A long lane at night

1.8. CARMEN

** BRIAN **

LIFE WAS GOOD. I CLEARLY REMEMBER MY OLD manager always commenting on this extravagant 21st birthday party he would throw me, taking me to casinos with lots of the booze I'd be allowed to drink. Instead, I was going to celebrate the day having dinner with Allan. The universe apparently does like me.

I woke up on that Thursday to a message from him. It was, indeed, a happy birthday already.

Happy b'day, mate! Now you're of age everywhere, I can finally lead you down the dark path!

Thanks! Please, don't do that.

Lol Of course not. You're too precious. Meet you at five?

Here or at the venue?

Up to you.

The venue's closer to you. We'll meet there, then.

Deal. Enjoy your day, worldwide adult!

Allan was the only one who knew it was my birthday other than my parents. They called me a little bit before lunch to wish me a happy birthday and ask if I had received their present. I stared at the miniature piano on my coffee table. At first, I found it cute, then I realised it was a disguised flask. I thanked them and said I had loved it. I know, I'm partially to blame. If I don't tell them stuff, how can I expect them to learn? Still. Not in the mood.

I taught three classes that day and enjoyed my lonely lunch thinking I wouldn't have a lonely dinner. This birthday was already so much better than the last one. True, Allan and I were still just friends, but I was so happy and thankful he was in my life that I decided to accept my blessings as they came. Everyday I grew more certain of my feelings for him and something deep down inside insisted he felt the same, but I didn't know if that was perception or hope, so I never acted on it.

When my last student left, I ran to the bathroom to take a shower. I wanted to dress extra smart today, but I was also conscious that Allan might not be able to. In the end, I went for a new pair of shoes I had bought the day before with a nice shirt hidden under a contrasting colour blazer. I made sure I looked and smelled great and called an Uber to the Opera House.

When I arrived, Allan was already waiting for me on the pavement. He had combed his short hair backwards, so it was more spiked than ever. He was looking neat with a tight jacket full of adorned buttons. It was only a bit more than half closed and his neck revealed a nice shirt underneath. He had never looked more handsome. I couldn't stop admiring him and the fact he had dressed up for my birthday.

We hugged tight when I reached him and he smelled better than he looked.

'Happy birthday, big boy!'

'Thanks! I do feel a bit taller. I didn't know if you'd notice!'

'I did!' He laughed a little. 'I got us programs.'

'Sweet! It'll go to my collection!'

'You collect show programs?'

'I do! I started collecting the ones from the concerts I played, then when I stopped, I decided to keep collecting from the ones I attended.'

'Do you miss it? I mean, doing concerts and stuff. You don't have to answer if you don't want to, though.'

'Nah. It's okay. I'm not gonna lie, a standing ovation feels really awesome, but at the end of the day, the cons were so much heavier than the pros. I'm truly happier now.'