Tim & Chuck

CH 18:: More or Less Camping

Alex was pleased with himself. Not an uncommon feeling for him but nonetheless, he was excited. For months, he and Tim had batted around the idea of setting up designated time to have a weekend to hang out. With his and Jen's wedding day approaching in a little under two months, the stress had been at an all-time high for one of the first times in his personal life since his years in college.

Sure, being the chief financial officer of a whole conglomerate's finances had its pressure points, but he personally felt it paled in comparison to wedding planning.

Yes he had his mother's help and he deeply loved and cherished her, but familial traditions and expectations seemed to come out more for planning a celebration, than they had when he had decided to go to school overseas in America. His father Emiliano , who had grown up in Guadalajara as a metal worker, had a more laid-back viewpoint on his life choices than Asahi Kyoto who had also grown up poor in Japan, yet she aspired to become a doctor and she had done that very thing.

Her attentive gaze was never far from her only child and Alex had worked up the courage to defy her wishes for school when he came to America; he did not feel he could do that for the wedding.

Suffice to say, Alex was looking forward to some time away from it all and this particular trip was shaping up to be exciting as Carly's last minute text the day before to Jen had informed him that she planned to come along.

Jen was delighted to not be the only girl, but Alex was more keen to play the role of a good old-fashioned nakōdo or matchmaker between Tim and Carly. He wouldn't say he was pushing it, but Alex saw the chemistry.

Sure, it was awkward and mostly oblivious chemistry, but that didn't negate the fact that it existed. His best friend had been single for too long ever since the Lila fiasco in the three years that followed college graduation. He wanted to see Tim be happy again in a way that didn't include his day job. The man worked too much.

Alex scrolled through his contacts until Tim's name popped up and he selected the call button as he grabbed a few more things to stuff into his duffle bag.

"Hello?"

"Hey, all set for tomorrow?" Alex cradled the phone between his ear and his shoulder.

"Uhhhh.....what's tomorrow?" The absent-minded tone of Tim's voice and the soft tapping and clicking in the background told Alex that Tim was still at The Journal but even as he had known his friend for seven years now, he still hoped he could tell when Tim was serious or just messing with him.

"Funny." Alex rolled his eyes, banking on the latter.

"No?" Tim stifled a yawn.

"Oh I don't know, woods? Tents? Double date overnight with Carly and Jen? French Creek State Park? Ringing any bells?"

Tim muttered a string of expletives and Alex arched his eyebrow at his verbal lack of composure. "I KNOW Marisa taught you better than that."

"Shut up. I forgot that tomorrow was tomorrow." Tim groaned.

"HOW. I literally texted you multiple reminders and you put it on your phone and laptop calendars! You better not be planning to work tomorrow."

"I'm not, I'm not. I'm just behind and I haven't even started packing." Tim sighed.

Alex pinched the bridge of his nose and inhaled exasperatedly. Even after all the years of knowing him, Tim still lacked that last piece of the puzzle that kept his personal life together and organized. Usually Alex was left to support his friend in times like this where they had stayed up together on multiple nights, trying to finish up projects or plans. But sooner or later Tim would either have to learn the importance of planning ahead in his personal life, or get a permanent partner to help him. Such as a girlfriend.