MyStandIN: Back to Joe (alternate ending)

15- Him anew

Not without difficulty, we managed to get ready: the old Joe in the living room, me locked in my room, trying to think about something else than his lips on mine. My previous relationship with Ming began the same way, all fire and flame... then Tong... I still bore those burns, they still hurt.

Good and ready, we left the flat, went downstairs in silence, four or five steps apart. Same man, different situation. In the past life, our previous relationship was not really official. Ming would call when he wanted me. Blinded by love, I rushed over in spite of myself. We saw each other, went out together often, but no real dates. Ming communicated very little about his feelings. I was constantly walking on eggshells, spent my time trying to figure out the reason of his mood swings. Constant outbursts, lots of arguments. Apart from those, we were all over each other, skin to skin, sweat to sweat. 

Today we had both agreed on our first rendez-vous, figured out our feelings for each other. Something inside me was telling me I would fall deeper for him if I let myself go this time. Some other part of me wanted to run away. I don't know if I should trust my judgement any longer, but where to escape?

- Still lost in your thoughts ?!

At the bottom of the stairs, I bumped into him, he leaned towards me. 

- Would a kiss wake you up sleeping beauty?

With both hands, I pushed him away, opened the building's door, ready to step outside, when hot air blew in my direction. This afternoon, it was at least 37 degrees. I quickly closed the door.

- Where... do you want to go?, he inquired.

- Hum... To the movies?

- Not Tong's latest one, I hope...

- I know a very good feature...

- I can't guarantee anything...  finding myself near a certain young actor... in a dark theater...

- Well... With this heat, it's the only thing I could offer you..., I highlighted.

- If I'd suggested to meet in the evening, I'm not sure you'd have accepted!, he bit his lips. And... I received a new present yesterday...

Excitedly, Ming took out a black credit card from his wallet.

- I've never seen one like this... up close !, he confessed. With this, there's no turning into a pumpkin after midnight !

Staring at me, he took a step forward.

- Which one of your wishes... would you like me to fulfill today... Cinderella?

A while ago, I had seen a similar card, a few gifts passing by, after harsh words and gestures.

- You quickly get used to these things... For all type of reasons..., I added.

- If you only knew... how Mum and I... 

With a disappointed look, Ming quickly put his card away, turned his back on me.

- Of course you know... better than anyone...

- But... there are many other things... she didn't tell me... that weren't on pictures, in albums...

- Like... where the scar here... comes from!, as he pointed to my right arm.

- Mom's already told me a hundred times, I... you fell on tree roots running...

- Thats' the version I gave her... I was actually running from our neighbor's dog... 

Ming took my hand, pulled the sleeve of my T-shirt up my arm.

- Let's make a deal... On new each date, I'll tell you a secret about my past life... 

Gently, he was caressing the old pinkish barely visible wound. 

- At the time, I was trying to impress a little Mia...

- And...

- To find out, you'll have to follow me...

Grabbing my hand, Ming rushed outside, dragging me out to the main street in the sweltering heat. Multicolored cars and tuk tuks, honking horns, sounds of street vendors, passers-by... an unrehearsed concert. A smile gradually formed on his face. I stood there for a few minutes, admiring his new-found bliss.

- I thought... I'd never see all this again... Being alive... Being back... the hospital...

- The convalescence at home ! What did you miss most?, I inquired.

Ming turned to the entrance of our flat's building.

- Mom... feeling at home... !, he disclosed.

A group of rowdy schoolchildren in uniform pulled him out of his reveries.

- And... this chaos... everything being in motion, perpetually moving... like a heart at a standstill... beating again. What about you?

- Kind of the same thing..., I admitted. Someone waiting for me when I come home.

My hand was still in his. I let go, he turned to me.

- Shall I... keep on calling you Ming?

- Love... would be better...

- Or... simply Joe?

- It's been a while since someone call me that way. I kind of miss it... But that name belongs to you now... Or should I call you something else?

- My name before... was also... Joe. I might tell you a little more... some other time...

- I would finally get to know more about the mysterious Joe.

Taking my hand to shake it, Ming nonchalantly laid a kiss on my fingers.

- Nice to meet you Mr. Joe, my name is Ming.

Should I believe those words ? I could feel my cheeks flushing.

- I used to think... you hated me.

- Maybe at first...

Troubled, I moved away, put my hands in my pockets.

- I knew it... I could feel it...

Ming took a step towards me. Ready to head back, I clenched my fists in my pockets.

- But everything's changed... since yesterday...

With this lad, love was often mixed up with hate in a way I still could not conceive.

- You make me a lot of compliments for a man whose body I stole...

- I don't think... I'd have healed so quickly... without you by my side...

Ming got lost in my eyes, oblivious of the city's beating heart, around us.

- Your soothing presence... I can only let my guards down around you.

Something about him had always attracted me. All those forgotten and hidden feelings came back with the old Joe. It really felt like falling for a new person, even if the body facing me was deceiving. An former story, a new magnetism I could not resist.

- What if... I wasn't in this body?

- I'm willing to try this thing... with you... See where it leads us.

- Like a contract you mean?

I had to make sure, while he responded with a laugh.

- You're not bounded to anything. It just has to come naturally.... or we can call it quits.

Ming took back my hands in his, as in a dance in which both partners are longing for each other.

- Right now I just feel like... I need you in my life.