Eliot Strange and the Prince of the Resistance

62) Love Square

Torin and Cindy and Christopher are all asleep by the time we hit the city limits and head out of town.

"So, you going to tell me the latest about your new love life?" I ask Steven. "I need some good news. Share please. Give me all the juicy details"

Steven must have some good secrets because he looks over his shoulder to make sure everyone is asleep.

"Things are great with me and Tommy, but I have something even more important to tell you. Something I didn't want them to hear."

"Like what?" I ask.

"Something about you. You are going to be so shocked. I figured this news would confuse Cindy, and I know you don't want the prince to hear this."

I don't even have a good guess. My life is an open book these days, and besides, my worst secret about Gus, I am pretty sure Torin knows already. Wait, I have to update Steven about that news, only I would die if Torin overheard anything.

"I got some news too," I say. "I bet mine is juicier than yours."

"Million dollars it is not," says Steven who is very sure he is about to blow my mind with his secret.

"Ok, deal. Million dollars. What? What is it?"

He says one word. "Patrick."

"Patrick?"

"Yeah, you know the soldier whose face you about sucked off before he left. The one you "loved" (Steven does air quotes while still keeping two hands on the wheel)."

"Yeah, I remember him. What about him?"

"He came back with the soldiers. Ahh, I wished you had been there. They marched in, just like before, a little dirtier, but just as cocky and confident, and beautiful as before. Patrick was the most beautiful of all. He has grown up. He's an officer now."

"It's only been months," I say. I don't know why this is all a big secret. Sure, I loved Patrick for the whole week he was here, but still. "I'm glad he's alive. Glad he survived."

"Yes, but he is a man now, Elie. A real man. And, he is a man in love."

"In love? Wow, he tossed me over pretty quick," I laugh even though I did the same thing. My pride is wounded, just a little.

"No, its you."

"What?" I stop laughing.

Steven can be quite dramatic, and he is enjoying the retelling of this story, especially since I owe him a million dollars now.

Steven is getting louder in his retelling, and this time I look to make sure everyone is still asleep. "When he saw me, Patrick marched right up to me and pretty much demanded to know where you were."

"What did you tell him?"

"Oh wait. And this is the best part..."

I brace myself because so far this news is unbelievable.

"He has a ring."

Stupid me asks, "Why?"

"This is the best part," squeals Steven, "So romantic."

There is silence to build up the tension and then a drum roll on the steering wheel, and Steven delivers the biggest secret of all:

"Because Patrick said he has fought to get himself back to his Eliot, and he will not spend another minute without you."

I am speechless, but just so I understand, Steven adds with a big smile, "He is going to propose. He wants to marry you."

I don't have anything to say because what do you say to that.