Second time is a Charm

Chapter 20

Gale and Thomas's partnership hadn't started still, though Thomas had agreed to work with Gale, he was being stubborn on the partnership details. The negotiations were taking time, and Gale wasn't handling it patiently. Initially, he asked me to intervene by talking to Thomas, but I refused. Slowly, he was getting moody, and short tempered, but Thomas, never once talked about it. We meet twice every week for lunch and always kept in touch through messages.

It was the usual Sunday evening brunch at Gale's parents house, and the Butlers were also there. I was already getting bored, Eleanor was busy reminiscing their childhood with Gale, That was all she ever spoke to him about. The mom's were again gushing about their kids being perfect together. I was always invisible in these dinners and I stopped caring.

My phone rang, and it was Thomas. He usually, was away every weekend, He leaves early Friday and isn't back till Monday morning. No one knew where he goes or what he does those 2 days. Except for his parents, no one can even contact him during that time. So It was strange, getting a call from him on Sunday evening.

"Hey Tommy" I answered

"K..Ki..Kitty Ca.. cat..." he slurred

"Thomas are you drunk?" I asked surprised.

"I n....nee...need you, C...can you H...hold me Please..." he spoke again

"Where are you?" I asked.

The phone was disconnected suddenly. I was about to call him back, when he called again.

"Ki...kitty...You r..are my ooo..only ...Fr... Friend" he slurred again.

"Ooookay... but can you tell me where you are?" I Tried again.

The phone got disconnected again, I tried calling back but there was no answer. I tried a few more times and then gave up. I didn't know what to do, without knowing where he was.

I didn't tell Gale, as he was already on the verge of hating Thomas, I didn't want to escalate it.

I kept calling in the interval of 10 minutes, hoping anyone would answer, but no luck. An hour later I got a call again from Thomas.

"Thomas, where are you?" I asked answering his call.

"Hey I am the bar tender at Mckay's, your friend here is passed out, and your number had a lot of missed calls. I called to ask if you can come and get him home?"

he said.

"Oh.....aaah where exactly is this place?" I asked, with my mind trying to see if anything can be done.

"We are in New Castle downtown. I will message you the address."

"Ahhh.. thanks, but it will take me an hour atleast to get there.?" I said hesitating.

"No worries, the bar is open till 12. He is dozing off in our office, but he is a first time customer, so we don't know where to drop him nor can we leave him here."

"Thanks for calling, I will be there. Thanks once again." I said sighing and hanging up.

I walked into the family room, where everyone where gathered and talking.

"Gale can I talk to you a minute". I said motioning him towards the library.

"Why cant you talk at home, this is the only time I get with Gale. You always have to ruin everything. " Eleanor whinned holding on to Gale's hand.