Page 4 of Lights Out

Bane smacks his hand on the table. “Damn, that’s exactly it. He launched a smear campaign.”

“Even the prof was like it’s not that serious, man,” Jerryn says.

“I bet his term paper was fifty pages long,” Indy adds. “Dude couldn’t get to the point to save his life.”

“I wonder if the prof liked students like Howard who got into it or if it was a chore,” Lowen muses.

“He had to like Howard more than us fuck ups,” Ridley says.

Smiling, I nod. “Yeah, but that class was how we all met and bonded. We wouldn’t be here tonight if it wasn’t for that whale.”

“I think our answers to the group discussion were undervalued,” Bane says. “I mean, Moby Richard is comedic gold.”

We all laugh together and my heart fills with warmth and nostalgia. “I’m gonna miss you guys.”

“Hey,” Indy says, smacking my arm. “No mush until midnight. That’s your rule.”

I smile as he wraps his arm around me, pulling me into him. “What time is it because the tequila is working.”

“Eleven-forty,” Lowen announces. “Twenty minutes to keep it together. Not that I’m counting or anything.” He blinks rapidly to clear his watery eyes. “Ugh. Feelings.”

“I have a suggestion,” Jerryn says, leaning on his elbows. “Let’s all name something we’re looking forward to. We’ll save the sad stuff for last call.”

“I’m down.” I burp loudly, laughing to clear the emotions clawing at my chest. “No more shoveling snow for me.”

“Good one,” Jerryn says before glancing at Bane. “A whale watch for sure.”

“I was gonna say that,” Bane complains. “My second one is joining the Seattle coffee culture. We’ll see if the hype is worth it. Does it beat Dunks? Time will tell.”

“What about you, Ridley?” I ask.

He drags a hand through his hair. “Deep dish pizza, of course.”

“That’s it?” Indy asks. “You gotta have something more than food.”

Ridley shrugs. “Don’t laugh.”

“No promises,” I tease.

Ridley’s cheeks actually blush. “There’s this little queer bookstore near where my grandfolks live. I used to go there every summer when I visited. It was the first time I felt…” He shakes his head. “Normal, I guess. Seen. I saw books with guys like me in them. I was just a kid but it was nice. I can’t wait to go there again.”

Our table falls silent. No one was expecting that from Ridley.

“That’s cool, man,” Indy says. “We all deserve that.”

“Yeah.” He leans back as a wide grin takes over his face. “I’m not mad about indulging in some good Chicago Polish dick either. Rumor has it they’re packing.”

“There’s my guy,” I say, laughing.

“Your turn, Indy,” Jerryn says from across the table.

He looks deep in thought for a second, tapping his chin. “Hmm. I guess returning to the city I grew up in and experiencing it as an adult. It’s a whole new world.”

“Are we breaking out in song now?” Bane jokes.

“I’m not drunk enough for singing yet,” Indy replies, chuckling.

“Thank fuck,” Lowen says.

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