Page 83 of Something Like Forever
Car.
Ben shot awake, blinkingagainst the morning light. He groaned, trying to remember how muchchampagne he had guzzled with Marcello. Enough that he had sleptrough. His body was stiff, like he had been in the same positionall night, but at least his head didn’t hurt. He rolled over so hewas no longer on his side. Then he rose, used the restroom, and letChinchilla out back. Afterwards he went to the kitchen to makehimself a tea. While standing there, he decided eggs sounded goodfor breakfast, even though he normally didn’t go to the effort.Especially not omelets, which he wasn’t skilled at making, but whythe hell not? He could learn! He decided to watch a video on hisphone first, just to get some guidance. Then he remembered it wasstill lost, along with his backpack. So annoying! He struggled toremember the last time he had seen it. He knew which class it hadbeen, but he had already checked there. He didn’t have it with himwhen he got home that night, because his hands had been full ofgroceries and—
No! He couldn’t be thatstupid. Could he? Laughing at himself, Ben grabbed the car keys andwent outside to the garage. He looked to the left and right of thecar, wondering if he had set down the backpack while unloadinggroceries and forgotten about it. Nothing. Then he popped the trunkwhere the groceries had been. Sure enough, the backpack was rightthere. He had been driving around with his missing stuff this wholetime! Lucky thing he thought to check there. He supposed he wouldhave found it eventually, but maybe not before buying a new phone.Laughing at himself, Ben slung the pack over one shoulder and wentback inside, ready to face another day on his own.
* * * * *
Tim stood in theNarita International Airport. Ahead of him was thesecurity checkpoint. He was so eager to get through it that hewould willingly abandon his possessions and strip off all hisclothes if it helped get him home any sooner. He was returning on ahigh. The grand opening of the New Eric Conroy Gallery had gonebetter than he dared hope. Miyû Mitsuishi had much to do with that,since she live-streamed the unveiling of her portrait. Tim hadpresented the painting to her as a gift in thanks for all theexposure she had given him. More traditional media had attendedtoo. Newspapers, magazines, and even a television reporter showedup to cover the opening. Tim’s art had sold well, but all thatreally mattered to him was the fundraising. The gallery had beenswarming with visitors since opening night, and already enoughcapital had been raised to keep it running for the next year, withthe first scholarships likely to follow. His business in Japanwasn’t quite concluded though. One small thing remained.
He turned, Corey not far behind him.
“I guess this is it,” Timsaid.
“I’m never going to seeyou again,” Corey said, voice raw. “Am I?”
“Are you kidding?” Timsaid, jostling him to keep the mood light. “We said goodbye—what,twenty years ago? Then we met again on the other side of the globe.Seems like we’re meant to be in each other’s lives, and at leastthis time we’ve got phone numbers. We know where to find eachother.”
“I wish you were my olderbrother.” Corey rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, and eventhough the words were already out, he mumbled, “Nevermind.”
“No!” Tim saidenthusiastically. “I like it! Are you kidding me? I’m an onlychild. I’ve always wanted siblings.”
“And I’ve always wantedsomeone I could look up to. I love my sister, but… youknow.”
“Yeah,” Tim said, nothiding his exasperation. “I do.” Then he smiled. “I like this. I’mrunning with it. When people ask, I’ll tell them I have a littlebrother. In Tokyo, of all places.”
“I guess this means Ican’t put the moves on you anymore. Not if we’re going to bebrothers.” Corey narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.“Although…”
“Don’t even go there!” Timsaid. “You’ve made it to second base with me. That’s already farenough.”
“When I felt you up?”Corey laughed. “Yeah, I guess so. It’s just too bad we skipped overfirst base completely. I’ll stop now, don’t worry. I’m just gladyou’re in my life.”
“Someone needs to run thenew gallery,” Tim said. “Think about it. Your language skills wouldbe useful when tourists come by. And we would have an excuse tostay in contact.”
“I don’t know a lot aboutart,” Corey said.
“You’d have all day tostudy. Besides, if you can learn a language like Japanese, you canlearn to tell the difference between Cimabue andGiotto.”
“Translation?” Coreyteased, since Tim had been forced to ask that countless timesduring his stay, but he shook his head to show it wasn’t important.“I’ll think about it. Even if I don’t take the job, promise mewe’ll stay in touch.”
Tim nodded. “Easiest promise I’ve ever made.I better get going now or—”
Corey slammed into him.The kid sure had a way of hugging! Tim rubbed his back and strokedthe head buried against his chest. Then he squeezed and let go,Corey doing the same. He hated goodbyes. Part of him wanted toremain, but the rest… Tim looked back at the security checkpointlongingly.
“Ben must be an amazingman,” Corey said.
“He is.” Tim reached outand ruffled the dark hair. “But so are you. Give Kioshi my thanksagain. As for you, I’m not sure how I can repay you for all thatyou’ve done.”
“The agency will send youa bill,” Corey said, pulling himself together. “Now get out of herebefore I really get emotional!”
“Okay.” Tim refused to saygoodbye, so instead he opted for, “See you later.”
Corey’s eyes filled with tears. “Can youupgrade that to a soon?”
Tim grinned. “I’ll see you soon. Ipromise.”
He gripped Corey’sshoulder. Then he let go, picked up his bag, and turned around,taking his first steps toward home.
* * * * *
