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?!?!