The Big One

Chapter 24- WTF

"You didn't sleep on the plane? You look so tired." Marcus met me as I left the terminal in San Francisco. He's nearly as tall and fit as I am, so his strong hand felt reassuring on my shoulder.

He took my backpack and put his hand on my back as I wheeled the luggage Anderson had packed for me. I felt like a kid being handed off to dad from an international flight, but I was too tired to think.

I'd spent the flight texting with Anderson and trying to understand what was happening. Anderson kept assuring me it was just simple misunderstandings and he needed to work with his lawyer to smooth things out before he could come home, but this didn't feel right and he wasn't answering questions.

I'd tried to catch a nap, but it just didn't come.

"I'm going to stay with you until he comes back," Marcus said as we made our way to his car.

"Uh... yeah thanks," I mumbled a response. I wanted to lie down and close my eyes, but we needed to get home first.

"I'll be your Anderson for the week. He asked me to take care of things." Marcus pulled on my arm to stop me from stepping out in front of a car that was making its way down the parking aisle.

The car came to a halt and the driver looked at me with annoyance but waved us to go first. Marcus held up a hand to thank him and then nudged me to keep walking.

"So anything you need... you know... I'll be here for it." Marcus' voice cracked a bit like he was making a heart-felt proclamation.

"Thank you. I need a bed." I yawned.

He put his hand on my shoulder when we got to his SUV. I got my luggage into the back before collapsing into the passenger seat. Marcus leaned over me to buckle my seatbelt as I turned towards him and closed my eyes.

+++--+++

I don't remember how I got to bed or changed out of my clothes, but I woke up sometime later in Anderson's bed with Marcus cuddled against my side. He was trying to be there for me in Anderson's absence, but he didn't feel the same.

Marcus is a handsome guy, but he's taller and stronger, bulkier, than Anderson. His personality was different as well. Where Anderson was talkative and attracted attention with his humor, Marcus was quieter, more reserved, more masculine. It was nice to have someone there, to not be alone, but he wasn't a replacement.

The next few days were spent facetiming with Anderson and starting my new courses. It was hard to focus on them not knowing what was happening with Anderson. He kept trying to reassure me that things were getting settled and he'd be home soon, but he sounded less hopeful each day.

By Thursday, he wasn't responding to my texts, and the communication went dark.

"He's not answering me either," Marcus said when I found him in the kitchen making dinner for us.

"I'm worried, I should be worried, right? This isn't normal?" I was losing perspective.

Marcus didn't have any wise words of comfort. He shrugged, patted my shoulder, then went back to stirring whatever he was making.

+++--+++

Friday morning I was working through a study sheet when Marcus came into the living room with an older guy in a nice suit. They looked at me like they had big news to drop.

"We have an update, Ezra," Marcus said and pointed towards the man.

I set my computer to the side and went towards them.

"I'm Adam Rodriguez. I have some things for you. It's urgent. Can we sit together?" the man asked. He moved and spoke like a secret service agent in one of those high budget action films. He offered a reassuring smile and waved towards the living room.