Part 4

The next few weeks went surprisingly fast. I expected to be on pins and needles about the countdown to the imitation devices but little distractions helped and presented new tensions as well. Plus, I had plenty of stuff to focus on in my other classes. I discretely made sure my professors were informed about my Kinrae-related class and what was going to happen.

Lissa took me home soon after we looked through her photo album. Once home, Allison leapt on me with wide eyes and excited questions. I told him the gist. He gave a little smile whenever I mentioned Quilla’s ninja outfit.

At the end, he immediately asked me, finger poised on his chin, “Sooo….why didn’t you kiss her?”

I coughed into the cup of water I’d been drinking. I had plenty to say about that. It was like a ‘rebound’ thing with Michael just recently gone. We were good friends. Quilla was right there. Everything that had gone through my head that evening till Lissa beeped my nose. I stammered all that out to Allison, who held his tongue and smirked.

He waited till I’d finished and taken another sip of water. Then, he asked, “Do you think she likes you as more than a friend?” It wasn’t something I thought about. Well, maybe I thought about it, but not with any seriousness. Allison had the most amused expression with his chin resting on both hands.

I could only answer, after a few attempts to change the subject, “I really don’t know. I mean…I mentioned how she scooted close on the couch. I mentioned how she talked to me about her worries as a mom. I can tell she’s really comfortable around me. I mean…I’m sure there are people you’re very comfortable around who you aren’t romantically interested in…”

Slowly, Allison cracked a Cheshire grin. “Oh dear, sweet Sean. I’ve told you this before but, even if just a tiny bit, I’m romantically interested…in everyone.” He fluttered his eyes.

He had said that before. I mostly took it for hyperbole. But the look in his eyes right then… I cleared my throat again and he couldn’t help but giggle and softly say, “Priceless. But, in all seriousness, if you’re ever interested or get tired of dancing around Lissa…” He gestured to himself with a wink.

All I told him was, “I’m good.” He kept a very pleased smile and then lamented that I’d already had breakfast. Before I left the room, he did add, “Just a personal request but on the day you’re finally able to consummate your love of anime girlness…I ask you to let me do just one thing. Call it an experiment.”

I had to ask him what the one thing was but he wagged his finger and told me, “Nope. Sorry. The experiment won’t work as well like that. Blind test. I assure you it’s nothing terrible. Just an experiment in…gender studies or something. You can even put it into your class paper if it turns out interesting.”

Now I was really eager to know but Allison’s lips were sealed. I told him, “I’ll think about it.”

A random topic that evening made my concerns about this “experiment” even greater when Allison mentioned, “Clayton and I have an agreement if I ever happen to turn into a girl.”

I’d heard this alluded to before: discussion of “If Allison was a chick”. But I figured it wasn’t meant to be serious. Apparently, according to Allison, Clayton and he had come to an agreement that, “If we’re ever turned into a girl, then we will totally jump each other’s bones…at least once.” Then, he swallowed a long string bean whole.

I sipped my sweet and sour soup and asked, “What about Malcolm?”

Allison gave a little sigh and said, “He doesn’t want to cheat on his girlfriend. But we do have a different agreement which involves…well….I’ll leave it to your imagination for now.”

Of course, this whole scenario would require me loaning the imitation device to Allison and that was frowned upon by the professor. However, it wasn’t specifically forbidden. In fact, I remembered hearing discussions with Kinrae who wanted the devices to be shared freely. But there were plenty of legal issues with the college possessing them and being responsible for them and all that. All that stuff we had to sign with the tiny print. And we had even more of it during our third class session.

After that, Allison didn’t pester me (as much) about the ‘experiment’. He did pester me to call my uncle though and he was right to do so. It’d been too long since I’d talked to him. I was lucky to catch him while he was home, even though the call went to his voice mail at first before he picked up.

“Sean! I was just thinking of calling you. You weren’t reading my mind…were you?”

I gave a half-chuckle and told him, “Not at all, Uncle Nolan. How are things?”

He snorted and, with that rich voice of his, laid out the ‘quandaries’ and ‘possibilities’ of his ‘recent past’. I leaned back on the couch and listened. I was glad he was doing well. I’d been worried about him when I moved out but he said he was having movie showings and was painting again.

At a lull in his account, he asked, “But enough about me. How goes the new year of classes?”

I told him about the prerequisites I was taking. I started to sidestep with the “anthropology” class but he caught my dodge and asked for more details. Allison was lingering about with a pleased expression…and randomly twirling. I couldn’t help but crack a smile despite the uncertainty I felt from what Allison had said.

The little flash of amusement gave me the smallest of boosts to help me admit without dodging, “It’s a class for studying the Kinrae.”

“Those colored ladies? That’s fantastic. I know how much you’ve been curious about them. Keep me updated about what you learn. I’m a little curious myself. Such enigmas.”

I didn’t have to say anything more. I could’ve left it like that and I was sure my uncle would be satisfied. But I liked speaking my mind to him and he would probably find out anyway.

I held the conversation with half a sound followed by quiet. Just a moment to compose what I wanted to say. I managed, “It’ll be more than just book study. We’ll be visiting where they live and everything. And…we’ll be using those imitation devices they sometimes talk about in the news to kinda…you know…get into…to get a sense of what they’re like…experience of what they’re like.” My face felt hot and I could feel my heartbeat against the phone.

I was held prisoner in a long spell of silence on the line before my uncle dispatched all tension by saying, “Well, that sounds marvelous! Never heard of a class like that before. What do I tell you about trying new things?”

I recited, “I really need to do it more often.”

“Not only that. It broadens your mind and it changes your entire perspective on life. I hope you enjoy this class and I want you to know right now that you must send me photos online. I won’t take no for an answer. In fact, send me some as soon as you can anyway. It’s been far too long since I’ve seen you or any of your roommates.”

I made a promise to send plenty of photos, which earned a quick wink from Allison as he dashed back to the kitchen. Uncle Nolan sounded satisfied with this and we began wrapping things up.

He finished the call by telling me, “Till next you remember I’m just a phone call away and with all my deep and heartfelt love, my dear nephew….and niece.”

“Uncle Nolan…” I muttered with a groan as he chuckled.

“Apologies. Just a small indulgence on my part. And so…and so…”

I narrowed my eyes and asked, “What is it?”

His mood changed a little. He softly assured me, “Just memories sometimes. A virtue of age and a bane to hold such a reservoir of the past. It’s nothing…especially nothing I want to sour your lovely weekend with.”

I pried a bit, “You’re sure it’s nothing? I don’t want to find out you’re dying of some horrible disease.”

He assured me that wasn’t the case and offered, “And even if I were, I would make sure everyone I loved knew…but only to make sure the living is all the sweeter for all to share. For happiness is only real when shared.”

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“Uhhh…”

My uncle gave a chuckle and finished, “Forgive me a bit of saccharine sentiment. I’ve been considering a visual poem. But to remind you, please don’t spare me any of the details of the journeys ahead of you. And have a wonderful day.”

I expressed the same to my uncle as I finally hung up. Our calls usually came to ends which were actually new beginnings with goodbyes said at least half a dozen times before we recalled something else. Still, I knew there was something on his mind which he wasn’t telling me but I reassured myself that he would tell me when he was ready and it wouldn’t be as bad as I feared.

Looking up from my phone, I discovered Allison curled up near my feet. He leaned up at me and said, “See? That was easy!”

I gave a nod and settled back on the couch. After a moment, Allison asked, “You’re not upset at me because of what I said before…right?”

I didn’t have any words to offer, which Allison immediately took for the worst. He seized my legs with a gasp, exclaiming, “Oh no! You are upset! Forsooth! This is a sorrow of sorrows! Never did I imagine that sadness would come of my words.”

Softly, I muttered to myself, “Forsooth?”

Allison continued even more dramatically, “If only I could take back the unintended meaning of my words. My love for all is meant only for joy and not for harm! And my plans are of the kindest sort, seeking only a playful moment and not fear! If only I could travel back in time to give you better words, truer words, so you may know and not feel anything bad! Lament! LAMENT! I beg…nay!…beseech you…look kindly upon me. I offer up my whole heart that you may forgive my impertinence. Forgive me! Pleeeeeease!”

The only thing which could be added was a lonely violin playing in the background to accentuate Allison’s performance. His face was curled like the tragedy mask on theater posters as he clung to my ankles like his hands were holding the edge of a cliff.

What could I say? I offered a smile and told him sincerely that I wasn’t upset and that he was forgiven.

Immediately, a swell of joy burst through Allison as he leapt to his feet and pranced around the floor. He embraced me with a rush of his floral aroma enveloping me and celebrated with the most ecstatic of dances. This would be fine with a full choir behind him.

I still was curious about what he had in mind for this experiment, same as I wondered what my uncle might be keeping from me but I resigned myself to patience and their assurances.

That was all before a meal, an email to my uncle with what few new photos I’d taken lately, a walk around the neighborhood in the evening fog, learning from Allison that the tragedy mask on theater posters represented the muse Melpomene, and another mediocre movie gave the day its anticlimax.

Saturday started with a bang though, a loud bang from the garage which rattled the windows. We feared the worst till Clayton emerged, without any body parts missing, only gray grime on his hands and face, to announce the herb garden box was done.

He wheeled the finished product out on a dolly lift I never knew he had. Allison delighted in Clayton’s painting choice of pink together with blue and yellow trim. He staggered, like he’d been standing around the paint fumes for too long, and gave Allison a thumbs-up. Together, they set the box in the backyard.

Clayton mentioned all the features of the box, which was the most I’d heard him say in weeks. He mentioned the water drainage and the way the materials kept sensitive plants cool. He explained how the box angled to provide the best light via an internal gear which was set to season and time of day. Then he apologized for not including “animal deterrents”.

He’d apparently been considering a trap mechanism which “took care” of rabbits (which we got a lot of) and other small animals but, “the required batteries for electrocution would’ve drained too fast.” Instead, he offered to build a fence over the next few days, to my and Allison’s relief. The box looked nice in the backyard.

To buy seeds and everything else we needed, we drove in Allison’s PT Cruiser because there was no way we’d be able to haul everything back from the home improvement store by bus or on foot. Allison brought a book detailing what all he’d need for the garden. I followed him as he ruffled through racks of seeds and small pots with a mixture of focus and frowns till he finally found a dozen pack of the seeds he was looking for. He nearly gave a ‘squee’. Then he consulted which herbs to start growing in late winter and which to plant in spring.

They’d need to start out by the windowsill until the weather was warm enough. At least that’s what I could gather glancing over Allison’s shoulder as he paged through the book. We wouldn’t need any window sill planters because Allison had a plan for that but we got plenty of soil and Allison splurged on a “cute” watering can.

We wound up in line behind a stout old lady who looked like a retired teacher. She glanced back at us with a smile and suddenly said, “You two look lovely together.”

She must’ve noticed how close Allison lingered to me. Allison was wearing a favorite pale-pink top of his which was a snug, glossy fit from the small sleeves and broad neckline to where it clung all the way down to his hips. Glittery-white hearts decorated the front and blue butterflies covered his jeans.

I gave the old lady a nod and Allison offered a quick giggle he was able to make sound especially girlish. I cleared my throat and offered, “We’re just roommates.”

The old lady raised an eyebrow and watched as Allison leaned his head on my shoulder. All the old lady said to that was, “I see…”

Maybe some day when I was younger, early high school or before, I would’ve been annoyed or even upset. But I let Allison have his fun.

And have fun he did as we walked out of the store arm in arm. When we got to the car, I had to ask, “Enjoy that?”

He hoisted the heavy bag of potting soil with one arm and asked back, “How about you?”

I wasn’t sure what to say. The first time Allison had done this sort of thing in public I felt unnerved and unsure. While Allison’s words the previous day had left me off-balance and wondering what he meant by romance, his melodrama had convinced me not to take it too seriously. And I had the same approach to these sorts of things too.

And then another notion hit me. How people often saw Allison, as a girl, was exactly how people were going to see me in just a little over two weeks. Not including the even more attention-grabbing anime aspects. If I was hanging out with Allison or if I was somewhere with Malcolm then the attention now would be nothing compared to that kind of attention.

I had to wonder if it was some sort of plan on Allison’s part to prepare me. Then I noticed he was singing to the seeds as he placed them in the trunk of the car. I sighed and offered, “I have no idea.”

I earned a pat on the shoulder from Allison for that, as he noted, “Don’t you worry. Everyone will be looking at you instead of me when you become a lovely, busty anime girl.” He shut the trunk with a smirk. He couldn’t be reading my mind…

We settled into the car, put our belts on, and I was about to start the engine when I heard a strange, long sigh from Allison. I glanced over. He was leaning against the window with his legs tightly crossed and his hands folded in his lap.

Frowning, I asked, “You okay, Ally?”

He flashed a little smile and said, “I did enjoy that. It was fun.”

I raised an eyebrow and he pursed his lips together. He cleared his throat and asked softly, “Wanna stop at the frogurt place down the block before we head back?”