Asleep Page 2

Wasso whistled to himself as he waited for David to come downstairs. He patted the pocket with the concert tickets in it to reassure himself that he had them. Wasso hadn’t even known that Keane was in town but when Nick mentioned that Keane was playing an unannounced concert as they passed through town on their tour, Wasso had done everything possible to score tickets. Wasso wanted it to be a surprise so when David asked who was playing, Wasso would tell him it was just a local band Nick had said was good.

Wasso grinned to himself. Dinner at David’s favourite restaurant and one of David’s favourite bands at a small, intimate concert; tonight would be a night to remember.

Wasso looked over his shoulders as he heard footsteps on the stairs. Wasso’s heart almost stopped when he saw David. Wasso was surprised at how David still affected him, even after how long they’d been together. Wasso fought to gather his wits because it seemed all his blood had rushed below his belt.

David displayed his ability of being able to read Wasso; he had realized that tonight was important to Wasso and had dressed in what David considered his “best date” clothes: dark jeans that hugged him in all the right places and a soft button-down that brought colour to David’s face and was one of Wasso’s favourites.

David grinned at Wasso and walked over to him. “Ready?” he asked.

“Always.” replied Wasso leaning down to give David a kiss. “Let’s go.” He said grabbing hold of David’s hand.

David eyed Wasso a bit because Wasso was being very affectionate and that usually meant that Wasso was up to something. Those thoughts flew his mind when David stepped out of the door and saw the car sitting at the curb.

“A Firebird!?!” exclaimed David.

“Your chariot awaits, love.” Wasso said waving his hands in a grandiose way at the car.

David remained amazed as Wasso pulled him down the walk to the car. David slid into the car and waited as Wasso rounded the car to get in the drivers side. “But, how?” he asked looking at Wasso in shock.

“I told you I had made a deal with Mercy for a car; I just got it a bit sooner than expected.” Wasso said, “I’ll tell you the whole story over dinner, okay?”

“Okay.” David replied with a sly smile forming, “How about you take me for a spin around town and we’ll see what this baby can do?”

Wasso grinned over at David, “Kid, you read my mind.”

Wasso pulled David across the seat until David was up snug against him and turned on the ignition. Pulling away from the curb, Wasso slung an arm around David’s shoulders and hit the gas pedal.

***

David absolutely loved Francois’. Frankie’s, as most locals called it, had a very pretentious sounding name and a pretentious look but it was actually a very comfortable and friendly place to eat. Although first impressions would leave one assuming people dressed up to eat at Frankie’s, there was always a wide variety of patrons eating at Frankie’s: from business people in suits and couples dressed in their finest to workers in uniform and students in ripped jeans and concert tees.

Although David and Wasso had gotten into the habit of going out for the evening whenever Wasso got his paycheck, they didn’t often eat at Frankie’s. They tended to keep Frankie’s as a restaurant for special occasions because they always enjoyed their meals there and didn’t want Frankie’s to become common to them. David was a bit curious why Wasso had picked Frankie’s but decided to leave it be and enjoy the evening.

Wasso didn’t want to ruin dinner with talk about the future and university. So, instead, he made light conversation that kept them both laughing. Wasso also explained the deal he had made with David’s parents and Mercy. Wasso was really happy with the deal and that Mercy had given him the Firebird, instead of the old hatchback they had originally discussed, just made it sweeter. Wasso had been without reliable transportation since he had left his dad’s place and quit his brother’s garage.

David was surprised that his parents had bought Wasso a car and he had to admit that he was a bit relieved when Wasso explained that David’s parents had used the money Wasso had been paying them for rent. It was very much in character for his parents to put aside the money Wasso gave them and use it on something for Wasso. David also had to admit he was a bit jealous that Wasso had such a cool car but David cheered himself up with the thought that he’d be chauffeured around in it all the time. As well, David was almost positive that he’d be able to talk Wasso into handing over the keys every once in a while.

Throughout dinner, David tried to get more information about the concert out of Wasso but Wasso wouldn’t say much other than yes, he was positive David would enjoy the music. After much questioning and a bout of pouting – which Wasso enjoyed (a fact he kept to himself) – Wasso gave in a bit and told David that Nick was working at the Bomb Shelter that evening and would get them in even though both David and Wasso were underage. Wasso promised David that the music wasn’t one of Nick’s “horrid” (according to David) bands and agreed that if David didn’t like the music, David could drive the Firebird home at the end of the night.

Wasso and David had a good time together over dinner. They were at a small booth in a quiet corner. It wasn’t obvious that David and Wasso were on a date, they had gotten used to being discrete in public, so they were both pleased to be seated in a private spot. Throughout dinner, the looks and smiles between David and Wasso lingered and when they happened to touch one another, the touch lingered as well. Although Wasso and David didn’t hold hands across the table, they had stretched out their legs and had them entwined under the table. After lingering over dessert, David and Wasso decided they would walk to the club rather than trying to find a closer parking spot.

Although they were having a good time, Wasso knew that he’d have to bring up the topic of university with David. Wasso had been thinking a lot about what Mrs. Shine had said and knew she’d been correct. All of their friends had heard back about their university applications and David must have gotten at least a couple replies by now. Wasso didn’t want to ruin the evening but thought that maybe David would be more open to the topic on a walk around town after having a good time at Frankie’s.

“David?” Wasso asked, “Have you heard back from any universities yet?”

“Umm. Uh, yeah, a couple.” David answered hesitantly.

“Oh? Which ones?” Wasso asked trying to be casual about the topic, “Have you heard from Brown or Harvard? I know you were interested in some of their programs. I haven’t heard you talk about them lately but I know you applied to them.”

“Yeah, I heard from them. Actually, I got full scholarships to both of them…and a few others.” David admitted.

Wasso stopped and pulled David into a hug. “David, that’s wonderful! So, are we going to Brown or Harvard?”

David pulled out of the embrace and looked away from Wasso. “Neither actually.”

“What do you mean neither?” asked Wasso with a pit of dread forming in his stomach, “Where are we going?”

David turned to look intently at Wasso. “Look Wasso,” David started, “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. Those big name schools charge twice as much as other schools for the same education just so that the graduates can brag about where they went.”

Ignoring the worried look on Wasso’s face, David continued, “I’m going to go to Monument. They’ve got a good English program.”

Keeping pace with David who had sped up while talking, Wasso quietly asked “Why Monument David? You got scholarships so you don’t have to worry about other schools charging more. If not Brown or Harvard, why not one of the other hundreds of universities in the country? You could go anywhere, why stay here?”

David paused and stared at Wasso. “Don’t you get it Wasso?” he murmured, “I want to stay here.”

“But you should go away for school David.” Wasso tried explaining as best he could, “You deserve so much better than staying here and going to a second rate university. You should be going to the best school you can.”

David closed his eyes and with a pained expression, turned away from Wasso. “You really don’t get it, do you Wasso?” David whispered, “I don’t want to leave. I can’t leave.”

Wasso put his hand on David’s shoulder and waited until David turned back to look at him, “But David, there’s no future here. You know that. Why would you want to stay here? There’s nothing here.”

In an instant David went from holding back tears to full blown anger. “Nothing?” David spat at Wasso, “Is that what we have? Nothing?”

“What?” asked a very confused Wasso.

“You idiot! I’m not staying because I can’t leave here.” David said throwing his arms out to show he meant the area. With a bitter look on his face David continued, “It’s you I can’t leave. But I guess you don’t give a fuck about that.”

David turned to storm off but Wasso grabbed his arm. Wasso was very, very afraid that David didn’t realize that the Wasso would be following David when he left for university. Wasso was sure he’d mentioned it before but what if David hadn’t realized Wasso was serious or had never understood how much Wasso needed him?

“David, you don’t understand…”

“No.” David interrupted, “You don’t understand. Damn it! I thought you loved me enough to not want me to go. Guess I was wrong.”

David stormed off leaving Wasso standing in shocked silence. In the time it took Wasso to get over his shock, David had reached the next intersection.

“David!” Wasso called starting to run after him, “Wait David! Really, you don’t understand. Please David! Wait!”

David turned back to look at Wasso. “You’re right Wasso. I don’t understand. How could you not care if I leave?”

Not waiting for a reply, David turned his back on Wasso and without looking stepped off the curb into the road just as a car careened around the corner running a red light…

***

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