All or Nothing by Alp Mortal

Author:Alp Mortal [Mortal, Alp]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Carter Seagrove Project LLC
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Two - Black Holes and Increasing Equity

“SAM! Over here!”

I’m scanning the sea of faces waiting at the cordon, not entirely sure if I am the Sam whom the caller is trying to attract.

“SAM!”

A figure moves out of the crowd towards me.

“Sam! It’s me, Steve ...”

Everything is moving in and out of focus; the volume of the general hum is increasing and decreasing as if someone is playing with the volume control. I am simultaneously blasted by hot and cold blasts of air and if I wasn’t holding onto the handle of my suitcase then I am sure that I would be lying flat on my face in a paroxysm of sensory overload.

“STEVE!”

“Hi!”

“What are you doing here?”

“I had a couple of things that I needed to do in the city - you didn’t get the email?”

“No; least not before I logged off ... I’m so pleased to see you.”

I step forward, relinquishing my hold on the handle of the suitcase, raising my arms to embrace him, instinctively, joyously and without fear. Perhaps there was a second of hesitation on his part before he hugged me too; then we have never touched each other before. Feeling his arms around me is like I have been given my soul back - I don’t feel awkward or aroused ... just somehow whole again.

If he hadn’t shouted my name then I am pretty sure I would have walked past him. His hair is slightly longer and a little lighter, his face is more tanned and he’s lost a bit of weight. His eyes are brighter and there is a relaxed smile on his lips.

“I am so happy you agreed to make the trip ...”

He is so happy that I made the trip? The words are like rich fruit cake and I am finding it hard to digest them.

“What’s the plan then?” I ask, wondering if he drove down and now plans to drive straight back home.

“You said that you had the apartment for two nights and it would be so cool to see some of the sights together before heading up to the house - I came down by train.”

“No; that’s a great idea. I haven’t been to Toronto for at least fifteen years.”

“Where’s the apartment? We could get a cab or even the bus.”

“Uhm; corner of Wellington Street East and Church Street East ... let’s get a taxi.”

I am carried along on a cushion of air. We are so close to each other. I can smell him; new fibres - the jacket looks new - cigarettes, something tangy which might be pine, grease and oil.

“So tell me about the new business.”

I have never seen him look so relaxed and he’s already spoken more words than were contained in all of the emails which he’d sent since he’d left.

“We used the tool shop sometimes to hire equipment and the old guy said that he was planning to retire at some point this year so it got me thinking. Then, I took my mum up to see it and she fell in love with the house-”

“She sends her love by the way.

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