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Chance of Pace, Chapter 3
Jordan walked into the overly crowded restaurant on a Saturday evening. He had to squint his eyes to locate his date for the evening. He cursed her for wanting to meet at this fucking place. Stacy was hell bent on finding a place for them to constantly hangout that is trendy and has amazing food. Sadly, most places in New York City have been trying too hard lately.
After a handful of requests to pass certain patrons, Jordan made it to the table where his best friend of the past 5 years has been waiting. "That libation better be mine." He demanded as he removed his coat and sat down.
"Like you would ever catch me drinking bourbon." Stacy spilled out in disgust.
"It's hard to keep track considering your issues with commitment."
"Fuck you." She retaliated with a smile and a wink.
"Right here honey." Jordan replied endearingly with both of his middle fingers elevated to a level distinct enough to decipher a collective insult.
"Well that is kind of why I invited you to dinner," she began, "I met someone. It's being going on for a few months."
Jordan looked up from the menu at Stacy to notice her ducking in anticipation of a violent response. He normally would chuckle at her but this moment he was shocked. The two friends always shared everything. Stacy always knew who he or Derek fucked, she knew about his awful dates and she was always the one to give her opinion about everything. Jordan was the same to Stacy. In that split second he realized that was the issue. The friends were too critical of who they dated. "That's great. Details please."
"Wait, you're not pissed?"
"Listen, the way I see it is that our personal lives clearly have been sucking wind lately. Look what happened here: you waited to tell me about him and it's going well, right?"
"Well I suppose. I didn't even realize the correlation between the two."
The two friends spent the evening having copious drinks and ordering food. Stacy told Jordan all about Sean. He was in marketing, lived in Brooklyn, they met at Starbucks in Bryant Park and he was great. Jordan was super happy that Stacy met a guy who is still a gentleman.
"Let me get this hun." Stacy said as she shoved her credit card in the servers hand.
"Well thank you."
"So tell me what's going on with you?" She inquired.
Jordan started to flashback to what happened last night. He thought all about running into Kenny at the gym, going out for drinks, the storm, the sleepover. He debated telling Stacy about the entire evening but decided against it. He thought about the fact that he might read into it too much. Jordan also kept in mind that Stacy is still friends with David and he didn't want this getting back to him. "Well not much. I'm enjoying turning my focus back to work and the gym. Dating is something else these days."
"Yes I know. I don't want to say I'm lucky because it's so new."
Jordan helped Stacy get her coat on and walked her to the door. They were one of a very few patrons still left in the restaurant. Exiting was so much easier than the entrance. They hugged and parted on the way out with Stacy delivering a promise to introduce Sean soon.
Jordan began the short walk back to his apartment. The only major obstacle was getting through Times Square. This was the only part he hated about living in Hells Kitchen. "That bitch is lucky I love her." He said into his scarf as he made his way through the crowds.
Jordan got back to his lobby to find Derek sitting there waiting. He looked as if he had tears in his eyes. Jordan approached him as Derek was staring out into the night. "Hey bud, what's up?" Jordan asked clearly startling him.
"Oh. Hey. How are you?" Derek asked.
He was pale, sweaty and he looked like he hadn't slept in days. He also smelled like he hadn't had a shower in a few days. Jordan was worried. "Let's go." Jordan said as he lightly grabbed Derek's arm and led him to the elevator.
They got into the apartment and Jordan took him straight to the bathroom. He put the shower on and got Derek undressed. "Get in and wash every where."
Derek listened to Jordan got in the shower. Jordan knew exactly why Derek had taken the last two days off of work. He knew why he hadn't heard form him in awhile. He went to make Derek some tea, took out some sleeping pills and got him a light snack of crackers and butter.
Jordan returned to the bathroom to find Derek rinsing his hair out. He turned off the water and stepped out to find Jordan waiting with a towel. He dried off, put on a pair of shorts and brushed his teeth. Jordan went to the living room to wait while he finished up.
"Hey." Derek said as he walked into the room with his head hung low and sat down.
"Here, take this and drink this. Eat some of these crackers." Jordan commanded as he handed Derek the tea and pills.
Derek did as he was told and then looked at Jordan, "I am so sorry. I was curious. It was just an experiment. "
Jordan looked at him. He tried to not have a look of pity on his face. He cared for Derek so much. He was one of his best friends. He would do anything for him. "Come over here." He said to Derek as he held an arm out.
Derek curled under his arm while Jordan pulled a blanket over him. He then continued, "Drugs are a really a bad thing Derek. You know this. I've told you about my history. We will talk about his more tomorrow afternoon. Right now you need rest. When did you last sleep?"
"I've been up since Wednesday night."
"Okay. That pill should be kicking in any minute. Here's some pillows and blanket. Just close your eyes and sleep. We'll handle this together tomorrow. You're my bud and I love you."
Derek looked like a little kid who got tucked into bed by his parents. Blanket brought up to his chin, eyes closed and he could barely move. All he was able to mutter was "Uh huh."
Jordan smiled when he realized how grateful he was to have gotten him before he spiraled and got caught in with a bad drug crowd. He turned off all the lights and took his computer into his room and closed the door.
He sat on his bed and put his computer on his lap and phone on the nightstand. He started crunching some number when his phone went off with a text message. He looked at his phone and saw it was from Kenny.
Kenny: Hey Jordy, how's it going?
Jordan: Just doing some work at home after a dinner with a good friend then helping out another. You?
Kenny: Just relaxing after work then dinner with the girl.
Jordan was a little taken back with that. He has a girl friend. He had no idea. He felt kind of let down. Sure Kenny was a good-looking guy, considerate and ambitious but he couldn't figure out why he felt this way. He never had romantic feelings for him.
Jordan: That's cool.
Kenny: Yea she's a little high end but very cool. Thanks again for last night.
Jordan: Anytime.
Kenny: Let's grab brunch tomorrow.
Jordan: Sorry but I have plans tomorrow.
Kenny: Burger tomorrow night?
Jordan: Sure. I can come to Hoboken tomorrow. It's been awhile.
Kenny: Awesome. I'll meet you at the path station around 8.
Jordan: Sounds like a plan. Night Kenny.
Kenny: Night Jordy.
Jordan put his phone away and did some more work. Around 2AM he was ready for bed. He quietly started to leave his room to head to the bathroom to brush his teeth. He wanted to make sure that Derek was okay first. He checked his forehead. He wasn't sweating anymore and he was peacefully sleeping.
Derek went to brush his teeth and get a glass of water. He went back to bed and crawled in like he hadn't seen his bed in days. He chuckled as he laid down on his back thinking about how his friends exhaust. Derek's situation is a bit serious but he knows Derek. One thing about Derek is how strong he is and how he most definitely does not have an addictive personality. Jordan was more certain than hopeful that things would be ok.
He turned off the lamp on his nightstand and quickly passed out.
Derek awoke around noon the next day. He felt like he had just ran a marathon. His body was sore in areas in couldn't get to in the gym. He was taking in his surroundings in the dark room. He then remembered everything. He was at Jordan's in Hells Kitchen. He came here last night after coming down from his experiment. He stood up and realized he shouldn't have done that so fast as he made his way into the kitchen.
Jordan was in the kitchen cooking. He had his back to the entrance from the living room chopping vegetable. He heard Derek stumble in and sit on a stool at the counter. Without even turning around he told Derek to drink from the large water bottle on the counter. Derek listened and started to drink water. He drank and drank and felt like he couldn't get enough in him. He didn't realize how thirsty he was. "Thanks. I didn't realize how thirsty I was."
Jordan turned around and looked at Derek, "I am closer with you than I am with my own flesh and blood. I would be lost if I didn't have you in my life. I love you Derek. You can't do that again. I get you want to see things I really go. It can consume you and there are so many people that want you here."
Derek just looked at Jordan as a single tear drop escaped his eye and made it's way down his cheek. He couldn't say anything and let Jordan continue without breaking eye contact. "I am not judging you at all. How you feel now should be an indication of why you shouldn't do it again. And the recovery gets worse and worse every time you do it."
"I get it." Derek replied with full on tears coming.
"Don't cry. Don't be sorry. Don't think that I think any less of you. Fuck, I used to be an addict. Just don't do it again. Please." Jordan begged.
"I promise." Derek said as he stood up to go hug Jordan.
Jordan hugged him like there was no tomorrow. Derek hugged him as best he could, considering his weak state. Jordan smiled and told Derek to sit down again, "Here have some of my homemade soup. You need to eat. I know you have zero appetite but you need to put something in there. You wont feel normal for a few days but it takes time."
Jordan poured him some soup in a big bowl and watched him eat it. He ate the whole thing and Jordan was happy to help. The friends spent the afternoon on the couch watching old movies and just chatting.
"Want to sleep over tonight?" Derek asked.
"I actually do but I have to go to Hoboken to have dinner with a friend at 8 tonight. So why don't you take my bag to your place when I leave here and I'll come by afterwards. I'll take your spare key with me." Jordan explained.
"Cool. I'll head out now. It's almost seven and you have to start getting ready." Derek said as he stood up.
Jordan didn't realize what time it was. He quickly shot up and packed a bag and handed it to Derek and sent him off. Jordan quickly hopped in the shower and began his ritual of getting ready.
He wasn't sure why but he had this feeling in his stomach that he referred to as "umph". To describe it would be a rather difficult task. It was a feeling that he rarely got in his life. He would get it when he got excited about meeting someone and there was a form of communication with said person. He would also get it when he was about to see him.
Jordan knew he should control this feeling. He knew that nothing good can come of it.
There you have it folks. The 3rd installment. Feedback is welcome. I am enjoying what you are all saying so far.
Love
Jesse
Jesse.skyline@gmail.com