I guess even with this burst of creative energy, I got a little stir-crazy.
I corralled Harold up and we went out for a walk.
We'd walked for about an hour or so. The underarms of Harold's shirts were starting to darken. He huffed and he puffed in an attempt to keep up with me.
We went over to some little cafe on Melrose.
He gulped down his water and then mine. A waiter handed us some menus.
SMACK went his tongue against his mouth-- his nervous tick in full force. Can we get something to eat, right?" he asked.
"Sure."
"SMACK! That's great, see. SMACK! I'm starved, okay."
I left Harold chomping down on the bread and went to call Drew.
"Can you meet me for lunch today?" I asked him.
"Sure."
Twenty minutes and two baskets of bread later, Drew showed up.
I introduced Drew to Harold.
Harold held out his crumb covered hand. "SMACK! Good to meet you, right."
The waiter took our order. Drew and I ordered smoked turkey salads with a glass of white wine while Harold chose the double cheese burger with bacon, extra garlic mayo, and two beers.
Watching Harold suck down his lunch was like watching a Hoover vacuum on full throttle. Gobs of mayo and burger splashed the table top, beer was slurped down, and all the while he kept on talking.
"SMACK! Excuse me, I've got to drain the old lizard, see."
He left to find the restroom.
Drew looked at me, stone faced. I motioned for him to forget Harold.
"I made a decision this morning," I told Drew while we tried to finish our salads.
"What's that?"
"I'm going to be celibate."
Drew stared me down in silence. I think it was the first time I'd ever seen him completely speechless.
