Page 71 of Don't Point at the Moon

“Fine, but unremarkable. And, in my opinion, he could look so much better,” said Tommy, refusing to become defensive.

“I think what Oscar is trying to say is that if it ain’t been fixed, maybe it's because it ain’t broke,” said Devon.

“Don’t you mean, if it ain’t broke—” began Daley, but Oscar placed a hand on his shoulder.

“He knows exactly what he means.”

“But the way things are going, Oscar,” said Mitchell, “with Tommy’s expensive tastes, I’m likely to be broke before the day’s out.”

“You’ll thank me one day,” said Tommy to Mitchell before returning his attention to the rest of the group. “Anyway, we have more to do. Look forward to seeing you all Saturday.”

Daley insisted on picking up the tab, and after Tommy gave everyone hugs, they made their way to Mitchell’s apartment todrop off his purchases before heading out again. While there, Mitchell told Tommy to sit while pouring them a couple of cold drinks.

“What do you think?” asked Tommy, taking a glass of water from Mitchell. “About Sammi and Daley?”

“Like you said before. They’re meant for each other.”

“I know, right?”

“But it’s not going to be easy. They’re going to need your love and support, Tommy.”

“That goes without saying.”

Mitchell’s smile seemed sad as he sat beside Tommy and spoke in a lowered voice.

“Look, I know what happened after the show doesn’t change anything between us. I’m not delusional. Anytime we go anywhere, I see how people single you out. The salesclerk and the waiter in that restaurant. Whereas I might as well be invisible. I like you, Tommy, genuinely, but I need you to know that I have no expectations. And I don’t want there to be any weirdness between us.”

Tommy wasn’t sure how he felt about Mitchell’s explanation. Was he trying to let Tommy off the hook, to convince him he had no expectations? Their night together had meant something to Tommy, but he had yet to process exactly what and how much.

“There isn’t. You do realise the flirting is all for show? Nothing more.”

“I do. But if you get your shot with Alec, I would recommend you reel in that particular quirk. I’ve never had that problem, but some people might come to resent their partners getting that kind of attention.”

“If Iwereto get a shot with Alec, I imagine he’ll get just as much attention as me.”

“Fair point.”

“Come on, let’s go. We’ve got a lot more to do.”

Magenta’s salon happened to be a short walk from Mitchell’s place. Tommy noticed Mitchell’s eyes widen when Magenta met them at the door. With black spiked hair containing pink and purple streaks, black-painted fingernails and deep purple lipstick, he looked more like a punk rocker than a hairdresser. But Tommy knew that Magenta had an impressive list of loyal clients who used him and talked him up regularly.

Tommy had barely settled Mitchell in the stylist’s chair when a call came through. The musical group hired for the wedding had planned to rehearse the number with him on Sunday afternoon. But one musician had been asked to fill in at a last-minute church event that afternoon.

Tommy felt insecure about his abilities and had been the one to insist they practice together before the ceremony. The trio had made a special arrangement around the melody his sister had chosen, and he needed the reassurance that he would not cock anything up.

“Magenta, darling. Can I leave my friend in your capable hands?”

“Of course, darling.”

“Where are you going?” asked Mitchell, turning to him in a panic.

“An emergency to do with my sister’s wedding. If it wasn’t urgent, I wouldn’t go. I want more than anything to see this transformation. I’ll call you during the week, but I probably won’t see you until the day of the wedding. Hope that’s okay?”

“No colouring!” said Mitchell sternly.

“No colouring. Tell him, Magenta,” said Tommy.

“Don’t worry, darling,” said Magenta, pulling a white cloth around Mitchell’s neck. “I have my instructions. Masculine style, with a full manicure. Now take off your shoes and socks, love.”

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