Say This Sooner
an excerpt

“Your hair,” he whispered hoarsely. “It’s up.” Alex’s eyes moved to the floor, his lips forming a silent apology. “Why?” He shook his head, but replied, “I remembered something I had forgotten. That I should have forgotten.” He didn’t notice when Zeke’s eyes turned stern. He did notice when Zeke stood up and walked away. He slumped once more, already missing the closeness, longing for the warmth to return. Without it, he felt cold. Why did Zeke walk away like that? Did he… Alex’s face twisted in despair. Did Zeke hate him now? All he did was put up his hair! It was the same thing Cheryl would have done, but this was with the issue of his hair being ‘up’ and not ‘down.’

The ocean was frosted over, and the warmth of the sun was replaced by an unforgiving, cold moon, hanging overhead. It watched the ocean disapprovingly, but taking comfort in the ocean’s inner pain and torment as the ice returned. Winter had made a comeback. But the ice would melt as the warmth of the sun returned, bringing about day and light.

Zeke had returned, and his working clothes were off, replaced with a pair of faded jeans and a black, form fitting sweatshirt. Leather boots were barely visible under the long jeans. Alex looked up in wonder, and the ice cracked. Zeke was holding a package, too. “I got the day off. You are going to lead me to your apartment, and we are going to have Oolong tea. After that, you may or may not tell me what is wrong.” The ice melted, revealing a sparkling, deep blue ocean. “Zeke,” Alex whispered, and Zeke looked down at him worriedly. “Thank you.” The concern was replaced with an affectionate smile, and a medium sized hand reached out to help Alex up. Grabbing his bag, he grabbed the hand to be pulled up. Zeke released Alex’s hand, but moved forward to hold the door open for his companion. When they had both exited, Zeke’s hand didn’t go for his hand again, but for his waist. Wrapping an arm around it, he reached forward with his other hand to carefully pull off the hair tie and throw it away as if it were a poisonous snake.

Alex smiled a little, but his eyes trailed across the street to see Cheryl and her boyfriend talking softly to each other. He forced his gaze away and hoped Zeke hadn’t realized. From the tightening grip on his waist, however, it seemed he had. Alex’s smile only grew as he leant in to the other man, closing his eyes gratefully.