Get Out Your Damn Umbrellas

Chapter 16

In the days leading up to Dan's birthday, it was difficult to know how to plan for it. Phil had bought some things for him online, an ornate eucalyptus-mint candle, a soft, fuzzy blanket, and a few terrarium plants. He wanted to do more to make the day special, but he couldn't be sure whether Dan would be comfortable with having guests over or eating cake. As much as he would have liked to keep it a surprise, Phil decided that he should ask Dan what he wanted.

Peering into Dan's room, he found the boy sitting with his legs folded in the lotus position. Dan had his eye closed, and so Phil tapped his fingers lightly on the door post to let him know he was there.

"Hey," Phil called quietly. "What are you up to?"

"Working on some breathing exercises," Dan answered. He inhaled deeply for four seconds, held his breath for seven seconds, and exhaled for eight seconds. "It's been a bit stressful getting into the video planning process again, but I guess that's pretty normal for me."

Phil glanced over at the night stand and saw a notebook open to an empty page. "It doesn't have to be a main channel video. Maybe we could do something on the gaming channel."

Dan took another deep breath and shook his head, his eyes still closed. "I thought of the gaming channel at first, but I'm worried that my hands might get too shaky to hold a controller, and I don't think I can deal with the pressure of trying to think of something for my main channel right now."

Struck by sudden inspiration, Phil said, "What if we did a collab on my channel?" Dan's eyes fluttered open, and Phil eased down on the carpet across from him. "Since your birthday is coming up, would you want to... maybe... do a baking video?"

On the afternoon of the eleventh, Louise showed up at the apartment carrying several shopping bags filled with baking ingredients and decorations. She'd been ecstatic when she got the call the previous night inviting her over for Dan's birthday, though she was rather surprised when they asked for her help with filming a video. It seemed a bit soon, and she hoped they weren't rushing into things.

Dan helped put up the decorations and set out the ingredients and baking utensils, but when Phil brought out the video equipment, the younger boy went and hid in the living room. Louise stayed with him and held his hand while Phil set up the camera in the kitchen. Fully sunken into the sofa crease, Dan's whole body was tensed, and his skin was pale and clammy.

Louise gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "You know, it's not too late to change your mind. We could just make cupcakes and eat them. We don't have to film anything today."

With a shaky exhale, Dan shook his head. "The longer I put this off, the more terrifying my mind makes it seem, but I think I might feel better if I at least give it a try. I'm just... not sure what I'm going to say."

"That's alright. You don't have to do a big introduction or give an explanation or anything. Whatever happens, everyone's just going to be incredibly happy to see you."

In all honesty, Louise wasn't sure how this video was going to go either. She remembered Phil saying on the phone last night, "It's gonna be pretty lowkey. We're going to try to keep the mood light but also keep the banter to a minimum. Don't get me wrong, it's wonderful how you and Dan have this great back and forth and can easily make each other laugh, but for tomorrow I'm gonna have to ask you to avoid innuendos as much as possible and just try to keep it PG." As odd as it seemed for Phil to not want any sex references in the video, considering the fact that their baking videos were usually full of them, Louise figured it was best not to ask why.

Right then, Phil peeked around the corner and gave them a thumbs-up to let them know everything was ready. Louise gave Dan's hand another gentle squeeze as the boy rose from the couch on unsteady legs.