“Chase—”
“I’m just messing with you. I’m not too into the dating app anymore. I got tired of the one-night stands and shit. Hollis is like me, though, and just doesn’t care to have anyone.”
Think again, bub. Hollis has quietly had his soulmate since high school.
“You don’t get lonely?”
“No. I’ve thrown everything I have into making my business work. It’s all I want.”
“Is it?”
“At this point in my life, yes. Trust me, Morg, I’m not bored. I’ve been trying to get my advertising company off the ground, and I still volunteer with the support groups. So I’m plenty busy.”
“As long as you’re happy, bub. That’s all I want for you.”
“Thanks, Morg.”
As we ate, we talked a little about the type of photography I was going to be doing over the next few weeks. Due to the nature of what I was doing and how much Chase was affected negatively by photography, I was very cautious about the details I shared.
While I was excited about my work, I was cognizant of how he was affected during his teenage years.
“Hey, are you in a hurry to get back to help Mom put away a billion vases that she’ll never use?” Chase asked as we walked to the car.
“No, why?”
“There’s this really cool pinball arcade down near Venice Beach we could go to,” he suggested with a big grin.
“Okay. I’m game, let’s go.” I tossed my keys to him. “You drive since you know where it is.”
The entire way to the arcade, Chase talked nonstop about the place and how they had nostalgic candy and a snack bar. He went on and on about some of the pinball machines and really talked the place up. When we parked, I could tell the place was busy by the number of people outside on the sidewalk. I was surprised how crowded it was, especially since it wasn’t the weekend. But I supposed with the proximity to the beach, the arcade would get a lot of foot traffic with people on vacation.
Chase jogged ahead of me and then turned to face me as he pointed up at the sign.
“This is it!” Chase hollered.
I glanced up at the sign that read Venice Beach Pinball Arcade and smiled before I started toward the open door. Noise from the arcade could be heard outside on the sidewalk. I turned my head, expecting Chase to be beside me, but he was still on the sidewalk looking up at the sign. I walked back to him and noticed he was very excited and still grinning.
Wait a second…
I looked up at the sign again and then at him. His smile broadened across his face, and there was an excited spark in his eyes.
“Chase, did you design the sign?” I asked.
“Yes! Isn’t it cool?”
I laughed and flung my arm around his shoulders.
“Chase, that’s incredible looking, man. You didn’t tell me about this project. I had no idea,” I said while I paid extra close attention to it.
“They weren’t sure when they were going to open and all. They’re still planning the grand opening but wanted to get some customers with a soft opening.”
“It’s awesome.” I jostled him. “You’ve got to start telling me about these things, man. This is great!”
“Thanks, Morg.”
I was very proud of Chase and was going to make a point to make sure our parents saw the newest edition to his creative portfolio. I took a picture so I could hang on to it and show Hollis and Patrick what our little brother had designed.
By the time I dropped him off at his place, I had him convinced to show Mom and Dad and to send the picture to Hollis and Patrick. He better not downplay it either, but knowing him, he would.
