Catsrule6

This was new and unfamiliar. It was dreadful and awful and a disgrace to fair emotion, and the way I was feeling it made me sure it was permanent. It was dark. It was pain. It was...black like ashes, black like charcoal.

I was fine at first. Alexander and I had finished our drinks and were walking through the streets, content and enjoying each other's company. Then my phone started to ring, and I picked it up.

Henry Laurens.

I stared down at my phone for a long moment, unsure of how to react, then I tapped Alexander's shoulder. "Alex, I have to go, I'm sorry. I'll text you, okay?"

Alexander looked a little sad, but accepted nonetheless. "Are you alright?"

I nodded and gave the fakest grin I had ever mustered before turning down the road towards my car. When I was out of Alexander's sight, I broke into a run and answered the call.

"Yes sir?" I said, already terrified.

"I'll be in town in two days. I expect that you'll be ready to house me, right boy?"

"Yes sir,"

"Good. You better have a girlfriend too, you filthy queer,"

I gulped. "Of course, sir,"

The phone call went dead and I fought tears as I completed the trek to my car.

Red for beginnings.
Ginger for memories.
Charcoal to light the fuse.