High And Dry

A Reminder

Ian woke up the next morning, early, and got Anthony up, “We’re going to the zoo.”

Anthony shot up and got dressed before Ian even left the room.

“We’ll get breakfast on the way, got it?”

Anthony nodded and ran downstairs, “Newbie!”

“Newbie’s up?”

David leaned against the counter, “I figured you could use some coffee on our seven and a half hour trek to San Diego.”

“The San Diego Zoo?” Anthony’s eyes widened, “Wow!”

“I booked us tickets for the spend the night thing.” David said, “Bring an extra change of clothes.”

Anthony ran upstairs.

“Mari called me a million times last night.” Ian looked at his phone.

“Yeah, she called me too.” David smiled, “She had no clue where I was and it was worrying her.”

“Are you two like…”

David laughed harder than Ian expected, “Absolutely not! I’m just moving in, no biggie.”

“You’re moving in?”

“Well, we figured since Josh and Matt got together-”

“They’re actually together?”

“Oh yeah. It’s real.”

“Wow….”

“But since they’re together now, Josh wants to move in, and I’ve known Mari since I was a kid, so she told me to come live with her.”

Ian nodded, feeling just a twang of jealousy of Mari.

“She never asked me where I was though.” He frowned, “I’ll have to brace myself for her questions once her morning brain is up.”

Anthony practically dragged the two men to the car.

“Are you sure you’re okay with me coming?” David asked, handing Ian the coffee cup.

“I’m positive. Are you sure you want to come?”

“Of course. This sounds like fun.”

Due to being woken up so early, Anthony fell asleep on the way up.

A song came on and Ian immediately changed the station.

“Dude come on I liked that song.” David reached up to change it back, “Led Zep-”

Ian swatted his hand away, “No.”

“No Stairway.”  David almost laughed, but stopped himself, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Ian wouldn’t even look at him.

“Ian….”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Besides being for overplayed, there’s no way you can just hate Stairway to Heaven.” David crossed his arms, “Are you going to tell me what’s up or not?”

Ian sighed, “This stays between us.”

“Sure thing.”

“This was our song.” He started, “Mel and I danced to this freshmen year of high school and I asked her out. It was played when we first did it. It was played when….” He bit his lip, “When Anthony was conceived. It was playing on my radio when I first found Anthony.”

David frowned, “I’m really sorry, Ian.”

Ian shrugged it off, but inside he was feeling a whirlwind of emotions.

“If it’s any consolation, it’s probably like my tenth favorite Led Zeppelin song. No where near one. They aren’t even my favorite band.”

Ian smiled weakly, “Thanks, David.”

“It’s glad to hear that name.”

“Oh, you don’t like Newbie?” Ian grinned.

“I’m fine with it, but I can’t be called Newbie for the rest of my life, can I?”

“My phone.”

“What?” David looked down.

“My phone’s ringing.” Ian pointed out, “Can you answer it for me? Driving and phoning just don’t go together.”

“I got it.” David answered, “Mari? Oh….yeah this is David….Yes, I’m safe. I’m with Ian….I spent the night there….” There was a long pause and so much silence that Ian could hear Mari loud and clear.

“You what? Are you two a thing yet?”

Yet. Ian felt himself heat up a little bit. Yet? Were they going to be a thing? Why did Mari think that? Ian was not, however, as weirded out by the image as he thought he’d be. It was almost a natural thought. These weren’t feelings, were they? He shook them off.

“Mari!” David turned bright red, “No….We’re not-” He lowered his voice, “We’re not dating…..”

            Ian looked straight ahead, turning the radio up a little more, but not loud enough to wake Anthony.

            “No, Mari, I didn’t sleep with-You know what? I’ll just tell you everything when I get back. I’m going to spend a nice relaxing day with my friend Ian.” He hung up and put the phone back in the cup holder, “Done and done.”

            “So how is she?”

            “Worried sick apparently.” David rolled his eyes.

            “Four more hours to go….” Ian sighed.

            “Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway.” David muttered to himself, but Ian heard and laughed.

            “Going places I have never been-”

            “Seeing things that I may never see again.”

            “Oh I can’t wait to get on the road again.” They both sang, laughing.

            Anthony stirred in the backseat, “Could you two please just shut up?”