Rehearsals with John Partridge went well today. Even better than expected, actually. The whole cast seemed to enjoy his presence. He kept the mood lively and entertaining, on and off stage, with just his personality alone.
And he was extremely easy to talk to, which made him friends rather quickly. He was as charming as he was charismatic, just like the Rum Tum Tugger him played.
Michael and Jacob had a great time catching up with him. Even if they'd only been away for a month and a half, it was as if nothing had changed.
Michael didn't realize how much he truly missed John until now.
Although, he doesn't remember John being this handsy when they last met. Grabbing his waist and pulling him close, John towered over Michael ever so slightly.
Had he always been this flirtatious? Or this…intimate? Michael's heart pounded out of his chest.
He shook his head as he stepped off the bus. He pulled back his sleeve to reveal a black wrist watch. The time was now 10:30pm and, currently, Michael was heading back to his apartment on the outskirts of the city.
More snow had fallen since this morning. The streets were dim and frosty, with few people to walk them. It was much more frigid at night, and the bone chilling air forced Michael to cover his trembling lips with his scarf and gloved hand.
Just then, he felt a buzz in his coat pocket. It was his phone ringing. 'So much for keeping my mouth warm.' He thought. He removed it from his pocket and answered. "Hello?"
"Hey, Mike!" A voice replied. The voice belonged to his Mother. "How've you been? We didn't know if you'd be up at this hour." Michael smiled.
Since he moved to New York, he's only been able to see his family once or twice a year. So, even if it was just over the phone, it was nice to hear their voices again.
"I've been great. I'm heading home from the Theater." He said. "Oh, that's right! And how was the show tonight?" She replied with a question. "It went good. David Hibbard got sick so he was replaced with an actor from the London company." He said. Beaming as he finally made it to his Apartment complex's front entrance.
"Really? Oh gosh, I hope he feels better. But all the way from London?" She questioned in both a worried and confused voice.
"Yeah, there was nobody else left to cover for him." He waved at the receptionist at the front counter as he walked towards the Elevator.
"By the way," a new voice rang through the phone. It was his father. "When will you be arriving for Christmas? And how long will you be staying, we miss you bud!" Michael grinned sheepishly, he had just stopped in front of the Elevator and pressed the Up button.
"I'll be there on the 22nd. I'll have to leave by the 28th though." The Elevator sounded. It was getting closer. Michael's parents shivered with anticipation.
"And," they started to ask, "will you be bringing a…date?" The Elevator stopped and opened. Michael tsked as he entered.
'How many times do I have to answer this?' He thought. He loved his parents. He really did. But he was so sick and tired of their unwanted involvement in his love life. He's sick of being told he's gonna die alone. And he's sick of being told he needs to settle down. He knew they had his best interest at heart, but he was over 30 now. He knows what's best for himself at this point.
"No." He said. "I won't be." He pressed the 3rd floor button and watched as the doors closed.
Michael's father sighed. "Son, you need to find something to-" "I know, I know dad." Michael, agitated and tired, cut his father's incoming lecture off.
His feet ached and his head pounded. He didn't need this right now. "I will one day. I just want to focus on my career right now, okay?" "You keep saying that." His father retorts. "You can't focus on your career forever. You haven't dated in years. You need to find someone already."
The Elevator stopped on his floor. Michael stepped off. He was about to tune them out for as long as this lecture would last when he heard his mother say something. "We worry about you, you know?"
Michael paused. He was right in front of his apartment door. He looked down at his feet. "You're far away from us now, and you live all alone. Don't you get lonely all by yourself?"
He sighed and moved the phone away from his ear, pressing it to his jacket. Suddenly he felt immense guilt for being so aggravated. He knew they weren't trying to nag him or make him feel bad, but this was all so draining, and he wanted them off his back about it.
"I'm fine mom," he said, "I promise I'm not lonely. I have plenty of friends. I'm doing great here." His voice was a lot calmer now, as he became more sympathetic to his parents concerns.
His father took the phone back. "We'll talk about this later then. You can't keep avoiding this forever. It's getting late, so get some rest. We love you." Michael exhaled in defeat. 'Well there's no point in arguing anymore then.' He thought. "Okay," he replied, "love you too."
With his parents finally off the phone, he entered his apartment, closed the door and slid himself down it. He rubs his face with his hands and groans. Loudly. His hands stop at his cheeks.
It was like, what, 10:55pm by now? He knew how late it was, and everyone would rather be at home resting. But he needed someone to talk to about this. Real bad. He needed a friend. The problem was, who would be awake at this hour?
"And that's how we ended up here." Michael finished. He had changed out of his winter clothes and was now wearing some more comfortable pajamas. He lied on his back on his big, brown couch, twiddling his thumbs. "So," he questioned, "what do you think?" He stretched his neck over the armrest his head once rested on to see the person sitting in the chair next to him.
That person was Jacob Brent, who occupied the matching brown recliner chair that he rocked back and forth on ever so steadily. They lived in the same apartment complex 1 floor apart from each other, and Jacob was nothing if not a night owl. So, he was the best choice. As tired as Jacob was, he was compassionate. And wanted to help his friend.
"I think you should be more assertive of your boundaries. They're quite important." Jacob replied. Michael moaned and slid his head back down the armrest. "I know that! My therapist tells me that all the time. But they still won't budge. And I don't know what to do." He retaliated in an exaggerated tone of voice. He covered his face again and sulked.
Jacob's concern, and slight exasperation, grew. He thought for a second. How could he advise Michael. Just then, he came up with an idea. "You know," he says, "you could always fake a relationship to your parents."
Michael moved his hands and stared up at the ceiling. Then he sat up on the armrest to face Jacob properly. "What do you mean?"
"Well," Jacob started, "When you visit, you can have someone go with you and pretend to be your boyfriend or something. Say it was supposed to be a surprise. Then, after the trip, you can say you guys broke up. And, since they'll think you're all out of sorts over it, they'll comfort you and leave you alone. Simple as that!" Jacob snapped his fingers.
Michael considered it for a second. This could potentially work. At least for a couple of years, until he could find someone he truly loves. But then he'd have to buy another plane ticket. Or convince his fake boyfriend to buy one. Who would he even ask anyway?
"You could ask John." Jacob stated as if reading Michael's mind. "He seems chill enough. Even if he doesn't agree, he'll be nice about letting you down." John was a good choice. They already formed a great relationship in the matter of 4 months. He could at least have a decent shot at convincing him.
Plus, getting to spend a week with John alone was…nice. That sounded so nice. And like a lot of fun. Wouldn't they have to play up the romantics for his parents? That won't be too bad. He could show him around his hometown too. It's not as lively as New York City but it'll have to do for a trip to Ohio. Michael doesn't mind-
"Well?" Jacob interrupted Michael's train of thought. Making Michael look up in surprise. "What do you think?" Michael sighed. The pros out weighed the cons in his, as much as he wanted to deny it, love stricken heart. And it wouldn't hurt to try. Plus, all that other stuff…
"Yes," he answered, "I'll ask him about it tomorrow."