Another day like that would be worse.
What am I going to do?
Channing walked out of his bedroom and into the living area.
Max had been absent without leave for a few days and the place just didn’t seem the same without him.
Yes, it may have been tidier but Channing was even beginning to miss the sight of Max’s black boots being left next to the kitchen worktop rather than in the shoe cage by the apartment door.
‘Okay. Okay. Think…’ Channing said, opening up the cupboard where he kept his selection of herbal teas. ‘I need something soothing… good for sleep… not too stimulating.’
Channing fingered his way through the various types of tea available to him and settled on a calming rose and chamomile tea that he had used to good effect a few months ago.
As he waited for the kettle to boil, Channing absentmindedly fiddled with the tea bag and tried as hard as he could to keep any worrying thoughts out of his mind.
‘I wonder if Rick or Tommy are awake?’ Channing mumbled, reaching over to his cellphone and having a look at his messages. ‘Nope. Doesn’t look like it.’
Channing wasn’t expecting to see any unread messages this late but was nonetheless disappointed to see that he had nothing tooccupy his mind. Of course the ultimate distraction would be a message from Max…
I miss Max. I miss Daddy Max to be precise.
He’s big, wild, and totally unreliable.
But he was mine… I just hope wherever he is, he’s safe.
Channing poured the now boiled water into his mug and dropped the tea bag into the piping hot water.
Just as he was turning to walk back to the bedroom and attempt to get some sleep, Channing heard the sound of someone attempting to open the apartment door.
Channing nearly dropped the mug of herbal tea on the floor.
What the hell was happening?
Was he about to be the victim of a break-in?
‘Hey! Hey! Whoever you are, go away!’ Channing shouted, doing his absolute best to hide the trembling fear in his voice. ‘I’m calling the cops right this second!’
Channing gripped Billy in one hand, and even held his mug of tea in the other and readied himself to throw it should the unknown intruder manage to open the door and enter the house.
‘I’m warning you!’ Channing said, his voice now full of belief. ‘I don’t back down for anyone!’
Then, the sound of a key jangling in the door lock was quickly followed by the door itself opening.
‘Well, that’s good to hear,’ Max said, a knowing smile on his face. ‘Looks like you’ve gotten all tough in my absence, baby boy.’
Channing paused and allowed himself to take a breath.
With his heart racing and emotions rapidly escalating inside, Channing didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Max was back, but there were so many questions. Channing tried to speak, but the words simply wouldn’t come out.
‘I… I… I don’t know what to…’ Channing stammered, his brain trying to process the situation, but failing.
‘No need for words,’ Max replied, stepping into the apartment fully and walking toward Channing. ‘Can I give you a big specialty Max Manchester bear hug?’
Channing nodded, a big smile on his face as his eyes filled with tears of joy.
The two hugged and Channing felt a tangible sense of love and acceptance between him and Max. There was a lot to talk about, but unless Channing was very much mistaken, Max was back – and back for good too.
