High And Dry

I Promise

Ian was woken up by a sudden dip in his bed. It shrugged it off, but the dip came back, heavy this time. The dips came more frequently and he ended up opening with eyes to see his son bouncing on his bed.

“It’s Christmas, Daddy! Wake up!”

“I will, I will. Calm down, buddy.”

“No! I want to see what Kalel got me!”

“What about Santa?”

Anthony turned red, “I said Santa.”

“No, you said Kalel.”

“I meant Santa!” He crossed his arms, then grabbed Ian’s hand, “Come on, Dada let’s go!”

“Alright alright.” Ian pulled some pajama pants on and grabbed a sweatshirt before walking down the stairs.

Anthony’s face lit up, “Presents!”

“Alright buddy, open them up!” Ian took out his camera like he did every year and filmed him.

Kalel’s present was wrapped up in newspaper comics. Anthony carefully unwrapped it so he could read the comics later.

It was a small book.

Ian looked over his shoulder at it.

Anthony flipped through the pages. They were all blank. A note fell out of on of them.

‘Dear Ant, I know how much you like to draw and write down ideas for things to draw, so I wanted to get you this really neat notebook I found at my grandpa’s house. He said he never wrote in it and that I could have it. Merry Christmas! I hope you get what you wanted most of all! <3 Kalel’

“Did you?” Ian smiled at Anthony, “Did you get what you wanted most of all?”

Anthony looked up at his father sadly, “No.”

“What was it?” Ian frowned.

“I wanted him to come back.”

Ian knocked on the door and was welcomed in. He saw several of the people he had worked with before at the theatre, and even some of the camera men for the new Smosh official show.

Anthony had been dropped off at Ian’s mother’s house and was probably gushing everything about Ian being gay. Ian laughed to himself. What a great way to come out to your mother. Have your son tell her.

He had fun, but it felt numb. He smiled through the fact that almost everyone there had someone they could take home that night, and he had no one. Ian grabbed a beer as Mari approached him.

“Hey designated driver.” Mari took the beer from him.

“My boyfriend left me when I needed him most. Give it back.” He snatched it up, “Besides, I already talked to Matt and he said that you and me can spend the night here if we wanted.

“Ian, he promised me he’d be here tonight. He’s never broken a promise to me before.” Mari frowned, “Plus, he’s progressively getting closer. I can feel it.” Her eyes widened, “Actually, I can see it.”

She stood on her toes and waved.

Ian ducked down and rushed away, not wanting to be caught up in an awkward scene. He pulled the hood of his jacket over his face and watched them from the corner.

David looked rugged and messy as he threw his arms around Mari and hugged her tightly, not letting go. Ian could hear muffled, “I missed you,” “Where the fuck have you been,” and “Never leave like that ever again.” from Mari.

David shook his head and Ian could barely make out, “I won’t run away again. I promise.”

His hair was uncombed and his face wasn’t smooth anymore. Ian had quite enjoyed not having bristles against his neck like he did when he hugged any man he knew. He himself was not too found of touching his own bearded face, and he was sure David wasn’t either. David looked like he hadn’t slept in days. Then again, Ian wasn’t really one to talk considering he probably looked way worse. Other than that, he looked perfectly healthy, like he had had a good time away from Ian. He was wearing a shirt that was most definitely not his or Ian’s. David would never wear a college shirt that wasn’t Ohio State. Did he find someone new while he was away?

Ian sighed and darted out the window as he saw them heading for the kitchen, which was right near him.

He crawled out the window and sat by himself on the roof, closing his eyes.

“Hey stranger.”