Take Two

Chapter Four

Micah

My heart was practically beating out of my chest. Why the hell did I tell the lead actor of this whole production that the writers were weird? I completely made a fool of myself! I just really hoped he didn't notice. He didn't seem to mind the comment, but I felt like I put the idea in his head that the writers are weird people. That I didn't like them.

What if he started telling people I had something against the writers?

If that rumor started to spread, it would just get worse. Before I knew it, I would be fired.

I couldn't lose this job. It took too long to get to where I was and if I was fired, no producer would ever want to take me on.

I ducked into the restroom, praying no one else was in there and thankfully it was empty. At the sink, I splashed some water on my face, trying to calm myself down. We had another twenty minutes or so of our lunch break and I didn't want to still be anxious when I had to go back out there.

Why did Renaldo Morales affect me so much? It's not like he was the first man I've ever found attractive. And it's not like I haven't been with men before. Granted, it wasn't many, but I wasn't inexperienced.

After a couple minutes, the door opened and a man walked into the restroom. I nodded my head to him polietly before looking away as he went for the urinals. He was on the crew, but I wasn't entirely sure what role he played, nor did I know his name. It didn't matter, though, and I would never strike up a conversation in the middle of the restroom, even if I wanted to learn his name.

I washed my hands and grabbed a paper towel to dry them. I'd been in here too long already. If I stayed any longer, the man would get suspicious and I didn't need that happening. Once someone starts looking into me for something seemingly innocent, they could potentially uncover everything I've been hiding for years.

I didn't have a destination in mind as I hurried out of the bathroom. Twenty minutes until I had to be back on set. It wasn't long enough to go somewhere nearby, yet it was too long to hang around and wait. Usually, I took my time eating when we got longer breaks, but I don't know why I didn't today.

Maybe it was because I was alone in the kitchen with Renaldo Morales.

We kept crossing paths this week, more so than any other time these last two months of production. Why? Why couldn't I just continue to admire him from behind the camera like I've been doing? Why did we keep talking? And why was I always saying the worst possible things?

~

It was nearing eight o'clock when Anthony finally called it for the night. I was shocked that he was letting us leave a bit earlier than normal, especially because we had the whole weekend off for the Memorial Day holiday. But I wasn't about to complain. If anything, I needed the extra time more than anything else right now.

Fifteen minutes after leaving the set, I was rushing into my small apartment. I was glad I lived close, otherwise I would have to consider keeping a spare change of clothes in my locker and risk someone I worked with seeing what I was up to on nights like these. I couldn't risk that.

It wasn't long before I had changed into my going-out outfit: a bright pink cropped shirt and a pair of ripped jean shorts that barely hit mid-thigh. I looked hot and ready to party.

Before leaving my apartment, I threw on an old pair of sweatpants and a long jacket. It was definitely too warm out to wear either, but I needed something over it. There was no way I would make the ten minute walk to the bar dressed as I was without wearing something to cover up.

I wish I didn't have to, but that was just life. I was grateful enough that there was even a safe space for me to express myself and find others like me. If I needed to take extra precautions to get there, then that's what I needed to do.

As I walked down the street, I wrapped the jacket tighter around my waist, with my arms crossed over my chest to hold it there. I was praying I didn't run into anyone I knew outside of the bar, especially no one from work.

The city nightlife was wild, no matter what day of the week it was. Tourists flooded in all year around, but even more so now that summer was quickly approaching. It helped to blend in and knowing that I would never see these people ever again gave me confidence I didn't usually have.

I was about a block and a half away from the bar when someone reached out and grabbed my arm. I yanked it back, stepping away from a man in dark sunglasses and a baseball hat that threw the rest of his face into shadows.

"Sorry, I did not mean to startle you," the man said. His voice and accent were familiar, but I couldn't place it, not with the million and one possible scenarios running through my head, most of them ending badly. "What are you doing out here?"

I shook my head, taking another step back. "Please, I don't want any trouble."

He took a step closer to me, not letting me put any distance between us. "You are the camera man, no? You don't recognize me? I am Renaldo."

I let out a shaky breath as he removed his glasses for a moment, allowing me to see that it was, in fact, Renaldo Morales, creeping around in the dark.

"How was I supposed to recognize you? You're wearing a freaking disguise! You honestly look like a pedophile."

I quickly clammped my mouth shut. I did not just call Renaldo Morales a pediphile, did I? What is wrong with me?

He laughed, though, readjusting the sunglasses. "I apologize. I suppose my costume worked a little too well. Although pedophile was not my intention."

"What are you doing out here all creepy-like anyway?" I asked.

"I needed a walk," he answered slowly, looking down the street, which was starting to get more crowded. "Maybe a drink. Where are you headed?"

I opened my mouth to answer before shutting it again. I couldn't just tell him I was heading to a gay bar. That would ruin everything I'd been trying to hide. Plus, Renaldo Morales was actually talking to me again. He stopped me on the street, having recognized me! I would destroy all of this weird friendship that seemed to be growing between us with just a couple words.

"Nowhere, really," I said instead. It was the safest option.

"Would you care to join me for a drink?" he asked. "I am afraid I do not know this city very well and you are someone I hope I can trust. I do not wish to be crowded with fans tonight."

I felt an odd sense of achievement to know Renaldo Morales trusted me, of all people. Of course, I wanted to prove that he could. I would never betray that trust willingly, because I knew what it was like to realize you couldn't trust someone.

"I think I know a tiny hole-in-the-wall place near here," I said, hoping the place still existed. "Only the locals really go there. No one should bother you there, I hope."

He nodded. "Lead the way, then."

I smiled to myself as I turned and started walking back the way I had come. Hopefully this would be a better way to spend my night than I had planned.

_____________