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Young and Hungry - For Life - 47. The Smoothest Red You’ve Ever Tasted
Later in the morning, Edward called Craig.
“Hi Edward, thanks for a great meal”
“My pleasure, but I need to ask you a favour”
“Sure, what is it?”
“Raj, that is we, have a problem. You know he wants to transgender but he and Juanito are not talking. Raj slept on the couch last night and left early today. I don’t know where he’s gone”
“That’s awkward, considering he’s only just moved in.\”
“That’s why I want to talk to you. I would happily have him here, but Juanito has not accepted Raj’s decision and won’t have him share the bedroom. I could put him in my study but I know Juanito doesn’t want him in the house at all and I don’t want to set up Raj for more disappointment”
“So how can I help?”
“Would you be able to put him up till we work out something more permanent?”
“Couldn’t he go back home”
“I think that train has left the station”
“I suppose we could put him up in our guest room, but Justin and I have just taken on Caleb full-time”
“That’s good of you, but you’ve got plenty of bedrooms, can’t you squeeze in one more?”
“Space is not a problem, it’s just that I had to convince Justin to agree to this in the first place. He’s happy with having Caleb now, I don’t want anything to upset that arrangement”
“But Raj is one of our own”
“Even so, I can only deal with one situation at a time. Justin is still a bit fragile over your book and Caleb is our top priority.”
“Alright, I’ll put Raj up in my study for now and give Juanito a stern talking to”
“OK and thanks for understanding” Craig concluded.
<>
“Who was that..?” asked, a naked Justin, just out of the shower.
“Edward, Raj needs a home”
“I thought he lived with his parents”
“He does...that is he did...he moved in with Juanito yesterday”
“So, how many homes does he need?”
“There’s a situation I haven’t had the opportunity to tell you about yet. You took me by surprise last night”
“That’s right, you said something happened at the party and I was too distracted by my own problems”
“That’s fine. Now I’ll make tea while you put on some pants, then I’ll tell you all about Raj”
<>
Craig explained all the events of the previous night regarding Raj.
“Wow, that is a shock. Did you have any idea about this before?”
“None at all, it’s right out of the blue”
“So how did Juanito take this news?”
“Not well, that’s why Edward’s asked us to put him up here”
“Oh, just what we need, another homeless person” replied Justin. “Welcome to Craig’s refugee camp”
“Stop it!” Craig demanded “This is our friend, whom I promised to support in his journey. Now are we going to refuse him help, the first time he asks?”
“It’s your home, I suppose you can do what you like”
“NO! It may belong to my Gran but it’s our home and don’t ever forget that. Besides, I haven’t agreed to take him yet”
“Oh, that’s alright then”
“However, I’m not sure that the accommodation arrangements at Edwards will work out, because Juanito has not accepted Raj’s decision and it might become difficult for them. If that’s the case, we might have to reconsider and offer him a room here”
“So this is the thin edge of the wedge is it? It seems to me, that it’s Juanito that needs to get his act together. He invites Raj to cohabit then throws him out the first night. So where is Raj now?”
“Edward doesn’t know” replied Craig.
“Well we can’t have him wandering the streets. You better call him and see if he’s going back to his parents”
“And if he’s not?”
“Then I guess we offer him a bed at Craig and Justin’s B and B.”
“Good man, that’s better than a refugee camp. Now what do you fancy for breakfast?”
“Just something quick, I’ve got an appointment with Lachlan at Prices Jewellery.”
“What are you buying, my Christmas present?”
“No, and besides you said you didn’t want jewellery. I’m taking in one of my G strings to have it jazzed up for the Crystalline party”
“That’s a bit extravagant for a one-off, or are you intending to...”
“No, I’m not and Prices are supplying the jewels, but they’re not for keeps”
“That’s a relief, I could see us blowing the whole catering budget just on your clothing”
“You know, I do sort of miss doing the parties we used to do. Running Poppy’s is OK, but not nearly as much fun or challenging. Now it’s just a job, but before it was...I don’t know how to put it really...but it was more fun and...”
“You felt appreciated by your fans, you loved strutting around in next to nothing, displaying your body, getting applause....”
“Alright, that’s enough. Yes, all of that and always looking for new ideas. We were innovative then, now we’re just like a thousand other places to eat. Sure we run a good quality business but to be honest, I’m bored. ‘Welcome back to Poppy’s Mrs Uptight. Yes of course I will tell the chef, I’m sure he will appreciate your constructive criticism Mr Whinger. I’ll be sure to have our electrician check the light tomorrow if you think it’s flickering Mr Nitpicker. Yes Mr Scrooge I’m sure we could arrange a discount if you think the meal was cold’. Oh don’t concern yourself Ms Vegan, I’m sure chef doesn’t fry the tofu in the same pan as the steak.’ That’s what I’ve become, an apologist”
“I’m sorry you feel that way, I had no idea”
“You said we have to be honest with each other, so I’m telling you how I feel”
“I’m not criticising you, just surprised, that’s all. And you’re right, it was exciting in those days trying to be innovative with food serving ideas, struggling to cook on our little kitchen and always out touting for new business”
“And who ‘retires’ at twenty four. There’s still a few years of strutting, as you put it, left in this body yet”
“And the body is still worth showing off. I’m proud of how you have maintained your good condition. Maybe I’ve been a bit selfish, just having you keep it only for me” Craig admitted as he reached out and rested his hand on Justin’s chest.
“Nice of you to say that” Then snapping out of his trip down memory lane, Justin added “Got to be on my way. Don’t want Alma on my case if I’m late for my appointment”
Craig kissed Justin, turned him around, and as he slapped him on the butt, said “Get that cute arse of yours out of here”
“I’m gone. Oh don’t forget Raj and text me what happens”
“Will do, and see you at work this afternoon”
***
“Hi Raj, where are you?” asked Craig
“I was sitting on the steps at Poppy’s, waiting for someone to open up, but now I’m in Dare to Bare waiting room. Jeremy kindly took me in and gave me coffee”
“Charlie should open up soon and I’ll be there by eleven. Make yourself at home in my office. I don’t think Juanito will be in till later, he’s at college today”
“Thanks Craig”
“And just to put your mind at rest, you’re welcome to bed down at our place tonight. We’ll discuss it when I get it”
“That’s very generous of you”
“Not at all, it’s what friends do”
***
While at the jewellery studio, waiting for his G string to be adorned, Justin received a text from Craig ‘Raj at Poppy’s, already rostered on for dinner shift, staying with us tonight. Luv U’
Craig sent a similar message to Edward and added ‘can u bring his stuff in to Poppy’s’
***
Upon arrival at Poppy’s Craig found Raj in his office playing games on his computer.
“Hey! Settled in, are you”
“Oh sorry, just filling in time”
“I’m just joking. Are you OK to work tonight?”
“Sure, I’m looking forward to it. Is Jennifer on tonight?”
“Go to the desktop and click on rosters... Click on today...Yep, she’s on. Probably out in the dining room now, preparing the room for lunch”
“Good, I’ll go and ask her about women’s uniforms”
“Maybe, I’ll call her into the office first and you can explain why. Raj, you will have all the support possible from us as friends and employers, but you will also have to consider others around you and how they will perceive this planned change. Whether they support you, or not in some cases, they will all need time to adjust”
“Thanks for the advice. I would have just confused her and had her asking why in front of the other staff”
***
Justin and Edward pulled into the carpark at the same time, forcing them to acknowledge each other.
Edward was still wary, so just politely said “Hi Justin”
“Hi Edward, what brings you in, I didn’t think you had a function tonight”
“I don’t, I just brought in Raj’s things. I believe he’s working here tonight and then staying at your place. Thanks for doing that”
“No problem”
“Then I had better get these bags inside for him”
“Why don’t you just transfer them to my car and save moving them again”
“Good idea, thanks”
“Let me help you” Justin offered as he opened the boot.
“Thanks”
“Bloody hell!” exclaimed Justin as he lifted one of the bags “What’s he got in here?”
“Yeah, does feel like a brick salesman’s sample case”
“What?”
“An old joke”
“Oh, now I get it, very funny” concluded Justin.
Without saying anything about the incident or forgiveness the two had gone through the metamorphosis from antagonists to friends again. So much so that Justin accepted Edward’s invitation to shout him a drink at Dean’s.
As they walked up to the bar, Dean did an unnoticed double take and just managed to say “G...good afternoon gentlemen, what can I get you?”
“You wouldn’t have a bottle of my favourite merlot in the backroom would you?”
“As it happens, I got a new case in yesterday, haven’t even opened it yet. But I must warn you, it’s later vintage, so you can test drive it for me”
“Good, now go unpack, barkeeper”
As a test of how far he could go, Edward said to Justin “Now I know you’re not a red wine man, but I’d like you to try this merlot. If it’s not the smoothest red you’ve ever tasted, I’ll give up drinking for a month”
“I’ll take you on, but I fear you’re playing a double sided coin in this bet”
“How so?”
“I don’t have much red wine experience to compare with”
“Sprung!”
Then they both laughed and Edward was sure he had either been forgiven, or the incident forgotten or at the very least, put back on the Christmas card list.
***
When Justin did not show up to supervise the setting of the dining room for dinner, one of the waiters asked Craig where he was.
“I’ll text him, he should have been here by now. In the meantime can you take charge Michael?”
“Love to”
<>
Craig eventually received the following reply ‘haven’t a drunk with me Matt Edwards luv the Merlin LUV me’
“What the fuck does that mean?” Craig said out loud. Then, on an impulse, he checked the carpark and found both cars there, so he went to Divas, but there was no sign of Edward. He then went to Dean’s. When he saw them precariously swaying on bar stools, and clearly in conversation, he turned around and went to the dining room.
“Michael, I’ll need you to supervise the dining room tonight, I don’t think Justin will be in and if he does turn up, can you advise me immediately?”
“Sure thing Craig. Is there a problem?”
“No, Justin’s just a bit under the weather”
<>
By the time dinner service was over Craig went looking for Justin.
“What happened to Justin and Edward” he asked Dean.
“I’ve parked them in the last booth down the back and refused to serve them anymore. Then I had Ben move the potted palms to hide them. They’ve been quiet so I hope they’re sleeping”
“Thanks, sorry if they’ve been a bother”
“Oh, occupational hazard, used to dealing with it. But tell me something. I thought these two weren’t talking because of the book thing”
“So did I, but all seems to have been forgiven”
“I just hope they don’t forget that in the morning. But with the amount they drank, I doubt they’ll remember anything about tonight”
“Thanks Dean, but I’ll need another favour from you”
“I know, help get them into your van?”
“Good thinking, probably not legal, but better I deliver them lying flat instead of them throwing up in the car”
“I’ve got just the thing” replied Dean and went into the storeroom, to return with a flat trolley and said “Holds twenty cases of beer or two sleeping drunks”
***
Raj helped Craig get Justin into bed, then asked “Do you have a spare toothbrush, I don’t have my things?”
“Sure, but didn’t Edward give your bags. He was bringing them into the restaurant last night. That’s why he came in”
“I didn’t see Edward last night until I saw you and Dean wheeling them in the carpark. That was a sight you don’t see everyday”
“Yeah, but I wonder what Edward did with your bags?”
“Maybe he put them in his office at Divas”
“Or left them in his car”
“I’ll check with him in the morning”
“Good idea, now I’ll get that toothbrush for you”
***
Apart from offering pain relief, nothing was said by Craig or Romel to their respective partners the following morning. The crisis seemed to be over and when the hangovers were cured all would be well again between friends.
Edward had two days to rid his system of alcohol, then one day of fasting in preparation for his surgery. Justin had one extra day to prepare for his farewell performance or his return to ‘Benefits’ catering. Only the future would reveal which.
Edward’s surgery on Friday, went well and he went home on Sunday.
When Romel was on duty, Juanito used caring for Edward during his recovery, as a distraction from his problem with Raj. Edward caught on to this and used the opportunity to engage Juanito in conversations that skirted around the subject until the day before Christmas Eve.
“Are you going to ring your family in Manila tomorrow before the Christmas day rush, when the lines are tied up?”
“I don’t think that happens with modern technology, but I’ll call both days, so I get to talk to everyone during Holy Week”
“And will you be with us on Christmas day?”
“I don’t have anything else planned”
“Good, but threes not enough for a party, so I’ve invited a guest”
“Anyone I know? I thought all your friends had family gatherings planned”
“All except one, who is badly in need of some family love”
“No, no, no”
“Oh yes, yes, yes. This has to be faced. Romel and I have given you time to deal with this, but you’ve made no attempt to contact Raj and talk through your differences. So come Christmas day, the first I’ve ever had with Romel by the way, you two can either sit down and discuss this like rational adults, OR...”
“Or what?”
“I haven’t work out that part yet... Maybe a cage fight?”
“This is no joking matter”
“Don’t you think I know that? And because of that, it has to be discussed and worked through. It won’t go away by ignoring it and even if you and Raj can’t come to an agreeable arrangement, you at least owe him the opportunity for him to put his case”
“Have you had this discussion with Raj?”
“Not as such, but the circumstances are different, he wants to talk to you. Craig is offering all the support he can, but ultimately it is you that has to start the conversation”
“Actually, you are probably right...again. I’ll talk to Raj, but I’m not making any promises about taking him back”
“I don’t expect you to do that yet. It’s a process and starts with the first conversation”
“Alright”
“So Christmas day is talking day. I’ll prepare a nice lunch, not too fancy, and we’ll all have a few drinks to relax us. On second thoughts, very few drinks for me. My head hurts just thinking about drinking”
“Yeah, you never explained that”
“Let’s just say Justin and I pissed our differences against the toilet wall”
“I think I understand, but don’t bother to explain anymore”
“Good, because I wasn’t planning to”
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Note: While authors are asked to place warnings on their stories for some moderated content, everyone has different thresholds, and it is your responsibility as a reader to avoid stories or stop reading if something bothers you.
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