As Time Goes By

Chapter 26

A nervous lump forms at the back of Eugene's throat. His first instinct is to bolt, but with Jeremy and Sheena blocking his path to the only exit, he immediately puts his acting skills to the test. With a fake smile, he approaches Jeremy with outstretched arms and pulls him into a tight embrace. "Is this how you greet the one you love after being separated for so long?"

Jeremy knows Eugene well enough to know when he's acting, but returns his partner's embrace anyway. Looking over Jeremy's shoulder, Eugene now works his charms on Sheena. Taking a step back from Jeremy, he wags his finger at his friend. "And you, Sheena, keeping Jeremy's arrival a secret from me. How long have you known that he was in town?"

Not knowing how much information to divulge, Sheena shoots Jeremy a nervous glance. "Oh, well, uh, I would have said something, but we both wanted to surprise you."

They can tell that Eugene is not buying it, and Jeremy quickly comes to Sheena's defense. "Don't go blaming Sheena, this was all my idea."

Eugene crosses his arms in front of his chest. "I see, and why such secrecy? Why not give me a heads up so I could prepare for your arrival myself?"

Tired of the games, Jeremy decides that it's time to be straightforward. "Okay, Eugene, you want the truth?"

Eugene nods his head. "Yeah, a little bit of truth would be nice."

Jeremy begins to grow angry. "The reason we didn't say anything is because we knew that if we did you'd probably take off. Plus, I don't ever want to hear you lecturing me on truth! I've been after you for months to be truthful with me and all I ever seemed to get was lies."

Seeing where this is going, Sheena quietly excuses herself as she backs out of the room. "I think you guys could use some privacy. I'm just going to go get dinner started. Call me if you need anything."

The two men watch Sheena as she turns and rushes into the kitchen. Once alone again Jeremy turns to face his partner. "So, are you ready now to cut the act and tell me once and for all just what the hell is going on with you?"

Knowing when he's licked, Eugene takes a seat on the couch. He looks down at his clasped hands that sit in his lap and finally comes clean. "First you have to understand that this has absolutely nothing to do with you or us."

Jeremy takes a seat next to Eugene. "You've already told me that and I believe you, that's not what bothers me."

Eugene lifts his gaze to Jeremy's. "It's not?"

Jeremy shakes his head. "No, it's not. The problem, Eugene, is the fact that you didn't have enough faith in me to come to me first. You could have come to me and we could have worked out your problems together but instead you just shut me out and took off. What's up with that? Didn't you think I'd understand?"

Eugene's eyes open wide. "No, just the opposite, I knew you'd understand, and that was the problem."

Jeremy furrows his brow as he tries to make sense of what Eugene just said. "How could my understanding be a problem?"

Eugene gives a shrug of his shoulders. "Because, I didn't want you to uproot your life because of me."

"What do you mean by uprooting my life?"

Eugene gets up now and starts to pace. "Well, you know how my life in New York started out."

Jeremy nods his head. "Yeah, you've told me all about that and like I said, your past doesn't matter to me."

He stops to look at Jeremy. "I know, and I love you for it." He continues with his pacing. "Well, after I met Max, and he got me the part in Rats, I thought to myself, 'This is it, I've hit the big time'. Then I met you, and that was the cherry on top of the sundae. I had it all, a loving boyfriend, fame and the fortune that went with it. I went to all the hottest places, took extravagant trips. I really thought that I had it made, but all the time something was missing."

Eugene stops talking and Jeremy finds that he has to nudge him on. "And that was?"

A sad look haunts Eugene's face. "Me. What was missing was the me I used to be. You see, after a while I discovered that all that fame, the bright lights, the lavish apartments and extravagant parties, that wasn't me. And the longer it went on, the more detached I became. I needed to get back to who I really was deep inside, but to do that would mean leaving New York, and I knew that it wouldn't be fair for me to ask you to give it all up just for me. I didn't know what to do, so I did what I do best, and I ran, and I've been hiding out here on Sheena's couch ever since."

Jeremy takes a moment to let what he's just heard fully sink in. When he's ready, he asks Eugene his next question. "Okay, that explains why you left, but now I have another question. I want to know where you go when you leave this apartment. I know that you've been spending most of your days out, and I want to know what you've been doing."

Eugene shakes his head. "I've been wanting to tell you what's been going on and why I haven't been able to leave here, but I'm afraid that when I do I'm going to lose you."

Jeremy takes a step forward, closing the gap between them. He takes Eugene's hand into his and gives it a gentle squeeze. The small token of affection causes Eugene to lift his gaze to his. Their eyes lock and for a brief moment Eugene is lost in the love that radiates out towards him.

Jeremy's voice is soft when he speaks. "Hey, Eugene, you know you're not alone in this. I'm here, willing to stand by you in whatever you decide. I just wish I could understand a little better why this town has such a strong pull on you."

A smile begins to form on Eugene's lips as an idea slowly forms in his head. "Maybe I can help you with that." He tightens his hold on Jeremy's hand and heads for the door, pulling the man with him. "Come on, I have something to show you."

He makes a stop at the counter where the keys to Sheena's Prius sit. Grabbing them, he yells to her. "Hey, Sheena, you don't mind if I borrow your car for a bit, do you?"

Sheena walks into the living room, a look of confusion sits on her face. "Um, sure, yeah, that's fine, but can I ask where you're going?"

The smile on his face widens as he looks at Jeremy. "I, uh, just have something I need to take care of. We won't be long, I promise. Thanks again."

The two are out the door before Sheena has any time to respond. Shrugging her shoulders, and chalking this up to Eugene just being Eugene, she returns to the kitchen to finish preparing the night's dinner.

xxxxx

They pull away from Sheena's apartment building and head towards the old neighborhood. The stress and worry that has taken up residence in Eugene slowly begins to melt away as soon as they hit the familiar streets of his childhood. Jeremy looks out the window in wonder as he takes in the stark difference between the old neighborhood and the newer part of town where Sheena resides.

Looking over at Eugene, he notices the change that has come over him and begins to relax a bit himself. He gives his partner a moment before breaking the silence that fills the car. "This is sure quite the change in scenery. This neighborhood looks like something out of a history book."

Eugene smiles while nodding his head. "That's because it is a part of history. Well, MY history at least. This is where I grew up."

With a quick left turn, the couple finds themselves driving down Vine Street. Eugene slows down as they pass the boarding house. Jeremy squints as the reads the faded sign that still hangs on the outside wall. "The Sunset Arms. No Kids, Pets okay. Wow, an old fashioned boarding house. Do they still take in boarders?"

Eugene shakes his head. "No, they stopped a few years back. It's owned by my friend's Arnold and Helga Shortman, they live there with their two kids."

Pulling up to the curb, Eugene gives Jeremy a moment to take the place in before continuing to fill him in on the building's history. "Do you know, this old building has now seen five generations of Shortman's. It was built by Arnold's great-grandfather and it's been in the family ever since."

"Wow, that's pretty impressive, but they should be renting the place out, they'd make a fortune. What could they possibly need with all that space?"

Eugene gives a little chuckle. "Heh, well if Arnold had his way, I'm sure they'd fill the place with kids. But I'm not too sure Helga would be up for that. Besides, between Arnold's job at the school, and Helga's children's books, they make a pretty good living."

Jeremy can't help but be a little impressed. "So she's an author, huh?"

Eugene is quick to nod his head. "Yep. You ever hear of the series Arlo's Adventures?"

"Yeah, actually, I have. You mean she's –"

"Yep, those are her characters."

Jeremy let's that settle in his head as Eugene pulls away from the curb. He drives slowly as he continues on with the tour. "Over there is Vitello's Flower Shop. It used to be owned by old Mrs. Vitello, but her niece runs it now. If I'm not mistaken, I think almost every kid in the neighborhood held a part-time job there at one point or another. Oh, and that butcher shop next to it. That's Green Meats. That was owned by old Mr. Green, until Harold and Patty Berman took over once he finally retired."

"Heh, that's crazy. And none of these people have ever thought of packing it up and leaving this town?"

"Nope." Eugene replies through a shake of his head.

They continue on through the small town, with Eugene showing him all the places that have made up his past. They drive by places like Urban Tots, where the gang first came together. Tina Park, where many a spring and summer had been spent flying kites and climbing trees.

Eugene brings the car to their final stop and motions for Jeremy to get out of the car. Once on the sidewalk, they stand and look out at the one place that holds a place of reverence in each of his friend's hearts. In Eugene's eyes he sees the ghosts of his childhood that take the form of familiar children, no more than nine or ten years old. He closes his eyes and listens to the voices that ring up from his past.

He allows himself a moment to relish in the feelings of old days gone by, and when he's done, his voice is filled with sentiment. "This, right here, is where it all really came together. This is where bonds were made that have stuck with each and every one of us that have passed through those doors."

He turns his gaze back to Jeremy, his heart longing to be understood. He shakes his head as he casts his gaze downward. "I don't know how to properly explain it. This place, this town, it gets into your blood and grabs hold. You can move away, but you can never really leave. There will always be a part of you, no matter who you are, not even Rhonda, there will always be a part of you that longs to be back."

Jeremy stands silent for a moment and just looks at Eugene's downcast face. There's a part of him that understands what the man is saying, and it is that part of him that speaks right now. Hooking a finger under Eugene's chin, he slowly lifts his face so they are looking eye to eye. He brings up a thumb and softly brushes it across the splatter of freckles that color his soft cheek. "I – I think I hear where you're coming from. Eugene, if this place is so important to you, then it's just as important to me, too."

A tear slowly escapes Eugene's eyes. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

Jeremy smiles and nods his head. "Yes, I am. I see now what's brought you back to this place. It's home to you, and I'm fine with that."

"But the play, and Broadway, it's all you've ever dreamed of. I can't ask you to leave all that just for me."

"It's okay, Eugene. I've lived that life, I had my chance to experience it and it was great. But it's not what keeps me warm at night. It's not what's going to be by my side when I'm old and gray. That's your job. Hey, look, I've got a good thing here with you, and I'm not going to lose that over bright lights and fancy parties. I've chosen you, Eugene, and I have no regrets."

Left completely speechless the only thing Eugene can do is pull Jeremy into a tight hug where he is held as the stress of the past months slowly begin to melt away. His tears come uncontrollably, and they wet the shoulder of Jeremy's shirt, but he doesn't mind, and continues to hold on tight, whispering soothing words of comfort into Eugene's ear.

Once Eugene's sobs have begun to slow, Jeremy breaks the embrace. "Well, I guess it looks like Hillwood has a new resident. Thing only thing we need to figure out is how we're going to make a living."

Eugene grabs onto Jeremy's hands and he gives him an excited look. "I've been thinking about that, and I know what I want to do." He pulls his partner back to the car. "Come on, I've got one more thing to show you."

Once back in the car, they head out towards the direction of the harbor side of town. Eugene parks the car in front of an old studio. The writing on the soaped up windows are faded and chipped, but if you look hard enough you can make out the words, "Madame Olivia's School of Dance." The studio is flanked on one side by an old pawn shop, with a dry cleaners taking up residence on the other. Next to the pawn shop sits a small Jewish deli, with a laundromat occupying the space next door to that. It's a two story building with small, walk-up apartments on the second floor where the sounds of afternoon talk shows mix with the cries of a new born baby.

Eugene points to a "For Rent Or Sale" sign that is taped to the inside window of the dance studio. "I ran across this place one day when I was out trying to clear my head. When I saw this place an idea came to me, and it's been pulling at my conscience ever since."

Jeremy looks at the old studio, wondering what Eugene could be thinking. "Okay, well, what was the idea?"

"Well." Eugene continues, "As you know, this town holds a special place in my heart. It's given so much to me growing up, and I feel that now it's my turn to give something back."

"Okay, I'm listening."

"As you can tell, this is a rather lower income part of town, even more so than the neighborhood the gang and I grew up in."

Jeremy gives a quick look up and down the sidewalk. "Yeah, I kinda noticed that."

"Regardless of the income level, these streets are filled with talented kids. Kids who deserve the same opportunities as those in the more affluent parts of town, and, well, I want to be that opportunity. I want to provide to them a chance to hone their skills and maybe make a name for themselves like you and I have. I want to reopen this studio and turn it into the type of place that these families can afford to send their kids to." Eugene is talking non-stop now, not even stopping for air. "I've checked into it, and the place comes with the small apartment that's above it. I know it's not much, but it's got a nice sized bedroom, and a kitchen with a separate living room, and a bathroom with both a tub and a shower, and it's close to other shops, and the docks are just like a block away, with a small beach for taking nighttime walks, and –"

He's stopped mid-sentence when Jeremy places a finger over his lips. Letting out a small chuckle, he shushes Eugene with a quick kiss. "Okay, okay, I get it. I hear what you're saying, and I love it."

Eugene's eyes glisten with hope. "Do you really? Are you sure? I know it's asking a lot, and we probably won't make much money, but that will be made up for once you see the smiles on the faces of all the kids that will come through these doors."

"Yes, I'm sure. I have to tell you that this town of yours has started getting into my blood too. I can't explain it, but somehow I have the feeling that we're going to do just fine here."

Eugene pulls Jeremy back towards the car. "That's all I needed to hear. Now, come on, there's one last thing left to do."

Jeremy eagerly gets back into the car. "Okay, where to now?"

Checking his side mirror, Eugene pulls away from the curb. "The only thing left to do now is sign the papers, then the place is ours, and, I've even come up with a name for the studio."

"Oh, I can't wait to hear, what is it?"

Eugene shoots him a quick look and a smile. "I was thinking we could call it 'The Hillwood Academy of the Arts'. What do you think?"

Jeremy nods his head as he lets the name sink in. "You know, I like it. It has an air of sophistication to it. So just what kinds of services are you planning on offering?"

"Well, dance classes, of course."

Jeremy nods his head. "Yep, that's a must since it is a dance studio. What else?"

"Well, it's more than just a dance studio. Once inside you'll see that there's also a room with a small stage that would be perfect for acting lessons, plus there are a couple of even smaller rooms that could be used for voice and music lessons. Oh, and a small office at the very back for handling all the paperwork and such."

A thought crosses Jeremy's mind, and he can't help but to show some concern. "And who's going to be teaching all this stuff? Surely not just you and I?"

Eugene quickly shakes his head. "No, of course not. I figured we could pull talent from the local community theater group, and perhaps hire some of the more talented high school kids looking to earn a bit of money, you know, make it a whole community thing. We can put on shows at the old refurbished Circle Theater. Oh, Jeremy, I just know that this is going to work, I can feel it in my bones."

It's been a long time since Jeremy has seen Eugene this passionate about anything, and it makes him happy to once again see in his eyes, the man he fell in love with. He gazes out the window at his new hometown and smiles. Feeling that they are finally back on track, he turns to look at Eugene. "Hey, Eugene."

"Yeah, Jeremy?"

"How about once we're done signing the papers, we go get your stuff from Sheena's and you can spend the rest of my stay with me at the hotel."

Coming to a stop at a red light, Eugene looks at Jeremy and nods his head. "Yeah, I can't think of anything I'd like better."