Proof #4
else that might be a better use of our time perhaps?” Joe shrugged. “Well, we’re already stopping at the church-” Jacob began. “But a church doesn’t need an invitation.” Joe pointed. Jacob frowned.
Something about this felt personal.
“Why don’t you want me to stop by Tic’s?” He asked.
“No reason I just-” Joe began- before Jacob cut him off.
“Do you have an issue with Tic? You weren’t very nice to him last night
and now you seem to be avoiding going there. If you have an issue with
my friend I’d like to know.” Joe’s eyes went wide- likely at the sudden
directness and sharpness of the question.
“I don’t know Tic, I just-”
“He’s one of my best friends. Can you just give him a chance?” Jacob
asked.
“I- I will try.” Joe responded. He grabbed Jacob’s hands and smiled at
him. “I’m sorry. I will give him a chance. But isn’t it rude to drop by
uninvited?”
“Not at all. He visits me at work all the time.”
“I’m not sure that’s the same thing-” Joe began, but was quickly cut
off.
“Just give me ten minutes to make sure he’s okay.” Jacob responded
and checked his phone one more time. Something felt off. “He isn’t
normally this quiet- I just want to ask him what his thoughts are. He’s
usually really good about these things.”
“Well, if you think it’s a good idea then we should stop by. But who
knows if he’s even there.”
“It’s a Saturday. His busiest hair day of the week. He starts in two hours
so he should be halfway through his beauty routine by now- we’ll be fine.” “Alright. If you think this is a good idea, I shall follow. Lead the way
and I will be on my best behaviour.” Joe smiled at him and gave him a
quick peck on the cheek. Jacob flushed as he took Joe’s hand and guided
him towards the entrance to Tic’s building. It was an older structure, but
it had a unique character. It felt like it belonged on a beachfront instead of
in the middle of the city but was unique enough for Tic to consider it liveable. He was always more attracted to style over substance- even when
it came to living arrangements.
There was no answer from the buzzer, but a regular of the building
allowed Jacob and Joe in and they whisked up the sixth floor. Upon arriving at the apartment, suite 9, Jacob was disappointed when
Tic didn’t answer the door when he knocked. He knocked several times
before calling Tic again but there was no answer.
After what felt like hours, Jacob looked to Joe and felt a creeping
concern crawl into his consciousness. This felt off- but Joe didn’t seem too
concerned.
“I don’t get it, he should be here.” Jacob frowned.
“Maybe he went home with someone?” Joe asked.
“I mean, that’s very like him- but then I’d be getting details about…
nevermind. But maybe? I just don’t know why he isn’t answering the
phone. He loves his phone. He never goes anywhere without it.” Jacob
paced a bit outside before knocking on the door again in hopes he would
be able to tell where Tic was.
“There’s usually a logical and reasonable answer to these things.” “I know- but-” Jacob sighed. Joe was right. Perhaps he was
overreacting.
“What would you like to do now?” Joe asked.
“I don’t know…” Jacob sighed.
“Well, can we leave a note? He’ll message when he’s able to, right?
Could be any number of things none of which are terrible.”
“Okay. Just hope he answers soon.” When he looked down he noticed
that there was a second set of shoe tracks. They were too big to be Tic’s,
and certainly nowhere near stylish enough for his tastes.
Perhaps he had met up with someone last night after all- in that case,
good for him.
But he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.
22
Coffee. (God Style)
Getting to the church, Jacob was surprised by how busy it was. It was a Saturday - didn’t Jesus die on a Sunday? Multiple people rushing around from space to space. Some carried instruments, others dishes, still others carried giant bags of bottles and cans.
“Why is it so busy?” Jacob asked.
“A lot of stuff needs to be done on Saturday to prepare for a Sunday.” Joe chuckled as he followed Jacob. “And that’s on top of all our regular programming.”
“I’ll say.
“Don’t worry. I don’t plan to be here long- just need to have a quick chat with my inner circle.”
“I thought I was the only one who explored that.” Jacob smirked.
“I had a wife, remember. Don’t think she didn’t.” Joe responded. Jacob laughed, but tried to stifle it.
“Can you talk like that in a church?” He asked.
“What’s God going to do? Smite me?” Jacob chortled. Turns out nothing was funnier to him than his pastor boyfriend being blasphemous in his place of work.
“I don’t think I should laugh at that.”
“It’s okay. You’re just going to hell now.” Joe smiled at him, and despite himself, Jacob smiled back.
Just then, they walked past the room that Joe had disappeared into last time, and Jacob was surprised to see a couple of people meeting at the door. He assumed it was Joe’s office of some kind, but hadn’t gotten to confirm that.
“What’s going on there?” Jacob asked.
“It’s just a quick meeting about something. Look, I’m going to just stop by briefly and I’ll be out in no time. Why not explore the place a little more? I’m sure there’s something here that you’d like.”
“Are the church ladies cooking again? If so, I may have to pay them a visit. Or two.”
“There’s at least one of them there. Tell them Joe sent you.” Joe smiled. Then to his surprise, Joe kissed him in the middle of the church like it was no big deal. When he pulled back Jacob had to steel himself a bit just to keep himself upright.
“Wow, is that even allowed in here?” He asked as he suddenly realized that there were likely many people watching them.
“They can’t stop me.” Joe responded. “Nor should I want them to.”
“So brave.” Jacob said with a smile.
“Ahem-” a voice came from behind them and Jacob was surprised to see Jeff standing there.
“Oh, hello Jacob.” Jeff said awkwardly. “I didn’t realize you were-” He looked from Joe to Jacob and back again. “Here.”
“Good to see you too.” Jacob responded. There was awkward, and then there was your trivia friend catching you making out with his preacher awkward.
“Thanks.” Jeff responded. Apparently equally awkward-ed out. “Will I see you at trivia tomorrow?”
“Of course. Go team!” Jacob replied- instantly feeling foolish. Jeff smiled and continued into the room giving Joe a nod on the way by. When he had gone in, Jacob leaned over to Joe and whispered- “I didn’t know he went here. He never talks about his faith.”
“Yeah- I’m not entirely sure he has any. Nice enough guy though.” Joe chuckled to himself. “He loves his stamps.”
“I mean, I guess that describes him.” Jacob responded.
“Well, let me poke around the church and I’ll be back with you soon enough!” Jacob sighed. Joe nodded and made his way into the room giving him a slight wave as he closed the door.
When Joe was gone Jacob looked at his phone. He’d been hoping for a message or something from Tic, but the radio silence continued. He was beginning to get anxious. He dialed him again and the phone went straight to voicemail. This time however, he left a message.
“Hey buddy. Can you let me know when you get this? I just haven’t heard from you and I…
I just have some weird thoughts right now.
Call me. Don’t text, just call. Please.” Jacob hung up and looked around the church.
He wished he could talk to Teddy right now, but he knew that wasn’t going to happen.
A part of him debated calling Thomas, but he knew that would be a bad idea for many reasons.
Instead he put the phone away and began to explore the church hallways again.
For a moment he found himself in the main atrium and looked to the pulpit. He debated for a moment on praying- but wasn’t sure what he’d ask for. Or do. Or say. Instead he just looked up to see an image of Jesus on the cross and sighed. This guy would know what to do.
Now that he was here, he made efforts to see all the things that Joe was talking about.
He went downstairs and checked out the recycling center.
He went down the hall to see a small classroom of young climate activists gathering to save the planet.
He walked by the area where the homeless man was dropped off and wondered how he was doing today- hopefully better.
Going back up to the main floors, a smell of delicious treats wafted through the air, drawing him back to the kitchen where the same women were gathered.
The rich aroma of stew filled his nostrils and for a moment he lost his train of thought.
Before he could tell what was happening they recruited him again and had him chop up carrots and potatoes.
He wasn’t very good at it, but he did enjoy listening to their gossip.
Soon he was chopping a couple celery stalks with Rhonda.
Of the three she was certainly the most demanding, but at least she knew what she wanted.
Her red hair was spiked up today giving her an even more fiery appearance.
“And then I said to Harold that if-” In the short time together he had discovered that Rhonda saw herself as the queen bee of the group- a delusion that Edna and Darlene seemed fine to let her have.
As they worked, Jacob found himself sinking into the rhythm. As they all yammered on and chatted about their days, he found himself laughing along.
“So how are things with your special friend?” Of course it was Rhonda who would ask him. She seemed more interested in his love life than in cooking. To be fair, he couldn’t blame her. It felt good to have a love life worth discussing.
“I-” Jacob began. “I think things have been going well. There’s just a few… It’s complicated.”
All four women huffed at the same time.
“Well, do you like him or not?” Rhonda asked, chopping a carrot as if to emphasize.
“I do… I really do I just-”