Real.Doc - Part 2 - Joe (English Version)

Moron

The next day, an oppressive silence hung over the breakfast table like a shroud. The morning passed with each of us in our own corner of the house, lost in our thoughts and avoiding one another's gaze. Lunch was no different; MaryAnne and Rony exchanged occasional remarks, but the rest of us remained mute.

By late afternoon, I retreated to my little sanctuary to drink. Rony soon appeared, efficiently organizing the drinks and snacks. His meticulousness in these matters was something I deeply appreciated. With everything set, he began the conversation.

"So, what's on your mind, Poodle?" Rony asked, breaking the tense silence that had settled over us.

"You know what's on my mind. Talking to you is no fun anymore," I replied, frustration evident in my voice.

Rony chuckled. "Okay, so maybe I could talk to you on behalf of someone else then."

"Like Joe? I'd sure like to know what's on his mind right now."

"You know I don't do that," he said, prompting me to down the entire contents of my glass in one go. "What I can do is show you something he's already revealing, but you might not have noticed."

"Or maybe I'm ignoring it," I muttered, referring to Joe's interactions with other women and the possibility that he might truly want to pursue one of them.

Rony smiled knowingly. "He's freaking out."

"About what?"

"He's afraid of losing you... again."

"What?!"

"It's what happened with Cesar. I'm whatching it all unfold again."

When Rony said this, understanding dawned on me. I grabbed another drink and began to savor it, trying to process his words.

Jase approached us with his usual carefree demeanor.

"Mind if I join ya?"

"I need to talk to you. Sit down!" Rony said, making Jase laugh as he complied.

"Okay." Jase sat down and was about to reach for some snacks when Rony slapped the back of his head.

"What was that for?!"

"As an immortal, you will be naturally drawn to the mother. It's an instinct that guarantees our survival," Rony explained, emphasizing the seriousness of his words.

"Don't you think I already know that?"

"Then stop playing with fire!" Rony said sternly. They sat in silence for a moment before Rony gave Jase another slap. Shortly after, another round of drinks arrived, and the boys behaved.

"Where's Joe?" Jase asked, rubbing the back of his head.

"With MaryAnne," Rony replied, lighting his cigarette. "I stepped away to give him the freedom to vent about last night."

~ ~ ~

That night, I went to bed early, wanting to avoid dealing with Joe or making any decisions about our relationship. Instead, I settled into my room to watch series until sleep came. But then, I heard a knock at the door.

Joe entered, holding a pillow. "Hey," he said softly, opening the door slowly. "I brought this in case you decided to throw anything my way."

It was so good to see him. I wanted to hug him but knew it wouldn't be the same sitting down. So, I got up and went to him, enveloping him in the most comforting hug in the world.

I pulled him onto the bed with me to watch the series, but as soon as he lay down, I positioned myself in his lap like a child. We didn't speak; the hug was enough. After a while, he confessed:

"This is the best place in the whole wide world."

~ ~ ~

(external narrator)

Meanwhile, at Vince's house, tension simmered beneath the surface.

"So, last night was no fun," Vince began, breaking the uneasy quiet.

"Oh?"

"He came."

"Naturally."

"Hooked up with a girl, just like you said he would."

"Moron," Cesar commented, laughing.

"And it broke her," Vince continued. "I don't know what you're smiling about. In all the time I've known her, I've never seen her in pain quite like that. She couldn't move."

"That was enough."

"What do you mean, enough? Enough for what?"

"Enough to put a crack in their perfect, disgusting marriage."

Vince looked at Cesar with a mixture of pity and concern. "Sometimes you do sound like a sick man."