After Elias by Tan Eddy Boudel

Author:Tan, Eddy Boudel [Tan, Eddy Boudel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary, FICTION / LGBT / Gay, Gay
ISBN: 9781459746428
Goodreads: 49218727
Publisher: Dundurn
Published: 2020-09-12T00:00:00+00:00

DF

Seven years before the crash

“Airbus. A320?”

“Close,” Elias said with a grin. “That’s an A330. They’re similar models, but the cabin on an A330 is wider. You’re getting good at this.” He looked at me, impressed, and tipped the neck of a beer bottle toward his mouth.

“If I’m going to date the planet’s next great pilot, I might as well try to keep up.” I clinked the neck of my bottle with his as the Airbus A330 flew overhead into the horizon, west of where we sat. The sun was beginning to dip, setting the sky on fire.

“Where do you think it’s headed?” I asked, propping my arms on the log behind me while I dug my feet in the cooling sand. “I’m going to say Kathmandu. Or maybe Kazakhstan.”

Elias laughed gently. “Judging by the airline, most likely Hong Kong.”

“Hong Kong,” I repeated quietly, as though I had never heard of the place before.

“But from there, who knows? Kathmandu, Kazakhstan — it could go anywhere. That’s the beauty of the sky. There are no limits.”

“Well, the stratosphere is pretty limiting.”

Elias gave me a playful punch on the chest. “Smartass.”

The sky turned quickly above our spot on Iona Beach. The melted amber began to soften and recede toward the horizon, revealing the India ink underneath. We could already see the moon hovering above the airport in the distance.

“What’s your plan tonight?” I asked. “You staying the night with me?”

“I have no plan. I let the wind take me where it takes me. But if you’re offering a warm bed and some company tonight, I wouldn’t refuse.”

“I suppose that could be arranged.” I leaned against him, pressing his body against mine. Warmth radiated from his skin. He lifted his arm and wrapped it around my shoulders. “Besides, my place feels so empty. It’s lonely there, so much space and nothing to fill it with.”

“It’s only been a month since you moved back in,” he said, his voice quiet. “It must seem strange.”

“I thought I would love being by myself again, but I was wrong. It’s a good thing I have you.” I smiled. Something flickered in the darkness of his eyes before he smiled back. “Plus,” I went on, “aren’t you happy to spend less time in that dark, dingy apartment of yours?”

“Dingy? What is this?”

I laughed. “It means dusty, gloomy, and downright awful.”

“It’s not that bad!” he said with exaggerated outrage.

Another airplane could be seen launching in the distance. It floated over the runway into the sky before veering away from us, south.

“I bet that one’s going to Mexico.” I peered at him through the corners of my eyes to catch his reaction.

“Perhaps.” That’s all he said.

Above us, the sky grew darker and the moon brighter. With a sip of beer, I decided to go for it.

“You never talk about your family,” I said, attempting to sound nonchalant.

There was a pause. I could feel my nerves tingling. I couldn’t bring myself to look at him, so I stared straight ahead at the ocean.

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