The Next Best Thing
Memory
By Noah Colum

Eric turned the key in his front door, holding a laundry hamper with one arm. "I still can't believe you were living there," he said to Hyde.

"Whatever, man. It was a bed and a roof," he said, following close behind Eric.

Eric laughed under his breath. "Hardly." He headed through the foyer, past the half-bath, and turned left into the open spare-room. "But that doesn't matter now, because you're safe and hopefully comfortable here." He set the hamper down in the middle of the room.

Hyde came through the door. "Man, your house looks huge." He set down the grubby suitcase as he looked around what would be his room.

It was rather large, by anyone's standards, but to Hyde it was enormous. A king-size bed was against the far wall, with an average-size TV across from it. An antique dresser stood in one corner, and a small reading area, complete with overhead lamp, occupied the other. The colours were muted and unobtrusive.

Hyde was almost speechless. "There is no way I can sleep alone in here. It's way too big."

Eric grinned. "That's why they call it the 'mother-in-law suite'. We can shut her up back here and she'll feel like she has her own house." He gestured to the other door. "It's got its own bathroom."

Hyde stepped through the door, on the cool tile, looking around. "Geez, this bathroom is the size of my trailer!" And it was. A shower with room for two shared a wall with a two-sink counter, and a large Roman tub took up most of the opposite side. The toilet was separate, with its own door.

Eric stood behind him, enjoying his delight. He put a hand on his shoulder. "It's nice, isn't it?"

Hyde turned around. "I'd hate to see the price tag. But your bedroom must be incredible!" Hyde shook his head. "What did you do to get this, man? You can't be a teacher and have all this."

Eric shrugged. "I'm a corporate defense lawyer. You wouldn't believe how much these jokers pay to get what they want."

Hyde became aware of their proximity. "And they want you?"

Eric didn't move away, but didn't acknowledge the distance either. "Most of the time."

Jennifer walked in. "Eric, honey, what are you doing back here?"

Eric turned around quickly, with a smidgen of guilt in his eyes. "Jen!" He sidestepped, pulling Hyde forward. "This is Stephen Hyde, the one who called Friday night. We went to high school together, in Wisconsin."

Jennifer shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Hyde."

Hyde shrugged. "Steven."

"And this is Jennifer, my lovely wife." Eric turned back to Jennifer. "Honey, Hyde's going to be staying with us for a while. I figured he could use Hyacinth's room, right?"

Jennifer shrugged, adjusting her blazer. "It's no problem with me. Should I add one to dinner?"

Eric nodded. "Just cook for one more whenever you do."

Hyde put his hands in his pockets. "Thanks, Mrs. Forman." That felt strange to say.

Jennifer smiled. "Call me Jen."

Hyde nodded, and Jennifer smiled again as she turned to leave.

Hyde looked at Eric. "She's not from Point Place, is she?"

"Nope." Eric grinned. "We met in law school, started dating. Funny, because she's a Personal Injury lawyer and I represent the type of people she fights."

"When did you get married?"

Eric shrugged. "When we found out she was pregnant with Jason." He frowned. "But we were going to anyway, I'd already proposed two months before. We got married in January of '81, and Jason was born that July."

Hyde nodded. "You moved fast." He took off his jacket, the same jacket he'd had ten years ago, Eric noted. Eric followed suit, removing his coat.

Hyde looked at Eric's T-shirt. "Chicago? Come on, man, please tell me you didn't get into crap music."

Eric shrugged. "Jen got me started."

Hyde rolled his eyes. "The first three albums were the only good ones. What are they on now, Chicago 46?"

Eric grinned. "18, actually. And this one's pretty good. Chock full of synth. You'd hate it."

Hyde nodded. "Probably."

Eric shrugged. "Well, I'm gonna go see how the boys are doing. The car's open, I think your vinyls are still out there."

Hyde nodded. "Yeah. Uh, Eric?"

Eric turned around. Hyde looked at his feet. "Thanks."

"Who wants blueberries?" Eric asked, as he brought a big glass bowl to the table.

Tommy jumped up in his seat. "Ooh!" he raised his hand excitedly. "Ooh! Ooh!"

"Tommy!" Jennifer scolded. "Use your manners!"

Tommy sat still right away. "Daddy, can I have some buberries?" he asked, smiling.

"May I have some blueberries," Eric corrected. "And yes, you may."

"With 'wip-cream'?" Tommy grinned.

Eric nodded. "What else can you eat blueberries with?" set down the bowl, going to stand up.

Hyde got up faster. "I'll get it."

Eric smiled. "Thanks, Hyde, it's on the top shelf of the fridge."

Jennifer leaned over as Eric spooned blueberries onto Tommy's plate, then Jason's. "Why do you call him Hyde?" she asked.

"Old habits die hard," Eric said.

Hyde returned with the Cool Whip as Jennifer said, "By the way, Steven, you're welcome to whatever you'd like in the kitchen."

Hyde nodded. "Thanks."

The blueberries were sweet, and after the bowl was empty Jennifer took the boys upstairs to wash their faces and go to bed.

Hyde helped clear the table, and stood in the kitchen, drying the dishes Eric washed. They were silent, and Hyde could hear Jennifer tucking Tommy in.

Jennifer came downstairs just as Hyde was turning on the dishwasher.

"I'm going to bed, Honey. I assume you'll be up a while?" Jennifer asked, running a brush through her blond hair.

Eric nodded. "See you in the morning."

"Goodnight." Jennifer looked to Hyde. "You too, Steven. Welcome to our home."

Hyde smiled. "Goodnight, Jennifer."

She headed off, and Hyde turned to the living room. He sat down tentatively on the beige leather sofa, staring at the blank TV, staring through the blank TV.

Eric sat beside him. "What's on your mind?"

Hyde turned to look at him. "Why are you doing this for me?"

Eric blinked. "Hyde, you were my best friend until I came to Chicago. I'd do anything for you." He paused, staring at Hyde's eyes, staring through Hyde's eyes. "I love you."

And Eric felt soft lips on his, framed by the bristle of unshaven hairs. He closed his eyes, not seeing, or comprehending. Only feeling. He felt Hyde trace his jaw with a gentle fingertip.

And the feelings stopped. Hyde pulled away.

Eric was surprised, but not really shocked. "Hyde," he began. "I'm married. I have children."

Hyde bit his lip, something Eric never would have expected to see. "You love me."

Eric nodded. "Of course I love you." He frowned. "But I never said that I was in love with you."

Hyde looked at him curiously. "You were, though, weren't you?"

Eric turned away. "That's over now, Hyde. Of course I was. You were my Protector, it was like I owed you my life."

Hyde gave a sigh. "I missed you so much, Eric."

"And I missed you, too. But I'm a different person now! Being a father does that to you."

Hyde shook his head. "Well, I'm still exactly the same."

Eric smiled sadly. "I love Jennifer, Hyde. I love Tommy and Jason. I love them more than anything in the world." He sighed. "You're going to have to understand that." He stood up. "Let's just take this as friends, and not talk about this anymore."

Hyde nodded, and Eric smiled. "Goodnight, Hyde."

Tears rolled silently down his cheeks as Eric shut the door to his bedroom.