Unhinged

Relinquish

After everything there must be a place to go when the sky turns black from time to time, getting through the day most of the time. Sometimes the heart can't take it but it's easy just to give up. The chronic congestive feeling that stays for as long as short breaths may linger. The evening is but daylight's farewell to today's passing. Meeting the eyes of another through the rain, he sat inside a coffee shop—drinking coffee of course, and reading a newspaper which he wasn't paying attention to. When their eyes meet more than once as he is walking out, unsheathed his umbrella then releases it. His gaze does not drop from him and as he approaches, he hands him something to eat. He looks up at him half-smiling ready to reach for the food but instead, he is helped onto his feet then given food.

Seeing that he's not wearing shoes he gives him a ride on his back. Entering the apartment complex, he closes his umbrella and takes off his coat.

"I've been looking for you...you could've called me...."

He says nothing yet and starts eating bits of the croissant, "I'm sorry..."

"What happened to your shoes?"

"They ran away..." Stuffing his face with more bread holding back tears.

He kneels in front of him looking up at him, "you know I don't like it when you start eating your feelings."

He sniffles, "I said I was sorry..."

"No more apologies...take off your clothes. Don't want you to catch pneumonia."

I started to undress but I left on my underwear and stood there shivering. He picked up my wet clothes and then looked at me.

"You also need to take off your underwear too."

"I rather not-"

"You need to." He started glaring at me.

I reluctantly took them off and walked towards the bathroom. I sighed and turned on the shower, waited for the water to get warm enough then I stepped in. As the water caressed my skin, I felt relief and pain at the time. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. The sound of the water calmed me until it was interrupted by his footsteps, and I got surprised when he walked in.

"Mason, we need to talk."

"It can wait though..."

He glared at me and studied my body from head to toe, but I closed the shower door. At least I tried to, he stopped the door before it closed.

"Mason, what happened to you?!"

"Can't I take a shower first?!"

He grunted and closed the shower door and left the room.

I took another deep breath and started washing. I grabbed a towel, dried myself then wrapped it around my waist.

"Owen, I need clothes."

Before I knew it, he walked towards me and picked me up heading down the hallway.

"OWEN put me down!"

He threw me onto the bed, "Mason, where were you?! What happened?!"

I was breathing a little heavy I looked at the floor and then up at him. "You know we fought!"

"So, you left me for two damn weeks?!"

"I needed a break!"

"Do you want to break up?!"

Those words stung me and made me lose my train of thought, but in the process of me trying to recollect myself—tears ran down my face and I looked into his eyes.

He took a deep breath, "You worried me—almost to death. So, I'll ask again, where were you?"

"You'll just get mad at me..." I kept crying.

"I'm already mad at you," He cupped my chin in his hand, "Please tell me where you went."

"To a bar... and-"

"And then?"

I took a deep breath, "Lucas was there, and, at that moment, I was a bit drunk-"

His glare nearly pierces me, and I cried even more.

"Owen, I'm sorry... I didn't mean to."

"So, you spent two weeks with him?" He asked so calmly I had almost forgotten he was mad at me.

"No..." I looked at the floor.

"Mason do not lie to me." He crossed his arms.

I looked back up at him shaking in fear, "He rented a room upstairs and we spent a few days together and then we got into a fight, and I ran off. I was stupid enough to leave my shoes behind."

"A fight? Is that what those bruises are from?"

I nodded.

He clenched his fists, "I'm going to have a word with him!" he grabbed his coat from his closet and started to storm out, but I grabbed at his arm.

"Don't go!"

He stopped in his tracks and rubbed his forehead in frustration then took a deep breath. He turned to face me, looked deep into my eyes that I lost my breath for a second. He wiped the tears away from my face.

"I've missed you terribly and I'm glad you're safe," He kissed me, "Please don't leave again."

"I promise, but can you forgive me?"

"I already forgave you." He hugged me tightly.