We'll Meet Again

Chapter Thirteen: Only You (And You Alone)

In the days and weeks that followed Vox's departure, Alastor found himself leaning on Mimzy's support. It was a stark reminder of the complexity of the situation. It also spoke volumes about the diminutive nature of the circle of friends he had cultivated. He was honestly surprised by the sincerity of her concern. He found himself sleeping on the pillow from the guest room most nights. It still held an ephemeral hint of his aftershave, a smokey hint of sandalwood and vanilla. He even tried to remember the aftershave he had used but couldn't seem to call the brand to mind. The only thing that seemed to bring him solace was work. So he leaned into both the radio station as well as his side bitter business. Both seemed to reward his careful attention. The radio station's listenership increased substantially over that first month. The other work fed him targets at an unprecedented rate. It was like kicking an ant hill, they all came pouring out. It was a strange dichotomy, his personal life had never been worse but his professional life had never been better. That said, he would have burnt the radio station to the ground for a chance to see Vox again most days.

Vox found himself so busy when he returned home that he didn't have much time to feel the loss. One kindness he had done himself making some notes around Alastor's place as well as after a few of their conversations. Among them was the brand of the scent Alastor preferred which it turned out was a perfume that smelled of cherry blossoms. It didn't quite account for the smell of old books and sweet tobacco that always seemed to underlie the perfume but it helped. While Alastor was at home dreaming of burning his whole world down, Vox was figuratively buying matches and pouring gasoline on his. When he returned home he found his stocks in a fairly favorable position, it was the only push he needed. He had interviewed the person who bought out his part of the business. Nice enough guy from East LA though his name didn't stick. All told, he wasn't sure he could retire completely off what he made but it was close. By the end of that first month, he was sleeping on a mattress on the floor with everything else he owned either sold off or packed away. He realized what he was doing was not only a big risk but a little foolhardy. What came next was completely unpredictable and he had cut ties with almost everyone here. He could rebuild those relationships but it would take time and a lot of effort. If this plan failed and he fell flat, this could be the end of a long streak of prosperity. He shook the thought off. He didn't believe in planning for failure, it was something he had learned from his father. Shallow commitments lead to shallow returns, if you want to succeed sometimes you have to bet the farm. Laying on the floor of his penthouse, with nothing for decor but stacks of moving crates, he certainly felt like he was all in.

Alastor left the radio station around one in the afternoon, he had planned to have dinner over at Mimzy's. Now, out of work, he wasn't sure he was feeling up to it. He would have to decide soon, she would be upset if he didn't cancel or show up. He arrived at his home and mounted the steps. The porch swing was lazily swinging in the breeze, it reminded him of coming home and finding Vox asleep there. It had been a month since Vox boarded a train bound for Chicago. As Alastor entered through the front door he felt the loss of the other man's presence all over again. The pang had become familiar but was no less powerful. He walked into the parlor heedless of removing his shoes or coat. He picked up the phone and asked the operator for Mimzy. He was connected and her cheerful Brooklyn accent greeted him.

"Hello, Mimzy speaking. How can I help you?"

He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, he badly needed a trim but couldn't find the motivation to have it done.

"Mimzy, this is Alastor. Listen, I am not going to be over tonight. I do not feel up to being good company."

She made an exasperated little humming sound. She didn't like it when he did this but she had learned there was no stopping him.