Sunlight baked the pavement along the Di Egidio Bridge. It was the southernmost bridge in the city, connecting the downtown area to Tennant Island. Cars rattled over the steel suspension and a ship horn groaned from the estuary, but the road was otherwise silent. Few people ever came to the weed-strewn lots that ran along the water. It was a perfect meeting place.<\/p>\n
The bridge cast a deep shadow that Demos was happy to hide in while they waited. The Italian was especially sensitive to the sun and Ferris often suspected that he might burst into flame if exposed for too long.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s late,\u201d Demos said, brushing a lock of black hair from his eye.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cLike you\u2019re always on time,\u201d Ferris scoffed, folding his arms as he looked absently at their surroundings. They were flanked by chain-link fences and their car was blocked from the road by an enormous slab of concrete. There would be no sneaking up on them, at least.<\/p>\n
The rumble of an engine drew their attention sideways. With a faint squeak of brakes and a click of the ignition, their contact stepped out to greet them.<\/p>\n
\u201cSorry I\u2019m late,\u201d the inspector said, dusting his sleeve as he approached. Though it had been years since the three had first met, little had changed about Seong-min Lee. His face, while slim, carried various signs of his arduous lifestyle. Weary shadows hung beneath his eyes and his lips would forever try their best to smile \u2014 try, but not necessarily succeed. His rather large glasses had been replaced with a slightly more fashionable pair, yet he had still managed to retain the same slicked-back haircut for the last five years.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Lee,\u201d Demos said, shaking his head. \u201cWhat have you got for me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOverheard it at the precinct,\u201d the inspector explained as he flipped through a file. \u201cIt\u2019s a different guy from last time. He\u2019s going to case the restaurant.\u201d<\/p>\n
Finding the proper documents, he handed Demos a photograph and a slip of paper.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s him,\u201d Lee explained. \u201cThey mentioned tapping \u2014 didn\u2019t catch when, so you\u2019ll have to pay attention.\u201d<\/p>\n
Demos eyed the photo, committing the policeman\u2019s face to memory.<\/p>\n
\u201cTapping?\u201d Ferris asked, lowering his brow. \u201cWhich judge gave the order for that?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWasn\u2019t one of yours. I\u2019ll try to get the name, but no promises.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks. We\u2019ll keep an eye out,\u201d Demos said, handing the papers to Ferris for safekeeping. \u201cAnything else?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s all this time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh,\u201d Demos said, removing an envelope from his suit\u2019s inner pocket. \u201cBefore I forget.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d Lee asked as he accepted the inconspicuous slip of paper.<\/p>\n
\u201cReference letters \u2014 for St. Basil\u2019s. Suki is starting sixth grade next year, isn\u2019t she?\u201d<\/p>\n
The inspector stared at Demos for a moment before forcing his eyes back down to the envelope in his hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne is from him and the other is mine,\u201d Ferris explained. \u201cBut you might want to just use mine. Demos\u2019 grades were shit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lee laughed, finally snapping out of his daze.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell,\u201d the inspector said, shaking his head. \u201cThanks. It would be amazing if she could get in.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf her marks are as good as you said they are, she\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Ferris said, then glanced down at his watch. \u201cAh, we\u2019d better get going.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh right, the airport,\u201d Demos said, pinching the bridge of his nose.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right,\u201d Lee said, giving a brief salute with the envelope. \u201cI\u2019ll let you know if I hear anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThanks, Lee.\u201d<\/p>\n
The inspector stood with a hand in his pocket, watching as the two men walked away. Their tires crackled over the gravel as they pulled back onto the road, leaving him alone beneath the shadow of the bridge.<\/p>\n
#<\/p>\n
Though Demos was often in<\/i> his car, he rarely ever drove it. Ferris usually took the wheel, leaving his companion free to lounge about uselessly in the passenger seat. Demos was currently gazing at the passing scenery, resting his arm on the ledge.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat time is his flight coming in?\u201d he asked, flicking cigarette ash over the cracked window.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve still got half an hour, plus he\u2019ll have to go through immigration. He\u2019ll probably have something stupid in his luggage and get held up in customs,\u201d Ferris replied, keeping his eyes on the road.<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, I miss him,\u201d Demos mused, giving a fond smile as he watched the city blocks rush by.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah. Me too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAre we going out tonight?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you want. I can\u2019t drink, though. I have to be up early for the furniture delivery.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo responsible,\u201d Demos replied, rolling his eyes. \u201cThough it wouldn\u2019t exactly be a loss if you missed the delivery. I can\u2019t believe I let you buy it all from Ikea<\/i>.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with Ikea?\u201d Ferris protested, though he already knew what his friend was going to say.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re living in an apartment, not a dorm<\/i>.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s practical,\u201d Ferris insisted, knowing perfectly well how dull he sounded. \u201cAnd much less expensive.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right, well, whenever all that particle board breaks down just let me know and I\u2019ll take you to a real<\/i> furniture store,\u201d Demos said, releasing a curl of smoke from his irritated lips. Whatever the Italian had in mind, Ferris was certain that it would be four times as costly and needlessly ornate.<\/p>\n
\u201cYet I\u2019m going to end up driving again.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, when are you getting your own car? Mine is too cool for you \u2014 you drive like an old lady.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI do not,\u201d Ferris replied, carefully merging into traffic. \u201cAnd I\u2019ll look after a few paychecks. I need to save for a down payment.\u201d<\/p>\n
Demos fell silent, turning to watch his friend\u2019s face. He considered his words for a moment, knowing that the wrong phrasing might ruin the other\u2019s mood.<\/p>\n
\u201cFerris,\u201d he said gingerly. \u201cYou do<\/i> have\u2026 some funds.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ferris\u2019 hands tightened on the steering wheel \u2014 it was a subtle action, hinted at by a soft creak of leather. It was true \u2014 he had inherited a fair sum of money only five summers ago. Its balance had, however, been more or less untouched since the day he had received it.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know I don\u2019t like using that money,\u201d Ferris answered, his voice just loud enough to be heard over the traffic.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Demos replied quickly. \u201cI just thought\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
The car was quiet once more, the air seeming to petrify in the space between them.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe would want you to be happy,\u201d Demos finished, keeping his eyes locked on Ferris.<\/p>\n
It was then that Ferris wished he weren\u2019t driving. If he could only close his eyes, just for a while, perhaps the moment would pass more easily.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n
#<\/p>\n
Elsie S. Ott Airport, more commonly known as ESO, was even more crowded than usual. Cars inched forward on the roadway between terminals, raising Ferris\u2019 blood pressure with every tap on the brakes. By the time they found parking, the two had only minutes to spare.<\/p>\n
They weaved their way through suits and tourists, ducking past a family of Filipinos who were, for some reason, encompassed by enormous boxes of T-shirts and assorted chocolates. By the time they reached International Arrivals, the flight in question had already landed.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you see him?\u201d Demos asked, cursing his height, or lack thereof, as he struggled to see over rows of shoulders.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot yet,\u201d Ferris replied, keeping an eye out for a blond, vaguely cactus-shaped head through the crowd. \u201cBut I don\u2019t smell liquor, so he probably isn\u2019t here yet.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI do other things than drink, you know,\u201d came a painfully familiar voice from their side. The two glanced over just in time for their guest to swoop Demos into an embrace worthy of a romance novel cover, nearly lifting the small Italian right off the ground.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeamus!\u201d he said, returning the gesture with as much strength as his thin arms could muster.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you,\u201d the Brit said, releasing Demos as he averted his attention. \u201cCome give your mate a hug.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I just ate,\u201d Ferris protested, a sentence which barely left his lips before Seamus hooked an arm around his neck, swinging him sideways to ruffle his short hair.<\/p>\n
\u201cSeamus!\u201d he cried, though with much less affection than Demos. \u201cCome on, people are\u2026 people are staring!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, let them. I want to show our love to the world!\u201d he said with a grin, rubbing his head hard enough to dislocate his glasses.<\/p>\n
\u201cI take it back,\u201d Ferris spat, struggling in vain to free himself. \u201cI never missed him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAw, did he really say that?\u201d Seamus asked, turning his smile to Demos. \u201cDid he miss me?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo<\/i> much. You should have seen his tears,\u201d Demos replied with a smirk.<\/p>\n
\u201cFuck you guys,\u201d Ferris hissed, tugging at Seamus\u2019 irritatingly muscled arm. It seemed that, in spite of all his hopes, things had returned to normal.<\/p>\n
#<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t long before the three found themselves in the back of a seedy bar, one which Seamus had sworn had the best prices in the district. One look at the low-cut shirt on the bartender made the real reason obvious.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo how was London? What did you do?\u201d Demos asked, already on his second scotch. Aside from e-mails and occasional phone calls, neither man had seen Seamus in over six months. Life had gone eerily quiet, as if the birds were missing in the forest.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, just laid about the house, caught up with my mates from school,\u201d Seamus replied, marking off an imaginary checklist with his fingers. \u201cMet a few nice girls. Drank.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo, basically the exact same thing you do here,\u201d Ferris said, poking at the ice in his Coke. Luckily, being designated driver gave him an excuse not to drink.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s different in England,\u201d Seamus insisted. \u201cThe women there are so fussy. You\u2019ve got to have a flat, a job\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHow dare they,\u201d Ferris said with feigned disgust. \u201cIt almost sounds like they want to date an adult<\/i>.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing an adult is entirely overrated,\u201d he said, tilting his head back to finish the last dregs of beer in his glass.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re like a big drunk Peter Pan.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seamus nearly choked on his drink, doing his best to swallow what was left in his mouth. Demos was already laughing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to buy you some green tights and a hat,\u201d Demos said, clasping his hands together. \u201cIt would be perfect<\/i>.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSpeak for yourself, Tinkerbell<\/i>,\u201d Seamus said with a wink.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpeaking of flats,\u201d Ferris said, eager to change the subject. \u201cWhere am I dropping you off? Your mother\u2019s place?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, no,\u201d the Brit said with a wave of his hand. \u201cStaying with a lady friend for now. She had work though, so she won\u2019t be home till late.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope you plan on helping her out with the chores,\u201d Ferris said, though he was quite aware that Seamus would have no intention of doing such a thing.<\/p>\n
\u201cChores? Don\u2019t be daft. It\u2019ll be enough for her to come home to this<\/i> every night,\u201d he said, gesturing to himself with two cocked thumbs.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll get you a list of motels,\u201d Ferris muttered.<\/p>\n
#<\/p>\n
The sun was close to rising when Demos\u2019 car pulled up in front of said \u2018lady friend\u2019s\u2019 apartment. Pink light glowed in the distance, reminding them of just how late it was. Silently praying that Seamus wouldn\u2019t get himself kicked out the first night, Ferris crouched to help him out of the vehicle.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou sure you don\u2019t need help getting up the stairs?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m fine, I\u2019m fine,\u201d Seamus slurred. \u201cStairs got nothin\u2019 on me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m walking you up,\u201d Ferris said, adjusting his friend\u2019s arm over his shoulder. He had lost count of the times he\u2019d done this \u2014 it was, in a way, nostalgic.<\/p>\n
Demos was in no better condition. Ferris found him with his head lolled back on the seat, his pale face flushed with red.<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat. I still have to drive you<\/i> home,\u201d Ferris sighed, shutting the door as he settled back into the driver\u2019s seat.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust\u2026 just take me to your place,\u201d Demos said, his voice slowed to a drawl as he attempted, and failed repeatedly, to light his cigarette. Without a word, Ferris reached over, plucking the backwards cigarette from his lips and replacing it \u2014 right side-up. Demos muttered his thanks before searing the tip and clicking his lighter shut.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know there\u2019s no furniture yet,\u201d Ferris explained as he put the car back into drive. \u201cAll I have is a mattress.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fine,\u201d he groaned, rubbing a hand over his eyes. \u201cJust hurry, before I throw up in your car.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is your<\/i> car.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cFuck,\u201d Demos wheezed, slumping further in his seat.<\/p>\n
Ferris found himself especially grateful that the apartment Demos had chosen for him had an elevator. Though Demos was much lighter than Seamus, he was also much more inebriated. He wobbled against Ferris\u2019 side as they found his door, barely giving the other enough space to pull out his keys.<\/p>\n
The flat was, aside from the ever-present piano and a recently delivered mattress, still devoid of furnishings. Ferris knelt, allowing the Italian to collapse pitifully onto the equally pitiful bedding.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s nice to have Seamus back,\u201d Ferris mused as he gently slipped Demos\u2019 dress shoe from his foot.<\/p>\n
\u201cMgh,\u201d Demos replied, curling onto his side. He didn\u2019t seem to care that his movements were making Ferris\u2019 task more difficult.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid you really have to drink so much?\u201d he sighed, holding his friend by the ankle as he tugged off his socks. Demos didn\u2019t dignify the question with an answer, only peeking over his arm to watch him fuss.<\/p>\n
\u201cFerris\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI love you,\u201d he murmured, his eyes dark in the barely-lit room.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know,\u201d Ferris replied, leaning forward to ease Demos\u2019 arm out of his suit jacket.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you really?\u201d Demos grumbled. \u201cOr are you just quoting Star Wars<\/i>?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWould you be mad if it were the second one?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReally,\u201d Ferris insisted. \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n
Draping the jacket over his arm, Ferris stood to find a place to set it. Though Demos didn\u2019t seem to care now, he would certainly be upset if he woke up to find one of his favorite blazers so brutally rumpled. Demos said nothing, only watching as Ferris disappeared into the kitchen. After a moment, he closed his eyes, burying his flushed face in his elbow.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, you don\u2019t,\u201d Demos muttered, his voice trailing as he drifted off in the empty room.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sunlight baked the pavement along the Di Egidio Bridge. It was the southernmost bridge in the city, connecting the downtown area to Tennant Island. Cars rattled over the steel suspension and a ship horn groaned from the estuary, but the road was otherwise silent. Few people ever came to the weed-strewn lots that ran along […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-241","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fishbones-book-02"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4oWx8-3T","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/241","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=241"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/241\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":588,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/241\/revisions\/588"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=241"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=241"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.fishbonescomic.com\/novel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=241"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}