Chapter Fifteen: It's Been A Long Journey, Baby

I watched Scott as he packed. He was going very slowly. As it was the last day that we would see eachother. We had done a lot together lately; more than I think a couple could do in a lifetime. Scott and I spent the past two days around the house giving eachother every ounce of love that we had. Now, as I stood in the doorway, the realization hit me. This is final, Scott is leaving.

There was a pile of clothes on our bed. Everything was carfully folded before put in his suitcase. Whenever he came upon one of my shirts he would just freeze and put it in a separate pile. Poor guy, but what was I to do? I mean, I couldn't help him. He wanted to do this alone anyway, he told me earlier today.

After a little longer, he had his stuff packed and he came to me. "Hey, um . . . I got this engraved for you yesterday. Finally bummed some money off Brett."

Scott grabbed something inside of his pocket and held his fist out. I took my hand out of my pocket as well and reached my hand out to take what he had. Once Scott's hand was open, the ring that his parents had given him fell to my waiting hand. I looked at the ring, which was always kept shiny and worn on his hand. On the inside it said, " To Gabriel. My first and most. Love, Scott. "

"Oh my god Scott, I am gonna miss you." Why does this have to be so hard?

He hugged back harder, "I know baby, I know."

"I don't want you to leave." The tears started coming to me, "Please, just a little more time. I'm not ready to have you leave me. I need you still."

"You know I have to." He kissed my forehead, "Everything's planned. And what would my uncle think if I took my decision back? Besides, you have Andrew."

"I know, but, I just still need you." I have to give him something too. That can wait 'til tomorrow.

"You know what?" Scott, looked in my eyes.

"What?" I sniffed.

"It's not dark yet. We could watch the sun set." He smiled sweetly at me, "Do you want to do that?"

"I love you Scott." I kissed him, "Let's go."

The sunset was beautiful. It was so beautiful, that I felt as if someone had called ahead for Geaorge Lucas and his lighting crew. Scott and I were decked out on a lawn chair snuggling and watching the sun fade away. The night to follow the sun went by too quickly for my tastes. Scott and I went into my room and locked the door to make love one last time. It was so special that I don't think I can even describe it at all. But I can describe how I felt when I was spent and lying next to the person I loved more than life: complete.

The next morning, however, was slower than waiting for The Titanic to sink. It started off with a fight over how we would part. Scott wanted it so we didn't have to see eachother when he left. I couldn't stand that, I needed to see Scott when he left or I would never except that he is really gone for good. I need to see his ride leave.

For the next half an hour until 9:47 , we didn't talk to each other. Then, I finally caved in and apoligized. He apoligized too saying that he was wrong for not wanting to see eachother before we left. So, I helped him get the rest of his stuff together. When I was washing the dishes from breakfast, I noticed the ring that Scott had given me the night before.

"I'll be right back, Scott" I squeezed his shoulder right before I went upstair to find something to give him.

I was looking all around my room. Under my bed, in the drawers, closet, bathroom. There was nothing that I could find to give to him. I was just about to leave to go ask my parents If I could borrow some money when I saw my ring on the night stand. Duh! You idiot, I scalded myself, you can take the ring and put it on your chain and give it to Scott. My ring size was larger than his anyway, so that was a good trade. After preparing the present, I hopped up, bounded down the stairs and skid to a stop before Scott, who was drying the dishes now.

"Shit, dude!" Scott exclaimed, "You almost made me drop a plate."

"Sorry, I'm just kinda excited that I found something to give to you." I was glowing now.

"Really? What?"

I pulled out the chain and ring from my pocket and presented it to him. "This, you know I never wear this chain because it's more special than anything else I have; just like you . . . . And I want you to have it."

Scott took the necklace from me, knowing what I told him was true; not some shit I made up. I let it go, feeling a large piece of me being removed with the necklace. There was a feeling, in my chest, that was just throbbing and growing, it felt like everything in that area was twisting and turning to mush. This is not a feeling I like. I guess this is what comes with finally realizing that Scott is leaving.

Fuck, why does this have to happen again. I mean, I was cool with it a half an hour ago, but, it just hurts so much. It's something I don't want to happen. I don't want to let go. I don't want Andrew anymore. Forget Andrew, I just want my Scott, my Scott. And now I'm crying. Shit.

"Thank you Gabe." Scott said. Was he crying too? I was trying to hard not to cry, but the tears were keeping me from seeing him.

"You're welcome. Anything for you Scott." Now, I knew he was crying, because I heard him sniffle.

And there we were, sitting there, crying like a couple of idiots. Well, we were crying until we heard someone give a good knock on the door. Shit, I thought, Who is it now? I looked through the spy-hole on the door, Andrew. Great, just great. I looked at Scott and told him I had to take care of something and then slipped outside.

"Hey Andrew," I greeted him.

"Hey gabe!" He lurched forward and kissed me. Oh my god, good things in small amounts, but this was too much.

"Ummm . . ." Okay, now this is weird, my switch turned on for Andrew again. "Good morning to you too, dude. You have no idea how much better that kiss made me feel."

"Maybe I should give you another one." He started to lean in.

"No, not now, man." I stopped him mid-pucker. "I need some more time with Scott. Do you think you might be able to, like, leave and come back around 11:20-ish. I will definatly give you a warmer reception then. Scott leaves at 11:30 ."

"But dude," He checked his watch, "That's only, like, 10 minutes from now."

"Really?" I exclaimed, "Oh shit, come in then."

Shit, shit, shit. This is so soon. This is so fucking soon. I opened the door and ran in the house and bounded into the kitchen. "Scott, it's 11:20, you have to go soon. Do you have everything?"

"Yeah, man, I'm cool." He looked dully at me. He already knew. I am always on the last circuit, aren't I?

"Ummm . . . do you need any food for the trip? Entertainment? You could take my GameBoy with you, my friends are getting me GameBoy pocket anyway. Money? Do you need any money, I got some stashed in the dirty clothes basket."

"No, that's okay. I'm fine. My uncle will take care of me. He'll probably even spoil me." Well, I had to chuckle a little.

Andrew had gone up to my room and brought down Scott's bag. He also handed me a wad of cash, $139, from the bottom of my dirty clothes. 'Like the back of my hand,' Andrew mouthed at me. I pretended like I was gonna pound him and gave $50 to Scott and told him that if he didn't accept it that his uncle had better have enough room for Andrew and I if he didn't. Scott took the money and we all sat down and played Perfect Dark on N64 for a while. There was a honk outside when I had beaten everyone around three times. I checked the clock and it was 11:36 , he's late. Goodbye, for the millionth time again. This is just getting stupid.

"Okay, Scott. It's showtime." I told him, "Can we just try to look tough when you leave. My eyes can't stand more tears."

"Try is pretty much all I can do." Scott replied.

We all went out the door, Andrew first, Scott and then I closing the door. Into the light, in front of a yellow cab.

"Hey uncle Jeff." Scott shook hand with the man without a turban.

"Hey Scott." He turned to Andrew and I, "So which one of you is Gabriel."

"Me," I said stepping forward and reaching out my hand.

"Great to meet you Gabriel. I heard you've taken great care of Scott here." He patted Scott's stomach.

"Yeah, you could say that, in a manner of speaking." I blushed a little.

"Good, then. I think I owe you a little money for food and everything then." He pulled out his check book. I tried to say no, but he went right on, "So, how much do you reckon it'll be? A thousand, fifteen hundred?"

"No, Mr. Peterson, that's alright." I pushed Mr. Peterson's pocket book down. "I wanted Scott with me because I love him. And I still do."

I grabbed Scott's hand and gave it a little squeeze. His uncle saw what I meant and a look of thought ran over his face. "Well, I at least want to give you some amount to thank you for loving him. I'm going to make this out to . . . Ummm . . . what's you're full name again?"

"Gabriel Duncan, sir. But you really don't need --"

"Okay, Gabriel Duncan, you are being given the amount of seven hundred dollars."

Shit!! $700! Wow, what can I get with that? Oh my god, that's a lot!! "Thank you, sir."

"Well, we have to be going now. The plane leaves at 12:20 and we need to check in an hour early to get a good seat. See you boys later." Scott's uncle picked up Scott's bag and threw it in the trunk.

Scott turned around and hugged me. "I love you. We've come a long way, baby."

"I know. I'll never forget you, no matter how long we haven't talked to eachother. But you have to write me. Okay?" I kissed him.

"Yeah." He kissed back and turned to Andrew, "You'd better take care of him, Andrew, or I'll personally come and kick your ass."

"I will, Scott. Don't worry about it. But if you don't write, I'll have to have someone stalk you. Deal?"

Scott shook Andrew's hand, "Deal."

The cabi honked and Scott jumped into the car and waved out the window. I waved back and the car was gone in a few seconds. Wow, I didn't cry. Why was that? Who knows, maybe I'll cry later. Right now I just want to watch a movie.

"Come on Andrew," I tugged on Andrew's arm, "Let's go watch a movie."

After turning on the movie, I went into the kitchen to make popcorn. When I opened the microwave, there were fifty dollars there, plus a twenty. On a note there was:

Gabe,

Sorry I didn't take the money. But my uncle is gonna spoil me, so keep it. The extra $20 is for Brett. Tell him thanks for lending me the money when you give it to him.

I love you babe,

Scott XOXO

"I love you too, Scott." I said as I stuffed the note and money into my pocket.

"What took you so long dude." Andrew asked, as I returned with a couple of cokes.

"Oh, I had to take care of something." I told him, "Hey, do you mind spending the night tonight?"

"Sure, I have no problem with that. My parents will be okay with it, I washed the dishes for dinner." He put his arm around my shoulder when I sat down next to him.

"Only one condition though." I smiled inwardly to myself. Sorry dude, we can stand one more night not being alone.

"What's that?" He looked down to me.

"Brett has to spend the night."

"Why does he have to spend the night?"

"To pay off an old debt. Why, are you scared he might take me away from you?"

"Hell no, he already has a boytoy. You're mine."

"That's good to hear, James can sleepover too."

"That's not his name."

"Who cares?"