“Do you know what you want? Do you want me to make a recommendation for you?”
Jesse seemed to be in control, and could manage just fine. He replied to Russell very sharply, letting him know that he didn’t need his help, and that he could pick out what he wanted from the menu without any issue.
“Actually Russell, I’m trying to make my mind up on a few things, but thank you for your concern. I’m just fine, thank you. You’ve helped me enough tonight.”
Russell then smiles at Jesse, and looks back at his menu, glancing it over to decide what he wanted to eat. He would occasionally take a peek over a Jesse, who was reading the menu as well. When Russell figured out what he wanted to order, he set his menu down on the table. Jesse however was still looking over the menu, still in an indecisive mood. Russell then watched the sports games featured on the big screen televisions sitting over the bar area. Jesse was then able to decide what he wanted to eat, and set the menu aside on the table. He makes eye contact with Russell. Russell then whispers to Jesse.
“So. Have you made your mind up as to what you wanted to eat?”
Jesse nodded his head. The waitress came to their table seconds after this.
“Here are your two bottles of Blue Moon, and here is a bottle of Chardonnay, and I have two glasses for you. Now have you gentlemen decided as to what you wanted?”
Russell begins to place his order.
“I’ll have the stuffed crab mushrooms, lobster diavolo, a side salad and I would like some garlic bread as well.”
Jesse then immediately gave his order to the waitress.
“Well, I’ll just have the shrimp scampi, and could I please have some scallops with that. Thank you.”
Russell started to drink one his beers, while watching a basketball game on the big screen televisions in the restaurant. Jesse started to grab the wine bottle to pour himself a drink, but he is stopped by Russell.
“No no, let me. I’m treating you out, so I’ll pour it for you.”
Russell then poured Jesse a glass of wine. Jesse starts to take sips of his wine, while staring at Russell watching the sports game. Russell finishes his first beer, and pours himself a glass of wine. Russell then proceeds to take a couple swallows of it. Immediately following, he then takes the opportunity to talk to Jesse.
“How is the wine? To me it’s kinda sharp, but I like it like that.”
Jesse takes another drink of the wine before responding to Russell.
“Oh it’s just fine, it’s very good. Thank you for asking.”
Russell returns to watching the game on the television, while Jesse continually stares at him. Both of them are continuing to wait for their food to arrive. Jesse peering at Russell, asks him a personal question which he has on his mind.
“Russell, I was trying to avoid asking you this question, and I feel I’m possibly going to regret asking it, but I can’t help myself. That’s just the way I’m programmed I suppose. But here it goes. Would you be bothered if I said that in some cosmic way, I’m attracted to you?”
After taking another glass of wine, Russell opens his second beer, and looks at Jesse looking very puzzled. He then responds to him.
“Why would you think I would be bothered?”
Jesse rests his arms on the table and puts his hands over his cheeks and under his chin, and waits a minute before replying to Russell.
“Well because you know, I’m a gay guy, and you’re straight. So I am just assuming that you might get bothered by it. I’m also black and loud, and you’re a quiet white guy, but I guess that’s kinda dismissive, but still. So many things I’m curious about, and that’s my fault. You don’t have to answer that. Forget it. Pretend I never said that, okay?”
Russell starts to laugh to himself shaking his head, and takes a gulp of his beer. With the beer still in his hand, he reveals shocking information to Jesse.
“I have a feeling this might be the liquor and alcohol making me act this way. But you should know that I’m actually Bi. So I don’t give a fuck that you’re gay, and I really don’t give a fuck that you’re black. I’m not in the KKK, so. You’re also not my type, so it’s all good.”
Jesse then scoffs at Russell and gives him a disgusted and appalled look.
“Well, excuse me. How the fuck was I supposed to know you were Bi? You don’t give a bi/gay vibe to me at all. You seem like a regular straight guy. Also, there were rumors at the bank that you were racist and kinda closed minded and conservative. So I’m sorry, I just had to ask. I still find you attractive, and you’re an alright guy to me.”
Russell takes another swallow of his beer, and laughs at Jesse, shaking his head. Jesse then starts to share his gripes about a habit Russell is doing.
“Why the fuck are you always doing that? It’s getting annoying and I want you to stop. You’re like the damn Heat Miser, shaking your head and laughing like that all the damn time.”
Russell sits back in his seat, folds his arms and responds to Jesse.
“Why do you have to act so gay? It’s bad enough you’re black, so why make things more difficult for yourself, and act all faggoty like that. Be a man.”
Jesse realizes that Russell is joking with him, and doesn’t fire back at that comment. He is slightly offended and bothered by his remarks, but quickly ignores it and moves on. The both of them continue to wait for their meals. Russell drinks his beer again, asking Jesse a question.
“What about me do you like? You like ginger guys? You like Jewish guys? I’m also Russian, you like Russian guys as well? I mean you called me the Heat Miser, so that shows you are observant on my outside looks. Just curious I suppose.”
Jesse takes a couple swigs of his wine, before answering Russell’s question.
“I don’t know; I had no idea you were Jewish and Russian so it’s not that. You are ginger haired yes, I don’t mind that. I just feel safe with you. I just find it odd that before tonight, I’ve worked at that bank with you for a while, yet this is the most we’ve ever really connected. I do like how weird and crazy and mysterious you are.”
Jesse then feels guilty for saying that, and looks down on the table feeling discouraged to continue talking. Russell looks at Jesse with a cold stare, and finishes his second beer. Russell begins to open his mouth to say something, but then is interrupted. During this time the waitress comes to the table as their food order is now ready.
“Okay, I have some stuffed crab mushrooms, lobster diavolo, and a side salad. I also have shrimp scampi with scallops, and some garlic bread for the table. Alright, is there anything else that I could get for you gentlemen.”
Russell responds to the waitress.
“Yes just two glasses of water, and the check. That’s all, thanks.”
They both then begin to eat their meal. Russell while eating his meal then proceeds to talk about what he was going to mention, before the waitress came with their food. He starts to talk about Jesse in a playful and cruel, yet sincere way.
“Jesse, you have an attitude problem, and you need to fix that. You’re not going to succeed in life unless you do. You also shouldn’t let other people dictate how you should act, and how you should be. You think if Peter was like that, you would have gotten hired at the bank? I don’t think so. He saw the good in you, and gave you a chance. Think about it.”
Jesse also eating his meal thinks to himself as to whether or not he should reply to Russell. However, a few moments later in the same exact fashion as Russell, he doesn’t hold back and does let his true opinions and thoughts out for him to know.
“Well I also want to add that Russell, you are an asshole and I might have an attitude problem, but you have a narcissist problem. You are such an inconsiderate man, and you are also scary and weird as well. But I just find you so damn attractive for some reason. Oh well.”
Russell raises his eyebrows at Jesse while eating his food, reiterating a question he asked before, that he still did not get an adequate answer on.
“Okay Jesse,
I’m going to ask you again. What about me do you like? Because that’s now the second time you said you were attracted to me, but again you failed to really say what you liked about me. Actually, you started to say very unappealing things about me. You called me an asshole, which I am, and a narcissist, which yes I am, but I’m still confused. Help me out.”
Jesse continues to eat his meal and doesn’t respond to Russell. Russell who is also eating adds on to what Jesse said previously, wanting to clarify that.
“You also said that I was scary and weird. Okay. Yeah so what, I’m a scary and weird guy. That still doesn’t answer what you find attractive about me. Just let it out, I’m not gonna get mad. In fact, it’s healthier that way. If you continue to sulk, it’s going to make it worse.”
Russell pours himself and Jesse more wine, and Jesse responds to Russell.
“Um, I don’t know, you’re just the type of guy I dream about I guess. It might sound funny to you, but I just can’t explain it Russell. I’m sorry. I just like what I like.”
Jesse looks down from Russell after saying that, very ashamed to look up and give him eye contact. He continues to eat his meal, without paying attention to Russell. A few minutes later, Russell taking a sip of his wine, does decide to follow up what Jesse said to him.
“You’ve never had a boyfriend Jesse, have you?”
While still avoiding to look at Russell, Jesse tells Russell the truth.
“No, I’ve never had a boyfriend. How did you know?”
Russell takes another swallow of his wine, shakes his head and laughs at Jesse.
“Because I’m the Heat Miser and I’m just magic. I just know.”
Jesse then looks up at Russell and laughs at him. They both continue to eat their meal in silence. Russell watches more of the basketball game on the television at the bar. Jesse watches him staying quiet. The both of them finish all of their food, and occasionally stare at each other. The waitress soon then returns to the table with the check. Russell puts his credit card in the checkbook, and puts it on the side of the table. Russell then speaks to Jesse.
“Would you like to go and get some dessert? Like some ice cream or something? I know this really awesome place that you’re gonna love. My treat of course. Would that make you feel better, because you seem kinda depressed now.”
Jesse responds to Russell’s question.
“I would yes, that sounds nice. Thank you for offering Russell. I appreciate it.”
Russell pours the remaining amount of wine left in the bottle and evenly distributes it to himself and Jesse’s glass. They both then finish the wine. Jesse asks Russell a question.
“Russell, you’ve never had a boyfriend either have you?”
Russell while looking at the basketball game on the television and not giving Jesse eye contact, responds to the question that he asked very abruptly.
“No Jesse, I’ve never had a boyfriend. I’ve never really had a girlfriend either if I think about it. I just focused on school really. I always wanted to be an accountant and work on the stock exchange, and be a fucking billionaire. The next Trump and shit I guess. So the answer is no.”
Jesse with his elbows on the table and his hands on his cheeks, looking down replies.
“That’s a shame, because whoever would have you would be the luckiest person in the world, I swear to god. They would be the luckiest person in the world.”
Russell smiles and continues to look at the basketball game on the television, complaining about the gameplay.
“The Kings are just getting whooped by the Golden State Warriors tonight. Usually they play better than this, I don’t know what’s going on. I can’t believe this game at all.”
Jesse then looks at the basketball game on the television, and nods his head. The waitress returns with the checkbook and Russell’s credit card. After signing the receipt, he gives the waitress a cash tip inside of the checkbook. He then proceeds to put his suit jacket back on while staring at Jesse, asking him if he’s ready to leave.
“You all set, we were good to go now?”
Jesse then stares at Russell for almost a minute, then immediately laughs at him. A few moments later, he responds to him.
“Yeah, I’m ready. We can leave now.”
They both then leave out of the restaurant, and walk down the Hollywood strip. Walking through the night they see an entertaining setting, full of action and many diverse happenings going on all at once. After all it is Hollywood, and it’s only customary to notice things like that. Russell and Jesse see more performers and buskers on the street, and window shop at the many different storefronts located on the strip. During this time, Jesse ever so often would take peeks and glances at Russell, being very thankful and blessed to be a part of his company. He was filled with so much excitement and anxiety, being close to him. This was turning into one of the most amazing nights he has had. Compensating to the traumatic events which have happened to both of them earlier. It was their time to be happy with themselves, and to escape. They eventually make their way to an ice cream shop that has an extremely long line out the door. The shop is called “Freeze Play”, and looks very 1930’s candy shop themed and old fashioned. It has a very vintage and sophisticated look towards it. While they are both standing in line outside of the shop, Russell explains to Jesse that this is a very well-liked ice cream shop with a lot of flavors and options, so that’s why it’s crowded.
“I come here all the time, I like it. They can pretty much put whatever you want with your ice cream. You want fruit, you want candy bits, you want peanuts, it doesn’t matter. You can basically get what you want, however you want it.”
Jesse listens to Russell talk, becoming more and more infatuated with him. This was very struggling for him to accept, as he feels that Russell doesn’t at all feel the same way he does. The line in the ice cream shop dissipates little by little. When they both reach the counter, they begin to order the type of ice cream they would like; with Russell going first.
“I’ll have chocolate ice cream, with marshmallows and brownie bits.”
He then looks down at Jesse, alerting him it is now his turn to make his order.
“Oh, I’ll take vanilla with chocolate chips and cookie dough.”
They both then take their cups of ice cream and sit on a table located on the other side of the building. While eating his ice cream, Jesse starts to converse with Russell.
“This is really good, I’ve never been to this place before, but I definitely want to come back. This is some damn good ice cream. Thank you very much for taking me here.”
Russell eats some of his ice cream and smiles at Jesse, playfully teasing him.
“You don’t have to thank me, I wanted to come here. Even if you said no to wanting ice cream, I still would have gone. I came here for myself, I didn’t come here for you. I don’t care about you at all. I only came here and suggested this place, because I like it here.”
Jesse while eating more his ice cream, decides to tease Russell in return.
“Bullshit, that is not the truth at all, and I don’t believe it one bit. But you can lie all you want. I find it cute. It’s okay. I don’t care.”
Russell while eating more of his ice cream grins at Jesse. They both are enjoying themselves and feeling free in the moment. Jesse while eating his ice cream, continues to talk to Russell, and gives him an honest confession. It was something that he was scared to confess, but knew Russell had to know the truth about.
“This is an amazing night, and I wasn’t expecting this. I’m going to be honest, I was just gonna catch an Uber home, and not get in your car. But because of what happened today, I said fuck it, and decided to take a risk and see what happened. I see it paid off.”
Russell looks up at and smiles at him for a few seconds, and replies.
“I understand, and I don’t blame you. If I were you, I would have done the same exact thing, so don’t let yourself down over that. I completely understand.”
Jesse
then begins to look around the ice cream shop, noticing the decorations and how everything is presented. Taking note at conversation pieces on the wall.
“It’s funny how they have pictures of Coney Island up, when we’re in LA, but I don’t know. It seems like a silly thing for me to gripe at, but just something I’ve noticed.”
After taking in what Jesse said, Russell does notice as well the New York homage in the pictures and portraits hung up on the wall, and the lack of Los Angeles related material.
“Yeah everything is New York come to mention it. There’s the Statue of Liberty, and that’s the George Washington Bridge. Why do they not have anything California related? That doesn’t make any sense to me at all. But oh well, I agree it’s kinda trivial to argue at.”
Jesse then begins to uncontrollably laugh at loud due to what Russell said, which the infectious laugh also causing Russell to slightly giggle. The two continue to enjoy their ice cream, also continuing to look at more pictures on the wall. Jesse then is curious as to what Russell’s ice cream flavor tastes like, and allows Jesse to sample some of his ice cream. He likes the taste of it, and Jesse does allow Russell to do the same and taste his flavor of ice cream. Russell after trying it, shows approval that he likes it.
They finish their ice cream and walk out of the building heading out towards the Hollywood strip. Russell walking with his hands in his pockets, and Jesse walking by his side in a comfortable and confident way. Even though they stay silent, they both show positive body language from being near each other. Jesse in particular being comfortable with Russell, as he continues to take peeks as Russell when they are walking down the sidewalk, with Russell unaware that Jesse is staring at him. They continue to look at the different nightlife and entertainment in the street.
Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained Page 10