Welcome back to another chapter of my story. I hope everyone is enjoying it so far. This chapter is the beginning of the second 'arc' of the story. As of right now it looks like the story will be ending around chapter 10, but if the 'ratings' go up who knows. LOL!
Please let me know what you think at leoinbama@gmail.com
Under your Spell
By Lee McDougal
Chapter 5
But is it Art?
I rushed through the valley looking for cover, but there was none. The sparks were flying to the left and to the right of me. I knew it wouldn't be long. I turned back to shoot, but it was too late. The blue sparks hit me and I was done for.
"I told you I'd get you this time!" Brody said laughing.
"Whose bright idea was it to play laser tag with our new powers anyway?" I asked.
"That would be you my love. Something about precision and speed I think?" Brody bragged.
"Whatever, like moving the playing field to a great big cavern with no place to take cover was fair?" I asked him.
"Yeah I thought that was a rather nice touch. Not quite the Grand canyon, but you have to admire the view!" Brody said.
"I suppose it doesn't suck." I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around him.
"So what was the deal again, oh yeah winner buys lunch." Brody said and opened a door that seemed to appear from nowhere.
"Was that even a real place?" I asked Brody as we appeared back in his living room.
"I'm not sure to be honest. I just imagined it and there we were." Brody told me.
"Interesting, I liked the door thing you added there at the end. Since we walked right into your living room from the door, it would look mostly normal if anyone had been in your house." I said.
"That was what I was aiming at." Brody said.
It had been a few days since we were told to practice our power, and we had done just that. There seemed to be very few limitations to what we could do. We knew that some things were just wrong, and we wouldn't cross those lines. For example we both agreed we wouldn't try to bring anyone back from the dead. Time travel was way too messy so we avoided that. We also agreed to never transport ourselves to places that are usually packed out with people. The less people that knew about us, the better-Daniel was right on the money about that. We have however perfected the ability to make ourselves invisible so we could go to places that were semi-populated, just as long as we picked a good moment to appear. We have almost stopped using our cars for anything other than things like Brody going to work. He had to keep up appearances there, and if we went to see members of our families we would drive for the same reasons.
That last part was particularly hard on Brody. He wanted so bad to be able to go pop in to see his parents and sister. We decided that at some point once he could take the time off work, we would go see them. I was looking forward to meeting them.
"So where do you want to eat at? I could always try to poof something up!" I said excited about trying something new.
"It seems less romantic that way. I want to go out and show you off!" Brody said.
"Somewhere gay friendly then?" I asked.
"Yeah, that would be a plus. How about Landon's it's in Arrow. It's not very far away, so we could even drive there." Brody suggested.
"Good idea. That's the same city Rob lives in. If we get there around 3 we can probably head to the art show for there." I suggested.
"Great idea! With all that's happened this week I almost forgot about the show." Brody admitted.
"Ditto, I haven't put much thought into it either. It'd be nice if someone bought one of my paintings." I said.
"I would if I could afford it. I love your work!" Brody said.
"You know I wouldn't be able to charge you babe. Besides as often as I'm with you I'd be seeing anything you bought more often than before." I joked.
"I know you would give me the world if I asked for it babe, but you also need money from time to time. We all do." He said kissing me softly on the lips.
"Fine, if you ever really just have to have a painting I'll make out a payment plan for you then."
"I think that is agreeable enough. For now I'm just happy to have you, and a rather nice painting of you as well." Brody said referring to his birthday gift.
He had hung my likeness in his living room, and I had done the same with the painting of him at my place. I often wondered what we'd do if we moved in together in the future. Would we put them on opposite walls and make them have a stare down? Or place them next to each other. That sounds better. Brody and me together.
"Where did you wonder off to that time?" Brody asked laughing at me.
"I was just thinking about us." I said smiling.
"My favorite subject! So should we head out now? It's like over an hour drive to Arrow." Brody said.
"I guess so. I'm pretty hungry too. I may have to nibble on you if the service is slow." I warned.
"Promises, promises." Brody responded and we headed for my car.
"I hope you don't mind driving for a change, because I'm not too crazy about driving in the city." Brody said.
"No, it's fine. I need to keep in practice after all. You at least drive to work every day." I said.
The drive into the city was relatively easy going. We didn't run into any serious traffic till we were nearing the exit that would take us to Landon's. Landon's was a steak house that catered to a mixed crowd of both straight and gay couples. The people in that area of Arrow were very open minded and accepting of people of all walks of life. Rob tried to talk me into moving there all the time, but I didn't really want to move. Now that I had Brody though, the idea did seem more attractive. Before it seemed like asking for trouble being around happy gay couples, me being single.
Lunch was quite nice. Brody and I had a booth, and there was a candle on the table. Brody asked the waiter to light it, and it just made the mood that much more romantic. At desert Brody fed me bites of his cheesecake and we would kiss after ever few bites. It was amazing being able to be so open with our love in public. I had never experienced anything like it. I felt like the world stopped when we danced on the dance floor shortly after that.
"This is like a dream. I saw a movie once where this young gay couple danced in the street for everyone to see, and I remember thinking how brave and romantic that was. This may not be the street, but honestly it's a fantasy fulfilled." I said as I kissed Brody on the dance floor.
"'Beautiful Thing' I believe is what you are referring too. I love that movie too." Brody said and kissed me again.
"You know you are too much. I can't believe you know that film. Are you sure you want to go to the show tonight? We could probably just call Rob tomorrow and find out how it went?" I asked. In all honesty I would have rather went home and made some.magic with Brody.
"We promised we'd be there, and besides I want to support you in every aspect of your life. Art is your job, and I want to be a part of that world too." Brody said.
"Just as long as you go dancing again with me tonight, at home." I said.
"It's a deal!" Brody said as he grabbed my ass on the dance floor.
"You better stop or we really won't make that art show." I laughed.
We arrived at the art Show a few minutes late, and were very pleased to see that the turn out was wonderful. We had barely walked through the door when Rob signaled us over to him.
"There you two are! I was starting to think you wouldn't show." Rob kissed me on the cheek and hugged Brody.
"We wouldn't miss it for the world." Brody said.
"It looks like a lot of people showed up. That has to be good right?" I asked.
"It is indeed. Not only that, Anthony, one of your paintings already sold." Rob told us.
"Which one? Wow that's awesome!" I asked.
"The red room, you really need to tell me the story behind that painting, because the buyer seemed to know a lot more than me! He seemed to know you I think?" Rob asked.
"What was his name?" I asked worried.
"Allen something.I'd have to look up his last name." Rob said.
"Don't bother. I know. Is he still here?" I asked.
"Why yes, I think he wanted to talk to you. Is there a problem?" Rob asked seeing my expression.
"No, it's fine. I just didn't expect to run into him here, or really anywhere for that matter." It had been 3 or 4 years since I had talked to Allen, and I wasn't exactly thrilled to hear he was here.
"What's going on babe?" Brody asked after Rob left to work the room some more.
"Allen is what happened to me at your birthday party when we were 17. I met him there at the party, and we hit it off. We spent most of the night talking in what I can only assume was your father's den that night. We were together for a long time-off and on. I can't talk about it right now, but the short version is he really fucked me up for a long time. He's not a good person. I didn't much like me when I was around him either." I told him.
"Do you want to go?" Brody asked.
"No, the best thing I can do is to deal with him. If he's trying to weasel his way back into my life, then I have to stop it now." I said.
"Do you want me to come with you?" He asked.
"Give me five minutes, and if I haven't already come to find you, then you come get me. I don't want to waste this night fighting with a jerk like him." I told Brody and kissed him on the cheek.
"You got it. I'll be waiting Anthony." Brody said and I walked around till I spotted him.
He was looking at the painting he had purchased. I felt a mix of emotions as I approached him. I felt nervous, and almost afraid, because Allen was no joke. He has lied to me so many times, and almost every time I would fall for it. I knew it would be different this time.
"Allen what are you doing here?" I asked trying not to show any emotion about the situation either way.
"I heard you were a part of the show. I always admired your work, so I came to see it." Allen lied.
"You never cared for my work! You always put it and me both down whenever you got a chance. " I said letting my anger out. Damn, mistake one.
"I never put you down Anthony. I may have never built you up the way you needed, but you are going a bit far with it don't you think?" Allen asked.
"Right, the half digs were just fun and games. Never mind, I didn't come to argue with you. I just want to know how I can hasten your exit from here." I said.
"I suppose I can go now. I have the painting I wanted. That room, I will never forget all the nights we spent there. It's a shame that house burnt down." Allen said.
"So you want to remember us fondly, that's so sweet. Does your wife know you are spending her money on memorabilia of your past lover?" I asked obviously catching Allen by surprise.
"How did you know about her?" Allen asked.
"We live in a small town. My well intentioned family let me know about you, her, and your son. I told them I didn't care, but I have to admit the whole thing seemed really fucked up to me. I know you well enough to know you aren't straight Allen. How long before you break your family in two?" I asked him.
"It's already happened. I left Susan two weeks ago. I messed up. When I lost you I guess I went crazy. Listen I want you back!" And there it was the punch line to the joke that was Allen.
"I've moved on Allen. And unlike you I am with someone I really love. I know I said I loved you back then, but I never knew what love was till I met Brody." As it was Brody walked over to us just then.
"I didn't mean to eavesdrop babe, but I have to say the feeling is most definitely mutual. I never have cared for anyone as much as you." Brody said and kissed me there for God and everyone to see.
Allen turned and walked away. He was never willing to be "gay" in public. It was nice to see some things haven't changed.
"So do you think he'll leave you alone now?" Brody asked.
"I doubt it. Rejecting him has always been a sure bet to get him to want me more. It was when I took him back that he would get gone fast. I think we better keep our eye out for him to pull any trick he can come up with." I told Brody.
"I think we can pull more tricks than he could ever imagine babe." Brody said, and he was right. What could stop us now?
Suddenly the lights went out. I grabbed Brody's hand. It was so dark I could hardly see anything.
"What's going on? Is it a blackout?" I asked.
"I don't know. It seems unnaturally dark. And I don't hear anyone at all." Brody said.
At that moment I didn't feel his hand anymore. "Brody, where are you?" The lights came back on and everything was back to normal. Save for the fact Brody wasn't there.
"Brody? Brody! Brody!" I screamed and I heard it-some kind of evil laughter. It seemed like it came from everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
"Anthony what's going on?" Allen said coming back.
"What did you do to Brody? If you hurt him I swear!" I started.
"Anthony calm down. What do you think I did? I was leaving, but then I heard you scream and I rushed back." Allen said.
"When the lights went out, something happened." I tried to explain.
"The lights didn't go out Tony. What are you talking about?" He asked.
"You know I hate it when you call me that, and yes they did. There was a blackout or something." I argued.
"No, the lights were on all night dear. Please try to calm down, you are making a scene." Rob said arriving just then.
I realized then that something supernatural must have happened. I didn't want to think what it could possibly be at the moment. However I knew I had to get out of there and start looking for Brody.
"I guess I was mistaken then. I have to go. Thanks Rob for letting me be apart of your show. I have to go. AS FOR YOU! Stay the hell away from me!" I said looking Allen in the eyes.
To be continued
Wow, Anthony sure doesn't like Allen. Does it make you wonder what all went on between the two of them? Is Allen a representation of a real life situation the author faced? Is there really toothpaste that can prevent tooth decay while whitening? Who am I supporting to win the 2008 presidential election? Please send thoughts, comments, or questions to leoinbama@gmail.com