Accidents Happen - 15. Chapter 15 - The Fun Never Stops

Chapter 15 – The Fun Never Stops

Charlie could feel the heat on his cheeks. Oh my God. No wonder I couldn’t find a ring. He is gay! The news wasn’t making him upset, but it did make him nervous in the pit of his stomach.

“Um,” began Charlie rather shyly and softly. “You know I did bring dessert.”

Scott looked Charlie up and down than smiled widely. Charlie blushed even more deeply.

“I meant I brought dessert for everyone.”

Scott began to laugh. Charlie looked at him and then realized what had been suggested by his comment, which just made it worse. His blush felt like it was on fire now. It seemed as though it was going to be one of those times when no matter what he said he was just going to get himself further into trouble.

“Relax, Charlie. It is just us.”

Charlie nodded and stayed silent. He watched as Scott smiled and led him back out into the bookstore. Since Nick had opened the store back up there were a few people wandering around. Charlie felt better knowing he was no longer alone with Scott.

“You know, Charlie, you haven’t really said anything.”

“About?”

“Me.”

Charlie looked at Scott. Once again he felt those intense blue eyes pin him to the spot he stood in. What could he say? God, I really need time to process this. I mean what does he want me to say?

“It’s okay,” Scott said softly. He walked to the front of the store and began rummaging around under the counter looking for something.

Charlie was totally confused. What is okay? What is he talking about?

A moment later, Scott was back and was carrying something in his hands. The bright smile and warmth that had surrounded Scott all night seemed somehow dim now. Charlie wasn’t sure why, but he knew he was the cause.

“This is the book I plan to use to next, Charlie. Please, take it. I’ll see you at program then?”

“Of course you will. I wouldn’t miss it. I’m always happy to do anything that helps the kids.”

“Right, anything for the kids.”

Charlie looked up. Scott had sounded strange but he turned as Charlie tried to check his face. Without another word Scott waved and headed off to the back room.

“Hey, Charlie. Thanks for a great night. The boss man was the happiest I’ve seen him in a while.”

Charlie looked up and smiled at Nick.

“It was nice meeting you, Nick. I hope to see you when I get back here for the programs.”

“Oh, I thought …”

Charlie never did get to find out what Nick had been thinking about because the door opened and a large family came in. The children were loud and talking while their parents tried hard to keep them together. Taking the opportunity, Charlie slid out the door and into the night.

It was much cooler now. November had started out so warm, but now the nights were finally showing a definite chill to them. Charlie walked slowly to his car. Something had been going on after Scott made his announcement. Charlie knew that much, but what it was he had no clue. Just what the hell was I suppose to say to him? I really need to go home and think about all this.

The drive home was done in silence. His mind kept mulling things over and he couldn’t come to a comfortable conclusion about any of it. He parked and walked toward his apartment while a dozen different things flew through his mind.

He grabbed his key and was about to open his door when he saw the note taped to it. Sliding it off, he opened the door and collapsed into one of the chairs at the table. I wonder what kind of trouble I have caused Scott now.

He sat lost in thought turning the note over and over in his hand. Finally, he noticed what he was holding and opened it.

Hi Chuck,

Stopped by and hoped to catch you, but evidently you finally went out. When did that happen? I mean you never go out. Anyway I will swing by to see you tomorrow. I sort of need to talk to you buddy. Hope all is well. Sorry about Tina.

Ted

Ted was looking for him and Charlie didn’t know what to make of that. Ted called him about once a month to keep them close. He was always filling Charlie in on the latest job he applied for, the latest sexual conquest – whether it was male or female. Ted had joked he was a tri-sexual; He would try anyone once, twice if they were good. He seemed to still be making friends wherever he went, but all his ex’s loved him anyway.

Well, my night can’t get much stranger. Charlie wandered into his bedroom and began grabbing clothing to wear for bed. Then he took them into the bathroom. He knew he wasn’t exactly dirty but he hoped the steam from the shower would help to make the tension he was feeling ease. Charlie shampooed his head and then just stood under the hot water letting it clean off the soap. While he tried to rest his mind the heat and water worked to relax his tired muscles.

The water eventually turned cold and Charlie was forced out to face the world again. He dried himself off and slipped into his night clothes. Then he padded out to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of milk. Oh, I forgot the cake pan there with Scott. Ah, I’ll pick it up when I see him next.

Charlie curled up on the couch and flipped through the channels. He wasn’t sure what he wanted, but he was wound up. He knew rest wouldn’t come easy. The only thing working in his favor was that it was Friday night. Finally finding an old comedy, Charlie curled up on the couch and soon fell asleep.

His dreams that night were all over the place. He dreamed of Rick Junior talking about his boyfriend, half way through the story Rick morphed into Becca. Now she was going on about how Nita really wanted a fancy wedding up in Connecticut because New York just wouldn’t recognize their devotion. The dream altered as his mother walked in and asked him to explain why she had a man with hole in his chest pinned to the wall. Charlie didn’t know what she meant till she pointed behind him and all he could see were Scott’s blue eyes. The sad and haunted look woke Charlie up.

The television was still on, but now some advertisement was on trying to sell some glow in the dark crayons for kids. Charlie just flipped the television off and looked at the clock hanging on the wall. It was ten after three in the morning. Well he was awake now, so he figured he would get something done.

Charlie picked up his glass and saw the milk had dried around the inside as headed into the kitchen. The dishes were all neatly piled there from the cake he had made earlier. Turning on the sink he filled it with hot water and began doing up the dishes. It was busy work for his hands but his mind was left to wander.

I’ve seen that look on Scott’s face, that sad one from my dream. I had seen it tonight in fact, when he asked me about what he told me. How do I feel? So he’s gay. That doesn’t bother me at all. Becca is gay. Rick Junior is bisexual. Hell even Ted is bisexual. To me it makes no more difference than what color hair someone has. So what did he want me to say? God, I am so confused.

The dishes were finished in no time at all. Charlie figured he might as well try and get some real rest in his bed. He killed the lights in the living room and headed back to his bedroom. It wasn’t long till he was deep asleep again and the dreams began.

This time Charlie dreamed he was in a bubble. He could see everyone, but no one could see or hear him in his bubble. He watched as his father walked over and hugged his mother. Then he watched as Becca was walking hand in hand with Nita talking about plans for their wedding. Again the scene changed and he was watching Bobby and Jeanette as they curled up on their couch to watch television together. It was upsetting to see the people he cared about and them not see or hear him, but so far he hadn’t been too crazy. Then Scott was there. He stood alone and walked away from Charlie’s bubble as quickly as he could. When that happened, Charlie found himself trying to go after Scott. The bubble wouldn’t let him go and soon he watched as Scott vanished from sight.

Charlie woke shortly after six am. It didn’t pay to go back and try to sleep some more. He knew he would be out of sorts but figured he might as well start his day. He stumbled into the bathroom and went about taking care of the calls of nature before shaving and brushing his teeth. He felt his way to the kitchen and started up the pot of coffee. He had no sooner grabbed his coffee mug out of the cabinet when there was a knock on the front door. Now who the hell is that at this hour of the morning, on a Saturday no less!

“Chuck, open up!” came the muffled voice through the door.

Oh lord. He sounds drunk.

Charlie opened the door to find Ted barely standing in the doorway. His eyes were bloodshot and his normal smile was instead a tight line across his. From even a few feet away Charlie could tell Ted had been drinking all night. His clothes smelled like a brewery and the smell of smoke clung to him as well.

“My god, Ted. What the hell were you drinking last night? Get in here before you fall down.”

Ted stumbled in, grabbed Charlie in a hug and began to cry. Charlie stood there stunned holding him in the doorway.

“Chuck, I so fucked everything up. I don’t,” Ted began before sobbing uncontrollably. Charlie kicked his front door closed and led Ted to the couch. He managed to get him to sit down and then grabbed a few tissues which he pressed into Ted’s hands. He had never seen Ted this upset. Ted was usually the life of the party. He was always trying to get Charlie to lighten up and live life. What on earth could have Ted this upset?

Charlie sat with his arm around Ted letting his friend cry himself out. It took a while, but then Ted was just letting little gasps go. Charlie eventually dragged him into the bathroom, helped him strip and held him under the shower to wash the smell of sweat and alcohol off of Ted. Then Charlie wrapped him in a towel and tucked him into his own bed. He wandered back into the bathroom and took the clothing into his kitchen where he tossed them into his small washing machine. Leaning back against the counter he wondered what else could possibly happen today. There was another knock at the door.

See, I knew no good deed goes unpunished. What am I in for now?

Charlie looked out the peephole only to see his mother. Before he could figure out why she would be there, Barbara moved aside slightly and exposed a very black and blue Rick Junior. I’m really growing to hate mornings.