August Flowers

Part 2: August Flowers

The next morning, Gojyo rolled over in bed. Sun filtered through a corner in the blinds. The faint sounds of clinking ceramic dishes and running water reached his ears.

"Sh-t." Only half awake, he clambered out of bed and out to the kitchen, bumping into several walls along the way. 

A tall, slender man with short, neatly cut black hair in an over-sized sky blue sweater and dark brown slacks placed a small white bowl in the drainer beside the sink along with a few other small plates, bowls, and eating utensils.

Gojyo stopped in the doorway. His brain wasn't entirely awake yet. "Good," he said, "it's you." 

Hakkai looked back over his shoulder, eyes glittering with amusement. "No, Gojyo, I'm actually a random passerby who sensed an unwashed sink of dishes and broke in to wash them. Please don't have me arrested."

Sweeping long loose hair away from his face, Gojyo collapsed into one of the chairs at the kitchen table. "Your morning jokes would probably be funnier if I was conscious enough to appreciate them." 

"Be as it may." Hakkai turned off the water and turned around to lean back against the sink. "You're not usually up this early on the weekend," he said, drying his hand on a stained dishcloth with a blue geometric design. "Are you hungry?" 

"No, um..." Arms stretched out on the table in front on hims, Gojyo interlaced his fingers as he realized he hadn't planned anything particular to ask his friend. He scratched his nose. "I, uh, I wanted to catch you before you left."

"Oh." Hakkai folded the dishtowel expertly and draped it over his left shoulder before giving his roommate his undivided attention.

Suddenly nervous, Gojyo shut his mouth. Felt stupid and embarrassed. Hell, I don't know how to talk about this stuff. How hard could it be though, right? All he had to say was 'You're doing a lot of self improvement stuff, what are your plans?' Or some normal sh-t comment like that. 

Hakkai waited expectantly.

Piece of cake. Gojyo opened his mouth but his mind went blank. "You..."

A loud, polite knocking sounded at the front door.

Moving quickly, Hakkai crossed the kitchen. "Sort your thoughts. I'll be right back."

Gojyo shoved out of the chair. "I can get it."

"Without pants?" Hakkai exited the kitchen, smiling vaguely, as Gojyo looked down at his boxers, tank top, and bare feet.

Plopping sideways into the chair, Gojyo grumped. I don't need pants in my own damn house. 

The front door creaked open. "Joseph!" cried Hakkai. "Good morning! I thought we were meeting at the library..."

Gojyo rested an elbow on the table and tilted his head to listen. That Joseph guy always talked too damn quietly. Like a mouse or a small bird, scared of his own friggin' shadow. 

Hakkai's reply was rife with excitement. "I'll come right now. Let me grab my coat."

Hang on, we still need to have an awkward conversation! Gojyo jumped to his feet and collided with Hakkai as he rushed back into the kitchen. 

Whacking foreheads with his friend, Gojyo stumbled back. "Ow!" 

"Oh, sorry!" Rubbing his forehead, Hakkai's face was flushed with a brilliant smile. "Mr. Tomassa at the Book Den acquired a large collection of old books from the 1940's. He knows I'm looking for a specific book published around that time and is letting us go through the books before anyone else."