Ghost

ch 4

As far as randomly-assigned roommates go, Josh wasn’t too upset with this one.

“So, anyways, what was I saying? Right, I’ll probably only be here about half the nights of the week.” Adam said in a campy, fluttering voice. Adam was a tall, kinda skinny black guy, with wiry muscles, and a shaved head. He had just finished explaining to Josh that his boyfriend had already graduated, and had an apartment, with a couple roommates of his own, off-campus, where Adam would likely be staying several nights each week.

Josh thought that, even if he hadn’t hit the single-room lottery again, he appeared to have gotten pretty much the next best thing. He already liked Adam, with his easygoing attitude and relaxed, friendly chatter. It also helped that he wouldn’t have to worry about being jealous if Adam happened to be here the same night as Maya, and spotted her in her rather skimpy sleepwear.

/I really need to get a handle on that before it becomes a problem/ Josh thought to himself about his acknowledged jealousy issue.

As both guys continued to unpack their bags and boxes, they got to know each other. Josh told Adam about Maya, bragging about how smart and driven she was, as she had worked her butt off to be on track to graduate from high school this coming December, a year and a half early. Adam called them cute, and reminisced about when he and his boyfriend of 3 years, Evan, had still been in that cute honeymoon phase.

The talk turned to family, and Adam shared that he had 2 sisters, one younger and one older, and his parents had split up when he was 13. When he had come out, his mother and sisters had been unfazed and continued on with life as normal, but his dad had blown a gasket and refused to talk to or about Adam since.

“His loss. As my mom would say, ‘Good riddance to bad rubbish’,” Josh commented, before starting the story of his own, rather crazy, family. His 22-years-older brother, the eccentric New York State Senator; his 18-years-older brother, everyone’s favorite crazy history teacher, and Cory’s best friend; his 18-years-older might-as-well-be brother, his girlfriend’s step-father. His 12-years-older sister, who is a dental hygienist in Boston. How he was a SURPRISE baby to two great parents who happen to be mostly-retired now. His niece, who is only 3 years younger than him. As he explained the dynamics, he told stories to illustrate, and, a couple times, Adam ended up doubled over laughing at Josh’s insane family.

As posters and other decoration began going up, the topic turned to their interests. Josh explained that the photos of churches were for the architecture (his major), not the religion, though he did consider himself very loosely Christian. As Adam put up his music-themed items, he told Josh that his major was in business management, but he was also minoring in music theory.

Around 4, there is a knock at their door, interrupting them comparing favorite bands. Adam’s side of the room is closest, so he answers the door, immediately recognizing Maya from the photo Josh had shown off earlier. He somehow manages to make his voice is more camp as he throws the door wide open and sing-songs “Joshie-poo, your girlfriend is here!!”

Maya giggles as she comes in, leaving the door open. She has a paper bag in her hands, which she sets down on one of the desks. “And you must be Adam! I love those jeans, and are those designer heels I see in that closet?” Josh had texted her the basics about Adam awhile ago

Adam gave Maya a coy look, “Oh gurl. We are going to get along fabulously.”

With a smile, Maya takes the final couple steps toward Josh and gives him a quick kiss. “I’m not staying, I just figured I should drop by on my way to your brother’s house, since I know you probably got so wrapped up in unpacking that you skipped lunch.”