The Curse Of Reality

One Hour and Seven Seconds

Jett and Simon were in the finished basement sipping mai tais about a month later. "So... tell us more!" Jett was anxious to hear more about Manny and Chuck.

Simon nodded. "We have to know more!"

Manny smiled and pretended to fluff his hair. "Of course you do!"

"Guess who made it to the edge of the woods and to the mailbox in the driveway!" Chuck smiled bigger.

Manny giggled. "I did! I made it outside for an hour! I was outside for a whole hour!"

Chuck smiled and kissed his man. "He did very well."

Manny nodded. "And I got a present!"

"Is it really a present?" Chuck glared at his husband.

Manny nodded. "It is. I have two goals. One... we are having an actual wedding! Nothing over the video. I'm working on being outside for more time and we want to have a wedding ceremony in the backyard! I know it's only the backyard but..."

Jett gasped. "Manny! That is huge! It's a huge step!"

Simon nodded. "Very huge! You should be proud of that! It's a huge goal! Just don't push too hard!"

Chuck rolled his eyes. "In four months! He's pushing too hard. He wants to dance and everything. In four months!"

Manny smiled. "I do! I have a goal and I want to achieve it. And it's going to be a small group but it will be my first group in so long!"

Simon smiled. "I'm there!" He paused. "If you want me there!"

Manny nodded. "Of course! You and Jett and Vin! Chuck made a list!"

"Carl, of course!" Chuck smiled. "Carl is the mayor and he will officiate it. He doesn't know it yet but he is!"

Jett chuckled. "I can schedule him in for that day!" He was Carl's secretary.

Manny giggled again. "I can't wait and that means I have to take more frequent walks. Do you guys want to join us... outside?"

Simon looked shocked and Jett answered in Jett-fashion. "Fuck yes!"

Manny laughed as Chuck took his arm and they walked up the stairs. Simon gasped as Manny stepped outside the house into the backyard. This was a big deal. He was trusting them enough to come outside with them.

Jett smiled. "You are doing great, Manny!"

Manny held onto Chuck. "Thanks." His voice was shaking though. They walked around the yard as Manny took deep deliberate breaths.

Chuck breathed with him. "Just keep breathing. Are you done?"

Manny shook his head. "A little longer!" He was half bent over like he was in pain but Simon knew it was a panic attack.

Jett smiled. "Manny, you are a beast!" He lightened the mood. "What kind of flower is this? I need this at our house!" He was looking at some roses. He was trying to sidetrack Manny.

Manny walked up with Chuck. "Roses. Those are roses, Jett. You have to do better than that!" He was holding Chuck's arm very tightly.
Jett nodded. "Right. These?" They walked down the row talking about flowers and Jett was actually curious about some of them and got a small start of some mint that Manny had in the herb garden. Manny was outside for an hour and seven minutes this time thanks to Jett and his plant questions.

Manny was so very grateful for Jett and Simon. They both spent time sidetracking Manny and talked about flowers and their gardener. Simon wanted some landscaping done at his house and planned on using Manny's landscapers. His backyard was a fairyland.

Simon looked around. "Do you think that they can do something like this in my backyard?"

Manny was breathing a little slower and didn't look pale. "Uh, probably. They are pretty great and my team of gardeners keeps it up. They are also very kind."

Simon nodded. "I want a ton of these... whatever they are! I love these." He was smelling a pretty flower.

Manny smelled them also. "Those are Trumpet flowers... something..." He inhaled slowly. "They attract hummingbirds."

"Oh!" Jett was interested. "I love hummingbirds! Oh, we need them and something to attract butterflies!"

Manny nodded. "I have several butterfly bushes but to warn you, they also attract bees."

Jett nodded and smelled the trumpet flower again. "Okay. I'll take the trade off. I love these!"

Manny was doing a little better as they walked farther from the house to look at some bushes. Simon would talk about flowers for a week straight if it helped Manny.

Chuck called it. "Okay, Manny.. It's time to go back inside. You need to relax and calm down. Okay? I know this is work for you so take it slow."

Jett agreed with Simon. "No need to push yourself. We agree with Chuck... time to get back inside."

Manny gave in and agreed. His body was dying to get back into the house. "Okay!" He inhaled slowly as they walked back to the house. Manny had to keep from running back but he made his way, slowly.

He was still forcing himself so he knew he had work to do. He knew Chuck was right but it was past time to get control over his fears.