I’m at Eleanor’s. I can’t remember a thing from last night we drank so much.”
“Do you want me to pick you up?”
“Please August, I’m freaking out right now. I don’t know what happened…”
“Are you in bed with her?”
“No, we’re on the sofa.”
“I’ll leave now. Give me five minutes.”
The apartment stank of booze as Max opened the door. “Morning,” I said.
He scowled at me. “Let’s go. She’s still asleep.”
He walked over to her and kissed her head before quietly closing the door behind us. He hid himself under his shirt as I drove back home.
“Do you remember anything?”
“I remember being in the restaurant and we fancied a drink, so Eleanor said let’s go back to hers. We had these really strong shots, they burnt your throat they were so strong. Then we kissed and that’s it.” He remained hidden under his shirt. It was surprising to hear how casual he sounded about the kissing part.