This One's for Smith: Billy: A Gay Love Story, #3

By Tmothy Lee

Billy Butler is having problems. The most egregious problem is the troubling nightmares that take hold of his mind, both awake and asleep. Even worse, the dreams seem to be following a pattern in which he croaks at the end of each and every one. There is a message hidden within each dream but Billy is unable to discern what that meaning is. The only thing that is clear is that they look as if to be coming from Smith; the bully extraordinaire who attempted to take Billy's life sometime ago. The attempt failed and Smith landed himself in a cozy little prison cell, and yet there is evidence that he is somehow manipulating the nightmares. Another difficulty is the fact that their house and subsequent apartments are being ransacked and pretty much totally destroyed by an unknown hooligan. And then there's Abraham, who is greatly affected by these home invasions and slips into a depression that threatens their future together. Mirna, Billy's sister, and her new husband Wei Chen are having to play host to her brother and Abraham eveytime they lose a place of their own. And then there's Lyle, the cop; yet another wrench being thrown into the working gears of Billy and Abraham's relationship, although without intending to cause any problems.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tmothy Lee
• Release date: Oct 29, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223044635

Book preview

This One's For Smith

Billy: A Gay Trilogy

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By

Timothy Lee

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2009 Timothy Lee

Published by Smashwords

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: A Very Bad Day Squared

Chapter 2: Naeem Faraji

Chapter 3: Thad

Chapter 4: Broken and Battered

Chapter 5: The Road Warrior

Chapter 6: The Wraiths of Wrath

Chapter 7: Big Bad Biker Dudes

Chapter 8: The Arresting Truth

Chapter 9: Arona

Chapter 10: 12 Steps

Chapter 11: Of Fanciful Themes

Chapter 12: The Barbecue

Chapter 13: Encore! Encore!

Chapter 14: The Space Between Us

Chapter 15: Road Trip

Chapter 16: An Answer

Chapter 17: This One’s for Smith

Chapter 18: The Day After Yesterday

About the Author

Chapter 1

A Very Bad Day Squared

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This day just plain sucked, but not all of it in a bad way. Twenty-three-year-old Billy Butler awoke at 7:00 a.m. under the persistent influence of the alarm clock on his partner’s bedstand. Seeing as how this was a workday inconvenience it was nevertheless a necessary courtesy that he wake up along with twenty-nine-year-old Abraham Adoni. Their shared existence of three years was nothing short of miraculous. Time had done nothing to fade their love for one another. If anything, Billy and Abraham’s relationship continued to expand, both sexually and spiritually, and absolutely nothing in the foreseeable future was going to derail the runaway diesel engine of passion behind which both men were coupled. Theirs was a romance for the ages, a rolling ball constantly gaining speed as it headed down the hill of desire and dedication.

Billy turned to face his beautiful man whose dark chest stood out against the white sheets in a poetic representation of hue, saturation and precision. Of course, then there was Billy who could conceivably blend in with the sheets and not be found for months. He was painfully aware of his whiter-than-white eggshell and ivory complexion, but he wanted more. Unfortunately, no matter how hard Billy tried, he could not for the life of him obtain even the slightest tan. Exposure to the sunshine would turn him into a lobster, and then fade days later to an undiscovered tint of white that not once hinted of any color chip other than a pallid pink. And that was being generous.

Morning, honey, Abraham said softly, his smile stretching the reaches of his face.

Morning, baby, Billy cooed. Let me brush my teeth so that I can suck your tongue out without melting your teeth.

Abraham gave his man a little kiss on the lips, prompting Billy to quickly repair to the bathroom to make himself a bit more presentable. It did not take long before he was finished scrubbing his teeth and sanitizing his breath, and once passing his own inspection in the mirror Billy returned to the bedroom. He had to deviate slightly in order to step around a very sleepy Abraham who was next to take his turn at freshening up before the two men ignited the equivalent of a sexual atomic blast of lust.

Reclining on top of the bed, Billy’s noted his heart racing at the thought of plunging headfirst (albeit the slightly smaller of the two heads) into the deepest realms of Abraham’s dorsal dimple. Ecstasy was only minutes away and Billy could almost feel the sheer elation of the entirety of his probe disappearing inside the only meaningful man in his life and then riding off into the sunset together as one.

Magic was on the horizon.

Abraham was going to take a little longer so Billy tripped through the mental binder of their partnership from start to present. Once neighbors at the Butler family home, Billy and his sister, Mirna Chen, became very close friends with their neighbor, Abraham, who made it a custom of passing the Butler household as many times as was convenient. What Billy did not know at the time was that this general and understated friendship went much deeper on Abraham’s part; Billy being the main focus of the tall man’s heart.

Years after the fact Billy learned that Abraham had admitted to Mirna his attraction for Billy and the pain through which he was suffering. Sadly for the tall thin neighbor with the short-cropped curly black hair, Billy was just coming to terms with his attraction to men at the time. This prompted him to begin latching onto any available pair of pants, and their human contents, that paid him any notice. It was the new sensation of caring for, and having sex with, somebody other than himself that captivated Billy sexually and thus had him intensively craving for more. It was unfortunate, therefore, that every single opportunity that showed any promise ended in catastrophe.

Standing on the sidelines, Abraham could do nothing more than suffer the misfortune of unrequited love as each new fling of Billy’s destroyed yet another part of his heart. In the end, considering how things eventually worked out Abraham determined that the pain was worth it. He had finally won Billy’s attentions through patience and persistence, and, admittedly, a little help from Mirna: the world-renowned matchmaker.

Spotting Abraham’s reappearance into the bedroom, Billy clambered off the bed in order to engulf the human dream machine in his arms as quickly as possible. Their hips ground together, this resulting in combined heat that burned deep down to their very souls and captivated their every thought. This sensation was nothing new and yet it seemed as if to be increasing in intensity and duration every time they connected.

It did not take time for their lips to connect, prompting tongues to begin bonding, wrapping around each other and generally giving clearance for Billy to lower his hand. Although his eyes were closed tightly in what could only be described as a trance he was nevertheless able to direct his hand down to both of their moneymakers and begin massaging them together. Abraham moaned lightly granting Billy full consent to do whatever he wanted wherever was convenient.

Happily, the bed was the most convenient of locations and quite carefully the two men melted down upon the comforter without breaking their entanglement. Billy and Abraham rolled from side to side like a well-oiled machine in anticipation of a connection that would honor their commitment to one another in the most expressive way possible.

Billy gently turned his lover onto his back and let his mouth do the walking, to which Abraham moaned even more loudly while thrusting his hips in the air for some added pressure. This only lasted a minute or so before Abraham broke their connection and rolled onto his stomach, raising his caboose temptingly for inspection and eventual boarding. Unable to stop himself even if he wanted, Billy spat on himself and was just about to launch his arrow directly into the bullseye when his cell phone rang.

Abraham raised his head slightly before reaching for the phone and glancing at the display. It’s your sister, he claimed while handing the phone to Billy behind him.

How? Billy moaned. How the hell does she know when it’s the most inconvenient time to call? She can call back. With this proclamation Billy laid the phone down and proceeded to slowly, gently, accomplish his mission accompanied by Abraham’s moans of pleasure egging him on.

The rocking and rolling commenced in earnest with both the top and the bottom moaning their delight. The phone’s persistent ringing was somewhat of a distraction but it had little effect on the oceans in motion upon the bouncing bed. Eventually Mirna ended the call and all went quiet except for the occasional squeak of a bedspring and an almost artistic chorus of moans, groans, and closed eyes.

Almost immediately the phone again rang making it quite clear that Mirna would not take an unanswered phone call lying down. That was Billy and Abraham’s job at the moment. After a third call came knocking, Billy decided that it must be important. Breaking his stride, he excused himself and was about to withdraw when Abraham grabbed Billy’s butt cheeks, making it impossible for Billy to move.

Why don’t you take the call in the den, baby, Abraham mused aloud.

Acquiescing to his man’s desire that he and Abraham remain connected in the best possible way, Billy raised the phone once again and answered the call. What? he asked rather sharply.

Billy, when will you learn that the most courteous way of answering a call is to say ‘Hello’, or in a better world, ‘What the fuck do you want’? she said in a friendly tone.

Mirna, Abe and me are kinda tied up right now. Can I call you back when we’re through?

Hmm, bondage. I never would have suspected you two of engaging in such behavior.

No, not bondage.

Oh, I get it. You’re getting ready for a sexual liaison. I trust that you both already had your distemper shots.

"Well, not exactly getting ready for a sexual liaison, as you put it. More like in the middle of a sexual liaison," Billy corrected.

Oh, that’s just perfect. You’re fucking your brains out while I’m on the phone. Real nice. Don’t you think that’s a little on the icky side?

Mirna, what is it you want? Why the phone call this early? Billy asked. He unintentionally thrust his hips forward in a deep plunge that had Abraham whoop with delight.

I need to hitch a ride to work with the man beneath you, that’s assuming that you’re directing traffic from a helicopter.

What’s wrong with your car? he asked, now annoyed over his and Abraham’s time together being cut short.

If I knew that, I wouldn’t be calling, now would I? It turns over but it won’t start. Maybe there’s a car virus going around and mine caught it.

Billy had to smile at the ridiculously crafted assumption. No self-conscious car virus would be caught dead in your engine. Maybe the battery’s dead.

I already told you that the... Honestly, Billy, I really believe that you shoved the wrong head into Abraham’s ass this time. The car turns over but won’t catch, or start, or fart, or whatever. I’ve called my mechanic but I can’t wait around for them to come fix the problem. So, can Abraham give me a ride to work or are you both stuck together because you used glue instead of lube.

All right, all right. As soon as we get finished and cleaned up and dressed I’ll have him drop by and pick you up.

I don’t have time for you to finish, Billy. I’m going to be late as it is.

I said that we’re busy, that means that we’re busy! Have you lost your mind? he asked viciously.

No, but I’m going to lose my job if you don’t get a move on.

Call a cab, or take a bus, or walk.

I can’t afford a cab, the bus runs on a half-hour schedule and it left five minutes ago, and there’s no way I can walk two miles without breaking a heel.

Wear flats, Billy instructed, desperately searching for a way to get Mirna to work without destroying his concentration and the glory that waited on the other side of the hill called Abraham.

I’ll be waiting for Abraham in front of my car’s corpse. Hurry up.

...swell... he muttered.

Surrendering, Billy looked down to Abraham before collapsing on top him in a heap of capitulation. The beautiful moment was gone and he could feel himself shrinking and eventually popping out of Abraham. This mega-letdown burned in his brain as more blood headed upward to further fuel his sense of abandon.

Okay, Billy acquiesced to his intrusive sister. Abe’ll be there in about 15 minutes.

Thank you. Shit, it’s like pulling teeth to get a favor out of you. Now, hurry up and make an early withdrawal and pick my ass up pronto.

Billy ignored this and ended the call. Sorry, baby, but...

Abraham rolled over to face his lover. Yeah, I heard. We’ll just have to make up for it tonight. I guess I’d better get ready before she calls back. He leaned into a kiss and then disappeared inside the bathroom, waving that perfectly shaped ass in front of Billy’s yearning eyes. There would be no nooky this morning, that was obvious. Also obvious was the fact that Billy would be walking around with blue balls for the remainder of the day, and other than taking matters in his own hands he would experience no relief.

This was bad. No, it was catastrophic. No, it was his non-sympathetic sister exploding a grenade in Billy and Abraham’s bed before they even got close to entertaining an atomic explosion of epic proportions. From that point on things only continued to worsen. Seeing Abraham off at the front door, Billy gave him a hot kiss and retrieved the man’s briefcase from the floor. Unfortunately, what he lifted was not the briefcase. It was just the handle which had easily separated from the case in Billy’s grasp. Granted this briefcase was a bit on the older side, having seen Abraham through his years at college, so some leeway was to be granted. To Billy, however, this little pickle was a continuation of today’s rotten luck. He made his apologies to his man before retrieving the case itself and handing it over, though carefully. With the way things were going this morning it was suspected that the lock would automatically disengage and the two hinges would fly off. Such was not the case.

Once Abraham had departed, Billy was to find that this sucky day only got suckier. Sitting at the kitchen counter he eyed a red apple inside a ceramic bowl before him while giving his crotch several sympathetic rubs as if to assure his organs and erotic appetite that one lost encounter was not the end of the world. He plucked the apple up and took a bite. Predictably, he managed to somehow fumble the fruit which was sent sailing to the floor.

This was strike two on Billy’s scoreboard of mayhem and disappointment for the day. With strike three no doubt waiting around the corner Billy was developing a fear of what other horrors awaited throughout the day. After all, it was anybody’s guess as to how the ceiling was going to react to his streak of unfortunate tragedies. So far, Chicken Little had not made an appearance so at least that was of dubious comfort.

Cleaning up the dropped fruit he depositing it in the garbage, after which Billy then preceded to straighten up the kitchen from the morning’s coffee, exerting great care when handling the clear glass cups. Mirna had been so demanding of their time that Billy did not have an opportunity to fix Abraham anything to eat, so the man was sent off with a bellyful of coffee which would have to make due until discovering whatever delicacies awaited in the breakroom at work. This was not the way that Billy wanted to be able to take care of his lover but seeing as how not every routine was cast in stone he caved in to whatever inevitability might be crouched and ready to pounce.

The very next catastrophe became known pretty much as Billy was about to exit the kitchen. Set in the middle of the tablecloth on the kitchen table was a candle. But not just any candle. This was a candle that he had completely forgotten to extinguish the night before and now sat as a melted reminder of its former self. This resulted in the current hardened puddle of wax that

.

On any other day, lifting the candle off the tablecloth beneath it would have been another routine movement performed without incident. But not today. His favorite tablecloth now assumed the role of being some sort of abstract art, worth absolutely nothing at any respectable gallery. Actually, he mused, even the dump would be averse to accepting such garbage.

With a grunt of discontent, Billy abandoned the kitchen and its avant-garde artwork for the wilds of the back yard. Here he assumed himself safe while standing in the middle of the lawn away from any trees. This assumed safety, however, diminished beneath the weight of thoughts of what could (and probably might) happen to him as he continued to stand, confident of his immunity. He began to suspect a 747 of bolting out of nowhere and landing on his head at any moment... while in the process of emptying its chemical toilets.... and dumping its fuel in his pants. In fact, even a gopher rebellion was considered and feared right about now although a quick glance to both the yard and the clear skies showed him nothing of any immediate concern.

Maybe a swarm of flesh-eating locusts inside zombies inside impenetrable war implements on wheels were right behind the wooden fence... waiting. Or perhaps a rogue Ferris Wheel that, having come off its axis, was now rolling out of control towards the house. At the very least there had to be an escaped incontinent circus elephant frantically searching for the appropriate spot to take a record-breaking dump.

No, the way things were going Billy knew that he was doomed for the remainder of the day. Maybe by nighttime he would be able to get some sleep and, hopefully, wake up the following morning with his planets again perfectly aligned. On the other hand, it was entirely possible that he would get in bed and have the ceiling fall in on top of him.

Uncle Bill?

Billy twirled around with a start to find Abraham’s Nephew, Kato, standing in the open glass door off the kitchen. He had become an unexpected, yet not in the least bit unwanted, addition to Billy and Abraham’s household due to his parents feeling incapable of dealing with their gay son. At least for now. In time Clarence and Faola would more than likely come around and accept their son for who he is, not for what they want him to be.

The past week was a rough one for Kato who had been out of school and flat on his back in bed with the flu. This allowed Billy to adopt the role of nursie nurse involving the care and feeding of the sick teen. The position came rather easily to him, which led Billy to wonder if he had been a healthcare professional in a past life. Preparing soup, dosing out flu medicine at the appropriate hours, taking temperatures with an old-fashioned glass thermometer, even picking up snotty tissue was all part and parcel of being the stay-at-home husband. It helped even more being able to tend to Abraham’s kin as if Kato were his own and that little detail served Billy well in keeping one step ahead of the virus. The illness was thorough but eventually ran its course, subsiding on the seventh day. Being grateful to be feeling better, Kato seemed almost ecstatic over his ability to return to his classes.

Did Uncle Abe leave me a note for school? Kato asked.

Billy did indeed remember his lover promising the boy a note, but could not recall having seen such a paper. I don’t know, he confessed with an embarrassed shrug. You might check the banister. Maybe he left it there. If not, look on the coffee table in the living room.

Okay, thanks.

As soon as Kato had ducked inside, Billy turned back around to check behind him for any wayward volcanic eruption or fracture in the earth’s surface that would surely be spreading and making a beeline straight for him.

Oh, by the way, Kato said reappearing in the doorway, again startling Billy. Mirna’s here.

Mirna? I thought she was at work, Billy said, more to himself than to Kato.

Turning in place once again, Billy caught the tail end of Kato’s red basketball shirt before the boy ducked back inside the house. His disappearance was quickly followed by the appearance of his sister, Mirna Chen. She strolled out into the bright sunshine and paused momentarily on the deck before hopping onto the lawn and heading toward her brother.

What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be at work.

My boss told me to take a day of sick leave to tend to the car. By the way, it’s running again, thank you for asking.

Better stay away from me, Billy told her, feeling an obligation to keep her as far away from him as possible lest she become as much a victim of his bad luck as the wax-soaked tablecloth. I’m radioactive.

What, you been drinking out of the toilet again? she asked sarcastically. I thought you got over that.

Funny, he grumbled. No, I’ve been having a hell of a day. Everything’s going wrong... starting with your call this morning during one of the most satisfying activities between Abe and me. You remember, the one where we had to stop everything to bow to your needs, Billy added sarcastically.

Eh, you two ride the baloney pony too often anyway.

Nobody but you has complained about it, he defended.

That’s because I’m a loving and caring sister and I’m hella important.

"You’re hella something, that’s for sure. he muttered, though loudly enough to be overheard.

She came to a halt before him. So, what happened to the tablecloth?

You saw that, huh? Yeah, I forgot to blow it out last night and the stupid wax went everywhere.

That’s wax?

Billy lowered his eyebrows. Of course it is. What’d you think it was?

Well, with you and Abraham going at it everywhere and at all hours of the day, I naturally assumed that it was...

Oh, very funny.

She frowned right back. No, I’m serious. You two have got to get a grip. You’ve been together for three years and you’re still going at it like rabbits. Wei and I have only been married for six months and we don’t do it half as much as you two. You’re making me look bad, Billy.

Well, if my luck doesn’t improve pretty soon, we won’t be doing that anymore, Billy moaned, shoving his hands in the pockets of his jeans.

Don’t worry about it. We all have bad days once in a...

Son of a bitch, Billy said sharply.

What?

Removing his hands, he lifted his right foot and gently shook the pant leg, out of which fell several coins. I just tore a hole in the pocket with my finger. I don’t believe this.

Mirna knelt down and retrieved the change, handing it to her brother. I’ll say this, when you have a bad day you really put on the dog.

Billy stuffed the money in the other pocket and folded his arms across his chest. I figured that maybe if I just stood out here in the middle of the yard all day nothing more would go wrong.

I guess you were misinformed, Mirna said with a smile and a glance down to his pants pocket.

I found the note, Kato sang out from the doorway, drawing the attention of both Mirna and Billy. Uncle Abe taped it to my bedroom door.

Good, Billy said, forcing a smile. Have a good day at school.

Thanks. Bye, Aunt Mirna. Bye, Uncle Bill.

The two siblings waved him back into the house, then again turned to one another.

Obviously he’s feeling better, Mirna observed.

Obviously, Billy assured her.

"Well, I’ll have to admit that he’s pretty damned lucky to have the Good Witch of the North taking care of him."

Yeah, I guess so, Billy admitted. Still, I truly believe that Clarence and Faola would have helped him recover if it wasn’t for me.

No, if it wasn’t for you and your hubby-buddy there’s no telling how much help he might have gotten from the parents from hell who can’t accept his fagdom.

"’Fagdom’? Oh come on, Kato’s folks aren’t that bad. They’re just having difficulty dealing with something different."

All I can say is that the kid is fortunate to have been able to stay with you two over the winter. I’m actually surprised that Abraham’s brother agreed to that.

Billy nodded. Well, it was a group decision to have Kato living amongst his own kind so that he could feel better about himself.

His own kind? You mean lepers?

...lepers... Billy said with a frown.

How old is Kato now? Fifty-seven? Fifty-eight?

Billy chuckled at her remark. Close. He’s sixteen.

A sophomore. Two more years of school, she mused aloud. Will he be with you and Abraham through the rest of high school?

Billy shrugged. I have no idea. It hasn’t been discussed... at least not around me, anyway.

Well, I hope he can. As much as it pains me to say it, I will have to admit that you and Abraham have been a positive influence on him. When I think about what Kato was like when he first came over for a week’s visit I cringe. Let us not forget him and his friend stealing your motorcycle. What’s it been? Six months now?

Yeah, something like that. He was a mess, all right. But what could you expect with a homophobic mom and dad? Kato’s really turned himself around. We’re really proud of him. How about you? You and Wei doing all right?

Why? What have you heard? she asked, frowning.

I’m just asking. You were asking about Kato and Abraham and me, can’t I ask about you two without having my head bitten off?

Wow, you’re in a mood today.

Billy took a deep breath. Yeah, I know. Sorry. I just hate it when I have a day like this.

To answer your question; we are doing just fine. And to answer your other question; the reason I’m here is because... Billy? Are you hearing a word I’m saying?

Billy turned his attention away from the fence to his left and back to her. What?

If you’re going to ask questions, it’s courteous to pay attention when somebody is giving you the answer, she told him harshly.

Did you ever have the feeling that you were being watched? he asked, again directing his eyes to the fence.

I’m watching you, idiot, Mirna told him sardonically.

No, I mean... I just suddenly had the strangest feeling that I was being watched. It was really creepy. From over there, he said, pointing to a particular spot along the side of the property.

I don’t see anything.

Neither do I, Billy agreed. He sighed. Well, with the way my day has been going I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s an oversexed rhino behind the fence getting ready to charge at me. He stared a little longer before turning back to his sister. Anyway, you were saying?

I was? she asked, her brows pinched together in concentration. "You derailed me. What was I saying?

Something about why you were here.

Oh, yeah. I came over to tell you that Wei’s restaurant is catering a thing down at the Lagoon this evening and he invited you, Abraham and Kato to join us.

What kind of ‘thing’?

I don’t remember... some reception or business affair or somebody’s kid graduating from potty training. Whatever.

Wouldn’t we be crashing the party?

What’s three extra people? Just grab a plateful of food and run. They’ll never know.

Billy frowned at her. Oh, that sounds perfect. Like thieves in the night, huh?

No, I’m just kidding. Wei already cleared it through the people who are putting the thing on. Speaking of which, it’s a dressy affair.

How dressy? I don’t have much in the way of dress clothing, Billy reminded her.

That’s all right. Wei has some Asian clothing that you three could wear, that way you’d fit right in.

Billy thought about this a moment. Asian clothing? Like what?

Like a kimono-type thing.

He now frowned at Mirna, shaking his head. You’ve got to be kidding. I’m not wearing a dress.

Kimono’s aren’t just worn by women, you dope.

They’re not?

She shook her head, her smile growing. Of course not. Now, it’ll be around 6:00 so don’t be late.

Well... I’ll have to ask Abe, but it should be okay.

Mirna patted her brother’s arm. Great. Oh, and how are you at balancing things on trays?

Um... fine, I guess. Why? Is this a cafeteria-type thing where everybody grabs a tray?

No, just the serving staff. Now, when you get there, look for me and Wei and...

Hold it! Billy demanded, raising his hand. Back up, Mirna. What’s this about the ‘serving staff’?

It’s nothing. By the way, do you know if Abraham knows how to mix drinks?

Goddamn it, Mirna. Did you sign us up as staff for this thing tonight?

No, you offered.

Nobody offered nothing, he insisted. This was the last straw as far as he was concerned. His sister had taken liberties beyond permissible limits and it could not be tolerated. Upon further consideration, though, seeing as how his day had been going from bad to worse to worst to worser, he had to admit that this really should have come as no surprise. Just the same, Billy was in no mood to be serving food and/or drinks. No way. You can just find yourself another waiter and bartender.

Free food, Billy, she said in an obvious attempt to entice him.

I can get free food right here, and I don’t have to...

Do it for me.

No, he insisted, flatly.

Then do it for Wei.

Absolutely not.

You’d do it if you loved me.

Billy frowned. I don’t love you anymore.

What if we pay you fifty bucks each?

No, Mirna. Absolutely not.

Fifty-one?

Shaking his head, Billy turned his head away from his sister.

Seventy, she said, receiving silence in return. Eighty?

Billy turned back. Mirna, go home. My day has been bad enough without...

Oh, come on, tight ass. Can’t you take a joke?

What?

I’m just pulling your leg. You don’t have to serve, just show up and eat.

He frowned. I don’t trust you.

Wei invited the three of you to eat, not serve. All you have to do is show up and stuff yourselves.

Are you sure? he asked suspiciously.

Positive.

Well, all right. But if I see a single person coming at me with a kimono, we’re outta there.

Mirna chuckled. Nobody’s going to come at you with a kimono. Maybe a samurai sword... Just wear something nice; something that washes well.

Why?

You never know when you might spill some food on yourselves. Did you say that Abraham does or does not know how to mix drinks?

Mirna... he warned.

I’m kidding, Billy. Damn, take a pill.

Now I really don’t trust you. I think we’re busy tonight. Thanks, anyway.

I promise, no serving and no mixing drinks. It was a joke, she told him with a smile that infused even more distrust in her brother.

I don’t think so. Go home, Mirna.

You’re going. Tonight, she insisted lightly.

No, we’re not.

Yes, you are, she countered.

No, we’re not.

I already talked with Abraham and he said you are.

You did not, and we are not, he insisted angrily.

Yeah, I did. Call him if you don’t believe me.

This was where Billy decided to call her bluff. To expose his sister as being a filthy liar. Dredging in his only intact pants pocket he tugged out his cell phone. All right, I will. We’ll see who’s going and who’s not. He held up the phone threateningly. I’m calling him.

She smiled devilishly. I’ll notify the press.

Fine, he proclaimed and flipped the phone open, then watched in disbelief as the upper portion of the phone separated from the lower portion and fell to the grass below.

Billy sighed. Shit. I’m afraid to turn my neck, my head will probably fall off.

Well, it’s just as well; you weren’t using it anyway, she replied.

Firefly Park, or 'The Lagoon' as it was more popularly known, was abuzz with life this Friday evening. A good portion of the crowd was due to those being served by Wei’s restaurant and staff, but adding to this was a sizeable fraction of the city who were out taking advantage of this beautiful evening in the park.

Billy was relieved to find that he, Abraham and Kato were not pressed into service when they arrived. In fact, Wei greeted them and immediately issued them to the buffet table lavishly adorned with tasty offerings from his restaurant; The Golden Dragon. Having worked himself up from a server, Wei was now the manager with his sights set on eventually owning the place, and as the manager he was free to invite family and friends to these catered affairs.

Mirna joined her brother, Abraham and Kato down by the manmade lake, each balancing their plates on their legs. Brimming with food, there was little leeway should a plate tilt slightly under the influence of a heavy-handed fork, but the four stragglers seemed to manage quite nicely. Billy, of course, feared a repeat of the morning’s mishaps, but was quick to remind himself that, following his cell phone’s suicide, nothing bad had occurred. Maybe whatever curse had been laid upon him was finally over; the sacrifice of his phone evidentially placating the gods.

He plucked up a spring roll, dipped it in a small cup of sauce and took a bite. Seeking apparent revenge the spring roll bit right back by sending scalding juice dribbling down his chin. Quickly wiping it off, Billy looked up to find all three people before him looking on with amusement. It was then that he realized that he had yelped, drawing a great deal of attention upon himself. Not only that, but with a quick glance around, he discovered that he was also being watched by several passersby, this making him want to crawl off into the lake and hide beneath the water for a week or two.

Obviously, the day-from-hell was not improving, although, admittedly, this particular mishap could not have been attributed to bad luck. Just stupidity. The food was hot at the buffet table, therefore it stood to reason that it would still be hot away from the buffet table. Billy had just failed to realize this. With his tongue throbbing, his chin burning and his ego mortally wounded, Billy set the spring roll aside to cool and opted to tackle some noodles instead.

So, how’s my favorite chocolate sundae? Mirna asked Abraham.

I’m fine. Had a good day today, he remarked with a smile.

Mirna shook her head. Too bad the same can’t be said about your vanilla counterpart.

Abraham turned to Billy. Yeah, it sounds like you’ve had quite a day, today,.

And how, Billy mumbled through a mouthful of pork.

Abraham shook his head. I guess we’re going to have to head down for a new cell phone tomorrow.

Don’t forget new jeans, Mirna added.

Jeans? Abraham asked, glancing down to his partner's pants.

Billy nodded, swallowing. Yeah, I managed to poke a hole in my pocket with my finger today.

That’s not exactly the hole I was referring to, Mirna told him, an amusement in her voice.

What? he asked. What’s wrong?

She pointed between his legs, prompting the diversion of Abraham and Kato’s eyes to Billy’s crotch as well. Lifting his plate, Billy, too, looked into his lap, finding a sizeable hole in the denim between his legs. This most certainly had not been there this morning, but was definitely there now and big enough to prove that Billy did not wear underwear. Further adding to his embarrassment was the fact that a certain accoutrement was plainly visible to all, this causing Billy to feel a surge of heat to his face. He quickly closed his legs and covered his lap again with the plate.

I swear... he moaned, amidst the chuckling of those around him. This day just gets better and better. Why me? I’m a walking disaster.

Well, look on the bright side, Billy, Mirna said with a forkful of rice poised in front of her mouth, at least you haven’t spilled too much food on yourself this evening, just other things.

What do you mean? What other things? I haven’t spilled any food, he said, looking down to his shirt and pants and finding them clean.

No, I mean beside you, just by your left cheek.

Billy rolled some to his right and looked down to his opposite side to find what looked like a piece of dropped chicken. Reaching down he grabbed it, but found that it was a little too squishy to have been a chunk of chicken. All at once it dawned on him what he had just picked up and, releasing it quickly, he rolled a little more to the right to find even more of this smashed beneath his butt.

Son of a bitch, he grumbled bitterly.

Billy, relax. It’s just a piece of chicken.

Maybe it was chicken going in, but not when it came out, he moaned. His stomach