Once alone in the car and headed for the city, Patrick’s anxieties about Brian overwhelmed him. The fact that Brian hadn’t called him should have been reason enough to stay away, but he couldn’tnotmake an effort on his best friend’s birthday—the day his world came crashing down.It broke Patrick’s heart to think that Brian had been secretly suffering on his birthdays over the past few years—and Patrick hadn’t been aware.
His stomach churned as he parked in front of the apartment building. It took him a few moments to summon the courage to get out and go to the apartment. When he got to the door, he stood for another few moments, his heart racing. Little noise seeped out from inside, just the faint sound of the TV. It was early yet, maybe the party hadn’t started. Or it was being held someplace else.
Patrick knocked and took a step back.
Robby answered the door. “Patrick.” He looked surprised to see him. Understandable.
“Is Brian here?”
“No. He left sometime this morning.”
“Oh. Okay.” Patrick chewed his lip. “Do you know what time his party is?”
“Party?”
“Today is his birthday. He always has a party.”
Robby frowned. “He hasn’t mentioned any party. Or anything about his birthday.”
“You… you don’t know where he went?”
“No. He just said he was going out.” He cleared his throat. “He, uh… he did seem kind of bummed.”
Patrick nodded, feeling at least partly responsible. They used to look forward to their birthday bash all year. “Maybe I’ll stop back by later,” Patrick mumbled.
“Hey…” Robby stopped him when he started to leave. “Look, man… I’m sorry about all that stuff before. I think Brian is too. He… he really misses you.”
“He said that?” Patrick asked hopefully.
“No. But he didn’t have to. You guys were practically inseparable. Of course, he misses you.”
“I miss him, too. A lot.” He shook his head. “He told me the conversion therapy was working for him.” He stared at Robby. “Do you really think that’s true?”
Robby dragged his palm over his mouth. “I did, at first. But… I don’t know. Lately, when he comes home from the sessions, he seems… depressed. It wasn’t like that at first.”
Patrick’s concern heightened. “He needs to stop going.”
“I agree,” Robby mumbled.
“You do?”
“Yeah. I thought it would be good for him, but it isn’t. He’s my friend, too, and I don’t like seeing him this way. It worries me.”
Patrick resisted the urge to remind him that he’d warned them about the process. It didn’t matter now who was wrong or right—all that matter was helping Brian. “I think I’ll drive around and see if I can find him.”
After leaving the apartment, Patrick drove to Brian’s parents’ home. His mom mentioned as well that Brian hadn’t said a word about his birthday or a party.
“Have you seen him today?”
“He came by this morning, said he needed to get something. Then he kissed me, said he loved me and left.”
“Do you know where he was going?”
“No, he didn’t say.”
“Do you know what he came here to get?”
She shook her head.
