Gideon held up his hand. “It’s all right. I’m accustomed to the stigma.” He addressed Alan. “Your son is an amazing young man and I’m honored to know him. He is also a smart man and I’m sure he will make great choices for his life. To be blatantly honest, if he sought employment with me, I would hire him immediately. Because he’s an adult and he can make such decisions for himself.”
Alan huffed and walked back down the hall, leaving the door open. Patrick glanced at Gideon uncertainly. When his dad returned a couple of minutes later, he had Patrick’s car keys and a check, which he thrust at his son. “Take them. Get out of my sight. You disgust me.”
Patrick stuffed the keys and check into his pocket. “There’s one more thing I want today.” Without asking, he brushed past his dad and went down to his room. He grabbed the guitar case from the closet and quickly gathered some of his personal items. His laptop was gone.
“Where is it?” he asked his dad when he returned to the front door. Gideon took the guitar case and the bag with his stuff.
“Where is what?”
“My laptop. I want it back. Everything I have, I paid for myself.”
His dad’s face twitched, and he again disappeared inside the house. He brought the laptop and gave it to Patrick. “Anything else?” he asked sourly.
“Not today,” Patrick said. “But I’ll be back soon for the rest of my stuff and it better all be here.”
Alan stepped back and closed the door without another word.
Gideon smiled at Patrick. “I’m proud of you. And see? We didn’t have to go to battle.”
“Yeah,” Patrick smiled small. “Thank God for that.”
They walked over to the Trans Am and placed his things in the trunk.
“Thanks for coming with me,” he said. “I don’t think it would’ve gone as well if I’d been alone.”
“I’m glad to help.” Gideon rubbed his mouth. “Are you coming right out, or do you have other things to do in town?”
Patrick leaned against the car and sighed. “I was thinking of stopping by Brian’s apartment. It’s his birthday next week and since I’m probably not invited to his party this year, I would still like to wish him a happy birthday.” He lowered his eyes, his heart knotting. “We’ve spent every one of our birthdays together since we became friends. And now that I know what happened with his brother… I feel bad that I can’t be there for him this year.”
“If he doesn’t want you there, then that’s his choice. It isn’t your fault.”
“Yeah.” He exhaled, feeling drained in body and spirit. “It just feels like all the choices I’ve made lately has driven us apart and destroyed our friendship.”
“What choices are those?” Gideon arched his brow. “You madeonechoice, Patrick. And that was Derek. Whatever anyone else did in response to that… is on them. You didn’t throw away your friendship with Brian—he did.” He squeezed his shoulder. “But I understand the sadness and all-around bad feelings. He was your best friend. It hurts to lose a best friend.” Gideon blinked, a sadness of his own filling his eyes. “I know. I lost one, too. Almost twenty years ago and I still miss him to this day. So, my advice… don’t give up on him too soon. He has a lot of pain inside. Try to remember that. Like I told Derek—not everyone who runs away is trying to get away. Sometimes they run, hoping you’ll come after them.”
Patrick gazed at him. “You told Derek that?”
“Yes. Wasn’t I right about you? You weren’t really trying to get away.”
“No, I wasn’t.”
“Maybe Brian isn’t either.”
Patrick nodded. “I’ll remember that.”
. . .
No one answered when Patrick showed up at Brian’s apartment and neither Brian nor Robby’s cars were parked outside. Patrick sat behind the wheel of the Trans Am and made a few attempts to call Brian but each time he was sent to voicemail. On his last attempt, he left a message.
“Brian, it’s me, Patrick. I stopped by your place to wish you an early happy birthday, but you weren’t home. If I’m still invited to your party, I’ll be there, but I need you to let me know one way or the other. I don’t just want to show up and find out I’m not welcome. Please call me back. I’m still your friend. I always will be. I’m not angry about the other stuff. I know you weren’t trying to hurt me. Call me. Let’s talk, okay? I love you, man.”
His eyes swam as he placed the phone in its holder on the dash.
Please heal our friendship, Lord… and watch over Brian.
Patrick drove back out to Gideon’s home as Derek was returning from a short run. They sat on the grass in the back lawn while Patrick told him about his encounter with his dad and his attempt to contact Brian.
“As far as your stuff is concerned,” Derek said. “I’m glad you got it back. And I’m glad Gideon went with you. I didn’t want you going back there alone.”
