High And Dry

Permanent Daylight

            While Mel and Anthony watched cartoons, David and Ian stood in the kitchen, talking about how the day would work. They would probably just stay at home, but Ian said that David could go back home to Mari for the night.

            “Mari will understand why I’m gone.” David shrugged, “I want to be here with you.”

            “We’ll probably head out around town and do some Christmas shopping.”

            David nodded, “I already know what I’m getting Mari, I just have to go out and actually pick it out.”

            “Yeah?”

            “As a nice little housewarming thank you gift, I’m getting her a couch.”

            “You can’t buy her a couch! That’s more money that all my gifts combined!” Ian looked at him.

            “She’s letting me live with her, Ian. It’s the least I could do.”

            Ian shrugged. He had the same couch that he had at his old house, before he went to college. He had taken it with him since the only ones he saw that he liked were expensive.

            “Is Mel coming with us?” David asked.

            “Yeah, I think so. If she wants to.”

            “I think I know what I’m getting Anthony.”

            “What?”

            “I’m not telling you! You’ll veto it.”

            Ian frowned. Now he really wanted to know.

            Melanie stood up, “What’s on the agenda for today?”

            “Christmas shopping.” Ian shrugged, “I haven’t quite yet done that.”

            “It’s almost time. Just another week.”

            Ian nodded, “I know.”

            They all piled in the car and went out to the mall. David wandered off, mumbling something about Mari’s couch.

            Ian thought about what to get David, but he couldn’t think of anything that wasn’t cliché or cheesy. He did know that he was definitely going to give him a full time job at Smosh. David was supposed to be in the first episode as the news guy along with Matt. They had done some work before, as Ian saw in the sample tapes, and the two of them together were absolutely hilarious.

            While David was gone, Melanie seemed more flirtatious around Ian, as if she wanted him back. Of course, Ian didn’t really like this and would often draw his attention to Anthony, pretending to be curious in what he was doing or to tell him not to get too far ahead.

            “Daddy, where’s Newbie?”

            “He went off to get Mari a present, buddy.”

            “Is Mari his wife?” He asked, not looking back at Ian.

            Ian was thankful that Anthony couldn’t see his face, because he was sure that it was red, “No, Anthony. She’s not. She’s just offering him a place to stay for a while.”

            Anthony nodded, “Okay. What are we going to get Newbie for Christmas?”

            “I don’t know.” Ian shrugged, “Do you have any ideas?”

            He shook his head.

            “I only know what girls want for Christmas.” Mel flashed a smile at Ian.

            Oh no. Ian thought, She’s flirting.

            “Most want jewelry, diamonds, clothing, things like that. All I want is mistletoe around the house and a man I want back.”

            Ian nodded, “Sounds like a lot. I’d buy you a man if it wasn’t illegal.”

            Anthony giggled and grabbed his father’s hand, “You’re so silly, daddy.”

            He smiled down at him and ruffled his hair, “Come on, buddy. Let’s go find some lunch.”

            David was gone for the next few hours, and Ian began to get worried. Had he lost them? Was the couch taking that long? Was he with someone else?

            Okay, the last one is a bit paranoid, Ian thought, but I’m supposed to be, right?

            Those hours dragged on forever, and Ian thought the sun would never set. When it finally did, he found David sitting at the table with some other guy. They were laughing and drinking coffee. David took something from the man, but Ian couldn’t tell what it was.

            He closed his eyes and bit his lip.

            Fuck.

            “Hey stranger.”

            He opened an eye, “David?”

            David tucked a large envelope under his arm, “Miss me?”

            “Who was that guy?”

            “What guy?”

            “The guy at the coffee shop over there. You were sitting with him and laughing.”

            “Oh.” David looked down, “That’s Wes.”

            “And he is?” Ian frowned. He could almost taste the bitterness of his own voice.

            “Definitely not my boyfriend if that’s what you were thinking.” David grinned, “I asked him to stop by and give me this-” He gestured to his envelope, “-and I had to stay away so long because I didn’t want him to give it to me in front of you guys.”

            “What is it?”

            “Anthony’s present.” He smiled, pulling it out of Ian’s reach.

            “You’re an asshole.” Ian sighed, “For not letting me see that and for making me think you were with someone else.”

            David frowned, “Sorry. I did see you guys earlier, and Mel was practically hanging off you.”

            Ian nodded, “I know. I could tell.”

            “Anthony,” Ian heard Mel say, “do you know your mommy?”

            “No.” He shook his head, “But I know my Daddy.”

            “Most people have two parents.”

            “I do have two parents.” He frowned.

            Ian froze. What?

            “Who’s your other parent then?” Melanie frowned, looking nervous.

            “Him.” Anthony threw his arm in Ian’s direction, but he wasn’t talking about Ian.

            David.