"It won't be that bad," Carlos comforted Cecil, helping him load the car with food for the PTA meeting.
"He will bring his scones," Cecil said bluntly, still fuming from the late request of food for the meeting "And laugh in the face of my store bought produce."
"Who?" Carlos laughs, used to his boyfriend's paranoid antics.
"Steve. Steve Carlsberg." Cecil crushed the crackers he was holding in the palm of his hand.
Reaching over and removing the broken crackers, Carlos tried to calm Cecil down so he wouldn't make a scene when he got to the school.
"Hey," Carlos' soothing voice was music to Cecil's ears "Don't let him get you down. You're better than that. You care every bit as much about the school as Steve does, just let that shine through.
In his head, Cecil admitted that his boyfriend was right and managed to return to an emotion he could function with.
"Okay," Cecil said, quietly but decisively "okay."
After a short car ride, Carlos gave Cecil a quick squeeze on the shoulder before driving off back home, leaving Cecil standing in the school parking lot, holding only a cardboard box of food he had spent the evening buying from the local shops. Heaving a big sigh, Cecil waded into the school hall, where a few committee members were setting up. Despite not feeling up to it, Cecil put on a brave face- all smiles.
"I got the food like you asked," Cecil said, hopeful for acceptance. But all he got in reply was a passive glow from the Head of the PTA.
But not to be disheartened, Cecil smiled politely and went about setting up the buffet table when an overly zealous man busted into the room.
"Cecil!" the man exclaimed, going in for a hug "It's great to have you here."
Cecil scowled in return, repulsed by the forceful human contact from his worst enemy.
"Steve," Cecil sighed disdainfully, trying to get away from the sweaty hug he was entangled in.
Unaware of the discomfort he was causing his brother-in-law, Steve turned to the omniscient cloud behind him. They exchanged greetings. Although Cecil couldn't help but notice that the head of the PTA glowed more enthusiastically around Steve than he had around Cecil. Though he tried to put this to the back of his mind, focusing on putting out the food he had brought.
However, it was as if Steve knew exactly how to get on Cecil's nerves as no sooner had Cecil laid his store bough hummus on the table than Steve produced a bag full of home made food.
"I brought scones!" Steve smiled widely, beaming to Cecil, as he pushed the hummus to the side and took over control of the food table.
Before Cecil could protest, the Glow Cloud and Steve were engrossed in a deep discussion about scone recipes. So instead Cecil packed up his food and sat down in an empty chair.
One by one, members of the PTA slowly trickled in: John Peters (you know, the farmer), Old Woman Josie, Erika and former mayor, Pamela Winchell. An eclectic bunch but they all cared greatly for the friendly desert community and met the requirement of having a child enrolled in the local school. Besides, with a Glow Cloud as head, a weird crew was bound to form.
At long last, Steve Carlsberg finished brown nosing with the higher powers and took his seat among the Night Vale Citizens. Meanwhile, the Glow Cloud hovered up to the podium, glowing to each member of the PTA individually…. All except Cecil, that is.
"I would like to begin this meeting by discussing the matter of wheat and wheat by-products. As we all know, these are strictly prohibited but it has been brought to my attention that bread has been-"
Before the sentient cloud could finish, a loud chorus of the Hooked on a feeling cut it off.
The glow cloud was slightly annoyed, as was everyone else in the meeting. Including Cecil until he realized it was his mobile phone that was ringing. Embarrassed, he apologized to the room and hung up on the caller without even checking the ID.
"Now," the Glow Cloud continued "as I was saying, pupils are managing to bring in small quantities of bread into the school to deal to their peers. I am sure we are all very aware of the potential danger-"
I'm hooked on a feeling, I'm high on believing, that you're in love with me…
Cecil laughed nervously, digging frantically in his pocket, surfacing his phone and seeing Carlos' name flash across the screen.
"It's my boyfriend," Cecil laughed shakily to the room, getting up, his finger on the answer button.
The Glow Cloud glowed disapprovingly but allowed the radio show host to take five to answer the call. While Cecil was gone, the room sat in awkward silence where Steve Carlsberg tried but failed to make polite conversation with the agitated cloud that was having none of his nonsense at that point in time.
Returning from the phone call, Cecil was as pale as a sheet. His fingers were barely holding onto the phone he had been speaking into moments ago. He was concerned. No- worried. No… concerned.
"Carlos," Cecil managed to mumble out.
"What, what about Carlos?" The Glow Cloud rained.
"He-he's been taken."
"Who? By who?" Steve Carlsberg asked, genuine concern in his voice.
"His voice… it was familiar," Cecil stuttered, shaken by what he had heard, "He told me to believe in a Smiling God… or…. Or there will be consequences…."
Cecil sunk deep into a chair, his usually hyperactive tattoos sinking back into his skin. And in that moment all he could do was stare at his hands.