Hi Everyone!
Sorry about the wait. I've been busy with work and to be honest, I've had a writer's block ever since the last chapter. It wasn't until recently that I finally got back into writing again. I'm hoping that once my summer funk goes away, I can focus more time on writing again. But for now I hope you guys enjoy the chapter of this story.
Chapter 29: An Old Friend
"Carver, Fang, now pull the ends taut please," Al said as we laid the lavender colored tablecloth across the outdoor dining table. "Good, good...what's next? Oh right, the settings! Boys, would you mind helping a girl out?"
Carver and I grabbed our next group of settings, him with the plates and me with the cutlery. Carver started us off setting down four plates clockwise and I followed up setting down the cutlery behind him, forks on the left and the knives and spoons on the right. It was unusually fun as we went around the table setting these down with Al as the conductor of sorts. Al came over last minute as a favor to Aggie and he was more than happy to oblige. Something about how he loves sprucing ordinary spaces up. As we finished our rounds, we watched as she directed Al to a box of slightly worn down black candles finished with sparkly gold glitter and dried up drips of wax all along the sides while she held a few bone white resin skull-shaped candle holders and a worn goat skull that I can't tell whether its a real life skull or just another one made out of resin. I didn't really want to ask. They both arranged their set up in the center. Once Al had done his part he stepped back as Aggie rearranged the candles to her liking, setting one on each of the human skulls. She then lit all of them and proceeded to clasp her hands across her chest. She mouthed the word "perfect" as her eyes lit up at tonight's tablescape, perfect for an old goth like her or what the little kids around here call her, "The Hilltop Witch".
"What do you boys think? Is it too much?" she asked.
"Oh honey absolutely not! This is everything! Absolutely screams the both of you," Al said pointing to me and Aggie. "Not to put the focus on me or anything but I feel a little out of place here. If I knew we were going in this direction, I would have gone the Elvira route...or The Crypt Keeper."
Al was dressed in full drag, big blonde hair from the eighties and a skin tight dress dripping in rhinestones. He...or is it she in this case? Well they look expensive. I don't think I've ever seen him in this light before. He doesn't exactly have any pictures of him in drag posted around his store. I guess I get it. Most of the people here would probably frown upon it or possibly thrown an irrational fit over it and I would hate it if his business took a nosedive in the pits of Hell because of it.
"It certainly looks fancy," I answered. I couldn't really think of any other words to call it. I don't think I've ever seen a well decorated table setting like this since my parents' old business parties. Doubt my birth parents would ever be down for something like this. They're more traditionalists.
"It's beautiful Grandma, just like someone I know," Carver praised holding me by his side. "Is there anything else you need from us?"
"Hm," she replied as her gaze trailed off looking through one of the windows where Grandpa George can be seen talking on the phone. It's been a minute. "Give me one second boys."
She then waltz back in to converse with him leaving the three of us out back.
"I'm not going to lie to you Al, but you look very pretty tonight," Carver complimented him.
"Aw why thank you Carver. I must admit it's been far too long since I've gone out like this. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I was two hours into painting my face. This old girl is a little rusty," he admitted.
"Old? You're not old."
"Oh you stop it!" he giggled. "You always know what to say to make an old girl like me feel better. You better hold on tight to this one Fang. He's a keeper."
"He's got nothing to worry about. I'm not going anywhere without him."
"Good! That's what I like to hear."
"So what's the occasion or did you just want to show off to us kids?" Carver laughed.
"Oh nothing fancy. I'm hosting a show tonight at Devour."
"Devour? What's Devour?" I asked curious. "I've never heard of a place called Devour and I've been here my whole life. Unless it's some secret underground thing only adults know about. It's not some secret satanic temple where you guys sacrifice goats or whatever is it?"
"You have such a wild imagination Fang, but no. I heard it's a really fun gay nightclub in Azure, but I don't know. I've never been. One of my clients up there was telling me about it and now I'm the drag mother of a drag daughter. It's a long story. Anyway I would love to bring you two with me but I don't think we'll be able to get Fang through the door even with a fake ID. Carver, maybe fifty fifty. Do you think you could grow out a beard in say...six hours?"
Carver and I shared a look. Does Al not know about our current situation? We haven't seen Al recently so it'd make sense if he wasn't briefed about our situation.
"I'm kidding! Y'all are too cute. I'll make sure to have someone record the show tonight so you two can watch it later," he giggled to himself, pinching our cheeks. Suddenly Al's phone rang and he said, "Sorry, I have to take this."
He walked all the way to the other side of the yard. Whatever it was, I don't think he wanted us to listen in. But maybe that wasn't his thought at all because whoever he was talking to, he was very chatty and loud. I bet I could hear him even with my music on full blast.
"What do you think that's all about?" I asked nudging Carver.
"About whom? Chatty Kathy over there or my grandparents?"
"Them," I said pointing at his grandparents who were absolutely silent, but very clearly conversing with someone on the other line. Didn't know their house was that soundproof that we can't even hear them from outside. I wonder if they can even hear Al? Maybe not. They don't seem the least bit phased.
"I don't know. But he's been on the phone for a while right? You think maybe an hour? He's not much of a talker so to see him like this is...strange. Who do you think it is?"
"Mm I don't know. I don't really know your grandpa all that well besides him being the mayor at one point in time. But it has to be someone he knows. I mean look at him. He's laughing up a storm in there. Oh my god...look at your grandma. Is that a—is she shimmying...slowly?!"
"Should we be worried?" he asked dryly looking down at me.
"Very. It may not be too late to go back to my place although it may not be much better."
"Why? What's wrong with your place?"
"Mr. Lane might be there...you don't want to know," I said shuddering.
"What? Do you have a problem with our English teacher now or—wait, did you...you know, see something?"
"Not gonna go into it but um my ears will forever be unclean. I just had to pause my music. I couldn't press play any faster to save my life, believe me," I confessed unfortunately remembering the sheer horror of hearing my mom and my teacher getting into it. There should be a rule about not doing the deed when kids are around or at least in earshot range.
"Sorry Babe," he giggled as he patted my shoulder.
"It's not funny. Watch, if you walk in on your grandparents getting down to business, you'll get no sympathy from me, hmph," I said crossing my arms and sticking my tongue out at him.
"Don't be like that. I'm sorry I laughed. It was funny even you have to admit that. If it weren't you, you'd be dying too."
"Mhm, remember zero sympathy."
"I can think of a few ways to change your mind," he said stepping behind me, his hands crawling down my arms, only to stop at my sides and suddenly tickling my sides.
"Ca-Carver! St-St-Stop!" I cried trying to push his hands away from me.
"Not until you take it back," he giggled continuing his fury.
"O-O-Okay, okay! I give up! Infinite sympathy!" I cried.
"Good boy," he smiled patting my head.
"Good boy," I mocked in a deeper pitch. "We'll see who's a good boy later."
"What was that?"
"Nothing!" I quickly said with a grin.
"Uh huh," he said deadpan. Pretty sure he heard me. I'm going to regret saying that out loud, I'm sure of it.
"Hey, can we go in? It's a little nippy out here."
"Wait, you're cold? I thought you were the type where `the cold never bothered you anyway'?" he joked.
"Fine, I'll just sit by the candles," I whined as I sat close to the lit candles on the table. "And I am that type...I just don't have a jacket so I'm slightly chilly. But I can handle it."
"I'm kidding! Let's go already," he said opening the door for me.
"Okay but I'm only doing it cause you're being nice not because I can't handle the cold," I said quickly running inside.
"Hey Al, you coming?" Carver hollered.
"I'll be right in!" Al yelled back.
He waited a couple seconds by the door. I think he thought Al would be heading back right at that moment but when he realized that it was going to take a little longer, he shut the door behind him when his grandparents resurfaced from the kitchen with an extra set of plates and cutlery.
"We have wonderful news. We'll be having a plus one tonight. An old friend of ours is moving back here and we thought it'd be a great opportunity to catch up. I hope that's alright with you two. I know we said that it'd just be us tonight but if you two don't mind, we think you'd really enjoy his company and we'd love for him to get to know our grandson and his equally as wonderful boyfriend," Grandma Aggie announced.
"We don't mind, right Fang?" Carver asked.
"Mhm," I nodded.
"Are you sure?" she probed.
"I'm a guest here so my inputs not really important. Besides it's your house, your rules."
"That's not exactly the mindset we have here, kiddo," Grandpa George added. "We can always reschedule if you boys aren't comfortable with this sudden announcement. With everything that's happened recently, we understand."
"N-No really, it's fine. I kinda wanna live up to your expectations...as weird as that sounds coming from me."
"Great! It would have been awkward to call him back to tell him to turn back," he chuckled. "Al, I assume you're staying for dinner as well? Wait where is he?"
"Still outside," Carver said. "He was on the phone with someone."
"Did I hear someone say my name?" Al asked as he opened the back door.
"Well speak of devil, there you are!" George said. "How would you like to join us for dinner tonight? An old friend of ours is moving back tonight and we'd love for you to meet him."
"I'd love to, but as I was telling the boys, I have prior engagements tonight."
"Well that's too bad. I'm sorry to hear that. Maybe next time?"
"Of course! Maybe next weekend?"
"I'll hold you to it."
Suddenly there was a ring at the door taking everyone's focus.
"Oh that must be him!" Aggie squealed in glee. "He's early. That's new. I'll go get the door. Georgie, let's go!"
We all stood there as we heard the door open. What came next were thunderous howls coming out of both his grandparents and their friend's mouths. Carver and I had to cover our ears they were that loud. Al scrunched his face in discomfort and frowned.
"Are y'alls ears ringing or is it just mine," Al ask pulling at his ears.
"I think my ears are bleeding," I whined.
"They're not bleeding but I think my ear drum is shot. Al, I think I have the ringing too," Carver joined in.
"Everyone, hurry gather round!" Aggie said as she poked her head in. She motioned for us to meet up at the front.
When the three of us got there, we were greeted by a man who looked like he could be Grandpa George's brother but with broader shoulders and a torso that reminded me of an upside down triangle that bloated at the bottom, almost like he chugged a few too many beers back in the day but kept the strong physique everywhere else. Instead of snow white hair, he had glossy, obsidian hair with blue undertones slicked back with bushy brows and an even bushier mustache that's screaming seventies porn star underneath a long pointy nose. And Holy Hell he had the brightest gray eyes I have ever seen. I don't know how or why but he looked so much more intimidating than Grandpa George and they were standing side by side.
"Boys, this is my old pal Burt. Burt, these are our ki—."
"I can take it from here, Georgie," Burt said shooing him away. "You must be Carver. I've heard a lot of good things about you. You know you look just like the younger version of this old guy. With looks like that, you're probably quite the lady killer, am I right?"
"U-Uh hehe, thank you?" Carver nervously said scratching the back of his head. "I don't think I'm much of one. I like sticking to the one instead of bouncing around. Besides, I've already found my missing piece."
"Missing piece? Heh, don't be young and naïve. But if you say so. You're missing out. Plenty of prime real estate here if you ask me," he winked.
"Burt," Grandpa George said sternly.
"I'm kidding! Can't take a joke anymore can you Georgie? That's what having kids does to you. You become stiff. And you," he said turning to me.
"M-Me?" I nervously asked.
"You must be Fang. The boyfriend," he said sizing me up. "Although if I weren't told ahead of time, I'd peg you for a girl."
"Uh huh," I replied wide eyed slightly uncomfortable. Why does every recent encounter with an older gentleman leave me with a bad taste in my mouth? And again with the feminine comment. Curses!
"Will you behave Burt?" Aggie yelled swatting his arm. "You're scaring the kids half to death."
"What?" he asked shocked. "Am I scaring you little one?"
Little one? The hell? I have to be polite. I can't react like I usually do. Instead of countering with some sassy attitude, I just shook my head with a smile. Good impressions or whatever.
"See! You worry too much Aggie," he said as he tousled my hair. "You've got a nice head of hair there kid."
"Thanks," I huffed through gritted teeth.
"Uh oh! Maybe I am stepping on some toes. Sorry there kid," he said as he messed with my hair even more.
"Lay off his hair already. Can't you see you're making him uncomfortable?" Carver pointed out.
"Oh sorry kid," he said. "Nervous habit. I swear I'll stop. Man, I'm turning into my old man. Georgie, you know I was never good with kids."
"He's not a kid. Say our names or don't address us at all," Carver growled.
"Whoa this one came out of nowhere!" he chuckled.
"Carver!" George said shocked by his biting tone. "That's not how you treat our guests, no matter how rude and disrespectful they are. But go ahead Burt, apologize."
"Me!? Don't you mean them? I'm the guest here. This one nearly bit my head off all because I said kid one too many times."
Both George and Aggie stood tall with there arms crossed glaring at him as if he'd just killed a puppy or something.
"Fine. I'm sorry ki—I mean Carver, Fang, I'm sorry," he said throwing his hands up.
As soon as his hand left my head, I stepped back and hid behind Carver. I kept my eyes glued at this hulk of a man. I don't know what to make of him but he needs to learn a thing or two about personal space and respect, and probably a lot of other things I don't even know about. Makes me wonder how he's even friends with Carver's sweet grandparents.
"Holy smokes! Who's this?" he said once his eyes met Al's. He reached out to gently grab his hand. He kissed it and introduced himself. "The name's Burt. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Enchanté," he said in a softer, yet higher pitch. "My stage name is Milky Mystère, but my name is Al."
Carver, his grandparents, and I all shared looks. I for one did not know that Al could change his voice like that. I find it weirdly intriguing.
"Stage name? Al?" he said to himself aloud with a confused look on his face. "Oh! You must be one of those special dancers. Al must be short for Ally or Alexis right?"
"Actually Al isn't short for anything. You see, Al is actually a—."
Quickly, Al shoved his open palm right up against Carver's lips.
"Al! What are you—?"
"Don't mind the children. They have...vivid imaginations," he said as he used his other hand to cover my mouth too. "You were saying? Oh right, right, um yes I do dabble in the art of dance. I have a show tonight in the next town over. I could always use an escort, if you don't mind."
"I would love to!" he yelled a little too eagerly. "I-I-I mean I would love to but I—."
"You have prior engagements with old friends? I know. I was there for the whole conversation," he giggled. "Well I should get going. I'm going to be late if I stay here any longer. It was nice meeting you Burt. Maybe I'll see you around town?"
"Definitely. I-I-If you ever have car trouble, I'm opening up shop in a few days. Whatever work you need, I'm your guy," he said proudly yet also with a twinge of nervousness.
"I have an old buggy that's just corroding away in my garage, maybe you could restore it for me?" he asked batting his fake lashes at him.
"I will absolutely take a look and if there's anything that needs to be done, I'll make it a fair price."
"Fair price?"
"O-Or free, for your first time—first visit I mean."
"Mhm, well see you later then first timer," he winked as he strutted out the door.
"What a woman," he announced in awe.
"Burt, there's something I should tell you about Al," Grandpa George interjected.
"Georgie, stay out of it. I think it's nice Burt's caught the attention of someone nice for a once," Aggie said.
"But Aggie, sweetheart. Al's—."
"Not another word. Everyone come along. Burt I have to show you this beautiful tablescape I have out back."
"Aggie, you know I don't care for that sort of thing. Just let me know when dinner's ready."
"But Al helped set it up."
"Well what are we standing here for? Lead the way!"
"That's what I thought you'd say. Let's go boys."
"One second," I said as I could feel my phone vibrating through my skinny jeans.
"Is your phone going off too?" Carver asked as his phone constantly kept dinging. "It's Lu. Why is she texting `hi' over and over?"
"I don't know. I guess we could just text her back to find out."
"We'll be right out Grandma. We just have to talk to Lu for a second."
"Okay, well you come out when you two are ready," she said as she took both George's and Burt's arm and dragged them out.
With the three of them out back, we both texted Lulu back simultaneously. It didn't really make much sense for us to do it that way. I mean we were right next to each other.
"What's up?" Carver and I both texted...more or less.
"I wanted to discuss something with you guys. Are you two free?"
"More or less," Carver texted back in response. I ended up shoving my phone back into my back pocket and just snooped in on the conversation through Carver's phone.
"Great! I'm about to go on my break. Let me know when it's a good time to video chat."
"Okay, I'm going to grab my laptop. Fang's here with me too."
"I know. There's no way it's just coincidence that you both texted back at the same time. Well like I said, just let me know when you guys are ready."
"I'll meet you back upstairs," Carver said as he walked into the direction of his room.
As instructed I walked back up. Fuck it's cold up here. I can already feel the goosebumps popping up all over my arms and the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. Quickly, I shut all the windows that weren't already closed and pushed the balcony doors shut. When in the world did it get so cold up here? It wasn't cold earlier. I was about to walk back down when I saw Carver walking back up with his laptop in one hand and his heavy blue gray comforter, draped against his shoulder.
"Man it's cold up here," Carver admitted as he gently set his laptop on the floor. "Good thing, I grabbed this eh?"
"I was just about to go down there to grab a blanket. Freaking telepath."
"Telepath? Me, I wish. Well sometimes I feel like I can read your mind, but really I just remember someone denying that they were cold while we were outside like ten minutes ago. Thought I'd save a few steps and save the day now."
"I don't know what you're talking about. I wasn't cold. I'm the ice king."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, just take the blanket," he said dropping it over me.
"Love you," I said as I wrapped my body in it.
"Love you too," he said patting the empty spot next to him. "I saved you a spot."
"Thanks," I laughed opening the blanket up so it could share it with him. "By the way, do you think Al knows that Burt thinks he's a biological woman?"
"One hundred percent. I'm pretty sure Al not only knows but will also use it to his advantage. That's probably why he didn't want us to reveal his `secret' earlier. I think he's going to have as much fun with that little piece of information for as long as he can."
"Al's a man eater, isn't he?"
"Mhm. I think the quote unquote lady killer is finally going to meet his match...and I don't even know the guy."
"Thanks for sticking up for me though," I grinned.
"Don't mention it. I've always got your back," he said kissing me on the cheek.
"And I've got yours. I mean it. I-I know we've been avoiding the subject and I'm sorry for bringing it up right this second thus ruining the mood but I've got your back too."
"Appreciate it. Really."
As we sat next to each other enjoying each other's company, our legs entangled between us, we heard a loud ping and an audible vibration that went off in threes.
"Is that your phone or mine?" Carver asked.
"I think both," I said as I looked at my phone. "It's Lulu. Oh right, we were supposed to let her know when we were ready to video chat."
"Oh crap, I already forgot," he said as he flipped his laptop open and booted it up. "H-Hey Lu, hope you haven't been waiting long."
"Finally! My two favorite people," she squealed but then got all serious. "But yes, I've been waiting for like, forever! What took you two so long? Actually you know what? Don't answer that. Don't want to know."
"Would you believe me if I told you that we forgot?" Carver asked.
"Sorry, it was all my fault," I said. "I let the cutesy shit takeover. My bad."
"Uh huh," she said deadpan. "So first things first, how are you Carver, really?"
"I'm good. I think for once I actually mean it though. I know I've said that a couple times already but I promise, I mean it," Carver answered while he held my hand. "I'm so good that I'm going to try out for track when tryouts open."
"Wait really? Track? What made you want to do that? I'm not trying to dissuade you from it. In fact I think you'd be perfect for it. It just kind of seems out of nowhere."
"You can thank Fang. He was the one you suggested I do cross country next year. But why wait for next year, when I can do track this year, you know?"
"Good! That's really good," Lulu responded back with a smile. Behind her was the restaurant jam packed with patrons like always. I can't believe she's able to block out all the noise or even keep her cool through all that. I'm not even there and I can't seem to focus much on the conversation and just on the noise in the background. "I hope you two don't mind but I'm switching topics. Anyone remember the science fair? I know things haven't been great lately and if you guys want to back out that's fine with me. I understand and I'm not going to hold it against either of you. I mean, we don't even have a solid game plan so if you two were to back out it's not like I'm throwing my whole life's work and my dreams away or anything."
"Lu, it's fine. I'm not going to turn away from something that means so much to one of my best friends. And I don't want to speak for Fang but you and I both know that if I'm in, he's in too."
"Fang?" Lulu asked turning to me.
"If it's all good with him, it's all good with me. We're a team after all," I sighed.
"I don't want to pressure you guys though. After everything you two have been through. It'd make sense if you guys didn't want to continue and focus on more important things."
"Think of it this way, when we win, my mind is going to on something completely different. Like celebrating our win! Trust me, powering through this helps me more than me backing out," he explained as he squeezed my hand.
"Well okay then! I was going to say `get comfy' but you two are two steps ahead of me," she said. She took a deep breath and cleared her throat. "I have a few ideas ranging in different tiers of difficulty."
"Oh no, you know I don't do difficult," I whined.
"Let her speak, she hasn't even said anything yet," he said calmly.
"That's right! You let me speak Fang!"
"Alright, alright! Jeez. Continue."
"Ahem," Lulu cleared her throat again. "We have two options: one is relatively easy and won't require that much work but the other one is more challenging."
"You had me at easy and lost me at challenging," I said. "But continue, pretend I didn't just interrupt you."
"As I was saying, option one would be these anti-privacy shields that would flash a bright light whenever there's a camera detected obscuring the view for the person on the other side. I was thinking we could either make a wearable badge or maybe even some sunglasses."
"That sounds doable. What about the other one? The one that you've already decided to do but are asking us just for kicks," Carver asked intrigued.
"Well," Lulu said dragging out the word and looking away from the screen.
"I'm not gonna like this," I mumbled. Carver nudged me again in response.
"Remember that drone that Chambers' kid had? I was thinking we could do something along the lines of somehow interfacing with a drone through a headset or something. It could be used to do regular household chores without even having to get up. Think about it. It could help people who are physically handicapped or even just supplement a new experience!"
"This sounds an awful lot like a VR headset," I pointed out. "Besides can't drones already do that? I mean wasn't Amazon talking about delivering orders through drones?"
"Well yeah, but it hasn't really be done on this level yet. Also I thought that if we used drones we'd gain some kind of favor. I don't know. Maybe it was dumb of me to suggest drones."
"Babe, look what you did," Carver whispered to me.
"What? I-I-I was just saying."
"Lu, if you want to do drones, we'll do drones. We'll be Amazon to the punch."
"Wait really? You think my plan will work?" she asked climbing out of her funk that I accidentally put her in.
"I know it will. We just have to put our heads together. I know we'll come up with something that'll be wildly inventive and innovative. We just have to think outside the box."
"Thanks Carv. Fang, why'd you have to be devil's advocate?"
"Sorry! I was just pointing something out. I didn't think you'd put all your weight on it. But for real, can we go back to the glasses? Maybe do it as a plan B just in case things don't work out as planned? I just don't feel like I'm gonna contribute much to plan A." "Ignore him. He's just being difficult."
"Trust me, I already am," she said.
"Wha—Guys!" I yelled as they continued to ignore me and talk more about the project.
"Alright, I'm going to log off. I'm going to draft up some more plans for this and we'll reconvene at school tomorrow. Sound good?"
"Yeah, I can't wait to get my hands on this! I've never worked on a drone before but I've never strayed away from a challenge before and I'm not going to start now. I mean if it weren't for this one, I'd probably not be up for anymore challenges," he said winking at me.
"What? Why did you just wink at me?"
"Dummy! He obviously means you!"
"M-Me?" I asked pointing to myself. Why would he say that I was a challenge. Well he did like me and I was obvious to it even when everyone kept saying the same thing. "Oh...right."
"So? How about it?" Carver asked. "Want to change your mind about the project? Be a part of the team or are you going to complain again?"
"Fine, but I refuse to do any of the heavy lifting. I'm not good for it anyway. I'll probably do more harm than good," I sighed in defeat. "Sign me up as the human test dummy. I already see it coming from a mile away."
"Don't worry. I'll do all the heavy lifting for you. You just do what you do best, stand there and look pretty."
"Well now you're making me sound like dead weight."
Carver then leaned in to me and whispered, "How about my cute little cheerleader?"
"I-I uh," I stuttered blushing instantly.
"Oh my God, not more of this gay bi boy stuff," Lulu muttered shaking her head at us. "I'm going to let you two go. Bye!"
"Where were we?" Carver asked shutting his laptop close.
"Mm I think you were about to drive off the edge on Rainbow Road," I said shoving the controller into him. "Game on, nerd!"
"Kids! Are you finished up there? Dinner's ready!" Grandma Aggie yelled from downstairs.
"You can add that to the list of `things we forgot' today," I giggled.