This is a work of fiction. The author retains all rights. Reproductions are not allowed without the authors consent.
There are no explicit sexual acts contained in this work, it is a story of love and the strong bonds shared between two guys.
This is the first story I have submitted. I would love to hear from you so email me on exuinoxneo@hotmail.com and be honest with what you think (but not brutally!). You can even email me if you have any questions - which overseas readers may wish to do as I am Australian and you may not understand the meaning of certain slang words (if there are any!). Enjoy.
FOUR
The morning was quiet and still as if it had taken a deep breath and was waiting release it. The weather was forecast to be hot today, and I could already feel the warmth seeping in through the open window. It was a preview of the imminent heat. Although summer was almost over, it wasn't going to pass without one last attempt at wringing out a final heatwave. Alone in my room, the only sounds I could hear were the birds chirping outside and the clock ticking the time away. I lay in bed for some time just thinking about nothing in particular. I have a lot of these moments, times when my only company are my thoughts. This morning felt different somehow, rather than brooding about things that were out of my control, I was actually enjoying the quiet solitude.
After finally getting out of bed, I took a shower and made myself some breakfast. The house was empty with both my mother and my sister out at work. I put the CD player on random to fill the silence of the empty house. If there were anything I hated more about being at home by myself, it would have to be the lack of noise. Sure, I always complained when Aunt Jen and my sister were being loud, but deep down I didn't really mind, I always felt better knowing there were people around.
I set about on some house cleaning before Edric arrived. I had invited him over to do some research on the assignment due in three weeks when I discovered that we both had a day off today. I was surprised when he agreed to come, I would have been just as happy to study at uni. Besides, I was going to cook a big lunch for Aunt Jen and my sister who was only working a short shift, so I convinced him to come over and help eat because I usually make too much and always ended up with leftovers. The rising heat of the day caused me to sweat slightly as I did the chores. I turned the air conditioner on before the house became too hot to bear.
There was still an hour to kill before Edric would arrive. I figured I'd get a head start with the assignment and switched on the computer to search the university's psychology databases for reference material. With the music turned up so loud and my concentration focused on the research I was surprised I could hear the knock at the door. I turned the volume down on the stereo; I didn't want Edric to go deaf.
He stood at the doorway immaculately dressed in fashionable hipster jeans and an almost tight light blue polo shirt. He'd let his facial hair grow into a short stubble yet he'd shaved the edges to neaten it, but his goatee was still longer than the stubble hair, which created a contrasting and layered look. His hair was styled for the first time since I met him, it actually looked really good and I was going to make a joke about him turning into a metrosexual but I didn't want to offend him.
It was good to see him, and although I didn't react irrationally dumbfounded like I did the first time I saw him, the sight of him instantly made me feel happier and at ease.
I opened the door smiling and held my hand out for a handshake. I said, "Hey Edric, I'm glad you could make it."
"It wasn't hard to find, the bus stop was just around the corner," he said, firmly shaking my hand.
"Well come in then," I said, ushering him in.
"I started on the research earlier, you can go over my notes if you want."
"Sure, I'll take a look at them," he said.
"Or you can hop on the computer and check out some databases," I offered alternatively. "You can use my references if you want."
"Hey, slow down tiger," Edric said, "I can only do one thing at a time."
"Sorry mate," I said, "I get like that when I'm left alone for too long."
"So you've got the house to yourself?" he asked.
"Not for long, my sister will be back from work soon and my aunt will be over before lunch." I replied.
"I take it there's no party then?" Edric questioned, faking disappointment.
"Hmm no, nice try buddy," I said, "But we've got study to do."
"You're a kill joy, you know that?"
"Thanks, but that's not why everyone loves me."
"Yeah? Why does everyone love you March?"
"Why does the world turn? Why does the sun set? That's just the way things are meant to be."
"Please, you're killin' me," Edric said, "I'm expecting your food to do that."
"Hey," I said feigning hurt, "Don't knock it till you try it."
"Yes, I'm sure you won't try to poison me," he said. "Okay then, let's start on this assignment."
We spent the next hour on our first piece of assessment. I worked on my notes while Edric searched the psychology databases. When I noticed midday approaching I told Edric that I needed to start preparing lunch. He asked me if I wanted any help but I told him not to worry and to keep working on the assignment. He did for a little while before he came into the kitchen to ask again if I wanted any help.
"Okay," I finally relented, "If you really want to help you can wash the salad leaves for me."
"Great," he said, "I hate feeling useless."
"You're a guest, you don't have to help mate." I said.
"No, I want to," he said.
At that moment Julie arrived home in a fluster. Work was sometimes stressful for her. She barged into the kitchen noisily and rummaged through the fridge for a drink.
"Oh hello," she said upon noticing Edric. "I'm March's older sister, Julie."
Edric introduced himself, "Hi, I'm Edric. You look younger than March."
"Yeah, people always think he's older than me," Julie explained.
"You've got a funny accent, where do you come from?" Julie asked.
"Julie, don't be rude," I chided her.
Edric smiled, he said, "It's alright, I've lived here all my life. But I'm of Russian descent, half Russian half Aussie actually."
"Ah," Julie said. "Don't I feel stupid."
"You are stupid," I muttered under my breath.
"I heard that squirt," Julie said to me.
I stuck my tongue out at her.
"Mature," Julie said. "Well hurry up with lunch, I'm hungry. I'm going to take a shower, it's damn hot out there."
"Good idea madam stinky," I said to Julie as she left the kitchen.
"Mature," Julie said behind her.
"Well," Edric said, "Your sister seems nice."
"Hmph," I disagreed. "Try annoying."
"I wish I had a sister," he said, half to himself.
"Yeah?" I had to ask, "So your background is Russian?"
"Yep," he said, and slowly as if considering his words, "They moved here with my older brother before I was born because my mother wanted to return to Australia."
"How are your parents?" I asked.
"My mother died a few years ago and my father is in a mental hospital suffering from acute schizophrenia," Edric said calmly.
I put down the knife I was using to cut the vegetables and turned around to face Edric. He had a serene expression on his face that didn't reflect the ill news he'd delivered at all. I sensed that he wasn't at pains with what he'd just said. It was as if he was at peace with himself and what he'd suffered.
"God, I'm sorry," I apologised. "I shouldn't have asked."
"That's okay," he said without distress, "It's the past, water under the bridge."
"You're amazing you know," I said in admiration, "I don't know what I would've done."
"What you know would need to be done," Edric said with conviction. Then he smiled a smile that could melt away any worries and said, "But what you can do now is finish cooking, I'm kind of hungry too."
"Right boss," I said.
The food was ready in time for lunch and I set it out on the table. It looked like a banquet with the steaming roast, vegetables, salad and soup occupying a majority of the kitchen table. Aunt Jen arrived just in time, Julie let her in and they started talking noisily as usual.
"And who would this be?" Aunt Jen asked pleasantly, she was concentrating on Edric, probably checking his aura. "March, you never said you were having any visitors."
"Well you're here aren't you?" I joked. "This is Edric, he does the same course as me at uni. We're working on an assignment together."
"It's lovely to meet you dear, I'm March's aunt Jennifer, but you can call me Jen," She smiled but there was something about the way she was looking at Edric that gave me the impression she knew something about him. She said, "You're a very good looking young man, if I were younger I would be chasing you to no end!"
Edric blushed and looked away. Aunt Jen didn't usually say such things, it was quite out of character for her, it seemed almost as though she was measuring him or scrutinising his reaction from the expectant look on her face.
"I'm flattered," Edric said, "Uhm, thanks."
"Let's eat then," I said to keep Aunt Jen from embarrassing Edric any further.
Everyone agreed and we all sat down for lunch. Aunt Jen bombarded Edric with questions, but I could tell she was being tactful about it. I rolled my eyes and apologised to Edric on many occasions. He didn't seem to mind, he was enjoying the friendly banter and he asked a lot of questions himself.
He was genuinely interested in Aunt Jen's spiritual beliefs and asked her to explain the concept of coincidences and auras.
"We are as human's spiritually evolving, waking up to a higher consciousness," Aunt Jen said, "Many people are finding more often that the coincidences in their lives hold more meaning than they first thought. The universe is an extension of our wills and what we project manifests itself in our lives. For instance, questions we may have are mysteriously answered in random coincidental events, such as receiving a phone call by an old friend or colleague who holds those answers. Or someone we need to speak to urgently, appear to us when we don't expect them."
"That's so true," Edric commented.
"Yes, so you see," Aunt Jen continued, "Our experiences and coincidences all prepare and encourage our birth visions for which we came into this world to fulfil.
We have lived many lives and each time learning more as we attempt to evolve ourselves and the world we live in."
"You are a very wise person," Edric complimented, "I'm honoured to have met you."
"No I'm honoured to have met you," Aunt Jen returned. "I'm sure we will all learn and grow from the experiences we have with each other."
"I know that you have opened my eyes much more," Edric said, "March is lucky to have you as an aunt."
"Hah," I said. "Should be the other way around!"
"Interesting that your head grew two sizes bigger when you said that," Julie said.
"Gotta fit my big brain in don't it?" I said getting up to put my plate away.
"My brother has delusions so don't take any notice of it Edric," Julie whispered to him.
Aunt Jen collected the empty plates from the table and I went about storing the leftovers in the fridge.
"Thanks for lunch March," Edric said, "You should've been a chef, that was a great meal."
"No worries, it was nothing," I said, slightly embarrassed by the compliment, "I like to cook for people."
Aunt Jen raised an eyebrow upon overhearing my comment. I glared at her and she chuckled.
"Let's go and leave these two to study in peace Julie," Aunt Jen suggested to my sister.
"Hey, why don't you do Edric a telling?" Julie suggested back.
Aunt Jen went silent; she looked like a rabbit caught in the approaching glare of headlights. Then she promptly said, "I'm sorry dear, I didn't bring my cards with me today, maybe next time."
Edric looked at me after Julie and Aunt Jen left the room. I shrugged at him. Aunt Jen always had her cards with her and she was also acting a bit strange today, I couldn't figure it out so I decided to give up trying.
I reached into the sink for the plug without looking and felt a sudden sharp pain in my left index finger. I quickly withdrew my hand from the sink. A bright line of crimson red suddenly appeared on my finger and blood began to seep out of the wound.
"Shit," I said.
Thinking quickly Edric snatched a paper towel from the dispenser and wrapped it around my finger squeezing firmly while he held onto my wrist. He asked, "You okay?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine thanks, I just don't like the sight of blood."
Edric smiled at me reassuringly, I saw genuine concern in his eyes.
I could feel the pain slowly ebb away as he held on. In some way, I didn't want this moment to end, I realised that Edric was beginning to mean a lot more to me than I could ever imagine. Standing there together, it felt like we'd known each other for an eternity. It was as if we'd been friends for longer than just a few days. I felt a growing feeling, an unexplainable knowledge that something amazing was happening to me, slowly unfolding before my eyes, and somehow I knew that Edric was going to be a big part of it.