"Ben!" Michael called, sprinting down the street to catch up with Ben, who was pushing his bicycle away from the comic book shop. "Ben! Wait!"
Ben came to a stop, pausing a moment before turning to face Michael.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Michael said. "I know... lunch... I know, but... I felt strange and..." he was winded from running to catch up. "I went to the hospital..."
"Are you OK?" Ben said. "You're not..."
"No..." Michael paused to catch his breath. "Brian... he... he checked himself out of the hospital this morning. I just... I got this feeling that something was wrong. He said that... the lab had gotten his test results back. But they called him back to the hospital to get them."
Ben kicked the stand down on his bike. "Well that could mean anything." he said, trying to calm Michael. "You said he checked himself out, right?" Michael nodded. "Against doctor's orders no doubt. They probably wanted to just get him back to the hospital."
It was such a load of garbage that neither Michael nor Ben believed, but Michael nodded, appreciating Ben's efforts. "I just worry about him. Since we were kids." Michael sighed. "I'm sorry about lunch. Do you have any more time?"
"Just about enough to get back to campus," Ben said. "Michael... it's OK. Really. Really." he smiled. "We're having dinner tonight... with your mother."
"Don't sound so excited." Michael managed a laugh. "She's going to have us so stuffed we're not gonna be able to move for a month."
"And that could be a severe tragedy," Ben smiled. "I think we'll manage."
"So we'll go over there together..."
"Michael..." Ben said. "I have that student meeting after classes today, remember? I'm going to meet you over there."
"Right," Michael said. "Six o'clock."
"Six o'clock," Ben repeated. "And I'll bring my appetite," He kissed Michael softly on the lips. "I promise."
"I'll hold you to that." Michael said.
"Please do. I'll see you later then." He kissed Michael once again, longer and deeper this time, before pulling away. Michael watched him ride away, turning back to the store.
Brian had stalled a while, not feeling like doing much of anything at first, but ultimately came to the decision to just go on with his day. He wasn't about to pretend like anything had changed. Because, where everyone else was concerned, nothing had changed and Brian was prepared to keep it that way.
He walked into the Liberty Diner, with the full intention to eat lunch in peace. After about twenty four hours, he was ready to have food in his body again. As long as it wasn't oysters.
"Deb" Brian took a seat at the counter. "Coffee,"
"I've got customers waiting" she said "You better put your hand on your cock and whistle."
"Alright" Brian leaned against the counter. "What'd I do this time? Did I stand too close to your son without getting the proper authorization or what?"
"Haven't you caused enough trouble?" Debbie said. "You know... as much as Michael would do anything for you, you don't have to take advantage of it all the time."
"What the fuck are you talking about?" Brian said. "I didn't do shit to Mikey."
"You call and he goes running," Debbie said. "Give the poor kid some space for Christ's sake! Let him enjoy his life without having to worry every time you break a nail!"
Brian raised his eyebrows, not particularly amused by Debbie's rant. "Coffee?" he said pushing his cup forward.
Debbie put the pot down a little rougher than necessary. "Do be careful not to burn yourself." she said sarcastically.
Brian shook his head, taking the coffee. He wasn't in the mood to dig into Deb, he didn't feel up to it at the moment, so he uncharacteristically took what she dished out.
Debbie noticed this. "What, no witty remark?" she said. "Not like you to just sit there. "
Brian paused a moment. "You know what?" he said. "You're right." He violently swatted the ceramic cup across the counter where it shattered against the wall. "Keep you fucking coffee and keep your fucking remarks." And he said no more, blowing out of the Diner