'Tis confusion!

casa de Q

As we drove on through the night, I realized something. I had no clue where we were going. I felt like we'd been driving for five hours, but my cell phone revealed that it had only been about an hour. Still, I had no idea where we were, or even if we were in the same city. I was going to be in big trouble if I couldn't find my way back. Then I remembered I didn't have my car. Well, at least I didn't have to worry about not finding my way home. If Q didn't drop me off, then I'd have something to worry about. (Either that, or I'd just live with him. Right.)

Q glanced over towards me. "Everything ok? You've been kind of quiet."

"I'm fine. Just trying to get my bearings here. I honestly have no idea where we are."

"Yeah, that mall you work at is really off in the cut, isn't it? Come to find out it's really only about an hour and a half away . I've never been there before today, crazy, right?"

I nodded. "Yeah, a lot of people don't realize we're even there. We get asked all the time if we just opened, and it's been opened for over seven years now."

"Woah, really? That's crazy. Now I feel even worse for not knowing it was there."

"Haha, I'm willing to forgive you...IF you tell me where the hell you're taking me."

"Patience, my dear, patience." Q said. "We'll be there soon enough."

I stuck my tongue out at him. "Ok, ok. I promise I'll behave...for now."

Q smiled. " I promise, it's not too much longer. Maybe another twenty minutes."

On we went.

Half an hour later, we finally stopped. I'd been looking out the window nearly the whole time, trying to make heads or tails of where we were headed. I still didn't recognize the area in the slightest. Q pulled up to a white cobblestone building. "We're here!" he announced.

"Where might 'here' be?" I asked.

"Come check it out." Q answered. He smiled as he opened my car door. We walked inside.

"This is Casa De Q" He announced. 

"Holy...really?" I asked incredulously. "This is...wow. But what about the surprise?"

"You're about to find out." He led me upstairs. We walked into the living room, which was insanely big (for good reason.) Set up against the far wall was a seventy-inch 3d television. 

"Woah. I've seen these things at Best Buy. These babies do NOT come cheap."

"You're telling me" Q said. "So, what I was thinking was, maybe you gather up that group of friends you were talking about, and have a cheesy movie birthday party...here. If you're interested, that is. "

"Q, who wouldn't be interested in that offer? This is so nice of you! "

He smiled. "No problem. Want the tour of the rest of the place?"

"Sure thing." I followed him out and around the rest of the house, which was much smaller compared to the gigantic living room. We found Q's cat, Benjamin, snoozing on a chair in the kitchen. Q scooped him up and nuzzled him to his neck. Benjamin stirred from his sleep momentarily, gave Q a couple of lazy licks on the cheek, then jumped down and resumed his siesta. "That's his normal greeting."

I smiled. "Aww, he is a cutie." 

"Thanks. Maybe later when I drop you off home I could..." he trailed off

"...come inside and meet my cat?" I finished his thought. He nodded. "Why did you trail off?" I asked him

"No reason..I just didn't want you to think I was, like, inviting myself to your home..being pushy or something..."

I grinned. "Q, the only way I would find that pushy was if you literally bowled me over trying to into my home to see Java. She's cool, but not that  cool."

He smirked. "I gotcha, I gotcha. You want me all to yourself."

"Weeeellllll..yeah, kinda...is that such a bad thing?"

"Nah,  it's cool."  Q turned. " So, I gotta be honest. This is kind of where my grand plans end. I mean, obviously I need to take you home, but I don't have to do that right this second...do I?"

"Nope. I'm yours for the night..at least until midnight or so. My animals will need food eventually."

"Of course, of course. What other animals do you have besides Java?"

"Let's see...there's Larry, my iguana, and my hedgehogs Quincy and Willow. I also have another cat that hangs out in my neighborhood. I named him Joe because he's got blue eyes. He shows up at my door every couple of days, looking for food."

"Sounds like Joe Gatto, alright." Q laughed. " Those are definitely some interesting animals."

"The best thing about them is how independent most of them are... there's not much I have to do with them, which is great because sometimes I feel like I'm never home."

"I know that feeling. Being on tour is great, but I miss my animals so much when I'm away. But let's talk about your party again for a minute, if we could. What day do you want to do this?"

"Hmm. Well,  My actual birthday is Friday, but I have to work, so maybe the following night?"

"Saturday night? Sure, that's perfect. Except...ah, shoot"

"What's the matter?"

"Nothing, really. It's just that Sal and the others usually come over on Saturday nights and we just kind of veg out. Drink beer, have pizza or tacos or whatever..." he trailed off.

"Oh! Well, I don't want to ruin your standing plans," I told him. "I mean, I can always do this home like I was going to originally."

Q shook his head. "That's not what I'm getting at. I was actually thinking, maybe the boys could come to your party? That wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, would it?"

I could feel the smile spreading across my face. "Oh my god, yes! Are you serious? That would be fantastic!"

Q smiled at me yet again. Every time that grin flashed in my direction, I felt weak at the knees. (I wonder if he noticed. He had to, at least once.)

"Cool, then, that's settled. I'm gonna call Sal and let him know. Hey, make yourself at home, do you want a drink or anything?" Q asked me.

"Maybe just some water?"

"Are you sure? I have beer and cranberry juice, too."

"Hmm..maybe a beer, then." I said.

"You got it. Speaking of drinks, how much do I owe you for the soda earlier?" He reached in his pocket.

"Not a dime. Don't even think about it. This experience today has been worth more to me than you can possible even imagine. Not to mention, you bought me that iced coffee earlier."

Q smiled. "I'll get that beer."

"Thank you. Is it ok if I use your bathroom?"

"Of course. You remember where it it? Second door on the left, past the living room."

"Thanks." I left the kitchen, leaving my jacket draped across the back of the kitchen chair near Benjamin. Heading slowly down the hall, I replayed today's event's back in my head for at least the sixth time.Even now,  I was having a hard time accepting this as reality. All I knew was that, despite the lure of my party looming on the horizon, the last thing I wanted was for this night to end.