MR. BAD GUY (ENGLISH VERSION)

DEAD ON TIME

Taron's departure was very emotional for all. They said good-bye in Marygold Alley with a "See you soon". Enzo wanted no tears but there were a lot. He promised go and visit him on his first trip to America. While he was holding him he knew it was the last time. Taron looked so thin, almost ethereal. Very different from that sturdy and healthy American guy he met in Cannes.

The endless question that haunted his mind when Taron told him about his disease was if he had infected him. It could be because he had no sexual experience with men earlier on but it was not an easy task tracking the long line of victims that had died and had a relationship with him. Sean and Lars could have infected Enzo too. There was no certainty of anything but sometimes he couldn't help spinning his head. Torturing himself feeling it was his fault all those deaths but he was not sure.

Tarek was there in that good-bye. Their friendship along the years during his relationship with Enzo had grown stronger and not even the divorce could keep them apart.

Enzo felt the kitchen couldn't look the same without Taron. Now that Christmas time was approaching, he thought of those juicy turkeys that he stuffed American style and made them taste always in Thanksgiving and Christmas. Those complex ritual that turned the kitchen for some days into a battle field full of corncobs, pippins, currants and several more ingredients. The more the better. The legendary banquets he cooked with that skill and efficiency, his boy-scout smile lighting up every corner of his life.

Enzo took that colourful apron he had given to him in Los Angeles, on his 35th birthday. It still smelled like a mix of different things and thought if that apron could talk, it could write a bestseller. He smiled faintly hanging the apron again.

- Cheer up -Tarek's hands grabbed his shoulders fondly from behind-. We're going to visit him for his birthday. We're giving him a surprise. Shall we arrange it?

Enzo turned to him and gave him a chuckle, not even a smile. Having him there turned the kitchen into a brighter place.

- How about the fibroscan? -Tarek changed the topic to not depress him even more.

- Good, good. My liver is still there.

The topic was not much more encouraging but he was glad Tarek was worried. He always was.

- Great. Did you start the treatment?

- Yes, I will be four weeks testing and we'll see how it works.

- How it should be work? Pretty well, I'm sure. Enzo, have you thought about what I've told you? You know, my full time job in the barber shop.

- Well, I haven't thought about it. I have a lot of things in my head, honey.

- You should be. I must giving them an answer right away.

- Haven't you thought extending your work day but here?

Tarek looked at him with his wide open eyes, a little upset. He couldn't believe now he was saying this.

- Don't look at me like this. I call this a counteroffer. And believe me, it's reasonable.

- When have you been reasonable? We are almost in winter. Now my full time job as gardener is not justified.

- Of course it is. You always are saying you almost have no time, and the four hours are little time.

- But not in autumm and winter, Enzo.

- You could complete your working day being my particular hairdresser, I love your haircuts. You could cut Duncan's hair...

- Yes, most of all Duncan. I wouldn't put my scissors into that wild mop of curls. I think he wouldn't allow me either.

- Without Taron this place is so big. It would be nice if you were my employee 8 hours.