I stood there for too long. So long that the wife glanced at me like I was part of the conversation. I didn’t hear a word she said. It was surreal in the worst way.
The husband had finished the rest of his frozen mixed drink, stood, and said, “It was nice to meet you. But we’ve gotta go. We’ve got that thing.”
His wife, picking up what he was putting down, said, “Oh, yeah. The couple’s massage. Sorry. Didn’t realize it had gotten so late.”
“The spa isn’t open until noon,” Chucky said.
“Oh, uh, ha,” the wife said before taking a last sip of her frozen drink.
Her husband took her hand and said, “Leave it.” Then, “Have a good one,” to Chucky and I.
“Shame. They were fun,” he said before turning to me. “Oh, Matthew, I didn’t realize you had stayed.”
“Man, it’s Mason. We talked all night last night. Did you forget me already?” I laughed, hoping it was a joke.
“Drank a bit too much last night.” He looked me up and down. “Yes, that’s right. You chose to put a ring on a hussy. But if you don’t mind,” he stood up, “I think I’ll take a nap before lunch.”
I laughed, fake and pathetic. “See, you do remember.”
He smiled like I was wasting his time by breathing. “Indeed, I do. That was last night, and now you’re here.”
“I was gonna get a drink. You want one?”
His face soured. “No. I want to nap. I delayed it to hear the rest of their story, but now that’s unlikely.”
“Why?” I asked. “Do you think they left because of me?”
“Can’t say. Passing friends come and go. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” He stepped around his barstool and then me.
“Did I offend you or something, man? I thought we had a great conversation last night. You convinced me to never let anyone clip my wings. Remember?”
Chucky looked at me like I was a sad puppy. “You can and should do whatever it is that you feel the need to, young man. That is neither my responsibly nor concern.”
“I… Really?”
“Maybe we’ll chat in the bar tonight if you’re there. But If I’m talking to someone else, I‘d appreciate it if you didn’t dive-bomb my conversation again.” He smiled. “Sometimes things can get a little private. As you’re aware.”
“You don’t have to worry about that, man.”
Chucky walked away after one more smile. I watched him do it.
It was the strangest interaction I’d ever had in my life. Replacing the former weirdest, speaking to him the night before. I ordered a drink, but only had a few sips before I went to my room.
I didn’t put the TV on. Or look at my phone. Or even get off the bed. I just lay there, feet on the floor, staring at the ceiling.
What the fuck was I doing? Why the fuck was I lying there miserable when I could be at the office with Alec? Then we’d go home, and he’d make dinner. I’d make him laugh while we ate it. If we were in the mood, we’d fuck, or blow each other. If not, we’d watch some TV cuddled on my couch before going to bed. What was so wrong with that? What the fuck was I so scared of?
Being held captive to my responsibilities.
Not being able to go when and where I wanted.
Bending my life to someone else and then asking them to do the same.
Was escaping the threat of being tied down worth what I was feeling? Were limitless choices for the future worth becoming Chucky?
And what the fuck was with that? I had thought he had it all figured out. Live for myself so I’d never be hurt or hurt someone else. That was bullshit, wasn’t it?
Chucky wasn’t free—he was alone. Not a care in his whole person about hurting anyone, or being an asshole. That couple didn’t want to talk to him, but he trapped them. They weren’t friends in passing. They were hostages to his apathetic ego.
