The 10 Year Plan (13 page)

“You don't know me.” He felt anger churning inside.

“Yeah, it's like we've never met,” Richard parried back.

Brody shook his head, realizing he meant well and he had no choice but to forgive him.

“You know, he's right. It's better for both of us that he leaves.” Brody attempted to see this from Myles' point of view.

“Well, you certainly know what's best.” Richard's voice was slightly mocking, but Brody didn't catch on.

“I'm not like Myles. I'm good with being alone.” He knew it was a lie even as he said it. It was like he was trying to convince himself.

“It's true. You're not miserable at all when he's gone.” Richard hoped that Brody would catch on to his sarcasm.

“Plus, Myles is a hopeless romantic. All he wants is to be is loved.”

“Yeah. So unreasonable,” Richard continued in his slightly mocking tone.

“He's also a people pleaser. That's all he thinks about when he's with a guy.”

“It's horrible. I can see why guys would hate that.”

“Myles is like a penguin. He'll bond with you for life—dependable and trustworthy.”

“I'm starting to really hate the guy,” Richard playfully answered, surprised that Brody was still being serious about this.

“Could you even imagine if
Myles
and I were together?” Brody tried to wrap his mind around what he considered the most ridiculous of situations, his tone just on the edge of hysterical.

“Not at all. It's crazy to think that two people who care about each other like you two do could ever be in a relationship.”

“I know, right? If Myles were the perfect guy for me, don't you think I would have figured it out a long time ago?” Brody was no fool. He wasn't one for subtly that was for sure, but he wasn't so oblivious as to miss out on the perfect man if he had been in his life for over ten years.

“Absolutely. You would never overlook something so obvious for so long.”

“Exactly. Myles wants to find a husband. And all I want is for him to be happy.” Myles and he were too different to ever be a couple. So maybe he was right; the two of them together was just preventing them from finding their perfect partners. Could it be that Myles was making the right decision in leaving and it was Brody's job as his best friend to let him go?

“Then I guess the only way for that to happen is to remove you from his life,” Richard asserted. Brody looked at him in agreement. Richard however was being sarcastic, Brody sincere. Richard decided not to attempt to explain the absurdity of the situation to him. If Brody didn't see it on his own, then he'd never get it. Besides he thought, Myles had spent the last ten years trying to show Brody that he was capable and worthy of finding love. If Myles had failed so miserably at the task, what made Richard think that he would succeed?

The party was over, and all the farewells had been said. The sun had set and the end of a very long day was finally over. Myles entered his apartment, mostly empty except for the clutter of boxes. Everything was ready for the moving truck in the morning. He picked up a bottle of scotch containing only a splash of liquid. Next to the bottle was a cardboard box labeled “glasses” and taped shut. How did he feel? He didn't quite know. He was eager, even anxious to get going. But there were so many things that tied him to Los Angeles. He closed his eyes and simply stood there and took in the moment.

***

Brody entered his apartment, cluttered, as usual, with objects of all sorts seemingly abandoned here and there. It was like the apartment embodied his life. The place was badly in need of cleaning. He eyeballed a half-opened beer.
Damn it to hell,
he thought. Why hadn't he seen this coming? Why hadn't he tried… anything?

***

Myles couldn't decide whether or not to open the box and take out a glass. Instead, he lifted the bottle to his lips. This was something Myles would never have done in the past, but this was a new Myles. One with reckless abandon. Why not drink straight from the bottle? As he did, he spied the framed photo Brody had given him ten years earlier. It still hung on the wall where he'd placed it. He raised his glass toward it and decided to toast his old friend one final time before heading to bed. “To Brody. I hope one day you find someone to love.”

***

Brody collapsed onto the couch. Near the beer stood the photo of himself and Myles, taken on the day they met. As he reached for the beer in his drunken state, he accidently bumped the picture and knocked it off the table. As he bent to pick it up, he saw the glass of the frame was shattered. Just perfect.

He picked up the photo and looked at it for a moment. What a friend he had in Myles. Someone he'd miss dearly and always cherish. Brody felt that his long-time buddy deserved a final toast to end the evening. Brody eyed the warm half-open beer on top of the shelf and took it in hand. He raised the can to Myles. “I hope someday you find someone to love you,” he said, gently placing the frame back where it had been. He took a swig of beer and settled back.

Suddenly, it was daytime and months must have passed. Brody entered his now immaculate apartment. He was in his workout gear. In one hand he held his mail, in the other a healthy fruit juice smoothie. He looked different. Clean, sharp and focused. A new man; a different man than he was before. He dropped his keys into a small dish, set down his elixir, and began to look through the pile of envelopes and papers he'd brought in with him. One particular envelope caught his eye. He opened it and saw it was an invitation. It was to Myles' wedding. At first came shock and then confusion.

Then he found himself at an outdoor wedding, complete with gazebo. Myles, the groom, Diane and Richard all stood before a minister in front of a small crowd seated behind them. Brody and Myles caught each other's gaze, and Myles' face brightened. Brody looked for a seat and found one in the first row. It was Myles' wedding, and he obviously had found the perfect man for him to spend the rest of his life with him. Brody was determined to be happy for him.

The ceremony began. “Dearly beloved,” the minister said, “we are gathered together here to join together these two men in holy matrimony. This relationship stands for love, loyalty, honesty, and trust, but most of all for friendship. Before they knew love, they were friends, and it was from this seed of friendship that is their destiny. Do not think that you can direct the course of love… for love, if it finds you worthy, shall direct you.

“It is for this reason; into this holy estate these two persons present now come to be joined. If any person can show just cause why they may not be joined together… let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”

Brody desperately wanted to intervene, and yet he remained seated and mute. Myles turned toward him and smiled warmly; it was more than a look welcoming a good friend to his wedding. It appeared more like an invitation to say something. A look that beckoned him to interject and stop him from making a mistake. Richard and Diane joined in that look. All eyes were on Brody and time felt like it stood still. Brody tried to speak up but couldn't. He was strangely paralyzed, his eyes filled with tears. Myles turned away, and the minister continued as if this moment had never happened.

“Do you take this man to love, comfort, honor, and keep in sickness and in health, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and bestow upon him your heart's deepest devotion, as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” Myles answered.

The minister turned to the other man. “And do you take this man to love, comfort, honor, and keep in sickness and in health, in sadness and in joy, to cherish and bestow upon him your heart's deepest devotion, as long as you both shall live?”

“I do,” the man replied, his voice oddly familiar.

“Then by the powers vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and husband. You may kiss your groom.”

Myles smiled, closed his eyes, and leaned forward to kiss his new husband…This was a man who could finally bring him the happiness he deserved. Brody could see Myles was happy in the union and it was finally right. Brody looked closely at Myles' new groom. He instantly and fully recognized him. He was looking at himself. Myles husband was Brody.

Suddenly, Brody opened his eyes. He was home on the couch where he'd passed out after drinking who knew how many beers.

It was morning and Brody had woken a new man, a man who belonged by Myles' side. Brody was the only person who would ever be at that altar with Myles. Even if it was only a dream, it felt right. It felt perfect and he was not going to let anything get in his way from telling Myles he finally realized that he loved him. That he'd loved him all along! Almost in a panic, he grabbed his phone and looked at the date and time. He jumped up and raced outside. It was late in the morning, and he hoped beyond hope that Myles hadn't left yet.

***

From the doorway Myles gave his apartment one last look. The photo of him and Brody still hung on the wall. No reason to take it with him. That part of his life was in the past. He felt sad now actually to be leaving. He gave the photo one last look as he picked up the last of the boxes containing his life and made his way out the door towards his car, where a new beginning awaited him.

Brody rushed out to his car. He lived only a few miles from Myles, but in LA, a few miles could take forever in traffic. Immediately he encountered a nightmare come true. A truck was parked in the street behind him; someone was moving into an apartment and blocking the entire road. Well that didn't matter because the truck was behind him. However, the driver was using a dolly to cart things across the road… in front of him. And he seemed to be in no hurry.

“Damn it!” Brody exploded. He leaned on the horn. Nothing. Why did this have to happen now, of all times? Just then a car came toward Brody, its front bumper stopping only inches from his. He was hemmed in.

An eternity later, or so it seemed, the man got into his truck, backed up, and pulled away. Brody's tires squealed as he reversed in order to then go around the car in front of him. He peeled away from the curb and drove as fast as he could to Myles' apartment building. Jumping from his car, he raced inside and banged on the door. “Myles?” he yelled. “Myles? Are you in there?”

Suddenly, the door across the hall jerked open, and the neighbor stuck his head into the hallway. “What are you goddamn kids up to now?” barked the inquisitive neighbor who was dressed in pajamas and a bathrobe.

“Sorry to disturb you.” Brody caught himself realizing he was indeed making quite a racket for this hour of the morning.

“Officer, I didn't realize it was you. Still haven't caught him yet?”

“Have you seen him?” Why not use this snoop to his advantage?

“Saw him this morning. Woke me up making a ruckus. I went back to sleep. Which I never do, by the way. Damn sciatica kept me up all night. Just bought one of the dial mattresses. Changed it from a four to a six. Thought that would help. I slept better on my old Sealy. Think they'd take this one back? It's only been six weeks.” Finally, the old man stopped talking. Brody didn't have time for small talk. He needed information and he needed it fast. He was determined to get this guy to actually be of help to him.

“I've got to get to Myles, if you know where he is?”

“Gone now. Looks like you missed him.”

“It does.” He felt utterly defeated.

“Well you're going after him aren't you?” the neighbor inquired with a glint in his eye.

“He's not a criminal,” Brody explained finally.

“I know that! I ain't blind or stupid. You obviously love him,” he fired back, surprising Brody. But not as much as Brody's answer surprised himself.

“I do love him.” This was the first time Brody said it out loud and it actually felt good to voice it.

“Then you need to go after him. Don't make the same mistake I did and end up like me. Trust me. Don't just stand there. Go after him!”

“I have no idea where he is. He's on his way to New York. I'll never catch up to him.”

“You got a cop car, don't you? Light up that son-of-a-bitch. I seen them go over two hundred miles an hour! Tear ass down that freeway!”

Brody just stood there. Could this old coot be right? Richard lived close by and had the cruiser. Should he in fact give chase to Myles?

“For God's sake, man, don't let him get away!”

Brody realized he was right. He wasn't going to let him get away. Brody could do this and he was determined to get Myles back. He thanked the old man and rushed down the stairs to his car.

The neighbor shook his head. “Crazy kids.” He gave one last concerned, paranoid look around the courtyard before retreating into his abode.

***

Brody rushed to Richard's house to pick up the squad car. He parked and rushed to Richard's apartment where he banged on the door. “Come on, Richard, open up.” He banged again. “Come on, I mean it.”

Bleary-eyed, Richard appeared in the doorway wearing only his boxers.

“I'm sorry for getting you up so early. But it's Myles. He just left. And we've got to catch him. I need the squad car!”

“Who needs sleep on a Saturday morning?” He could see the passion in Brody's eyes. Brody was on fire and he needed Richard to help him fulfill his romantic quest.” It's just like those
Lifetime
movies he and Diane watch.” Richard seemed more excited than Brody.

“I've got to catch him before it's too late. Do me a favor and call his phone and see where he is.”

“No way! That's not how it's done. Myles is a romantic. You need to catch him. It's the element of surprise that will win him back.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“It's all about romance, my friend. You need to catch up to him and tell him how you feel in person.”

“What if I don't get to him in time?”

“You always catch up to them! Trust me on this one. I know how it's done. You always get the guy in the end.”

“Well, give me the keys to the squad car. I'm going after him!”

“ I'm going with you. I'm not about to miss a good chase, especially if it's one that ends in romantic crescendo.”

Brody rolled his eyes. Who would believe that this big, tough cop was a hopeless romantic softie?

The two men jumped into the squad car, fired up the lights and siren and sped down the freeway towards the border, intent on finding Myles.

***

The hot morning sun bore down on them as a small brush blew across the desert plain. Brody and Richard stood by their cruiser, just shy of the state line in Nevada wondering where they had gone wrong. They had driven all the way to Nevada with no hint of Myles. He'd done it again, taken Richard's advice!

“Well,” Brody said sardonically, “calling him doesn't seem like such a bad idea now, does it?”

“It always works in the movies.”

“What do we do now?” He was utterly despondent.

“I don't know. This isn't usually the way it turns out.”

Brody slumped against the cruiser. It was time to acknowledge the reality of the situation. “I've lost him, haven't I?” He'd screwed up and he knew it. He'd let Myles get away. All the years and opportunities Myles gave him to love him; he missed every single one of them. And now minutes after Myles' departure, he was ready to commit to a relationship. This was the very definition of a day late and a dollar short.

Richard didn't answer. He knew there was nothing he could say to make his buddy feel better. Brody screwed up. They both knew it and there was nothing now that could be done.

“We might as well go back,” Brody said. “Besides, I know you have plans with Diane.”

“Yeah. Let me call her and tell her I'll be a little late.” He pulled out his phone and dialed. Brody felt he had already ruined two lives today, so why screw things up for Richard and Diane, as well?

***

Diane was putting dishes away when the phone rang. She looked at the caller ID. It was Richard. “This better not be a ‘can't-make-it-today' call!” Diane answered.

“No. I'll be there. Small emergency. I'll just be a little late.”

“Fine, but hurry so you can start to make it up to me. And don't forget to bring your uniform— especially the night stick.” She flirted as she hung up knowing that Richard liked to be teased about a bit of the fun that was to be had when he arrived.

She turned to Myles, who sat at the table. “Richard's going to be late. Keep me company for just a bit more?”

“I really need to be going. I've three thousand miles ahead of me, and now all I'll be able to think about is you and Richard playing ‘cops and robbers'.”

“You should watch me try to resist arrest,” she remarked playfully.

“I really need to hit the road. I just wanted help you clean up and say goodbye again.”

“Let's just have a mimosa for the road. No one should head into the middle of this country without at least one drink in them.” Diane was being selfish now. She didn't want to see her bestie go. She wanted him to spend a little time with her before Richard came. She knew that she'd be sad when he left, and she wanted him to fill the time before Richard arrived.

Reluctantly, Myles agreed. One drink turned into two and two into three. Heck they were Mimosas–just champagne and orange juice. They weren't strong, and this was the new Myles, a carefree Myles who, unlike the old uptight one, was letting his hair down. What was the rush to get to New York? He'd join her for a bit longer.