What We Seek

Part 9

Chapter Nine

I hadn't realized it, but Eddie must have set an alarm to wake us up before the meeting. His phone played a simple guitar tune as I grumbled at it for intruding on my comfortable position holding my Eds. He managed to cut it off without slipping from my arms, but when he leaned back to the bed, he turned over to face me. I looked him over the same way I had the night before; light made him even more...blurry?

Why can't I see straight? I want to look at my Eddie Spaghetti...oh no! This isn't those visions again, right?! The turtle said they would be gone?!

"Richie, put your glasses on. It feels too weird to wake up to your actual face without half of it hiding behind your thick nerd frames."

Ah, yes, I am naturally blind as well as stupid.

I rolled over, sighing in distaste as my arm had to leave from Eddie's curves. I grabbed my glasses, managing to get them first try. I opened them up and slid them onto my face. Eddie was smiling at me when I turned back to face him. I knew I could joke around or simply talk, but I wanted to savor...just him. I think he felt the same.

One day, today, tomorrow, the day after, the next week, the next month, six months from now, five years from now, and when I'm old and cranky, I still want to have him here with me. I probably don't have the right to beg the universe, but can I ask for one thing? Make us live long lives where we share a bed every night until we die? Thanks.

"Richie..."

"Yes my sweet Eds?"

"We have to get ready, dressed, eat, and make it to the meeting in one hour. I set the alarm wrong."

I sat up quickly, scaring Eddie more than I had intended to.

"Eddie, let's start getting ready and dressed then! We only have fifteen minutes to get out the door if we want to make it to our destination on time in LA traffic!"

"Oh, shit! Okay!"

The next fifteen minutes can be summarized easily; chaotic shouting.

"EDDIE, LET'S GO! WE HAVE FIVE MINUTES!"

"I'M WAITING ON YOU TO FINISH SHAVING!"

"I AM ALMOST DONE, BUT WHERE ARE YOUR SHOES?!"
"FUCK! I'LL BE RIGHT BACK! I'M BORROWING SOME SANDALS!"
"LANGUAGE, EDS! ONE TRASHMOUTH PER HOUSEHOLD!"
"DON'T START, RICHIE!"

We managed to get out the door, say a frantic good morning to Todd, and make it into the car with two minutes of spare time. I drove us through a demonic traffic jam to a nearby cafe. I saw the signature car outside for my agent, so I knew he would be inside already.

How will he react to the 'I'm gay' thing? Will he quit? Will I have to fire him for being a homophobe?! I've never seen him show any preferences for or against same sex couples, but I don't know...

"Richie, let's go! Stop fiddling around!"
"Oh, yeah. Sorry."
"Are you worried about what he'll say about going to Derry and about us?"

Eddie, you scare me. You always know my deepest insecurities. The only thing I've ever managed to hide from you was being gay. I guess even that didn't work...you're a little mind spy.

"Me? Of course not!"

"Liar, but too late. Is that him waving at us?"

I looked up to see that my agent had chosen a seat in the back. I waved and smiled, leading Eddie over to the table.

"Hey, Rich! You've got a lot to explain to me."

I sense no hostility, just major confusion and uncertainty.

"I know, man, I'm so sorry. I will explain everything. To start, I had to go home to Derry to help some friends with a suicide. We had to figure out ourselves, fight some old demons, and then attend a really impactful funeral."

"Oh, Rich, is that why you spilled your guts after that call?! I'm so sorry that I encouraged you to still go on. Are you alright now? Also..."

Eddie had been getting coffee for me and him, only returning to the table at this point.

"Eugene, this is Eddie Kaspbrak. Eds, this is Eugene Martindell. Eddie is a friend from a long, long time ago. We grew up together as the bestest of friends, but one summer, he was forced to move away, so we lost contact. You know how busy we are, well he was just as busy. We reconnected at the funeral. I spent an extra two days with him, and I've brought him here, because we realized we love each other."

I slid my hand over into his, watching as Eugene started to show a purely stunned reaction.

"He has a wife who he is currently in the process of divorcing. After said divorce is filed, we are going to start officially dating. I'm sorry that I couldn't tell you why I left, I didn't answer your calls, and most of all, I'm sorry I never sent the tour check through! I sent it last night with an extra ten thousand for troubling you. I don't know where we will go from here, agent to client, but you had the right to know the truth on why I left."

Eugene was at a loss for words. The silence made me uncomfortable to the point where I almost went ahead to get up and leave, but Eddie squeezed my hand.

Darn you and knowing me too well! Now that I know you're here for me I can't drag you out to run away with me! Damn you, you amazing little spagett!

Finally, after many coffee sips and awkward eye contacts, Eugene explained what he was thinking and feeling.

"This...was a lot to take, Richie. I think you saw this coming, but I need to stop handling you as a client."

Damn...he's the fifth one in three years. I can't believe I have this stressful, unmanageable impact on any one I work with...

"It's not that you left, it's definitely not Eddie and you, and it's not the money or schedule. I just need some me time, you know? I thought that you weren't coming back at all, that you had lost it and given it all up. I had no idea what happened to you, but I knew what happened to me. I took it as a sign to try and do things I couldn't do when I was busy and travelling to tours with you. I met a nice woman after you left. We have agreed to date for a bit to see what will happen. I found that I love the law firm she works at, so I'm going to apply there to be a secretary. A major pay decrease, I always loved how financially successful I could be with you, but one I am willing to take. I'm also sorry I had to think for so long before I could talk. Are we on good terms to be friends?"

I made sure he saw that I was glad to know how he really felt in my answer.

"Of course, Eugene. Anytime you want tickets or access to something with your girl, call me. I'm sad to see our working days end, but I'm happy for us both."

In one instance of my career, something has gone well for me and the person who doesn't want to work with me anymore. Either way, good things have come to us both.