Page 5 of The Bathhouse
Memories flooded his mind, and his gaze shifted to the rain battering the bay window in the dining room.The downpour reminded him of the day he’d lost his virginity to a Filipino man in a gay bathhouse.Reed had frequented the bathhouse often, but he never saw Babyboy again.He hooked up with other men, but at those times he would think of Babyboy and wonder if the Filipino ever thought of him.Years had passed and he’d had many sex partners since then, but that day had left a deep impression and drove Reed to recreate the experience again and again.
As he grew older he grew harder, distancing himself from others and building walls around his feelings.Through the years his walls grew higher and stronger.
Stop looking for love from others, Reed told himself.So what if no one loved him?It was okay.At least no one could hurt him.Besides, love was about as real as a fairytale.Nobody could love him the way he wanted, because no one knew him better than himself.If he loved himself, he didn’t need love from anybody else.Only self-love was real.
He prioritized his needs and wants, refusing to settle for less than he deserved.Devoting himself to the family business, he learned to depend on just one person, himself.It was better that way.He didn’t have to give a shit about anyone.Except Claire, of course.She was blood.
“Reed!”
Reed’s head jerked up and he opened his eyes.His sister’s voice still held the power to command his attention.
Claire waved a perfectly manicured hand in front of his face.“Earth calling.”
Reed straightened his shoulders.“Sorry, I didn’t sleep well last night.”
“I shouldn’t wonder, what with all this pandemic business going on.You need to reconsider your travel plans.”
The words coming out of her mouth pissed him off, but it was more than that.Something about her tone, or the inflection, hurt his ears.It all brought back unpleasant childhood memories.
He spoke a bit more sharply than he’d intended, but Claire provoked him.“No.Absolutely not.”
Claire was overbearing, much like their father.Their mother had been a saint, but she had died of cancer when they were young.Dear old dad had been MIA for most of their lives, until he died from a massive heart attack.Older than Reed by eight years, Claire used her higher ranking to mother him, “smother him” more like it, and she still felt the need to run his life.
Reed had planned to escape before Claire came downstairs, but he’d lingered over breakfast too long; another downside to sharing the house with Claire.It was getting harder to avoid her, but he’d become too comfortable in the family home and hated the thought of moving.His usual escape was the business, but he’d become lost in his fantasies.He’d become a dreamer.It was high time to get out of the house and make some new memories.
Reed softened his tone.“I was thinking about the business, and it kept me up all night.”
Claire peered over his shoulder at the laptop screen.“So, you’re still planning to travel to the Philippines?”
“Yes.My flight leaves this evening, but I’m going to the office first.I need to make preparations for my absence.”
“You’re being foolish, putting your health at risk.”
Reed spoke through gritted teeth.“We have business interests there and it’s been too long since I’ve visited.I can only do so much on a Zoom meeting.I need to be there in person.”
“You can wait a little longer.”
“I thought we agreed that you would run the properties and I would run the business.”
“We did, and we do, but if you won’t take better care of yourself, then I have to step in.What if something happens to you?”
“There’s no need to worry.Nothing will happen to me.I’m vaccinated and free to travel again.”
Claire frowned and took a seat at the table.“We’re not at pre-pandemic levels yet.”
The Filipina housekeeper Rosamie appeared with Claire’s breakfast.
“There are still uncertainties and risk,” Claire continued.“Especially when traveling to third world countries.”
Rosamie kept a stoic expression as Claire ticked off items on her fingers.“Congestion, high poverty, crime, corruption, and most importantly, a lack of quality health care.Am I right, Rosamie?”
“Yes, Ms.Claire.Will there be anything else?”
“No, you may leave.”
Reed sighed heavily.Rosamie could hardly disagree with Claire.She’d come to the States to escape those very things.
“I’ll be staying in Manila at a five-star hotel.I don’t anticipate any problems.And it’s imperative that I check on things personally.”
