The Past Catches Up

Chapter 8

Anthony offered to drive but Ian declined. Driving meant Ian could focus on more on the thoughts clouding his mind while Anthony sat beside him filming dancing pickles and oversized trucks go by. He realized Anthony was just trying to lift his spirits by joking around with the camera like they usually did but it just didn’t feel right this time. Anthony seemed to take the hint when his joke about stoplights fell flat. He switched off the camera and quietly set it on his lap.

“Why’d you stop filming?” Ian asked after finally noticing a few minutes later. Anthony sighed and placed his hand in the crook of his neck.

“I dunno. I guess… I’m not really feeling it. Let’s just wait until we get to the drive thru.” Ian knew that was the tone of voice Anthony used when he didn’t want to say what was really on his mind and he didn’t ask either because he knew it was about him. They pulled up to Wendy’s and ordered their usual combos. Anthony picked up the camera to record again, his frown instantly shaping into a grin.

“That’ll be $12.36 at the next window please,” the woman in the speaker replied while Anthony mimicked her causing Ian to chuckle. He knew Anthony was just trying to lift his spirits and take his mind off of the worrisome thoughts brooding in his mind. Maybe that was just what he needed.

Ian went along with it and began to feel better, almost as though things were finally becoming somewhat normal. He laughed and joked with Anthony as they sat at their usual dining table, munching on French fries and making odd sounds while they ate. No matter how many episodes they filmed he was always reminded of how much he messed around with Anthony during high school lunch breaks. He looked up at Anthony and could still see the youthful teen he knew then.

Same eyes. Same youthful smile. The only thing that changed really was his hair and how he became a bit leaner and toned. Ian remembered nervously running his hand over his chest and stomach after their first awkward night of lovemaking. Awkward because they really had no idea what they were doing and because afterward they had no clue how the incident would affect their friendship, leaving an uncomfortable silence in the air as each pretended to sleep in Anthony’s old bed with the squeaky springs.

Ian rarely visited these memories anymore because he knew they eventually led to the breakup and that was the last thing he wanted to think about.

“Ian!” He was startled out of his thoughts and looked up to see his friend looking at him expectantly. “I said, what would you rate this meal?”

Being the actor he was, Ian quickly composed himself for the final minute of filming, but even he knew he couldn’t hide everything from Anthony. “I would rate it seventeen flaming horses out of nineteen.”

“A decent score,” Anthony agreed. “Good thing I have a picture of Ponyta on my computer already.”

They said their goodbyes to the camera and Ian only now realized he’d hardly eaten at all.

Ian had spent the whole day zoning out and Anthony was finally going to talk about it.

“Hey dude? When you’re done eating can you meet me in the computer room? I wanna go over some things about the video before we upload it.”

“Yeah sure, dude,” Ian quickly replied picking up a small bundle of french fries and dipping them in ketchup. Ian watched as Anthony disappeared into the computer room. He had a feeling they were going to talk about more than just the Friday video upload.