Page 38 of Rhymes with Metaphor

O n the day of Reg’s convocation, he asked Joel to come, and Joel shifted his work schedule so he could leave early for the day and attend.

He wore a suit, just for Reg. Reg knew the day was likely to be difficult, as Martin would be there.

Reg was ready to forgive him, but Martin wasn’t ready to forgive Reg.

He was with Juliet, and he saw Reg, but didn’t say “hello” and kept his distance during the reception afterwards.

As Reg drove home with his awards in the back of the car, Joel said, “While you were on stage, I told her I applied to Juilliard.”

“What did she say?”

“She asked me how I was going to support myself as an actor, so I told her I already am supporting myself doing voice work. Then she asked me how I was going to pay for Juilliard, and I told her you offered to pay.”

“And what did she say?”

“I thought she’d disapprove, but...she didn’t say anything.” Joel sounded an order of magnitude calmer and more mature than he had after he’d last spoken to Juliet. “Did Martin say anything to you?”

“No,” said Reg and hoped he didn’t sound upset.

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O n November 11th, Joel’s birthday, Reg spent the morning making arrangements so that everything was sorted by the time he collected Joel that afternoon.

Joel was waiting on the corner for him, looking cold, though his coat was buttoned. He got in, and Reg drove off.

“You shouldn’t have to work on your birthday,” said Reg.

“I already agreed to,” said Joel.

“You’re falling into the workaholic trap again. You haven’t had a proper a day off in ages. It’s all right to say ‘no’ if it’s too much or if the job doesn’t sound interesting. You’re supposed to be enjoying your life. You’re doing what you want.”

“I don’t like turning down work,” said Joel.

“You’re getting more work now than you can cope with, and it’ll only get worse if you accept every offer.

Why don’t you introduce a policy that you won’t take a job unless you’ve read part of the manuscript first—made sure it’s something you want to take on?

It’ll save you the unpleasantness of pushing through the bad ones. ”

“I could do that,” said Joel.

“And double your rates.”

“What?” said Joel. “No one’s going to pay me that much.”

“You thought no one would pay you a thousand dollars for an evening’s work.

If you’re hesitant to negotiate, I can act as your manager.

That way, you’ll come off as nice and reasonable, and I’ll come off as the mercenary one.

How’s that? You’ll be earning the same amount, but working half the hours, so you’ll have time to rest.”

“Well...,” said Joel.

“Consider it.”

“This isn’t the way home.”

“No. We’re collecting your birthday present.”

“Oh?” Joel sounded less exhausted now.

“Yes. I’ve arranged transportation for you.”

Joel stared at him. “You’re renting me a car?”

“No. I’ve bought you one. Do you have your license with you?”

“Yes, but—”

“That’s settled, then. I hope you like royal blue, because that’s what colour it is. Now you won’t have to rely on me to ferry you everywhere.”

“But I like it when you drive me,” said Joel.

“As you’re an adult, it only makes sense for you to have more independence.”

They pulled into the car dealership.

“I’ve got you something small and practical, suitable for a budding young actor.” Reg pulled the access card out of his pocket. “There’s a parking pass for the loft’s garage to get you in and out. Now, stop staring at me and go and get your car.”

They drove back separately, Joel following Reg. Joel, in Reg’s opinion, was driving far too cautiously considering how young he was. In the garage, Reg directed Joel to his own parking space, which he’d arranged payment for.

In the loft afterwards, Joel was quiet.

“What’s wrong?” said Reg. “Was the car making odd noises? Do you have an issue with the colour?”

“I can’t believe you bought me a car.”

“The title’s in your name, cariad. Do what you like. Sell it or trade it in for something else if it doesn’t suit you.”

“It’s not that,” said Joel. “You’re acting like it’s no big deal.”

“Your car cost considerably less than tuition to Juilliard will, and I’ve already agreed to pay for that.”

“But that’s hypothetical,” said Joel. “ If I get accepted. The car is real.”

“It’s all real, Joel. Now, come on, let me take you out—in my car so you can have a drink for your birthday.”

Reg took him to a restaurant for dinner to celebrate and then to a wine bar. When they got home late that night, Joel said, “I have a present for you.”

“It’s your birthday, cariad. Not mine.”

“I know,” said Joel. “Go to bed, and I’ll join you.”

Reg waited an unaccountably long time in the bedroom, wondering what Joel was doing.

But then he heard the sound of Joel’s feet climbing the stairs, then Joel switching off the light, followed by the soft sound of clothes being unfastened and then the rustle of the covers.

And then Joel went down on Reg for the first time, thirsty and frantic, and Reg let him.

He knew he oughtn’t to have, but it felt churlish to deny him on his birthday.

“Don’t try to take it all in,” said Reg.

“But I want to.”

“You’ll choke, cariad.”

“Don’t flatter yourself,” said Joel, but he was struggling.

Eventually, Joel settled into it, surprising Reg anew by how eagerly he asked Reg for guidance and how readily he took direction.

He insisted on swallowing afterwards, though Reg told him, “You don’t have to for my sake, cariad.”

But Joel did.

“This is the best present you ever gave me,” said Joel, as though Reg was the one who had blown him.

“Poor little lost boy,” said Reg quietly, holding him. “What have I done to you?”

Joel found Reg’s hand and clasped it. “You’re only five years older than me now.”

“Our relationship is practically respectable,” said Reg. “And since I can now appear in public with you without being condemned, Would you like to come as my plus-one to a party? Ramsay, one of my former classmates, is throwing one for all the poets tomorrow.”

“It’s Silas’s party tomorrow,” said Joel.

“You’ll have a lot more fun at the poets’ party. And you could do worse than disappoint Silas.”

“You said you’d go with me to Silas’s,” said Joel.

“What time?”

“Starts at seven.”

“Then we’ll go to Silas’s party first and finish the night at Ramsay’s.”