All That Jazz

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All That Jazz: The Runcible Lad 2

Nexis Pas

© 2009

(With thanks to Anonymous for the title and the thoughts that ensued)

The half of a mobile phone conversation overheard on a bus.

“No, I can’t tonight. I have to get home. Henry and me are having a six months’ anniversary.”

“It’s just six months since six months ago. We just decided last night that it was time to celebrate another anniversary.”

“Of course, it’s a real anniversary. We were together six months ago today, and that’s reason enough. Who said anniversaries have to be only on dates like weddings and birthdays? There aren’t enough of those for us to celebrate. So we find other reasons.”

“No, no plans. It’s just an evening for the two of us. We turn off the phones and wouldn’t answer the door if anyone knocked. Henry’s buying takeaway at that kebab shop in the square. We found a movie we want to watch. Later we’ll take the dog for a walk and when we get back, we’ll go to bed. That’s all.”

“Of course, it’s ordinary. It’s being together that makes the ordinary special. It isn’t what you do. It’s the fact that you do it together that makes it special.”

“I suppose I am becoming an old married man. There are worse things I could be. I just got lucky and found someone who makes me want to hurry home from work. Wait until you find someone like Henry and then you’ll understand what it’s like.”

“No, we’re not perfect. We have fights. My Nan told me to expect that. When I told her that Henry and me were getting married, she said that she supposed two men wouldn’t be any different than a man and a woman. There were going to be arguments, and that you just had to remember that you would survive them.”

“Well, sometimes it’s comfortable to have someone you can have a fight with and not worry that it’s going to be the end of everything. Like when you’ve have a bad day at work and need to let off steam. Henry knows I have a temper. I’m not saying it’s right for me to get angry at him, but he knows when I’m angry at him and when I’m just shouting at him because I’m angry at someone else. Then he just asks me what’s wrong, and I tell him and then I apologise for shouting at him, and he gives me a hug and a kiss and says ‘It’s all right, lad’. And it usually is by the time he gets through kissing me. I do the same for him when he’s mad at the world.”

“Maybe. If we’re in the mood. If not tonight, then tomorrow morning or some other time. There’s no need to rush things if we’re not in the mood. It’s not like when I was single and going out on Friday night and having to get off just because I knew there wouldn’t be another night when I could get out.”

“No, it’s not that. It’s just that being together can be just as satisfying. It’s like waking up in the morning and finding Henry’s arms wrapped around me or his head resting on my shoulder. That’s just so wonderful. And knowing that you don’t have to do anything but cuddle, that makes it wonderful too.”

“I don’t know if it’s what I always wanted. It’s what I was lucky enough to find, and I’m glad I found it so soon.”

“No, I still look. It’s just that now I point the good ones out to Henry. And he says ‘Hmmm, yes’ or maybe ‘Hey Lad, it’s glasses you’re needing now.’ ”

“No, why would I go out to eat a burger when I have steak at home? Oh, here’s my stop.”