Page 97 of Heartstring

“Sure.”

Seymour stands and, to my surprise, hugs me tight.

“How are you doing?”

I shrug. “The words rollercoaster and ride come to mind.”

“Have you had dinner? I ordered in, and it got here five minutes ago.”

“Not yet. Mik was going to order in for everyone, but I wanted to come home earlier to be here when you arrived. Did you get an earlier flight?”

“I drove.”

“You…drove? All the way from Cali?”

He nods. “Come on, let me serve us dinner before it gets too cold.”

“What did you get?”

“Lasagna. Extra bacon.”

“Is lasagna supposed to have bacon?”

“Mine does,” he says, taking the plates out of the cabinet.

I grab the rest of the stuff and set the table. “Why did you drive all the way here?”

“I sold the apartment.”

I stare at him in shock. “You what?”

He breathes out. “Sold it.”

“Why? You loved that place.”

“I loved what it represented. I loved the memories. Everywhere I was inside those walls, I saw Porter and you. I never felt alone, but the reality is that I was. I am. It’s taken me a long time to reconcile with that reality, but I’ve accepted it, and I’m ready to move on.”

Seymour digs into his food like he just told me he prefers milk in his coffee instead of cream, and not that he’s made the biggest life decision I’ve ever seen him make.

“How long have you been thinking about it?” I ask.

“A while. It started when I took this guy to my place. He’s a corporate attorney. We met in a bar, and I liked the stiffness he had about him. I wanted to break through the suit and tie.” He shrugs. “I don’t know. He just did it for me that night. When we got to my place, the first thing he said was that it reminded him of the place he’d shared with his best friend in college.”

“Wow, I hope you fucked that attitude out of him.”

“Twice,” he smirks. “But he was right. I’m pushing forty, and I live like I’ve just graduated from college because I want to hold on to memories of when Porter was alive.”

I put my hand on his. He turns his over and holds mine. We’ve both been doing the same thing, just in different locations. I left everything behind to escape the memories and the pain, but those were the only things I carried forward.

“Where are you going to move to?” I ask.

“Here.”

“You’re serious?”

He nods. “Notherehere. I’m hoping you’ll let me crash with you until I get my own place, but I like this town. It has plenty of eye candy, even if they all seem to be taken already. You and Stan are here.” He shrugs. “Looks like a good place as any for a fresh start.”

“How about work?”