Chapter 6-
I got a call from Hooper today. He asked me how I was doing. I lied and said I was absolutely fine, even though my body aches, and my heart is broken. I was astonished that Hooper would even talk to me, after all I did to him. I think I really hurt him, and so he went back to Manhattan. He belongs there, really. It's where he grew up, went to school, and started his comic. His family is there, too.
He fits right into the city life. Granted, he belongs in Greenwich Village, but he's got that persona of his to hide behind. He is Hooper X, not Hooper LaMont. He's strong, persuasive, and can live under a façade very easily.
In other words, he's everything that I want to be.
I could never do it. I couldn't even live under the false image that I had. I was Banky Edwards. Banky "Wonderful son of Julia and Edward, bowling champion, hockey fanatic, dating-a-cheerleader, best friends with Holden McNeil, Straight-A, Good Catholic, Smart, Handsome, Brilliant, Straight Man" Edwards.
I mean, yes, I was somewhat smart, and I loved my parents, and I was a bowling champion until the wax mishap of the final game of my senior year. I was a hockey fanatic, got straight A's, and I did date a cheerleader. Jeanne-Marie DuBois, I believe her name was. Ah, she was beautiful, but she didn't love me. She was only going out with me because she was trying to make her boyfriend jealous.
I think he was the dude that got busted for having sex with a minor… The one that wanted to do it in a very uncomfortable place…Something about the back of a Volkswagen? I don't know. I don't pay attention to these things. I'm too busy tending to my own dismal existence.
But then again, I worry about everyone else, too.
Well, Hooper says that he'll be back in town soon for a Comicon. I'm pretty sure that I won't be attending, partly because of my poor health and partly because of my fears. I'm afraid that Hooper will be uncomfortable. I'm afraid that he won't be uncomfortable. I'm afraid that I'll end up falling in love with the man that I can't have.
There I go again! I sound like a teenage kid! I love Hooper LaMont. I've never felt this way about anybody, not even Holden. What I felt for Holden was love, but I had a relationship with Hoop. I held hands with him. I hugged him, kissed him, held him, made love with him… I did everything with Hooper that I had always wanted to do with Holden, but I wasn't broken up. I enjoyed my time with him, and I never cried over the lack of affection, because there was no lack of affection.
Hooper always made sure that I felt loved. As a man, I can tell you that few men like to cuddle after sex, and Hooper is a "Cuddle-bunny". He held me and we would talk for hours, and it never phased us. He did the most romantic things for me. After a day of inking, I would come home physically and emotionally drained after spending a day with the first man I thought I loved. Hooper was there with open arms and he would hold me, a smile playing out on his lips, and a loving shine in his eyes.
Hell, I remember that Hooper had his mischievous side, too. We'd go to the Comicons and see fans of his, and he told everyone that he was the supreme Massa and I was his white bitch-servant. I tell ya, it was unbelievably hard not to laugh. I would turn around and snicker while Hoop kept a straight face.
Jay wasn't much of a problem with Hooper. In fact, Hoop is the one person that Jay doesn't act like an ass around. I think its because Hoop took the twerp in when he was out on the streets for that time when his mom's crackhouse got busted. Jay was grateful as all hell, and apparently still is. Jay's got that fat cash now, and he always offers to pay Hooper back, but Hoop refuses. That's just the kind of guy he is. He's kind, and charitable.
Speaking of Jay, I can hear him rapping from the sidewalks. He's not that good at it, but I swear I heard him doing his own little mix of rap songs. He must be singing along to the Walkman Silent Bob bought him. I think he's singing Sweet Home Alabama. That makes no sense because he was born and raised in Red Bank, New Jersey, and only left for Hollywood after that disaster of a film came out.
I think I'll go down and see them. I could use some company, even if one half is knowing, and the other half is obnoxious. Man, can Bob be obnoxious…
Naw, they're both awesome dudes.
Wow. Did I just say 'dudes'?
