Page 114 of Rhymes with Metaphor
“What did she mean about Flat Mary?”said Joel.
Reg told him the story.
“Do you want me to contact him?”said Joel.“As your personal secretary?I can schedule an appointment for you.”
“I have other plans for you,” said Reg.“Once you’ve recovered yourself, I’ll introduce you to some people.”
Reg was aware that he could have been popular in his program if he’d been so inclined.He got along with everyone, people enjoyed his company, and he was even fancied by a few and had received many invitations to parties.But he was a naturally insular type, preferring the close company of one or two people, and allowing them to fill up his life.If Joel wanted that too, Reg would support him, but he wanted Joel to know what his options were and to choose for himself, not to end up alone because he didn’t know he had alternatives to solitude.
He showed Joel the kitchenette on the main floor, where Reg made them some acceptable coffee, while Joel stood behind him and watched.
“Has anyone ever had sex in here?”said Joel quietly.
“Joel, youjustcame.”
“Fifteen minutes ago.”
“Your youthful exuberance is appreciated, but there’s no door, as you can see.”
“I don’t really belong here,” said Joel.“I’m not an artist.”
“No one will question your credentials.This isn’t medical school.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Explore some avenues of employment,” said Reg.“Become a contributing member of society, and so forth.Which means hobnobbing.”
Reg led Joel out to the common room so they could have their coffee.Reg introduced him to the people who came by to say hello and included Joel in the conversations that followed.A couple of the students were Joel’s age and one of them gave him his number.
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Joel’s determinationto earn his keep only kept him occupied for so long, as Reg had a finite number of unpublished poems.Within a couple of days, Joel had submitted Reg’s poems in batches to all of the venues Reg had selected.He also scheduled an appointment for Reg with Flat Mary and insisted on accompanying him, though Reg wasn’t needed for much more than giving his permission to use his poems and to approve the work after it was completed.
Reg negotiated Joel’s contract with Vic to voice his novel, and Vic sent Joel his manuscript to read before the recording.For the next few days, Joel lay sprawled across the settee in Reg’s living room, manuscript on his lap, making notes with the gold pen Reg had given him.
Life fell into a rhythm, with a subtle undercurrent of unease.Reg didn’t regret his falling out with Martin or the reason for it, but he found himself, at odd moments, missing him terribly.He and Martin had a whole lifetime of shared experiences, whereas Reg and Joel had only a summer.A wonderful summer, one of the happiest Reg had ever had, but it was just a few months, and when Reg found himself remembering something from his past, he thought to text Martin, then realized he couldn’t and that Joel wouldn’t understand the significance.Sometimes, you really did have to be there.
