Page 50 of Cinematic Destinies
“I love hanging out with your friends. They’re so cool. They always make me feel like I belong.”
“You do. They’re your friends too now, Al. Everyone loves you.” Albert smiled and Ryan continued, “Speaking of which, Lucy broke up with another loser. So, no way to tell if she’ll be off-the-charts happy or totally inconsolable tonight. Oh, and she said something about cooking, which is truly terrifying. Brace yourself.”
AFTER BEING BUZZED INTO THE BUILDING,Albert and Ryan stood outside the locked apartment door.
“It’s awfully quiet. You sure she’s having people over?” Albert asked.
Ryan banged on the door again. “Luce, we’re here! What’s the password?”
The door flung open and Lucy shouted, “The password issurprise!”
Albert saw a big banner hanging on the wall totally askew that read,Congratulations, Superboy!Surprise and joy washed across his face.
“Surprise,” Ryan whispered as Albert looked at their friends, all wearing glittery cardboard tiaras and holding colorful party blowers like at a child’s birthday celebration.
Lucy ushered them into the apartment, placed a party hat on each of their heads, and the group started hooting their blowers.
Albert couldn’t stop smiling. “What’s this for?” he asked, wide-eyed.
“Your new job,” Ryan explained.
“Now you’re officially one of us,” Lucy said, throwing her arms up dramatically. “Bottom rung. Underpaid. Starting out. Creative, artistic, desperate, and stupidly hopeful. Isn’t it fucking great? Come on, get a drink and check out the buffet.”
They said hello to their friends, grabbed a couple of wine coolers, and followed her over to the dining table, which had been pushed against the back wall to make room for a dance floor.
“Check it out,” Lucy said excitedly.
“Wow, you made all this,” Ryan said, perusing the table of casserole dishes each filled with a nondescript gooey substance.
“Uh-huh. I was slaving away. It was a great distraction after the fiasco with that asshole who shall not be named.Al, I’ll have to fill you in on my latest sad tale. Grab something to eat. I need a refill,” she said, holding up her red plastic cup.
After Lucy flitted away, Ryan tried to pick up the plastic serving spoon stuck in one of the casserole dishes. He could hardly lift the spoon. “Uh, it’s literally congealed. I’m truly afraid. Maybe we should stick to potato chips.”
“I’ll take a plate. It was so nice of her to do all this,” Albert said.
Two hours later, Albert and Ryan were sitting close to each other on the couch while the others danced.
“I still can’t believe you ate that wretched casserole concoction. You doing okay?” Ryan joked.
Albert nodded. “Tonight has been . . .” He stopped and shook his head. “Whose idea was it to throw this party for me?”
“Mine. Lucy was all in though as soon as I suggested it. I didn’t know she’d want to cook.”
Albert smiled. “This party is the nicest thing anyone’s ever done for me. Thank you.”
“You are so welcome.” They stared at each other for an intimate moment and Ryan continued, “What you said on the train about it being the best summer. I meant it when I said me too. I care about you so much. So much.”
“Me too. Ryan, do you want to spend the night at my place?”
“Yes,” he whispered, and he leaned forward, touched Albert’s cheek, and kissed him.
Albert pulled back mid-kiss.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s just . . . not in front of everyone . . . I . . .”
Ryan stood up, ran his hand through his hair, and mumbled, “I can’t fucking do this with you. I can’t do this anymore.”
