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TK looked over the wreck that was his dad’s apartment with a little defiance and a lot of dread. Boxes sealed with colorful tape were scattered all over the living room. He picked up a roll of pink tape, a small act of rebellion against the impending move to Texas. As a gay New Yorker, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being exiled to a foreign land.
Owen tapped his phone and said “I have some more boxes and tape coming. Don’t worry. We’ll get this place packed up before the movers are scheduled to be here.”
TK thought back to the first few days after his dad announced that they were moving to Austin. He expected Gwyn to put up some sort of objection before she left for China, but apparently she and Owen had already discussed the possibility.
Shortly after his dad’s pronouncement about their job changes and the move and while they were packing up his apartment, TK couldn't help but bristle as he watched Owen methodically pack up his belongings. The move to Texas felt like a punishment, a forced exile from everything familiar. And then there was the elephant in the room: his recent relapse.
He'd been attending meetings, desperately clinging to his new sobriety. But the memories of his old haunts still plagued him. He'd managed to avoid them so far. Mostly because he had been with either his mom or dad the entire time since he got out of the hospital. But the temptation was always there, always lurking just beneath the surface.
As they packed, they came across a pile of Alex's clothes and accessories. Gwyn, with a disgusted look on her face, suggested burning them. Owen, ever the practical fire captain, vetoed the idea. "It's not worth the risk," he said, "especially with your history."
TK couldn't help but snort. "I'm a firefighter, too," he pointed out. "I could handle a little bonfire."
Gwyn rolled her eyes. "With all of Alex’s pretention, shouldn’t his clothes be better quality? Those clothes are so synthetic, they'd probably release a toxic cloud. It's not worth the risk."
TK couldn't argue with that. They shoved Alex’s clothes, extra charger, and special brand toothpaste into a black plastic bag and if the toothpaste lid happened to be a little loose, well that was fate’s fault.
“I’ll have Molly or Hannah come by and pick it up and take it to him. It’s no big deal.” TK told his parents. “There’s no reason to be too destructive.”
Gwyn hugged him and took his face in her hand mashing his face a little. “My sweet boy. I’m so proud of you for taking the high road. Don’t be a schmuck. Destroy him.”
“Mom!” TK looked at Gwyn and then at Owen. Then all three broke out into laughter. It was the first time TK had laughed since his relapse and failed proposal. It felt good.
Owen hugged TK and Gwyn together. “You heard the lawyer, kiddo.”
TK sighed and rubbed his head against Owen’s shoulder, “Yeah, well. I have deleted our pictures on Insta and unfollowed and blocked him everywhere.” He felt Gwyn’s hand on his back and looked at her. “It’s over and done. I’m done.”
It was a week later and TK’s apartment was empty. Assured that TK was going to be okay with Owen, Gwyn had left for China and Owen and TK were scheduled to leave for Austin in two days. They had both cleaned out their spaces at the 252 and said good-bye to the crew. Owen’s apartment was well on the way to being packed and ready to move..
The bag of Alex’s stuff was still in the closet waiting for Hannah to come pick it up tonight. When he had texted to ask them to grab Alex’s stuff for him both Hannah and Molly had asked what happened between them. TK told them most of the truth. His dad got a great job offer in Texas and since Alex had cheated on him with a spin instructor, TK decided he was going with Owen to rebuild the firehouse and rebuild his life too. Somehow the news of his relapse was left out. It was also making the rounds on his friends Insta posts.
However, according to Molly and Hannah, their friends were getting mixed stories when Alex contacted them. TK assumed that was going to be the case. He was leaving town. It didn’t matter to him anymore. Memories faded. When he came back to New York. He would be able to catch up with his friends then.
Meanwhile, there was some Doobie Brothers the speakers on as Owen and TK were debating dinner options. TK was moving boxes around the kitchen to make some room to pack the second to the last box. They would use a picnic basket that was a birthday gift to Owen from Gwyn for the last couple days for plates and glasses, when a knock sounded at the door. “That’s probably Hannah at last.” TK told Owen as he made his way to the door.
“TK, wait.” Owen said walking up behind him.
“I got it, Dad.” TK looked over his shoulder. “Hannah, it’s about ti…Alex…” Alex stood in the hallway with a box under his arm looking at TK. He was struck by seeing here at Owen’s apartment. Someplace he avoided for the entire length of their relationship.
Owen moved next to TK and tried to pushed him gently back. “Leave now, Alex. You’re not welcome here. I told you that already.”
TK looked at his dad. ‘What? You told him? When?”
Alex snorted and looked smug. “I didn’t think he said anything to you. I knew you would want to see me, TK.” He took a step forward and tried to reach out a hand.
Moving back a step, TK avoided the hand. “Ummm. I really don’t.” TK put a hand on Owen’s shoulder and pulled him back behind him. He whispered to Owen. ”It’s okay, Dad. I can deal with this.“ He looked at Alex. “My dad was right. Leave, Alex.”
“But, Sweetheart…” TK stared with furrowed brows at him and moved to close the door. Alex put up a hand to stop him. “TK, we need to talk about how we are going to style our separation. The stories are so mixed up. There are so many misunderstandings.” The look on Alex’s face was meant to charm TK; instead he just looked smug and condescending.
TK looked back at Owen who was standing there barely holding on to his anger and looking about ready to punch Alex in the face. “Why should I care how our break-up is talked about?”
Alex continued somewhat desparately. “You helped me build my reputation. Now, it is being trashed. I don’t want it getting around the firm. Do you want all your hard work going to waste? You’re leaving town. Your reputation doesn’t matter now. Especially since you relapsed again.”
Every vertebrae in TK’s back tightened and his voice darkened. “How do you know about that and how do you know I’m leaving town?” TK asked.
“Terry told me when I went to your apartment to talk to you and bring your stuff. He told me your dad had to break your door down with a battering ram.” He held out the box to TK. He took it and handed off to Owen. “My mom and my sister thought it would be best if we parted in good terms before you did anything else harmful. Since I have a close relationship with the Strands it would be best for my job if we could take some pictures for Insta and tag each other in them.”
TK could feel Owen beginning to vibrate behind him. He put a hand out on his dad’s arm and rubbed. “Dad, could you, please, get the bag with Alex’s stuff from the closet?”
“TK.” Owen’s voice was a low growl.
“Dad.” TK voice was calm and clear. “Please.”
Owen walked to the closet and picked the bag up and brought it to the door. He handed it to TK. TK took it in both his hands and handed it to Alex. “You know what I think, Alex?”
Alex looked interested and took out his phone. “What, TK?”
TK looked at him straight in the eye. “Fuck you, Alex. And your mom. And your sister. And your job. Fuck you for making me feel like I wasn’t enough for you while at the same time using me to advance your career. Fuck your friends who never approved of me because I was a firefighter and not a lawyer or an office drone. Oh and while I’m at it, fuck your choice in art. That last painting you bought at the gallery is awful. Fuck you for asking my friends about me after I blocked you. Just so you know, I will tell whomever I like whatever I want about our break up. That includes the fact that you cheated on me with a spin instructor whose parents own a chunk of Manhattan. Goodbye, Alex!” TK closed the door.
TK leaned his head against the door and beathed for a moment. Owen walked up behind him. “Would it be inappropriate to cheer right now?”
He slid to the floor as if all his strength left him. “I can’t believe I did that.” TK gave him a wan smile.“Thanks Dad.”
Owen titled his head. “For what?” He questioned.
“Letting me take care of that. I know it was hard for you not to step in and hit him.”
Owen gave him a hand up. “I’m proud of you, Son. And if I happened to give his toothpaste an extra squeeze when I picked up the bag, no one needs to know.”
TK laughed. “I did too. Hey, does this mean we can have gluten, fat and sugar for dinner tonight?”
“Pizza?” Owen asked.
“Sounds great.” TK smile faded a little as the reality of what just happened settled in. “I may need a meeting first though. I’m feeling a little shaky.”
“I’ve got your back, Son. I’ve always got your back.” Owen reassured him.
“I know.” TK hugged his dad. “I know that now.”