Salubrious part 17

Charlie was acting like a workaholic in the most obsessive way. He took on everything and everyone and even went hunting for jobs when things were slow. It went on and on for days, now it had been officially a week going into week two since the argument between Charlie and Allan. A full, non stop week of Charlie acting like a blood hound hunting for people who can’t smile, and Pim had had enough.

“Charlie you are kinda acting like Nicolas Cage. You don’t have to literally agree to everything. Even I think that last guy was a hopeless case..” Pim said with an exasperated look.

Charlie shrugged. “We have to make sure that everyone that is in need of cheering up gets helped. Thems the rules, man. I didn’t make the rules.”

Pim shook his head, rubbing his eyes. Charlie noticed they looked like they had permanent dark circles under them. “Not necessarily.”

Charlie gave him a dirty look. “Usually I’m the sullen one. You are always down to make people feel better. So what’s the problem?”

Pim bit his lip, trying to find a nice way to say something. “Um, no. Nothing.”

“Come on, man. Tell me.”

“Charlie, I kinda am tired. I just.. I don’t want to do this next job.”

The look on Charlie’s face was priceless. It was more shocked than anything else he’s ever seen, and he saw his boss get married to the daughter of Satan once. But, that’s another story.

Pim stood there waiting for Charlie to respond but he was so flabbergasted he couldn’t think of what words actually were anymore.

Charlie finally took in a short puff of air, looked at Pim seriously, then said in all seriousness, “You almost killed me, Pim. Don’t ever do that again.”

“Excuse me, Charlie but you’re actually killing me,” Pim said in the most polite voice but it still hit Charlie like a gut punch.

“What does that mean Pim cause from what I see, I’ve been working my ass off trying to do my job. I think I’ve done a pretty…”

“Half ass job,” Pim responded, making Charlie in blink in surprise. “You’re really good at looking busy and productive when you’re not actually working.”

“Well excuse me, Mr. I’m Always So Fucking Positive every single second of the day and night…some people just are born to have ambition… and shit…”

“You’re not ambitious. You just carry on doing the bare minimum, doling out your so-called wisdom that you think will make strangers change their lives, but you don’t do anything that’ll make a real impact,” Pim said, yawning.

Charlie scoffed. “I care Pim, isn’t that what counts?”

“You’ve gone on close to thirty-eight jobs this week alone! This isn’t care. You’re… you are running away from something.”

“Fuck that noise, man. If you can’t take the heat get out of the kitchen. Or something like that.” Charlie groaned, feeling the weight of the last few weeks in a single stretch of his arm. He wanted to fall asleep right there and then. Pim felt a bit of empathy for his friend as he saw him almost nod off.

“Charlie, look, I know you care. I.. I’m sorry for what I said, you do make an impact. I’m cranky when I’m tired. I only meant.. you’re miserable. I know you are. But your misery is being all dressed up with you overworking yourself, and you think everything is okay when it’s really not.”

“All good, man. I know you’re just trying to be frank with me. I need a good ass kicking. Hell, I wish I could kick my own ass sometimes…” Charlie laughed, making Pim laugh.

“It’s just… you know how ..”

As they were talking Allan walked in. The room stiffened as they all said hello to each other but the air felt stale.

Even though they haven’t been talking much to each other than hey and how are yous, it’s been nonetheless very communicative. Just without words.

Thoughtful gifts like a lunch from Salty’s left for Charlie without Allan’s signature but… Charlie knew. And somehow Allan’s favorite drink, a iced cold peach tea just sitting near Allan’s workstation. A scented lotion for a complaining Charlie with dry elbows. And a peculiarly thoughtful gift, a rose quartz Gua Sha, a tool used for helping with pain and stiffness (physical therapy) after severe traumatic injuries. That was obviously from Charlie to Allan, but neither of them said anything.

Though when he saw the Gua Sha, Allan desperately wanted to just break the ice, but at this point, the ice as a cold as Mount Everest and as deep as the Mariana Trench.

It really hurt that they were so close, texting each other every morning and every night without fail, updating each other every day on silly little things, important things, everything… and now.. it’s just dead silence hanging between them.

Allan pretended to clean up something but Charlie felt the dread between them growing worse.

Then suddenly, Allan locked eyes with Charlie in a somber look.

It felt so real, so damning, so far away yet so dangerously close.

“Hey Boys! Time for the annual company picnic this weekend..” Mr. Boss bursted in, looking way too happy.

“Oh boy, you two remind me of my ex-wife. Third ex-wife,” Mr. Boss claimed, noticing the odd look Charlie and Allan gave each other.

Allan laughed softly, “According to Charlie we’re not even friends, Mr. Boss. But he keeps leaving shit around for me to pick up.” Allan gave Charlie a sarcastic nod and an even more sarcastic wink.

“Bye sweetheart, I’m leaving for the day,” Allan said, waving.

Mr. Boss shrugged, saying back, “See ya sweetheart!”

Charlie did a face palm. “I’m so screwed, dude,” Charlie said to Pim, who side hugged him.