FREE FLYING HEARTS -- A collection of short stories from Tonig73

..... 3 .....

Pierce was ecstatically happy.  Today, he and his father were Larry's VIP guests at the X-Games, on the condition that they watched him skate, and, really, why would they not.  He had made it through to the qualifying rounds, of course.  And if he did well enough today, he would be in the semi finals after that.  

"Dad, c'mon !  Get up !"  

"Pierce.  Gimme a minute dude.  For fuck's sake ..... "  

"OK, I just don't wanna be late"

"We won't be late, Larry's not skating 'till 11."  He looked over at his LED.  "Shit !  It's already 10 !  Why didn't you wake me !"  His son just shook his head and gave him that  --  told ya so  --  look.  On his way to the shower, he shot Pierce a look. 

"Shower ?"  he nodded, yes.

"Breakfast ?"  Again, yes.

"Get with the program, dad."    --  For fuck's sake  --  Laurent muttered under his breath, he was raising a monster.

--  --  --  --  

Various events were taking place in different parts of the city.  Larry would be doing his thing on the main event stage in the middle of Qualcomm Stadium.  Laurent and Pierce were ushered through security, and escorted onto the field.  Mere mortals sat in the stands, and the stadium was about half full.  The two huge monitors at each end of the field burst into life, showing vintage and recent footage of skaters, accompanied by metal or heavy rock.  Larry appeared on screen, a much larger that life version of himself, at least 20 feet tall, his fro taking up most of the screen, that and his bunny teeth.  

"Wow"  was all Pierce could muster.

"Yup.  That just about sums it up."  Laurent was impressed, which took some doing.  To live this life, this energy, this noise, to live this  --  out loud  --  , all the time, must take some energy too. 

"Guys, there are complimentary drinks and food, if you'd like.  Larry's on the main stage in about 10 minutes.  Enjoy."  Laurent thanked the man.

"Wow, so food too ?"  Pierce was in heaven.  They grabbed a hot dog, in Pierce's case, 3, and a soda, and made their way to the seats right in front of the competition area.  Pierce felt hands in his hair. 

"Dude !  You guys came ...."  

"Be rude not to.  Thanks again ...."  Larry looked down at Laurent's upturned face, his smile frozen for just a second. 

"Yeah, thanks Larry."

"Nah, you my lucky charm, Pierce. You ready to help me ?  I need it today."  

"Larry Addison needs my help ?"  Pierce was awestruck.

"Everybody needs help from time to time."  He ran his silver ringed fingers through Pierce's hair, and it calmed him.  "This. This here is what helps me. Is that OK ?"  Pierce gazed up at his idol.  They had the exact same coloured eyes.  In fact, he was Larry's mini-me.  He could have been his son, or his younger brother, they looked so alike.  Larry gave Laurent a parting smile, telling him he'd see him later.  

"I want you there,"  he pointed to the railings at the bottom of the huge ramp, telling Pierce "I wanna hear your voice loud and clear when I come down that sucker, OK ?"  Pierce nodded,  Then Larry was gone.

--  --  --  --

They both yelled and shouted Larry's name, Laurent whistling as well.  He initially had no intention of partaking of the noisy shenanigans, but he couldn't help but get swept up in all the excitement.  The crowd, the music, the constant movement, the round after round of competition in quick succession.  It was electric.  Every time he won his round, Larry would come over to give Pierce a high five, and to rummage his hands roughly through his fro, and it made them both giggle.  This was now officially his good luck ritual, like it or not.  As the sun set, Laurent and Pierce were ready to head home, when Larry excused himself from a conversation he was having.