Pop: Chapter 8c

     I rush out back to the living room to see Rick set something up to the television.  Probably a memory stick. 

    It takes just a second for the first picture to show up, one of me as a baby.  Black and white, old-style.

    "Where did you get that?  It sure wasn't my mother."

    "Dude," Rick starts to explain, "I am your legal rep here in Lexington.  You gave me the power to watch over your house while you were in New York.  That included your possessions, such a your photo albums."

    "That can't be legal," Pete says.

    "Trust me, I'm the lawyer." Rick responds.

    At least that means there won't be any naked pictures.  Any of those are locked away in a safety deposit box.  There were only two or three in my grandmother's possession when she died, but I made sure they would never see the light of day.

    "Although, I did get some from other sources as well," Rick cryptically adds.

    I see what he means when my high school years pop up.  Looks like the guys kept many of the old photos of us through the years.  I almost didn't keep mine.

    Then, the naked pic comes up.  Freshman year of college.  The guys pulled a prank on my coming out of the shower.  I was trying to reach for a towel with my right hand and trying to cover my crotch with my left.  Unfortunately, one hand wasn't going to be enough.  Another trait of Burton males.  Two hands should've worked though, if they were available.  At least had the sensibility to cover my privates up with a picture.  

    "An eggplant emoji?  Seriously."

    "Hey, you're the creative one.  You are lucky I could do this at all." Rick summed up his plan succinctly.

    What followed next were a series of my and all my exes.  At least the ones I had pictures of.  Just before we get to Addie, Pete taps me on the shoulder.

    "Hey, man.  It's well after nine.  I'm gonna have to leave now.  Pregnant wife at home and all."

    "No prob.  I'll see the two of you tomorrow at the dinner."

    "Sure will."  Pete turns to leave after letting Will know he was leaving to tell Rick.  Funny I haven't seen Jim for awhile either.

    After a few minutes of Addie and I, ending with a clip from this morning's package from The Today Show, Rick finishes with a pic of the four of us from last year at the manor, from my thirtieth birthday party.  Man, I starting to tear up.

    After Rick ends the show, the neighbors kindly start to leave.  I'm not sure I'm remembering their names right as I escort them out.  It's a little after ten when the last one leaves.  Still haven't seen Jim though.

    "Hey, Will and I are getting ready to leave too.  Need any more help with the house.  Or your brother?"

    "No, I think we can spend the night without killing each other.  I could use some help cleaning."

    "Already taken care of.  You know how much of a neat-freak Will is.  He'll be staying the night on the couch in my office tonight, after we catch up on a few things."

    ""Didn't he get a room?"

    "Yeah, but only for tomorrow and Friday morning, after his family flies in.  Why spend more? Besides, the two of us could use some more time together, without any interference."

    "Well, I've finished cleaning up.  Need anything else before we leave?"  Will says as he enters the foyer.

    "Now that you mention it, did you see what happened with your brother?  He vanished an hour ago"

    "I think he booked a room at the same hotel I'll be using.  He probably left early to make sure he made the check-in time."

    "You're probably right.  Still, he never said goodbye.  That's not like him."

    "Maybe, but it's just a likely he didn't want to interfere with your picture show,"  Rick adds.  "See you tomorrow."

    "I'll be by in the morning to pick up the car.  Bye you two."  I yell at them as the leave the house and start walking down the street.

    I must say, Will did I great job at cleaning.  You can't tell I had over a dozen men over for a party, albeit one without alcohol.

    "Hey, where did everybody go?"

    Out from the laundry room to the kitchen comes Jim, carrying two bags.  I don't remember seeing those before.

    "Jim, where were you?  The party ended a while ago."

    "Oh, I was just getting my bags so Will and I can get to our hotel room.  I stored them back there, but I lost them for a few minutes.  That back area is bigger than it looks."

    "I'm sorry, Jim, but Will is staying at Rick's tonight.  He only booked his room for tomorrow."

    "Fudge," Jim was always one to watch his swearing, even when he didn't need to.  "That's what I did to.  Where can I stay tonight?"

    "Well, I still have an extra bed from when I was renting.  It's not the best solution, but I guess you are welcome to it."

    "Thanks, man.  I don't know what I would've done without you."

    "No prob.  It will just take me a few minutes to get it ready."  I start to leave the foyer.

    "I love you man."

    "Like I said, no problem."

    "No, I love you."  With that Jim drops his bags and rushes to me before I get to the living room to grab me into a hug.

    Then he tries to kiss me on the lips.

    WTF?!?!

Pop: Chapter 8b

     I walk to the door, glad I didn't have to explain "Rounds" to Sam.

    "Hi, I'm Lee Burke.  I live down the street next to the Littles.  Rick said you were having a little meeting-and-greet party?"

    "Hello, Lee.  Come right in.  Rick is over there on one of the recliners."

    Lee shakes my hand and walks straight through the door to the living room to meet up with Rick.

    "Hey, did you invite anyone else?"  Pete joins me as I shut the front door.

    "Not really.  You guys are the only ones from school that I'm still in touch with.  Remember, we were are own little 'geek squad' back then."

    "Yeah, we were all kind of insular loners back then," Pete replies as we walk back to the others.

    "I tried to reach out to a few more, but they respectfully declined.  Don't think they'll be coming to the wedding either."

    "Anyone from UK?  We had quite a big group going by then."  Will gets up to join us, away from Rick and Lee.  Jim stays behind, odd.

    "Unfortunately, everyone pretty much has left the state.  One or two said they might come to the wedding, but they were non-committed.  Same goes with my gaming buddies since then."

    "What about you friends from New York?  Any coming down tonight?"  Pete asks.

    "Nope.  Too busy, but I think some of them will be throwing me a bachelor/going away party closer to the actual wedding day.  Only my rep will be coming to the wedding though, and he is only coming to make sure there's 'proper media attention.'  Although, I'm sure he's happy for me as well."

    "How about work? Anyone from there coming?" Will this time.

    "Nope.  Why should they?"

    The doorbell rings at the same time as my phone goes off.  

    "Sorry, I think the delivery is here.  Maybe more guests.  Keep yourselves company while I get that."

    I rush off to the door and answer my phone.  I was right.  Not only was the delivery here, but so were more guests.

    I guess Will was just trying to be kind, but honestly, I don't even remember most of my former co-workers names.  Funny how I can still remember people I haven't seen in over five, ten, gong on twenty years, but I wouldn't be able to point out many of the people I worked with just a few years ago.

    There was Tim Davidson, the former head editor.  I was barely able to return to Lexington the first time to attend his second wedding.  He left Blue Homestead a few months later to take an assistant editor post at a small regional publisher in Chicago, but with a higher salary.  Less work, more money.  It is a rival to my publisher, so we don't really keep in touch anymore.  I invited him to the wedding, but he won't be able to attend.

    Then there was Bennie Rogers, the human resources director.  He helped me out a few times just before I left.  His daughter died a year or two ago.  A tree fell on her.  It had been damaged in a storm, but it hadn't been taken down yet.  It was on the schedule for the following week.  Bennie was so devastated that he and his family moved back to Texas.  He works in the aerospace industry now.  Lexington has too many bad memories for him, so he won't be returning either.

    The only other 'friend' I have there would've been Judge Aaron Hemphill, founder of Blue Homestead publishing.  I kind of got along with his adult children while they were working there, but I had too many run-ins with his wife, Anita, who actually handled the day-to-day business, to have ever felt welcomed there.  The Judge had a mini-stroke back in March, and he hasn't appeared back in court since.  Officially, he is only 'semi-retired' and will be on the bench this summer.  However, Rick has heard rumors that he will never hear another case and he is only waiting until a few last cases he was hearing finish before he makes an official statement.

    I barely notice the inflow of unfamiliar men as I keep answering the door  between mindless conversations with neighbors both new and old.  Rick managed to invite over a dozen men, one from two streets over.  How he managed that, I don't know.  None seem to miss the alcohol, but I can sense an unease starting to spread.  Pete is joining in easy, but Will is mostly by himself.  I don't know where Jim ran off to.  Then, I hear Rick making an announcement as I'm getting another drink from the kitchen.

    "Men, it's time for the entertainment to start!"

    Please don't involve any naked women.  Or nudity of any kind.

Pop: Chapter 8a

     Yeah, yell it out for everyone to hear, why don't ya?

    "Fortunately, I've already told Sam most of this, or else there would have a lot more explaining to do."  I continue walking into the living room to join the others.

    Jim sits on the couch next to his brother, who slides over ever so slightly to end up right next to the arm.  Pete takes the other end.  I, of course, take the last easy chair, the one with UK banner on it.  Not actually on the recliner, but a special cover I had made for it.  An all-blue leather recliner, with white accents?  Not on you life.

    "I can't believe you had already done it, and you didn't tell us." Rick, always the inquiring one.  

    "A gentleman is supposed to have a little discretion.  None of you told me either."

    "Well, I didn't because I waited until I got married.  And even then, we waited a bit."  Will pipes in.  "That is such a big deal."

    "Same here," Pete replies.  "I waited until my marriage.  My first marriage.  And I seriously doubt there will be another."

    "Well, I waited until marriage.  My Melanie is the only woman I will ever be with."  Jim takes a look over at Sam.  "Are you sure this is okay with him in the room?"

    "Yes," I glance over to Sam.  "I told him much of this when he had questions after Dad gave him 'the talk.'  As long as we don't go into too many details, I think we will be fine.  Just think before saying too much."

    "College?  Gees man.  And you never told us?  How many times?"  Rick, always with decorum.

    "I was only with two women in college.  And a few times with my other girlfriends over the years.  So, six.  No, seven women.  Can't forget Addie."

    "I had a suspicion that was going on when you invited us up last year,"  Will adds.  "But seven.  I never thought you would be the horndog of the group.  You never even dated in high school."

    "I would've, but my mother wouldn't let me, and she was fooling around at the time.  I even think she had a pregnancy scare when I was about twelve.  Nothing happened, but I think it was scaring her."

    "So that's why you never went to prom.  You could've gone stag, like Will."  Pete gives a little nod towards the other end of the couch.

    "Nope.  I wasn't allowed to do even that.  Unlike someone else..."  I take a long look over to Rick.

    "What?  Why are you looking at me for?"  Rick asks.

    "Come on.  You and Beth after senior prom.  You never said anything, but we all knew."  Will stares directly at Rick.  "The way you acted the following week said it all."

    "Well, you are wrong.  My first time wasn't senior prom," Rick declares staunchly.  "Technically, I had sex at the junior prom."

    "Wait.  You and Jessie Blake?  But she was... and you were."

    "There is no way you and Jessie," Pete adds.

    "You would have told me, if no one else.  I mean, you all but told me about Beth, but I didn't want to push."  Will rushes on top of us.

    "First off, " Rick stands to make his point, "I never said anything about Jessie.  We were planning on doing it, but you no how teenage boys get sometimes, with 'quick triggers' and all."

    "So, you are saying that..." I struggle to hold in my laughter.

    "I was finished before she was even undressed, and I wasn't able to do anything else that night.  So, I got dressed and took her home.  We were never 'steady' or anything, but she kept my 'misstep' quiet."  Rick sits down.  "But, yeah, me and Beth did go all the way next year.  And she broke up with me two weeks later."

    The rest of us laugh at Rick's story.  I even see a slight snicker out of Sam. 

    "That hasn't happened with a woman since.  I had one other time in college, before I met Lydia that is.  However, we did wait until marriage," Rick finishes. 

    "Oh, Rick!  I didn't suspect," Will can't stop laughing.  "I mean, we all had that happen sometimes, but still."

    "Wait, what do you mean by 'we all had the happen?'" Jim asks.  "It's not that common."

    "Oh, we know.  It happened to each of us at least once when we had 'Rounds,'"  Pete adds.

    Now, that is one thing I don't want Sam hearing about.  

    Fortunately, the doorbell saves me.

    "Who could that be?  The delivery service is supposed to text me before arrival, and it is too early for them anyway."

    "Chris, remember?  You had me invite some of the neighbors to start showing up at six. You wanted to start getting to know some of them, once you knew you would be moving back.  That must be Lee Blake.  He is almost as early as you are."  Rick says.

    Sam looks up again, straight at me.

    "I'm going up to my room."

    With that, Sam stands and walks away.

Pop: Chapter Eight

     James "Jim" Greenwood, Will's older brother by about three years.  Just like the rest of my crew, I had reconnected with him online.  His shirt is a little wrinklier than Will's, but he is wearing a loose tie.  A little more grey hair than his brother too.  No glasses, yet.  He's an ENT at the same hospital system as Will.  How the two of them became doctors is, well amazing.  And, unlike his touch sensitive brother, Jim is a hugger.   

    "How are you Chris!" Jim hugs me.  "I can't believe it's been so long.  Wow, you've gotten so, big.  I never thought you would become a jock."  He releases me, after he pinching my arm to make sure the muscle is real.

    "And you, you look so much, shorter than I remember."

    "Well, we all get older.  Wait, shorter?  What do you mean by that?" he chuckles.

    "Well, I remember you being about a head taller than.  I could have sworn you at least six feet."

    "I wish.  Nope, five nine or so.  Looks like about the same as you.  I was probably a head taller than you, your freshman year.  You grew up, and I stopped."  

    With this, he glances over to his brother, who is a little over six feet tall.  Out of nowhere, he stretches his arm up and ruffles up Will's hair.  Will quickly backs away a little.  I never saw him react that way to Jim before.  Sure, he was always a little skittish, but this is worse than that.

    "Don't you just hate it when your baby brother is taller than you?  It just ain't fair."  Jim relents from his teasing.  "Sorry about the hair, Willy"

    "It's all right," Will replies, patting his hair back down.  Jim is the only person I ever remember calling his brother "Willy."  I guess it kind of makes up for Will being the taller of the two.

    "Actually, I do know something about that."

    "JIM!  No one said you'd be coming!" Rick is yelling as he bounds down the stairs to meet Jim in a hug of his own.  My mountain of a brother trailing, with Pete just popping up at the top of the stairs, flattening his shorts, probably checking for spots.  I swear, he would wear those things in the middle of winter.  I've seen him to it, too.

    "Hi Rick.  Yo, Pete." Jim gives a heads up to the stairs a Pete joins us.  The two huggers fist pump.  I never knew why they do that.

    "Jim, this is my own "little" brother, Sam Burton."  I give a nod to Sam, who is standing back in the doorway, face glued to his phone.  He barely gives us a nod.

    "Whoa.  He is something else.  Talk about brotherly differences.  He must be thinking about college b-ball, if not pro."  Jim says.

    "No, swimming," Sam replies in monotone.

    "He might be the next Micheal Phelps," I chime in.

    "Or not," Sam shoots back as he strolls into the living room and plops and on chair.

    "Okay.  Let's join Sam and get things started.  Remember, there's an eighteen year old present, so try to be a little tame.

    We walk to the kitchen, although a see Jim hang back a bit and drop something in the entry before joining us in the kitchen.

    "Will, you should have told me you were bringing Jim.  How did you keep this a secret?"  Rick asks as he gets a drink.

    "It was kind of last minute.  Jim was supposed to go on vacation last week, but he had an emergency involving one of his close patients.  So, he switched things around.  His wife and kids will be in tomorrow for the dinner, and they will be off to Florida the next day to visit our parents and Uncle Dave. Then, it's theme parks, non-stop.  Bev will be in tomorrow too, with Todd.  Then, we're off to San Fransisco for some touring before my psychiatrist seminar starts on Monday.  I just wish I had something better to offer.  I have had an idea, but I don't think it is a good one." Will sits down on the chair across from Rick who is on the couch.

    Suddenly, Pete pulls me aside.

    "I know this is kind of sensitive, but if you need any advice about, the bedroom and all, feel free to ask.  You know, there's a lot more to it than 'Insert tab A into slot B.  Repeat as needed.'" Pete tries to be quiet, but I'm sure Jim has heard him.

    "Uh, thanks, but Addie and I have been sleeping together for over a year now.  In fact, I've been active since collage."

    Jim all but does a spit-take as he overhears my answer.

Poetry in Notions, Part III

If Wishes Were Real

By Toby Weingarten

Never make a wish, unless you really mean to

Because wishes are really quite miraculous

They should never be used on the trivial few

Or on things that are considered too frivolous.

You need to save them up until the time is right

Announce them to the whole wide world, so loud and clear.

Erupting in a shower of triumphant light

Erasing every single doubt and dark fear.

An explosion composed of your hopes and dreams

At just the right moment to change a dismal life

For the darkness is never as dark as it seems

With love and fortune more common than pain and strife.

If wishes were real, in such a dazzling display,

Then what would happen, if you made a wish today.

Poetry in Notions, Part II

 No Rest for the Wicked

By Toby Weingarten

He refuses to release the grasp on his blade

Although his muscles ache terribly.

His breathe soon becomes more regular

As his racing pulse calms down.

“The scholars were wrong,” he thinks,

There was no fire in this beast’s belly

Only barrels of blood and gore, 

Slowly spilling out in a crimson bruise

Spreading along the ground.

Amethyst shimmers in the pool as it congeals

With a reflection of the sapphire sky.

The drake had been ravishing the countryside

For many a week, taking what little to be had

Among the lonely farmers far from the towns.

Livestock mostly, and the occasional child, or twelve,

As who could say who was missing and who was not.

The call to arms went straight to the king, 

Many leagues away form the dangers

Of the open fields and valleys.

He sent many to their deaths to end

The creature’s terror, til only one remained.

He survived by waiting, watching, even as

The drake flew off with his fellow knights

As each one fell to its powerful blows.

He learned how each emerald scale

Snaked over the neck, wings, and tail,

But not the belly, where larger golden scales

Stretched over the swollen stomach.

That day, with storm clouds threatening for the night,

He boldly strode to the meadow where his fellows lost

Their lives to the the drake, its claws and fangs.

Yet, never a flame, not even a spark.

The knight jggust stood his ground, as the beast

Flew once again towards its foe,

But the knight just raised his arms

As the drake drew near, with the sword by his side

And a hook hidden behind his wrist.

The barb drew deep into the bloated belly

And stayed, even as the beast and knight flew off

Over the treetops and towards the lone hill where

The beast’s den must lay.

The knight drew his sword, with his off-hand,

And sank it straight into the flesh, between the soft scales.

He held on, as the drake crashed into tree after tree

Raging and rolling, but the knight stayed on.

One final thump, off the hillside onto the ground below.

The beast had lost; it would never harm the land again.

The knight quickly leapt to his feet, in the middle

Of his revelry, as a gurgling belch arose from the 

Beast’s gaping mouth—a trickle of garnet blood 

Oozed out, adding to the drying pool on the ground.

The forest will return, he thinks, the tree will grow back,

But the blossoms will cover the fields first.

All that was left is to search the lair, a cave 

In the hillside right behind him.

Maybe find the stolen riches, one of those lost

Or at least their remains if lucky.

She watches from the shadows, at her mate’s murderer.

She feels the fires trying to ignite, a gift she never shared.

Just another human to steal the gold lining her nest

Or to rob her of another precious hatchling.

One quick bite, then the mourning begins.

Her brood could use an extra snack. 

ADDICTION

By Toby Weingarten

Don’t go out tonight, dear.

I have all that you need.

You have nothing to fear.

Upon me, you may feed.

I let you take my hand.

Let me feel your cool kiss.

Give in to the demand.

Now, I fall into bliss.

I feel your teeth bite deep

To take all that you may.

Into you mouth, I seep

Until the break of day.

I stay awake all night

Although I get so weak.

You leave at the first light

Without the need to speak.

 

I have taken your thirst

In your life eternal..

My blood was not your first

Now that you’re infernal.

I feel my soul afire.

You shall live forever.

My lover, vampire.

He will leave me never.

Poetry in Notions, Part I

  This Is Not a Life

      By Toby Weingarten

Do you see me here, waiting in the wings

For a cue that will never come?

I should be on the stage, strutting 

With the stars, pausing for applause

After each grand gesture or epic flail.

But I’m not.

I tried out for the lead, I was perfect for the part.

I should know.  I wrote it for myself alone

But I wasn’t good enough for the role.

So, here I stand, barely an extra in the crowd,

Blending into the background, not even needed.

Ignored by all.

Do they, the audience, even know what’s missing, 

As they laugh and cry, boo and hiss at the heel?

Yet, I was not good enough to be the ME 

They wanted to see, performed by real people

And not the pretender who wrote the words

That they hear.

I should leave.  I’m right by the rear door,

Just a few steps away.  Maybe five, or six.

A quiet passage, no one cares to watch my way

I wouldn’t be missed, but I dare not.

There’s still another act to be shown,

A final scene

So amazing and brilliant that it can’t be missed.

Not even by those who aren’t a part of it.

I must be there, somehow and some way

Perhaps an edit, or two.  I am still part of this show

No matter what has come before it, I will be there

For the end.

This is not a life, not the one that I wanted or wrote,

But this is what I have, and I will not give up on it.

Chasing the Perfect Storm

By Toby Weingarten

Darkening skies bring me delight,

Clouds streaking high above me.

A brisk wind tickles my face

Sending thrills throughout my body.

Rain races down to a waiting field,

Great rivulets of life flow rampant.

Blazing lights flash, then disappear.

A distant drum adds to the pageant.

Sparks twirl in their lively dance,

Darting through the joyful gale.

Icy spheres keep a cheerful beat

As they bounce along the dale.

A trumpet blare marks the arrival,

Squealing higher in anticipation.

The triumphant return draws near

For his majesty’s exaltation.

“I am tornado, king of storms.

Watch me stride across the land.

Bringer of fortune and blessed change.

Pay heed to my every command.”

Gone in seconds, a glorious ruin,

Leaving blank canvas to remake.

What beautiful destruction, nature’s fury,

A sweet nightmare while still awake.