Chapter 3: Cabin Fever
The next afternoon, TJ was lying on his bed and staring at the ceiling when the doorbell rang. Glancing at the time, he sighed. Guess my babysitter's arrived. Sure enough, a minute passed before a knock came on his door. He opened it to find Karli standing there, smiling at him. "Trying to hide already?" she asked.
"As if I could even if I wanted to" he said as he fell backward onto the bed.
Sitting in the chair nearby, she glanced at the photo on the table. Gently taking it in hand she glanced back towards TJ. "Is this you and your brother?"
He nodded, "Yeah at our grandpa's farm. We were just teenagers."
Putting the picture back she added, "You look happy then."
Sighing he said, "Yeah. That was before we moved to the White House and I came out. Things were simpler then."
"You act like you can't ever have that again."
Rolling his eyes he asked, "Is this all your method is? Talking? Because honestly so far it's not really working."
"No," she answered with a smile, "My method hasn't even really begun just yet. I like to get to know the people I help."
"The tabloids could help with that."
Standing then sitting next to him on the bed she said, "The tabloids don't see the real TJ Hammond. The one you hide from everyone including yourself."
Tapping a beat onto the bed and bouncing his feet up and down slightly, TJ replied, "Whatever."
"Are you normally this anxious when I'm around or is today special?"
He shook his head then sat up, "I just hate being under house arrest."
Karli thought a moment then said, "You know, keeping you cooped up probably is doing more harm than good."
"You think?" TJ replied before rolling his eyes.
Standing, she said, "C'mon. Let me at least get a drink of water. You'll get out of this room for now."
Swinging his legs over the edge half heartedly, TJ stood and followed. As they got in the kitchen, he grabbed a glass from the cupboard for her which she took and filled with water from the tap. After taking a swig she said, "You know, I should see if I can get you out for a bit. You could come to my place and my girlfriend and I could make you dinner."
He raised his eyebrows then said, "Girlfriend? You? You're gay too?"
"Actually I'm bi-sexual but that's not the point," she answered, taking another drink, "What do you think? You'd be semi-free."
"I'd do anything to escape at this point," he sighed, "but I doubt the secret service will let you."
Taking another quick sip then setting down her glass, Karli called out, "Agent Clark?"
Appearing suddenly from around the corner, the tall agent stood in the doorframe. "Ma'am?"
"I'm going to bring TJ over to my apartment for dinner."
"Ms. Barrish ordered me to ensure her son stay on the premises."
"See," TJ said with a groan, "I'm stuck here."
"Oh cut it out Clark," Margaret said as she walked in the room, "Just go along with them. She can't keep him locked in forever or we'll all go nuts. Or at least I will. Besides," she flashed a grin at Karli, "he's in good hands."
She grinned at the older woman then said, "Thank you."
"It's bad enough I have to have one babysitter but now I need an escort? Unbelievable" TJ whined.
Karli shot him a look, "Worth the price of freedom don't you think?"
Rolling his eyes one more time, they all headed towards the door. As they drove over, Karli gave her girlfriend a call to inform her of their dinner guests. After about 20 minutes, they pulled up to a small apartment building. Upstairs, Karli opened the door to find her girlfriend in the kitchen. "Honey I'm home," she said with a grin before giving her a kiss. Turning back toward him she said, "Michelle, this is TJ and TJ this is my girlfriend Michelle."
Shaking hands, Michelle said, "Welcome to our humble abode. Hope you like chicken."
"As long as it's not living," he cracked.
They all laughed as Karli started to lead TJ to the table. "Actually," he said, stopping, "Do you mind if I use the bathroom?"
"Go ahead," she replied, "Down the hall and to the right."
After a few minutes TJ came back to find the table had been set and all the food was laid out with Michelle just putting the chicken on the plates. They even gave a plate to Agent Clark who ate in the kitchen. They ate in silence with only little bits of conversation, mostly everyone complementing the chef on her fine meal. After the table was clear, Karli pulled out Monopoly.
"You can't be serious," TJ said.
"She is," Michelle said.
"There's a reason they're called board games you know," he said, "because people get bored with them."
"I disagree," Karli answered, "I believe with the right people it can be great. And not to sound egotistical, but we are those people," grinning she turned to Agent Clark, "Would you like to join us?"
"Thank you but I'm here solely to watch Mr. Hammond."
"Oh c'mon Clark," TJ said, "I'm not going anywhere. You might as well join in."
Chuckling he sat down. Karli dealt out the money as Michelle handed out pieces. The game started off slow but before long it really got going. They talked about a lot of things but nothing too serious until TJ sighed and asked, "So how long have you two been together?"
"Two years this October," Michelle said.
"Where'd you meet? College?"
"At a college actually. Karli was looking to get in but was auditing. History 205 with Professor Grantwood."
"I don't know how you even passed," Karli said, "You never paid attention."
"I was too busy looking at the hot thing sitting next to me," she grinned.
TJ scrunched his nose, trying not to upchuck from their cheesiness. Turning to Michelle he said, "I suppose you both were with guys before each other huh?"
Michelle shook her head, "No, Karli was the one who saw guys. Nothing but girls for me," tilting her head for a second she said, "That's what you think this is? You think we're just some college chicks experimenting?"
"Michelle…" Karli said, gently placing a hand on her arm.
"No," she said, shaking it off and glaring at him, "I've been a full on lesbian as long as you've been out of the closet. I didn't have the whole country supporting me in fact I had no one supporting me. Stop acting like you're above us because you're not. You can keep your snarky comments to yourself."
TJ put his hands up and said, "Sorry. I wasn't implying anything."
"I sure as hell hope not," Michelle said, "Cuz you've got one of the most amazing girls on the planet trying to help you out. She's been through it all and can help. Don't blow it."
TJ swallowed, not saying another word. Sighing, Karli said, "Well, I think I better get you and Agent Clark back."
The drive back was quiet. TJ thought about what Michelle said. Before long they pulled up to the house. As he was about to follow Agent Clark out, Karli gently put a hand on his arm, "Look, I can tell you weren't having the most fun tonight and I apologize for Michelle. She's a bit touchy about it still. Her parents still haven't accepted us."
TJ nodded, "I'm sorry."
"You know TJ," she said, "the one sure way for this to work is if you want it to. If you don't and I'm wasting y time, just say so. But I don't think I am and I truly believe you do want it. So, you need to try. Trust me; it'll succeed if you do."
He nodded, "Okay."
"See you tomorrow," she said with a smile. Without another word, she drove off. TJ watched her go, thinking about what she said. After she faded into the distance, he pulled a hand out of his pocket. As he opened it, he looked down at the handful of pills he grabbed from her bathroom. Quickly popping them in his mouth, he went inside.
