whitetwoguns | But I ain't no madman.

No. Just going through my own stuff. Nothing's really going. I got some better suits, some that need to go to the tailor.

[As expected it's like a season change. Lucky for him when he drops his eyes he's got the plate.]

I'm uh [He rubs the side of his nose thoughtfully] not really moving out I decided.

[Not yet anyway.]

[DON'T WAG DON'T WAG DON'T WAG.]

That's cool...I can help clean up.

[Because parts of that place do belong to both of them. Hell all of it does really.]

[Cool he says. Is it though?]

Sure. Let me know what you want to get rid of. I'll haul it since I'm using the car.

[Which is theirs as well. So many damn memories in that car and apartment. How can he even stand it? Even right now, Larry's not too sure.]

Anything else new with you?

[Any new developments he should know about? This isn't a request to kiss and tell. ...If Freddy wanted to though he is in a stable mood over all.]

Sure, I'll let you know. [Eventually. Like when he feels like moving more of his stuff out which might be never.] Naw...

[Oh wait.]

I think I might be like the gay godfather or something. [How's that for a more upbeat swing in conversation?]

[Of course. On his own time. This is what would be considered breathing space. The old man is feeling pretty proud of himself. No venturing, no grabbing or trying to haul him on back to the apartment like they're cave people. The desire still hangs in the air. He can't help it. Huff.]

You're--?

[Cough. Cough. Better wash it down with the remainder of his coke. He'll need more. With his windpipe free he can laugh.]

Gay godfather?

Uh huh. [Nod nod nod. There that's better, clear the air with some Orange brand humor.] You heard me.

[He's eating off a skewer or meats now.]

A guy I know's been needing help in talking to another guy. [He is leaving the part where he's already fucked said first guy out.]

You gonna start writing a column or something soon?

[Snicker and a cough. Larry pats his own chest. It's fine though because he is still grinning. He's got to say the words again because it's such a funny fit.]

Gay godfather. So you're giving him advice, huh?

[Where was that person when Freddy needed him? Wait. Oh. Well, could have been Mr. H. Eames. Let's leave that on out there.]

Naw cause after the column you gotta write a book and after the book you gotta do interviews. I don't do public speaking real well.

[What a laugh and a half coming from Freddy Newendyke. As for where that person was for him, well. Eames has been a lot of help, no denying that, the guy's one of his closer friends in this crazy world.]

Yeah, whatever I can.

I don't remember if Ann Landers wrote a book.

[Not being the reader type he wouldn't know from experience anyway. Heh. He did now and then catch a column. Larry butters a small roll.

Eames was a trouble maker for a while. So was That Fuck that luckily doesn't pop on up in conversations anymore. He can stand Eames so much more.]

What's his problem?

You read that stuff?

[Teehee that would be a sight, old man Lawrence Dimick reading the papers for one Ms. Ann Landers.]

He don't know how to tell a guy he likes him.

[Oh shit wait does that come too close to home? Suddenly Freddy regrets bringing it up at all.]

When I got time to read the paper cover to cover, I read those kinds of things too. Sometimes it's funny to see what gets people riled, not being invited to parties or shit like that. I think it's pretty funny.

[Munch, munch on his dinner roll.]

Whatja tell 'im?

[Because he honestly wants to know. From a guy who is articulate most times, it would be interesting to hear about. They are about smack dab in the middle of a problem between the two of them. Lawrence Dimick isn't blind. He's not sure how they'll get on out. It takes two.

What sort of relationship advice comes on out of Freddy? Would it be an aspect of his own wants and wishes?]

Well... [Craft your words carefully, Newendyke.] I told him he's gotta know the guy a little first. A guy who doesn't care if he gets a number or not is a guy who's got nothing to lose. If you care about keeping this man around you gotta know what he's like. You gotta get an idea if being friends, acquaintances, whatever, is still an option.

[Sluuuurp his soda.]

I told him a lot of stuff goes into a decision like that, especially for a guy who likes another guy who might not like other guys. You don't wanna hurt anybody and you don't wanna get hurt either. Nobody's life should have to take a hit just cause some boy's got a crush.

[Freddy's cheeks grow hot with some mild embarrassment.]

It helps to have someone tell it like it is.

[Like how it should be. People should get to know one another thoroughly before jumping on in.]

Hope he really kept his ears open.

[A guy who likes another guy who might not like other guys. That one rings loud and clear to him. Don't go there. He takes a look at his soda pop.]

Give me a second. I need to refill. ...did you want any more?

[Of Freddy's own coke he means. Already he's reaching to refill whether or not its empty.]

I guess...

[You blew it Newendyke, you really blew it. Good luck trying to fix this one. Green eyes keep a lowered gaze before he nods.]

Yeah, that'd be cool. Thanks.

It'll be just a second.

[Elbow taps on Freddy since both hands are full. Are you a man or a child, Dimick? None of this should be a surprise. These are things that the kid is learning, things most people know. Not a personal jab. They're talking and sharing a meal. That last time they shared a kiss. (But that was days ago.)

He has to mentally shake himself as he watches the dark and bubbly carbonated drink fill the glass. One and then the other. Inhale and exhale then he's back at the table.]

Thanks.

[He repeats when Larry returns. Shit that's too many 'thank yous' between them already when even before they were fucking the 'thank yous' were a given. No one had to say anything, there was an unspoken understanding between them. Fuck what happened?]

Did your friend say it helped any?

[As he settles on back into the seat and into the conversation. He takes a drink of the coke to cut any trace of bitterness that might try to be up in his mouth.]

That's what's important.

Naw, too early to tell you know?

[Freddy shakes his head. His plate of food is getting emptier and emptier and his ability to have a conversation that doesn't somehow lead back to them is getting less and less.]

I see.

[Larry's own plate is pretty picked over. He focuses on his drink. There is still room in his stomach for dessert, he's not sure if it would be right to stick around for it. Their time together, while enjoyable, is starting to show wear and tear. It's meant to be light and short.]

Well. You've given him a good idea. I think that's something you can be proud of.

[Sip. Fuck it. He'll smoke in here too.]

Let's see how it all turns out first.

[Freddy can't help but smile a little here because it is kind of funny. It's sour faced Raymond Leon and fucking Leonard McCoy. It doesn't get crazier than that in this world, well maybe except for Captain America and Bucky. Who's Tony Stark bedding these days?]

I want you to do stuff too.... [The kid's trying to approach a different angle of conversation now.]

Do stuff? Like what?

[Stuff is a concealing word. Larry turns his head and exhales that Chesterfield smoke out of anybody else's way in the booth.]

I don't know anybody who's gonna have me as their mentor these days.

[Following him around or having the old man follow him around.]

Lots of stuff.

[Go and see people, except Freddy doesn't have the balls to tell him that, to doubt the old man's certainty in loving a stupid kid like him. Freddy shakes his head.]

I don't believe that at all. You're smart, patient, you got a way of talking... [Stop before you gush, Newendyke. Now it's his turn to take out a smoke.]

I am.

[Sort of. He's trying to not be in a rut. The other day he went shooting with Eames. That was an on the fly sort of outing. He should do more. It's so hard to meet people when you're older. People call you grandpa. Larry keeps buttoned up. That's all cop out bullshit. As many brushes with death as he's had he's not gonna waste living holed up in the motel room even though that might help him feel better now and then for a few moments.]

Guys like you are gonna put me out of commission.

[It's said with a short laugh because it is a joke. Really though, what else could the kid mean? This is the sort of dance they've been going on at. This was the talk that they tried to have before everything went to pieces.]

What's that supposed to mean?

[Sorry the kid can't help but ask regardless that he can tell it's meant to be a joke. It's a way of carrying on the conversation, a way of turning the tables on each other because it's okay to do. Hell sometimes it's fun. When did it stop being fun? Ah, right, when Freddy realized how serious it had become and suddenly being fun turned into being scared.]

You being easy, approachable. You're the godfather here.

[Shrug. And ain't that the truth though? For a moment he thinks that Freddy's playing dumb but he knows. He has to. Putting this conversation to bed, what more will they have?

Will they start arguing gain?]

Are you gonna ask for favors in return? Get some sort of a payment out? I mean, why not.

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