A few weeks had gone by and Cloud
was full of energy and had explored every nook and cranny of our apartment.
There were moments where I feared he ran out because I couldn’t find him, but
he would be hiding in a tight space or simply just sleeping under our bed.
Natalie loved Cloud. She even bought him a comfy little pet bed for our room
along with a small bundle of cat toys. Unfortunately Larissa was allergic to cats so we would have to
lock him up in our bedroom whenever she came over. It broke my heart when I
would hear his tiny cry under our door. One evening, as the sun was beginning
to set and Cameron and I were waiting for his sister and Phillip to arrive so
we could go to dinner. We were heading to an Italian restaurant, actually it
was the one where we were verbally assaulted the day of our graduation; however
the manager had since retired and many of the residents were much more open
minded now. Cameron and I had been back before tonight and our last visit was
much more pleasant. I suggested a different place since we were trying to be
careful with our spending, but Cameron didn’t want to give a reason to our friends
why a different place would be better. It was our private struggle anyways, we
didn’t want to burden them with our problems as I’m sure they had their own.
Larissa’s phone went off while she sat on our couch sipping wine. Fortunately
Phillip’s older brother was kind enough to buy us wine from time to time since
we were only twenty. It’s not like we were alcoholics, we just liked the
occasional glass with our dinner or for socializing. I enjoyed the taste of
wine, while Cameron preferred champagne.
“That was Natalie. She’s around
the corner, she said to meet her outside.” Larissa said standing up and tossing
the rest of her wine down her gullet
“Okay. Babe did you feed Cloud?”
Cameron asked
“Yes. He has a full bowl of food
that should last him all night.” I replied
We walked out of our apartment
and towards the curb as Natalie and Phillip came around the corner in Phillip’s
Ford Explorer.
“What time was our reservation?”
Phillip asked Cameron
“It was at 7:30.” He responded
“Shit, we got 10 minutes. Hang
on.” He said speeding off
“Phillip!” Larissa snapped
“Well, if we don’t make it, we’ll
lose our reservation.”
“Too bad Jasmine didn’t work
there still.” Natalie said
“Have you talked to her?” I asked
“Not in a while. Last time I
called her, she was still working at that record company.”
“Who is Jasmine again?” Larissa
cut in
“She’s our friend from high
school. You didn’t know her?” I asked
“Was she a senior?” she asked
“A junior.” Natalie said
“Then no.”
I kind of laughed at the stuck up
personality that was Larissa. It’s what I loved about her. She was just blunt
and wasn’t afraid to tell it like it is.
“She still hasn’t found a
modeling agency that would hire her?” Cameron asked Natalie
“No. She’s trying so hard. I know
it’s her goal. I’m just glad she is aiming for her dream. She wasn’t going to
find that here in Depoe Bay.”
“Well, I hope she comes and
visits soon.” I said
By the time I knew it, we had
pulled up to the restaurant. It looked the same. Grapevines around the
building, hanging lights near the side patio. Across the street was the beach
that over looked the bay and under the moonlight I could see the faint pink
blossoms of the cherry tree that stood at the top of the cliff.
“Hurry.” Larissa said pushing me
through the door interrupting my special moment of fondness
The hostess looked bland and
unhappy to be working.
“Name.” she said flatly
“Harris.” Cameron said
“Right this way.” She said
picking up five menus and walking us to the patio area.
“Oh. I haven’t eaten out here
before. It’s beautiful.” I said
“Enjoy.” Said the hostess
dropping our menus on the corner of the table
“She was pleasant.” Natalie said
under her breath
“She was a bitch.” Larissa
clarified
“That too.” Natalie laughed
“I think I ate her pussy once.”
Larissa said crudely
“Larissa!” I said with a smile
“What?” she laughed
“Come on…table of gay guys and a
straight girl!” I said
“Um, hello!” Phillip said holding
his hand up next to his head
“Um, you had me hold your hand to
the bathroom in Seattle. Don’t start.” I said with a smile
Natalie and Larissa laughed.
Cameron was too busy looking at the menu.
“Babe, you okay?” I asked
“Yeah, just looking for a salad.”
“A salad? My hungry baby is going
to eat a salad?” I said in a low voice
“Just kind of pricey.” He said
flustered
“We can share a plate.” I offered
“No its fine.” He said in a cold
tone
I focused my attention back on
the others in order to prevent a public argument about money. I joined the
laughter between Larissa, Natalie and Phillip, although I didn’t catch what
they said. My mind was still on Cameron, wishing he didn’t stress so much. The
waiter came and finally took our order. I ordered a half plate of sausage
stuffed ravioli with a side salad. Cameron ordered the spaghetti with soup.
Cameron drank water, while I ordered a tea. Damn it. I should have gotten water
as well.
“This is so delicious.” Natalie
said stuffing her face with her angel hair pasta
“We have got to come here more
often.” Larissa suggested
Cameron almost choked at the
sound of those words. I gently patted his back.
“Are you okay?” I asked
“Yeah.” He said through a gurgle
“How is your food, Joey?” Natalie
asked me
“It’s really good. Want to try?”
I offered
“Yeah.” Natalie said stabbing her
fork into one of the raviolis
“Babe, you want some of my tea?”
I offered Cameron
“No, I’ll stick with my water.”
He said taking a gulp
“Wow. That’s really good. I’m
going to have to order that next time. We should come next weekend.” Natalie
said
“Why don’t we try some other
places? There’s a burger joint off the pier.” Cameron said
“Yeah, but we always ate there
when we were kids. Aren’t you sick of it?” Natalie scrunched her face
“No. I love it.” Cameron said
smiling
After a while the waiter came
back and took away our empty plates. He offered us dessert.
“I’m in for some sweets.” Natalie
said
“Me too.” Said Phillip
“Gelato sounds good.” Larissa
said
“I’ll take the chocolate soufflé”
Phillip said
“Oh, I’ll take one of those too.”
Natalie smiled
“And for you gentlemen?” He asked
Cameron and I
“Oh uh…” I began as I looked at
Cameron, but his eyes were bulging out at me
“We’re good.” Cameron said
dismissing the waiter
“You guys should have gotten
something.” Larissa said
“We’re full.” Cameron lied
“Joey looked like he wanted
something.” Natalie chuckled
Cameron looked at me. I shook my
head.
“Don’t be shy. I’ll order it for
you.” Larissa said
“No. Really, I’m okay.” I pleaded
“Okay.” Larissa said holding her
hands up in surrender
The waiter came back with the
desserts and Larissa whispered something into his ear. After another few
minutes, the waiter came back with two gelatos and placed one each in front of
Cameron and myself.
“Oh, we didn’t order these.”
Cameron said in a high pitched voice
“That was me.” Larissa laughed,
“I know you guys wanted dessert, I could see it in your eyes.” She said
spooning gelato into her mouth
“Please take mine back.” Cameron
said to the waiter
“As you wish. And you sir?” he
asked me
“Oh uh…I’ll keep mine.” I said
Cameron turned and looked at me.
He looked bewildered. As if I had stolen something from him. I smiled and took
a small bite of my gelato.
“Mmm…it’s delicious.” I said
staring into his eyes
Maybe that was wrong of me.
Egging him on like that. But it just pissed me off how he would limit me just
because he was stressed. If he was that stressed out then I would pay for my
own dinner.
“What’s wrong Cameron?” Natalie
chuckled
“Nothing.” He said flatly taking
out his cell phone and rummaging through it
I looked over and saw him begin
using his calculator. Uh oh.
The waiter returned and handed
each of us our bill. Larissa had her own, Phillip and Natalie shared one, while
Cameron was handed ours.
“Fuck.” He said in a low growl
“What?” Natalie asked, “Did they
mess up on your bill?”
“No. I just didn’t realize it
would come out to this much.” He admitted
“Let me see?” Larissa leaned in
“Eighty seven bucks. That’s
hefty.” She snickered
“Well, Cam, we can help pay your
bill if you like?” Phillip offered
“No, I got it.” He said with a
slight tone of embarrassment
“Give it to me, I’ll pay for…”
Natalie began stretching her hand out for the bill
“Goddamn it, Natalie, I said I
got it!” he snapped
Natalie retracted her hand,
looking down at her plate. She was in shock by her brother’s anger. I was
completely embarrassed.
“Thank you Natalie for your
offer. But we can handle it. We appreciate it.” I smiled at Natalie
Cameron slipped the money into
the booklet standing up and walking into the restaurant. He was leaving. I
stood in my place. I didn’t chase him. Maybe he needed to blow off this steam.
Larissa was sipping her wine, unsure of how to react. Phillip place his arm
around Natalie to comfort her as she hadn’t taken her eyes off of her now
melted half eaten gelato. We all stood up and silently walked out of the
restaurant. Cameron was nowhere to be seen.
“Guys. You can go ahead without
us. I have to go find Cameron.” I told Phillip and Natalie
“Are you sure? We can wait.”
Phillip said
“No, we’ll get a cab.” Natalie
got into the passenger seat
I walked up to her hugging her
gently and kissing her on her forehead.
“He didn’t mean it.” I whispered
to her
A tear rolled down her cheek,
which broke me to pieces. I wiped the tear away with my finger.
“I’ll call you when we get home.”
I said with a smile
She nodded her head in response.
The three of them drove off into the night. I knew exactly where Cameron was. I
began to walk across the street towards the beach. The parking lot used for
beach access was empty and the strong sound of wind rang against my ears along
with the thundering waves crashing against the cliff. I walked in the direction
of the hillside of Cherry Blossom Cliff as I looked up and under the moonlight
I could see the shape of a figure standing next to the tree at the top of the
cliff. As I reached the top I could make out Cameron with his hands in each of
his pant pockets staring out into the ocean.
“Cameron.” I waited for a
response
He stood absolutely still. He was
ashamed of how he acted.
“Cameron. Come on, let’s go
home.” I said putting my hand on his shoulder
“I shouldn’t have yelled at
Natalie like that.” He said
“No you shouldn’t have. She was
just trying to help.” I said
“I know. I’m sorry for
embarrassing you.” He said
“It’s okay. Come on.” I said
grabbing his arm
We walked back down the hillside
and reached the parking lot. I called a cab which picked us up about five
minutes later. He drove us to our apartment a couple miles away to Pirate Cove.
We were silent the entire way home. I paid the driver as we exited the cab and
entered our apartment. Cloud welcomed us home with his soft squeaky cries. I
picked up and kissed his precious face. I gave him to Cameron as he kissed him
and placed him on the floor. As promised, I called Natalie and told her we were
home safe. Cameron apologized to Natalie and told her goodnight. We then headed
upstairs to our bedroom. I took off my clothes while I read in bed and Cameron
sat on the balcony staring out into the ocean. After about an hour, he came
inside and we went to sleep.
© 2015 Copyright J.M. Casas Jr. of Royalty Novels / The True Love Saga.
All Rights Reserved.
All characters and likeness are
pure fiction. Any resemblance is pure coincidence. Models and Actors used in
marketing material for the True Love Saga were used as inspiration and to
provide readers with an image of what the characters may look like.
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