He's A Super Freak.

Chapter 20 - reunited and it feels so good.

New Years Eve, 2019/2020.

Almost thirty years have passed now. I'm living in NYC. Making my through the multifarious crowds. The day was starting to get darker, streetlights and cars lights switched on, against the darkness. I'd taken the day to window shop. The sales were too good to miss. The air crisp and bracing. A melodious busker played their guitar, gently strumming. Ready to appreciate any musician and artists, I stopped to listen. People rushed on about me. A persons chest bumped into my back, making me almost fall to the floor. One tip when you're in NYC; always be prepared, for anything. Literally. You never know. "Oh, my god. I'm so sorry." The person apologised. The tone, the rhythm. It all seemed so familiar. "It's quite alright." I turned around to reassure them. And lo and behold, who should it be? "Alex?" His droopy eyes widened in recognition. "Lila?" "Oh my gosh! Hey!" I cried out, to which he smiled, putting his arms around me. The multitudes surrounding us went on, unfazed by our meeting after decades apart. "I don't believe it! It's so good to see you, Li." "Yeah, you too. Are you busy?" He shook his head, eyebrow cocking, "You look good. Nah, I'm just wandering around." "Same as me then." "You want to get a drink?" "Yeah, sure. I was listening to this busker," I explained as I linked my arm in his, "They're so good." "Shall I put something in their case?" Alex suggested. He hadn't changed. His appreciation for artists had never faded. "You read my mind." I agreed. Chucking some money in, the busker nodded their head in gratitude. "I know the perfect place. Italian." Alex said, digging his hands deep in his pockets. I squeezed on his arm warmly, "You know me. It's so freakin' good to see you, Alex." "You too, Li. How long's it been?" "Too long, my friend."

Holding the door open for me, Alex ushered me in the warmth. "What do you want to drink?" "Oh, a Birra Moretti, please." "Sounds good." "I might get a pizza too. Smelling the food's got me hungry." "Me too." "You wanna share?" "You sure?" "I'm not a total pig." I laughed, as Alex made a funny face. "My bad." He said, laughing. Settling down in a booth by the window, we sat opposite each other. "I still have that little mushroom you gave me." "Yeah?" "Oh yeah. I couldn't get rid of it. Its gone through a lot." "To be honest, I never got rid of my Alexandrite necklace." I giggled in disbelief. "They were good days, right?" "They sure were," He said slowly, lingering his look at me, "So," He blinked rapidly, changing the subject, "What're doing, are you living here? You working?" "Yeah, we live in Brooklyn. I married Chris, and we have twins girl and boy and the youngest, Rafa." "Chris? Oh my god, wow. Congrats, thats great!" "Thanks. We made it work, you know. And we've been happy ever since." "What're your kids names?" "Corey and Raki." "Nice." "Corey after Corey H. Rachele after my nonna. And Rafa, well, you remember Rafa." "Of course, yeah. Sad news about Corey, huh?" "I know. He was a good kid." "He had a lot to live with though, Li." "And we didn't know." "We didn't know." "He didn't tell you anything?" "Nothing." "You were close, right?" "Real close." Alex sighed, perplexed. "Poor kid." "He loved little Corey and Raki. Only met them a couple of times, but he loved 'em." The fond memories flashed in my mind, making tears swell in my eyes, "He was a very affectionate dude." "Sure was." I smiled, biting my lip in an effort to not cry. "So, how old are the kids now?" "The twins are twenty-six, and Rafa is eighteen now," Leaning in slightly, I whispered, "Rafa was, what we call, a nice surprise." We both laughed. Our pizza arrived, and we just carried on talking. "So you married and got kids, eh?" I asked. "Yep, my wife's amazing. And I'm not just saying that either," I smiled, happy to see him so animated and genuine, "I have three boys, now." "Wow, I thought two was bad enough." Alex chuckled, "I wouldn't have minded a girl, but it just happened that way. I never really thought about it." "Nah, me neither." "For sure, theres no point in putting alll your want into something; you're better off gambling." "Exactly, thats it." "You working?" "Yeah," I said slowly, excited to tell him. "What?" Alex asked, wiping his face with a napkin, "I'm actually teaching photography at NYU." Alex's mouth dropped, "No way!" "Yes way." "Well, thats awesome. When did you start that?" "About five years back, now." "How're you finding it?" "Interesting, everyday's different. The students are great though; they practically do all the work for me." "Proud of you, Li," I took a sip of my Birra, shaking my head, "I am, seriously. You were always so amazing at it." Swallowing hard, I replied, "You know, if I hadn't met you, I don't think I'd have found my passions." "Bull." I tilted my head to the side. "Bulltrue." He simpered with a pout. "Well, I can say the same." I sighed, staring into space. "What?" Alex asked, his mouth full of pizza. "I don't dwell on the past. It's no good," He agreed, shaking his head, "...But it's funny, recently it came to me. I think that maybe we tried so hard to outrun our pasts, when we shouldn't have. And I think we made the best decision when we went our separate ways." Wiping his mouth, Alex nodded. "I think so too." "So, how's you ma?" "Still crazy." I giggled. "Good to hear." "How're your folks?" "Ah well, Nigel passed away in '94. Lung cancer. And mam went about two years ago, now. Dementia." Alex sucked his teeth, looking compassionate. "I'm really sorry." "Thanks. I do miss them. I miss those days sometimes." "What about your brothers, and your cousin, what was her name again, Sharon?" "Sheri," I laughed, "Almost," Alex had already ordered another round of beers. "Yeah, Ben's good, just moved up to Scotland. And the other two, we don't really keep in touch. They're fine though, from what I gather. Sheri's out in Australia; she went out there in what, '91?" "Wow. All go, huh?" "Yeah," I agreed. "So, I have to tell you this," Taking a swig of my beer, I continued, "My youngest, Rafa, he found an old VH tape of Freaked in a thrift store." Alex smiled, "Oh my god, really?" "Yep. We never got rid of the player, and he absolutely loved it." "Praise indeed." "He freakin' loves Bill and Ted too." "Does he know that we went out?" I laughed. "I did tell him... Eventually." He laughed heartily. The evening had faded into the night, we had hardly noticed, lost in conversation.

Clearing my throat, I looked at my watch, as Alex did the same, "Oh, gosh. Chris' gonna wonder where I am." Alex agreed, "You getting the subway?" "No, I was going to get a cab. You?" "Nah, my hotels only about a couple of blocks from here." Collecting our things, we walked out the restaurant, almost staggering from the amount of beers. "Alex," I said slowly. He turned to look at me. He seemed to understand the tone. His eyes said everything. "I still love you, you know. It's just different. All these years." The words just seemed to flow from me. Everything I dreamt of saying for decades. Alex brushed away a stray strand of hair from my face. "So much has changed," He said, "But some things are exactly the same. I just remember watching you sleep. That was my happy place." I shook my head, "Always the secret romantic," I giggled, "You," I poked my finger at his chest, clinging to him with the other, "Are amazing, my friend. And I thank god everyday that I know you. You were going to be my forever. But you're so much more than that now." Alex's eyes were welling up with tears, "This is it." Was all he said. "What?" "The day that we both look back and understand how much we loved each other." I smiled. The tipsy feeling had me almost closing my eyes. "I love you, my friend." I said as I hugged him. The next thing we heard was whooping and fireworks. "Happy New Year." He whispered into my ear. Looking at him, his face illuminated by the fireworks bright colourful lights. All reminiscent of our youths together. "One last kiss?" He suggested. "One last kiss." I agreed. He gently and silently took me into his arms. Our lips kissed for the last time. It never seemed to end. "Thanks for the everything." I mumbled. Alex smirked. "Thank you." "I meant for the drink." I teased him. Of course, he knew me too well and laughed. We held each other for another minute or two, before Alex asked, "Shall I hail you a cab?" I giggled, saying, "I can handle New York, Alex. I learnt from the best." "Nah, nah come on. I'll see you off," Alex protested, linking his arm with mine. "I wouldn't be a gentleman then, huh?" Alex gave me his number; we planned to meet up with our families in the near future. Falling into a cab, Alex reassured me, "It was so amazing to see you again, Li. Honestly." "You too. Take it easy, won't you?" Alex chuckled, "I will if you will." "Always." Alex shut the door behind me and waved goodbye. I watched him fade into the crowds, into the night of New York City. 

Phew, that was so satisfying to finish.

Thank you so much for reading! 

Am really sad this has ended, but all good things eh.

I'm feeling a Willard Hewitt (Footloose, 1984) fanfic... 🤔 maybe....

have a good one dudes, S. Rose Hunter x 💖