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MICHAEL

I stand there with iced coffees in my hands, watching Tina and Patrick laugh at each other’s jokes. They're here to shoot a quiver full of arrows and hone their skills as expert archers, and I’m here to enjoy their company.

They haven’t noticed me yet, and for that, I’m grateful. I enjoy watching them interact, more as family than friends. It’s truly comforting to see that there’s someone else in Patrick’s life who isn’t going anywhere and will always have his back. Sure, I plan on never leaving him, but my career in law enforcement has shown me over the years that you can never be completely certain about the future.

“Tina,” Patrick says, “I can’t believe you signed me up to audition for the role without asking me.”

“You said you were interested. Remember?”

He shakes his head. “That was before I was attacked and nearly killed. Don’t you have any sympathy for me? I could have died, Tina. D.E.A.D. Gone forever, but not forgotten.”

“Don’t go quoting your overly dramatic future headstone, my friend. I will never let anything happen to you. And when have I ever steered you in the wrong direction? I’m going to be there auditioning for a part as well. My agent even agreed to take you on for this one.”

“How’d you manage that? I didn’t even bribe her with a pack of clove cigarettes.”

Tina smiles and touches his shoulder. “I might have mentioned to her that you were in a near-fatal accident and Make a Wish was sponsoring you. Stop,” she says, holding up her hand to curtail Patrick’s response. “She needed the good press and was willing to take you under her wing.”

“I know, but what happens when she finds out you lied to her?”

Tina waves away the question. “She’s not going to remember. The last time I brought you up, she asked if you were still doing porn.”

“Porn?”

“I know, right? As if you would ever be cool enough for porn?” Tina laughs.

I can’t help but start laughing. Trying to hold three very cold drinks at the same time is getting difficult, but once I start chuckling, I start to lose it.

“Michael?” Patrick asks. “When did you get here? Oh, shit, you’re about to drop the drinks.”

He and Tina run over to stabilize their precious elixirs, each taking one and leaving me with my own.

“I’m glad you’re here, Michael,” Tina says. “You can help us settle this matter once and for all.”

Not sure I would be the best person to weigh in on this discussion since I have no idea about the movie-making industry or acting, I back up a step. “Maybe the two of you should settle it yourselves?”

Patrick takes a long drink of his coffee. “No, it’s okay. I would love to hear your opinion.”

“Great,” Tina says. “That settles it. Michael, do you think that Patrick should stop being such a baby, man up, and audition for the part in an upcoming blockbuster movie? By doing so, he will have the potential to fulfill his dream of being a serious actor?”

Patrick's turn for rebuttal comes. “First of all, the movie is extremely hush-hush, which sometimes means it’ll be a huge movie, but not guaranteed. Secondly, with all the craziness that went on over the last week or so, I haven’t had time to prepare, and the audition is in just a few days. And third, I have a big old scratch on my face and a few yellowing bruises that will look horrendous on camera.” He points to his face and grimaces.

I look from her to him. Both look back at me with urgency in their eyes. If I’m honest, someone might be upset with me, but it’s the right thing to do. Stepping over to Patrick, I trace my finger along the scabbed-over cut on his face. “You’re gorgeous no matter what. Honestly, a few scratches make you look tough.” I tilt his chin up and lean down to give him a kiss. Our lips part as my tongue slips into his mouth. He tastes so good. “Babe,” I say after pulling away. “You are talented, smart, and so damn hot, any movie that didn’t want you is stupid. Follow your dreams and go kick some ass.”

Tina squeals, and Patrick smiles as he gazes up into my eyes.

“I believe in you,” I say.

Patrick nearly drops his drink as he hurries to wrap his arms around me. We hug as Tina hops up and down next to us with her hands clasped.

“Me next,” she says. “I need some of this love too.”

“Bring it in,” I say, opening my arm to her as well.

She slides into my embrace, and we stand there and hug for a few moments. Once we all separate, Patrick nods and says, “I want to audition, but I’m a little nervous.”

“I’ll tell you what,” I say. “I’ll help you study or practice or whatever you call it and go with you and sit in the waiting room. Would that help?”

“Absolutely,” he says. “You’d waste a couple of days to help me with this?”

“It’s not a waste of time as long as I’m spending it with you.”

He smiles. I smile. Tina squeaks.

“There is nothing I would enjoy more than watching the two of you be cute together, but we have to finish shooting. There are a few people waiting for our lane once we are done.” Tina thumbs toward what looks like a family of four, waiting patiently for us to stop wasting their time.

“I’m going to wait for you two over by the concession stand. Come get me when you’re done here.”

Patrick and Tina grab their bows and arrows and start firing off projectiles. They’ll be done soon. By the way they quickly shoot without spending much time actually aiming, I can tell their heart isn’t in it anymore today. Once I get to the concession stand, I order a bag of pretzels and watch them from afar.

There’s something different about Patrick after the attack. I can tell from the way he stands, walks, and interacts with those around him, he’s more confident. Somehow, the intense circumstances he’s lived through have strengthened him, made him more certain. It’s obvious to me and absolutely intoxicating. While I’m happy for his newfound self, I know from experience that there may come a time where he struggles. He may become anxious or depressed as his mind continues to process what happened to him. There have been more than one police officer I’ve known who ended up needing counseling after an attack left them with PTSD.

It wouldn’t be something to bring up to him at this time, but I make a mental note to always be there for him. I’ll help him through whatever life throws his way from now on. I think back to when I was a kid and spoke with my father about how he knew Mom was the one for him. He answered that when he closed his eyes at night, images of them living their lives together flashed in his mind. His gut told him that she would always be his person.

A tingle in my belly when I imagine Patrick and my life together and what it might look like in a year, five years, or even longer down the road, tells me he’s my person and I’m his. I wave at them as they now make their way across the park toward the concession stand. They get closer, and I hold out the bag of pretzels. “Snacks?”