Arvin - Another Enchanted April

Stormy Weather

T HINGS , he was now certain, never changed.

After a time, life settled in and became stubborn, refusing to evolve in any way, shape, or form. Tony Fisher stood at his only apartment window (he couldnt afford an apartment with two) regretting a life wasted and leaning on the same walking cane he had used for the past five years. The same window, the same cane, the same day, for five years. He was only twenty-nine. Way too early to be bored of life.

It was a rainy morning. The street down below was a miserable mix of gray and slick black. People rushed to and fro under umbrellas and newspapers. The multicolored umbrellas at least tried to add color to the day, but they hardly succeeded. The sky rumbled sleepily overhead as if annoyed it even had to bother passing over the city of Holt. Occasionally the storm would make a sound that resembled a big, clumsy football player knocking over everything in its path. But then it would calm down again and the clouds would continue passing slowly slowly slowly by.

Tony longed for something poetic, something beautiful. It was an everyday longing, but there seemed to be no way out of the life he had been given. He wanted out of the gray but felt weighed down. How am I supposed to start my day, he wondered aloud, when even the sky looks lazy?

The dullness of the street was abruptly interrupted, however, by the appearance of a massive 1955 striking blue Ford Fairlane. All the other vehicles parked or being driven seemed to gawk in envy as the car paraded down the street (though it reminded Tony more of a bed than a float, probably due to what he knew of its owner). Douglas Dester, heartthrob to hundreds at least, fell in love with the Fairlane back when he, Tony, and their other best friend, Jerry Wilkins, were students at Verona College. He fell for the car the way most fall for movie starswith untouchable reverence. He named it Baby Baby because his first words on seeing it on the lawn at an estate sale were, Oh, baby! Baby!

The land yacht pulled up to the curb and parked. Tony smiled. He had told them he wasnt going. Doug and Jerry were headed to a quiet seaside resort community six hours north called Beechwood. The kind that makes a fortune from tourists in the summer so it can hibernate beneath feet of snow in the winter. They had asked him to come along in terms that resembled peer pressure. He had refused. Life outside the apartmentespecially outside Holtwas awkward for him. Any small knoll or mound of earth, and he and his cane would be kissing it. His balance was as imperfect as could be imagined, and no amount of therapy had helped.

Doug got out of the car and waved at Tony. If it was at all possible, Doug had become even better looking and more muscular since their days at Verona. His workout routines were designed for one purpose: to get the man. And he always succeeded in that endeavor. Tony had met Doug through Jerry. Jerrys eyes had been glazed over with an infatuated longing after he and Doug had fooled around just once at a party. Jerry had clearly hoped it would turn serious. Doug seemed to just want a friend. He and Jerry played around a few times after that, but Doug soon decided that, at least from Jerry, friendship was all he needed. Jerrys infatuation never quite went away, though he claimed otherwise.

Doug sprinted through the rain and in no time was at the apartment door, his white T-shirt soaked through, just the way he liked it. He was all smiles, muscles, and rainwater. Why arent you ready? he asked.

He charged into the apartment, looking for a suitcase. You know youre going to have to go. Jerry wont go without you.

He looked through closets until he found a suitable piece of luggage and then hauled his ass to the bedroom.

Im not going, Tony said. How many times do

Youll have a good time. He went through the chest of drawers, clearly unimpressed by Tonys taste in fashion. Besides, I dont want to hear him bitching the whole time. You know we dont always have the same idea of fun. He likes to read books. The longest piece of literature Ive read lately was a tattoo on this biker I picked up last night. It said, If youre this close, youve gotta suck it. And besides, Im doing you a favor too.

How exactly? Tony stood at the bedroom door with his cane and watched Doug lay waste to his neatly folded clothes. He hadnt bought anything new in three years, so Doug was familiar with everything he owned.

If you dont go, when he comes back, hell complain nonstop about how it would have been so much better if you had made the trip. He looked up from his sloppy packing job. Underwear?

Tony sighed. Bottom drawer. But theres no point to packing any, because I am not going.

Doug stopped packing and retrieved his cell phone from a strap on his blue jeans belt loop. He pressed a button. Yeah, Jerr? Im up here packing, and he says no. Hes pretty adamant about it.

Doug and Tony stared at one another as Jerry relayed some information.

Right, Doug said and pressed another button.

You are going! Jerry blared over the speaker.

You cant kidnap me, Tony said.

Yes, we can, Jerry replied. Hang me up, Doug.

Doug hung up. He flipped the suitcase closed and zipped it shut. Come on, man, he said. A wise woman once said Take a chance, you stupid ho. You never know, this could be great.

Gwen Stefani does not count as a wise woman, and this will more than likely be a disaster. He looked out the window at the dreary day. And besides, I cant walk on wet pavement. What if I slip? Then youll be a very bad friend.

He knew when he said it that that particular issue could be easily solved. Doug picked up the suitcase, walked toward him, and said, Do you know how many hot guys live in Beechwood? More than in Holt, thats for goddamn sure. And Im gonna net me some. I dont have time to deal with your angst.

With one quick movement, he bent and flung Tony over his shoulder. Still got your cane?

Yes. Tony knew when he was defeated.

Good. Were off.

At least theres a show, Tony said, swatting his friends butt.

Its Broadway with every step, isnt it? Doug locked the apartment up as they left.

And Doug?

Yes, Tony?

Suck my angst.

W AIT ! What did that sign say?

The rain hit Baby Babys windshield so furiously that it was impossible to see anything but the blur of passing car lights, and those had become sparse since leaving the interstate. Many people were pulling over to the shoulder of the road until the storm passed. It was as if the storm had followed themor they had dragged it like road killall the way from Holt. Doug was trying his best to keep the car on the road, petting the dashboard on occasion and whispering Its going to be okay.

I couldnt see it, Jerry said, sitting in the passengers seat and holding the map. Though the spring weather was not intolerably cold (it was the tail end of April,) Jerry was so thin of a guy that he usually wore a light jacket every year up until after Memorial Day. But we should be going in the right direction I think.

Have you ever given directions before, Jerr?

No.

So we could be lost. We could end up in some creepy town where who knows what they do to pretty boys like me. We cant keep driving around in this rain. Baby Baby wont take this abuse.

Good, came a cantankerous voice from the backseat. Lets go home. I didnt want to come anyway. I get along just fine with my cane. Doug? Can you turn around and carry me back up to my apartment?

You hush, old man. I need to concentrate on the road.

Jerry turned in his seat so that he was looking directly at Tony, who held his walking cane in his lap like a weapon ready to be thrust. You needed to get out, Jerry said. Youve turned into a hermit since the accident. Youre too young to be a hermit.