Page 63 of Something Like Forever
“Why? Worried about howyour head is going to feel tomorrow?”
“Yes,” Corey admitted,obviously having suffered some past trauma while entertaining acertain client.
“Don’t worry,” Tim saidwith a grin. “Nobody can outdrink Marcello. But that doesn’t meanwe can’t try.”
* * * * *
Tim was never much forkaraoke. Emma had been younger when they bought her a home version,and while it was fun watching her and Ben croon together, this wasan entirely different experience. Or maybe the booze was to thank,because Tim was having a good time. He almost felt like he was backhome in the living room. The private rented space had a U-shapedcouch against three of the walls, a table in the middle, and on theremaining wall, a monitor that allowed them to select songs andalso displayed lyrics and even videos.
He was only vaguelyinterested in the setup. What caught his attention more was thecouple seated across from him. Kioshi was easy to get along with.He was soft-spoken and bashful at first, although numerous glassesof saké had loosened him up. Kioshi was a little beefier thanCorey, but not by much. They shared the same dark hair and eyes,although Kioshi had stronger cheekbones, and his smile was a lotmore innocent. Corey had always seemed a little naughty. Even as ateenager.
They drank and snackedbetween songs, their needs met by lifting the receiver on the walland placing an order. None of them possessed true musical talent,although Kioshi sounded cool when singing in his native language.Corey was brave enough to try a song in Japanese too, and somehowit sounded much cuter. Perhaps because Corey kept smiling at Kioshiduring this. They were into each other. That much was obvious,especially now. After three hours, they had all abandoned singingfor drinking. The television continued to stream videos, which theymostly ignored.
Tim sat alone on his sideof the couch, the happy couple across from him cuddling. Thelighting was low, LEDs that they could change the color of if theywished, but they had left them on red. Tim watched as Coreysnuggled up against Kioshi, whispered something in his ear, andthen kissed his cheek. Kioshi reacted, the alcohol making himamorous, or maybe it was just love. He turned his head to kissCorey, their mouths opening wide, their lips slowly moving againsteach other. The show they put on was hot as hell, and—whether theyintended it or not—Tim was getting aroused.
Ben should be here. Thiswas his arena. Once he started singing, the other rooms would emptyout and people would pound on the door to be let inside. Theywouldn’t be allowed in though, because Tim would be doing the samething to Ben that Kioshi was to Corey. How many people got it on inthese private rooms? A bunch, he’d wager. Maybe he should makehimself scarce. He could go elsewhere and call Ben. That would makehim feel better. Then again, after checking his phone, he saw thatthe day was just beginning in Austin. A drunk call home wouldn’tearn him any points, but a heartfelt text might.
Before he could stand toleave, the kiss broke off. Corey looked over at him and giggled inembarrassment. Tim raised a glass in salute and drained it. Then hereached for the phone on the wall with a questioning expression.Two heads nodded in unison. What an awesome fucking trip! He hadnever imagined it playing out like this, that he would find a pieceof his past in an uncertain future. He loved it and was lookingforward to the days to come. Only one thing kept him from beingcompletely happy. A reoccurring thought that wouldn’t goaway.
Ben should be here.
Chapter Nine
The next few days were anexercise in repetition. Tim would rise, go for a jog—albeit in anearby park instead of on the busy sidewalks—and afterwards hewould get ready, eat, and meet Corey in the lobby. Then they wereoff to inspect properties for sale or for rent. None of them suitedhis needs. Or maybe he was just picky. He reassured Corey that thefault was his own, but that didn’t mean he compromised on what hewanted. His guide was infinitely patient, arranging appointmentafter appointment. At night he dragged Tim out to temples, shoppingmalls, and restaurants, determined to show all that Japan had tooffer. Kioshi joined them for many of these activities, theirrelationship a bittersweet reminder of what Tim wasmissing.
Staying in touch with Benwas harder than he’d expected. Tim was busy during the days. Theevenings were less hectic, but by then it was early morning inAustin, since Texas was fourteen hours behind Japan, and Ben wasusually at work or school. They still managed to send texts backand forth and briefly speak on the phone, but it wasn’tsatisfying.
Tim felt the mostfrustration on his fifth morning in Japan. Jogging didn’t help, nordid jacking off in the shower or pigging out more than usual at thebreakfast buffet. He’d had too many drinks the night before, whichhadn’t helped either. None of his vices, healthy or otherwise, weredoing the trick, so when he met Corey in the lobby again, hisspirits were low. He wasn’t the only one.
“I only have oneappointment lined up today,” Corey said. “Sorry. Maybe we couldfreestyle? Wander around different areas and look for anythingadvertising or that looks empty?”
Tim exhaled and shook hishead. “I need a break. Reschedule the one appointment. Today I wantto check out the competition. Show me the successful galleries andmuseums. I wanna get a feel for what works here and whatdoesn’t.”
“Okay,” Corey said, thespeed of his nod increasing along with his enthusiasm. “That’s agood idea. We’ll start in Roppongi again.”
“Oh excellent,” Tim joked.“I know of a fancy restaurant there.”
Corey caught on instantly.“Where the only thing on the menu is grease? I’ll take yousomewhere nicer than that. I promise.”
They began at the Mori ArtMuseum, which was on the fifty-third floor of one of the tallestbuildings in the area. The exhibition space was the stuff ofdreams: massive white-walled rooms with pale hardwood floors andtrack lighting above to highlight each piece on display. As for theart itself, the mixture of contemporary paintings and unusualinstallations helped recharge his creative battery. If that wasn’tenough, the roof of the building offered an observation deck.Standing in open air—which seemed crazy—they were presented with apanoramic view of Tokyo.
“I can’t believe we’reallowed up here!” Tim said. “Look, there’s even a helicopterlanding pad!”
“The view’s not badeither,” Corey said pointedly.
“Oh right,” Tim said witha chuckle, turning his attention back to the city itself, which wasoverwhelming in its massiveness. Tokyo was nearly twice the sizeand population of New York, the United States’ largest city. Whilethe Big Apple ranked second among the cities of the world, Tokyowas the undisputed champion. “It’s amazing, but I don’t know if Icould live here.”
“I don’t think I’ll everleave,” Corey countered, looking to the sprawling cityscape withaffection normally reserved for Kioshi.
“Really?” Tim said. “Youdon’t think you’ll ever go back to Kansas?”
Corey laughed and turned to look at him.“Will you?”
“No,” Tim admitted. “Texasis home now. Still, you don’t think you’ll ever want to return?Maybe not to Olathe, but somewhere else in the States?”
Corey didn’t think longbefore answering. “Nope. It’s too exciting here. Everything isdifferent. You know how we spent two hours in that grocery storeyesterday?”
“Yeah,” Tim said with anembarrassed titter. He had been the one browsing so long. Everysingle product had been new to him. Even the absolute basics likeflour and sugar were brands he didn’t recognize, and as for therest, he hadn’t realized that there were vegetables, roots, andother produce that he had never heard of or tried. Tim spent waytoo much money while there, especially in the candy aisle on whathe intended to bring home as gifts. “I get what you’re saying, butdoesn’t the novelty wear off after a while?”
