No Rain

The brown eyed man shoved food in his mouth distastefully. It didn't bother me. Things like that don't. I watched him happily. Enjoying the fact he was enjoying the food he ate. And I know he did because he wasn't saying much.

Melly: good?

He nodded.

Brian: I was thinking.

A piece of food falling out. I laughed at his barbaric ways.

Melly: how you never managed to keep a woman is beyond me.

Brian: are you going to let me tell you my thoughts.

Melly: I'm sorry go ahead.

Brian: thank you.

He said wiping his mouth and clearing the food from his teeth.

Brian: as I was thinking. Maybe I should have a dinner party.

Melly: a dinner party?

Brian: yeah you know. We make food, people come over, and everyone sits at the table like a family.

Melly: wait rewind. We? We make food. Let's go back to that. We as in you and your guitars.

He gave me a look.

Brian: as in me and you smartass.

Melly: yeah no. I'm not liking that idea. The we part.

Brian: why not?

Melly: cause...this is how it would really go down. Melly would get the food. Melly would make the food. Melly would set the table. Melly would clean.

Brian: that doesn't sound to bad to me.

I punched his shoulder.

Melly: I am not your housekeeper.

Brian: might as well your always doing something here.

Melly: because you're filthy. Jenn doesn't like filthy boys. We can't let her know you're this disgusting until she's in and there's no getting out.

He let out a dumb laugh.

Brian: boy is she going to be surprised.

Melly: yeah. You're lucky she thinks you're so fuckin' cute.

Brian: I am pretty cute.

Melly: no. Since when do you do dinner parties?

Brian: you act like we've known each other for the past twenty years.

Melly: I'm just saying.

Brian: you're right.

Melly: I know I am. Who would you even invite?

Brian: Jenn, you, Matt.

Melly: that's it? What about the other guys?

Brian: them too I guess.

He got a puzzled look on his face and he went back to eating.

Brian: maybe I should wait on the dinner party.

I nodded.

Melly: maybe.

Brian: the beach was fun.

I nodded.

Brian: did Jenn have fun?

Melly: yes. She much enjoyed the way you savagely attacked your sandwich.

Brian: sexy right?

Melly: disgusting.

He finished up and put his dish in the sink. Cleaning himself off he went very quiet. I didn't say anything. Just waited for him to start talking.

Brian: so...I'm gonna go, would you like to come with me?

I only nodded with a thoughtful smile. We loaded into his car. We didn't say much.

Brian: I need to make a stop.

Melly: of course.

We stopped at a small store with flowers outside it. He looked at the flowers thoughtfully. I'm sure thinking of what he was going to say. I grabbed a bouquet. It had light pinks and whites. It was simple but very elegant. Brian grabbed one all white. We paid and continued on our way. At this point the music had gone off and we didn't say anything at all. The drive into the grassy place was peaceful. He pulled up to the familiar area and parked. Doing what he always does before getting out. He would look straight ahead. Staring at who knows what. Past memories, I thought was a nice picture. Close his eyes. After a moment he would open them, take a deep breath. Then step out of the car and make his way to the spot. I followed a few steps behind. We walked for a bit and he would stop. He would set the flowers down so carefully. I would wait a bit before setting mine down. I would take a few steps back. Out of respect. Then...

Brian: hey Jim...its been a little while.

A soft smile played on Brians lips.

Brian: everything has been good. Real good. I'm this much closer to Jenn.

He indicated with his fingers.

Brian: its so awesome. You'd really like her. She's just amazing. All the guys are doing great. Johnny is still an annoying douche. Zacky still thinks he's some hot ass shit. And Matt...well you know. Still Matt. But still they're all good. We miss you man....

He paused. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

Brian: so much...but you know that. Cause I tell you every time I come. I'll be sure to bring Jenn by soon. You've got to meet her. Melly agrees. She thinks you would have really liked her.

It tore my heart to see that. Never did I expect this man to share such intimate personal experience with me. But he did. And I never questioned why. These talks would vary. They would go as long as an hour at times to as little as five minutes. I never said no when Brian would ask me to join him. If he was taking the time to ask then...he wanted me there for whatever the reason. I never spoke of what was said here.

Brian: and I'm pretty sure Matt likes her but you know. I think he should go for it. She's a pretty good friend... That's all for now Jimmy. I love you a lot. I'll be back soon.

He stood in silence for a moment. I said a quiet prayer. I didn't need to know him to care. Brian looked back at me and I smiled weakly. He put an arm around my shoulder and we walked back to his car. Staying silent for a long time. The smell of smoke met my nose. He had put his sunglasses on. I always waited for him to be the first to say anything. If he never did then we wouldn't talk.

Brian: we should go out on a double date.

I looked at him.

Brian: me and Jenn. You and Matt.

Melly: I think I scared that boy at the beach.

Brian: I think you scared him too. A face like that. Yeesh.

I playfully glared at him and he laughed.

Brian: I'm kidding. About the face part.

Melly: you think I did scare him?

Brian: he told me what you guys talked about.

Melly: ahh.

Brian: yeah. Nothing like breaking the ice right?

Melly: we've talked before.

Brian: not like that. Or about that.

Melly: no. I was just testing the water as some might say.

Brian: sure.

Melly: I didn't mean to frighten the man.

Brian: it was a good scare.

Melly: good?

Brian: positive. Like a jolt to wake up. He needed that.

I nodded kind of understanding.

Melly: I'll go on the double for your and Jenn's sake.

Brian: how sweet of you...what's the catch?

Melly: just be a man, grow a pair, and be like I'm taking you out. By yourself.

He smiled a bit.

Brian: I might be able to do that.

Melly: I'm glad we're friends.

Brian: me too.

Melly: we could do the dinner party thing.

Brian: you think?

Melly: yeah. Making food isn't that big of a deal.

Brian: would it be weird?

Melly: who cares. I don't. It will be fun.

Brian: we can have a nice dinner.

Melly: exactly.

Brian: but let's keep it easy going. None of that dressing nice bull.

Melly: I like that. What should we make for dinner?

Brian: salad?

Melly: I think you guys are going to need a little more than salad.

Brian: bread?

Melly: I'll just ask Jenn what the norm is on dinner parties.

Brian: no, what if she asks why?

Melly: she won't. I ask her enough random questions like that she'll just shrug it off.

Brian: dessert?

Melly: we could do that too. What do you think would be good?

Brian: ice cream and pie?

Melly: I can do that.

Brian: or...cheese cake.

Melly: either way.

Brian: I'm a little excited.

Melly: I think you're excited over the food more than anything.

Brian: we don't even know what we're making yet.

Melly: that just let's your imagination run rampid.

He rolled his eyes.

Brian: let's go get some drinks.

Melly: yes it will allow us to get better ideas.

Brian: drink ideas.

Melly: mmmhmmm.

I said with a nod. We pulled up to a little bar. The sun was starting to set.

Melly: fuck what a nice evening.

Brian: it is.

The evening colors started to fill the streets. Creating a calm inviting feeling. To relax and revel in your day.

Melly: we could have a turkey dinner.

Brian: like Thanksgiving?

Melly: yes.

Brian: I like that. I make a mean ass turkey.

Melly: do you?

Brian: yes. Or we could have a ham.

Melly: maybe turkey dinner would be overboard.

We both took a drink of our beers.

Brian: ehh...maybe. But imagine all the leftovers.

He said with a smile.

Melly: yeah. We could go with chicken instead.

Brian: two chickens or one big ass turkey...

I laughed a little. He lit up another cigarette and smiled.

Brian: look at that skyline.

I did.

Brian: amazing.