Love Of My Life

A Kind Of Magic -July 21, 2018

Photo of beautiful Vancouver, British

Recommended song - A Kind of Magic by Queen.

Saturday July 14, 2018

Jeremy's POV

He had gotten the call from Benjamin which surprised him. Firstly, he called at 8 am on a Saturday which was unusual, and even more strange was that Benjamin had called him first. He texted often, but phone calls were rare. Benjamin wanted advice, which pleased the man since he had never sought him for advice before. Of course he always had Mike for that, he thought sadly.

They were to meet at Samurai's, a restaurant that Jeremy often frequented. He greeted May, the waitress and waved to Jun and Hisoka, two regulars at the sushi restaurant. It was rumored that the two men where in the Japanese mafia but it didn't affect him in any way so he didn't pay attention to the gossip.

As he waited for Benjamin, he thought of the man that he had been friends with for 15 years. They met in grade 7 and he and Mike were already inseparable by that time.

Mike was the dynamic one, the guy who everyone adored and followed. Benjamin was the quiet sidekick. If they hadn't been friends he thinks Benjamin would have found his stride and been a more confident person but it would be hard to compete with Mike for the limelight, not that Benjamin even wanted it. He had let Mike lead him to the point where he couldn't even solve simple dilemmas on his own, he frowned.

The past few years had been difficult for Benjamin, he knew that. He saw that efforts were made, slowly, for Benjamin to widen his circle and have a more active social life.

He was surprised and impressed that he was singing and playing guitar in public, and the guitar club kept him busy. Benjamin had been more active in sports, although he was doing it by himself so that kinda defeated the purpose of being social, but he was getting out and trying new things on his own which he knew was a big deal for him.

If there were three words to best describe Benjamin it would be loyal, dependable and sweet. If he needed advice and was gutsy enough to ask him for help then he would do what he could for his friend.

The man had no doubt what was troubling his friend. Tyler. He had seen enough in the past few weeks to realize that they had feelings for each other.

It must scare the hell out of him he thought. Did it ever occur to him that he was gay? The man knew he better not be his usual blunt self and handle this with sensitivity, which definitely wasn't his strong suit, but for Benjamin he would try.

He waved as he saw Benjamin enter the restaurant. They started off with their usual banter of weather, which Jun overheard and added to the conversation, and what was going on with Jeremy's wife and new born daughter, talk eventually led to their circle of friends.

"So what did you need help with?" The man asked him. He could tell that Benjamin was awkward and nervous and didn't know where to start. He sighed and decided to heck with being sensitive, they didn't have all day to beat around the bush.

"It's about Tyler" the man said startling Benjamin.

"What? How did you know?" He asked obviously confused.

"Anyone with two eyes can see that you two only have eyes for each other. It's so obvious." He laughed as he watched Benjamin's facial expression change from shocked to embarrassed.

"Nobody else has picked up on it. I was at the lake on Canada Day." He watched Benjamin's expression change again. "I saw how he comforted you. That's not the first time. It's just the first time that you paid attention to it."

"I was there last night at the club Benjamin. You two couldn't stop staring at each other". He said bluntly.

"He's a man" Benjamin said nervously.

"And?" The man countered.

"He's a former student".

"And? There was never any feelings before Canada Day though. That I am certain. I have seen you two interact enough to know that this is very new for the both of you."

"He's 10 years younger. Besides I don't think he sees me in that way". Benjamin said looking down.

"Are you kidding? He looks at you like you hung the moon. He didn't always look at you like this. This is probably kinda scary for him too".

"Really?" Benjamin said, he felt so clueless sometimes.

"Yeah. Anyway. I know he is always looking out for you. I've seen it for years, but it was more of a protective way than of a romantic way. But something changed. What changed Benjamin?"

"I don't know. I was at the lake sitting on the bench remembering Mike. I hadn't been there since the accident. I felt someone's arms around me and it just felt really nice. I looked up and it was Tyler. I asked why he was there and he said he comes every year for Mike". His voice caught in his throat. Benjamin took a deep breath before continuing.

"He didn't even know him. He did that for me. Tyler was at the lake that day. He saw everything. That's why he is so protective. He has done little kind acts since I've been his teacher only because that's the kind of person he is. He is amazing. He had such a terrible start and now has this awesome family that he loves so much and he has so much love in his heart and is so sweet and kind and smart and talented. How could I not fall for him?"

The man was dumbfounded. Never in a million years did he expect Benjamin to profess his love in such a way. He was tickled pink, to say the very least. He smiled broadly at his friend and asked what advice he needed. Suddenly he remembered a moment from years before.

"He was the one who hugged you at the hospital." Jeremy said matter of factly.

Benjamin didn't even realize that until that moment. He shook his head sadly. "Well, I screwed up and I don't know how to fix it" Benjamin said then went on to explain what happened the night before when Adam suggested that they perform together on Friday night. "I didn't know he wanted to!" Benjamin exclaimed. "I was giving him an out but I hurt his feelings. You should have seen his face." Benjamin said sadly.

"Well that was dumb. Don't speak for him. He can speak for himself. But this is easily fixed and you are going to get a date out of it too." His friend said.

"Thanks Jeremy. I knew you would know what to do". Benjamin smiled at his friend that he had known since grade school, the blunt and brutally honest friend but often a partner in crime for the groups shenanigans. Jeremy passed Benjamin his phone.

"Now call him. Apologize and ask him to go on a date."

"Ok. I was thinking that I don't want to do movie or dinner. I was thinking a bike ride around the seawall at Stanley Park. Grab a bite to eat on a patio, overlooking the harbour?" Benjamin was more excited than Jeremy has ever seen him. His animated face lit up like he hadn't seen in years.

"That is absolutely perfect!" Jeremy said happily, clapping his hands. "Now call him".