The City Lake

XIV

Home apparently meant stopping off at Caleb's for a shower and a change of clothes, and then heading over to Jay's place in the senior living apartments, as that's where Jeremy's family was. Jade was more than happy to see her son home, and Jeremy complied with the long hug. Jay would undoubtedly be happy too, except he was taking a late-afternoon nap in his armchair.

Caleb walked up to a painting on one of the walls. It was part of a series of paintings in the same style, all with the name 'Jeremy Findale' in fancy letters in the bottom right corner.

Will sidled up next to him and sighed. "Do you know we're getting all these when he dies? And this isn't all of them! We're going to drown in paintings."

"They're nice," Caleb replied. "I could take a few off your hands if you want. I'm sure your grandfather won't mind."

"Maybe," Will said. He yawned and gazed around the room, lost without a video game to keep him occupied. "Want a snack?"

Caleb shrugged. "Why not?"

They went to the tiny kitchen in Jay's apartment and looked for anything that could be eaten without preparation. Their search turned up empty besides an old box of long-stale crackers. The crackers looked alright and tasted like barely more than cardboard, so, satisfied, they settled down in front of Jay's old TV and turned it on at a low volume. Jay snored from a few feet away in his armchair but didn't wake up.

Jeremy escaped the hug and plopped down in the spot beside Caleb to watch the news. A reporter was standing by the lake not far from where they had been earlier in the day, looking at the water in awe.

"Without any sign that the lake would do so, the lake has filled unnaturally fast," they were saying into their microphone. "The issue seems to have resolved itself, and water rations have been lifted for now, but people are advised not to overuse water for the sake of being able to use as much as you want, just because you can."

"I'm glad that's over with," Jade said from behind the boys. "I'm glad none of you were near there when it happened. That would have been dangerous."

Jeremy and Caleb exchanged a glance and a vow not to tell.

"Uh, yeah, that wouldn't have been good. Yep, good thing we were never there," replied Caleb, awkward with the lie. Jeremy gave him a sharp glance and Caleb narrowed his eyes in response, brow furrowing. When Caleb mouthed 'what?', Jeremy threw his hands up and turned to Will, who had a knowing look on his face.

"What do you want, Willy?" Jeremy asked his brother, leaning away from him and into Caleb.

"Oh, nothing, Jerry. I'm just wondering what you got up to all afternoon," Will said, too innocent in tone to be anything other than a warning that he thought he knew something. He indicated their hair. "How did you both get dirty enough to warrant showers?"

"Totally none of your business, that's what," Jeremy shot back.

Caleb nodded in agreement, tuckered out from the day and wanted to join Jay in the nap experience. His friend saw his eyes struggling to stay open and offered to change positions so that Caleb could lean on Jeremy to rest while facing Will. Caleb couldn't pass up that opportunity and happily snuggled against Jeremy's chest, a hand raised to flex his fingers into Jeremy's shirt.

He was drifting off when he heard the brothers begin talking. Not one to be that nosy as to secretly listen to their conversation, he attempted to show he was still awake by stretching. That was a bad idea and he stopped, but not before he got to press himself into Jeremy's torso.

Will laughed and Caleb tried not to let his face heat up, deciding it was better to pretend he was asleep.

"What?" Jeremy asked, wrapping an arm around his friend to prevent him from stretching in a way that made him fall off the couch.

"I'm okay if you're into him. It's okay to like dudes," Will said. Caleb felt it on his back when Jeremy let out a deep breath in response.

"I know," Jeremy said eventually, tensing. "I'm just not interested in anyone."

"Right," said Will, with some disbelief in his tone. "If you say so."

It did hurt, but Caleb would rather know than keep up a silly illusion, his heart protesting at that and trying to make the excuse that Jeremy didn't want to tell his brother anything, so maybe there was a chance. He dropped the hand clinging to Jeremy's shirt to his friend's leg, just above the knee and squeezed in support, that it was alright for him not to be interested in anyone within a world that thought romantic love was some highest power to accomplish. He could use his brain still, luckily. Jeremy relaxed and tightened his arm around Caleb's waist briefly in acknowledgement.

Will changed the subject after he let out a snort. "So, how'd you get out?"

"I'm going to have to pay a hefty fine. It's not going to be easy, but Mom says it's preferable that I'm around," Jeremy explained. "I'd rather be out, too. Money isn't everything."

"Wish I knew that when I was a boy," Jay said suddenly. Caleb hadn't even realized the man had woken up from his nap. "Don't you worry. I've got plenty of money to keep you afloat. What can an old man use it for, anyway?"

"Thanks, Grandpa," Jeremy said.

Caleb smiled and let himself sleep, the city safe once more.