Salubrious part 47

The subsequent weekend, the four friends went out together, namely, Pim and his new girlfriend Katrina, and Charlie and his boyfriend Allan.

They reserved an outdoor patio that had a cool bonfire area and live music, and it was a nice place to chill, drink and catch up.

Pim and Katrina were running about fifteen minutes behind due to a so-called makeup emergency, but Charlie and Allan were already there.

”I mean, I know we have already technically met her but it was more of blink and you’ll miss it sort of thing. I think this will be more of the official thing, don’t you think?” Charlie rambled. He remembered when Pim was smitten by the pink haired girl when they went out all together one night.

Allan shrugged. “I guess so. I was thinking of it was more that we are meeting Pim’s girlfriend rather than meeting her for the first time.”

”Ah, shit, they’re still ten minutes away…” Charlie said checking his texts from Pim.

“If I had done her makeup she would’ve been ready early,” Allan remarked, looking anxious.

“Oh well babe I can see that, haha. You’re fucking meticulous as hell when you put on that pencil eye shit,” Charlie tried to joke. Allan rolled his eyes. Charlie sighed.

“Okay,” Allan said blankly, “Can you order me a martini espresso?”

Charlie nodded, “Oh abso-fucking-lutely, babe. I’ll be back in a jiffy.” He leaned in for a kiss on the mouth, but Allan turned, pretending to look at the menu.

Charlie put his hand on his chest. “Fucking ouch,” he mumbled under his breath as he walked away to the bar. “I fucked up.”

He started ordering when he saw a familiar flash of pink.

Pim.

And next to him was a tall, brunette woman. She looked human. Charlie scanned her quickly.

“Okay… Pim scored…” Charlie muttered in a sly tone.

She was very pretty, with blue eyes and brown, wavy hair. She had on some sporty glasses on too. Charlie wondered if she dyed her pink hair back to her original color cause it looked more natural now. Maybe it just naturally grew out back brown.

Her look made Charlie think of a sexy librarian.

He put the idea out of his head, looking over at his perturbed boyfriend who looked mildly uncomfortable and defensive, and definitely annoyed.

The bartender gave him his change and the martini for Allan as Pim and Katrina came over.

Charlie smiled as best as he could. He knew that things tonight may not be as perfect as he wanted them to be. They had just been in a minor argument before they left for dinner. Unfortunately, this wasn’t the first case of arguing over small things, but this was a bit ridiculous in Charlie’s opinion.

But he put that also out of his mind as his best friend and his girlfriend came over.

“Oh hello, Charlie! Where’s Allan?”

“Hey, Pim. Oh. He’s sitting over at our table.” Charlie said as he turned to the woman holding his best friend’s hand and Pim cleared his throat.

“Oh, Charlie, this is Katrina, and Katrina,” he smiled, “this is my very best friend Charlie. I know that we all kinda saw each other that one night at the bar but I don’t think you two actually talked.”

She moved her hand to shake his. Charlie put down the martini and shook her hand.

“So great to see you in the flesh, Charlie, Pim always says the nicest things about you all the time. I feel like I know you already or something,” she laughed. “I remember you that night. You were drinking beers with everyone else.”

Charlie chuckled. “Yeah I remember that. Good old Pim. He always sees the light in the world and the best in others. It’s nice to meet you too. Pim thinks the world of you.”

Pim blushed. “Oh my gosh. Charlie that’s so sweet. Thank you!”

Katrina smiled, leaning into Pim’s shoulder. “That’s Pim. My sweet guy. That’s what I noticed,” she said as they walked over to the table. Charlie noticed Allan physically bracing himself for the meeting, his body stiff and he saw Allan take in a quick breath.

“I noticed he was genuinely sweet. Not like some guys that just put on airs or a show to make a woman feel special,” Katrina continued to explain.

“I mean, you’re absolutely correct on that, Katrina. Men can be absolute dickhea.. I mean jerks just to get a woman. I used to be like that. But not anymore….” Charlie rambled.

“Heya Allan! How’s it going?” Pim said. Allan stood up quickly, almost tilting the table and spilling his water.

Charlie went over and grabbed the water cup, and then quickly took Allan’s hand.

Thankfully, Allan didn’t pull away. It made Charlie take in a breath of relief.

“Hey Pim. I’m fine,” Allan said, forcing a quick smile.

“Katrina, this is my boyfriend, Allan,” Charlie said in a fast voice.

Katrina leaned in and they shook hands. “Nice to see you again, but for real this time. So sorry we were late, guys. I had accidentally spilled some of my favorite coffee mocha brown mascara on my dress. The wand smeared all over it… haha.”

“Oh no. That must’ve been awf-full. How did you get the stain out? I need to know,” Allan said curiously and Katrina’s face beamed.

Allan squeezed Charlie’s hand once and went to sit down next to Katrina as they started talking about makeup stains and other things Charlie had no clue about.

Charlie and Pim sat down.

“Dude that one job was insane I don’t even remember how we made that dude smile…” Charlie said.

“I think it was your jokes, Charlie, remember that one you said randomly.. it was funny and..” Pim started to say.

Charlie frowned, looking at Allan without his martini.

“Oh shit. Excuse me, sorry… Allan?” Charlie said in a different voice, it sounded too polite and Allan lifted his brow.

“Yeah? What’s up, Charlie?” Allan asked.

Katrina got quiet, but then looked at the menu.

“I left your martini at the bar. Sorry. I will get you another one. Sorry,” Charlie said nervously.

Allan gave him a soft little look that made Charlie’s heart leap.

“What, you cad! How dare you forget my drink,” Allan said in an overly dramatic voice that made Katrina laugh.

Allan elbowed Katrina and she laughed, trying to sound serious, “How dare you let this precious man be left without his drink!”

Charlie laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. “My bad. My bad.”

Pim giggled. “Charlie you need to get your priorities together!” Pim played along.

“Go get it before he whoops that butt!” Katrina teased Charlie.

Pim shook his head. “Katrina you are a firecracker. I love that about you.”

She smiled and kissed his cheek. “You’re my little firecracker.”

“We need shots!” Katrina said and Charlie grinned.

“Shots! Shots!” Katrina and Allan both said.

“Why don’t Pim and I go order the drinks? You two ladies can stay here and rest like the flowers you are. Huh?” Charlie laid on the charm thickly, but it somehow worked. Allan covered his face and giggled, blushing. And Katrina laughed, locking arms with Allan.

“This is my bestie already. I can tell, I can just tell who a person is immediately and you are so cool..” Katrina gushed to Allan as they laughed and talked about makeup and hair.

”You don’t have pink hair anymore!” Allan said and she nodded.

”No, I usually get it done after my roots grow but I’m just lazy.”

Allan chuckled. “It looks good though.”

“Thanks, Allan… hey, guys, don’t get any cheap shit either!” Katrina yelled as Pim and Charlie walked off.

Pim looked over at Charlie who was laughing.

“Holy shit, dude.. Pim, she’s fucking fantastic. I love her for you. She’s perfect, like… I totally get why you like her..” Charlie said.

Pim looked relieved. “Oh thank goodness. I’m so happy you like her!”

“Who gives a fuck what I think! She’s perfect… like a perfect match for you.”

Pim grinned. “I really like her so much Charlie.”

Charlie pay his back. “Dude I’m so stoked for you. Lemme buy these round of shots. And I’ll get beers too. Shit, don’t let me forget about Allan’s martini.”

“Aw that is so generous! Thanks buddy! And I won’t…”

Charlie smiled. “Don’t mention it.”

Charlie ordered the drinks and paid quickly, waiting for the order.

“So, how’s everything going?” Pim asked. “Allan looks … well. Better, I think.”

Charlie nodded. “He’s doing so much better. It’s a slow process but we are working through it day by day.”

“I’m so happy. That’s great. Are you two good? I sensed a bit of tension when we first got here.”

Charlie tensed at the words. “Um, you… how did you know?”

Pim just leaned in to give him a side hug. “I know when you’re tense. Allan looks tense all the time but you can’t hide it. No offense, dude.”

“Fuck. Yeah. You’re right. We.. had a stupid argument. Something about eggs. I also don’t know how to properly put on a toothpaste cap. I keep being stupid, ugh.”

“Eggs? Charlie what are you talking about? How’s that an argument?”

“I don’t know. I was supposed to pick up eighteen eggs but I got twelve. Allan got upset. Then Allan rearranged my entire set up in the bathroom. I have a system, dude! It may not look pretty but at least I know where my shit was. Just… ugh. Sometimes I worry we just live too differently. But it’s not even bad. It’s just stupid, little things that add up. Dishes, groceries. Bills.” Charlie sighed. “Well, actually, Allan is amazing at budgets and finances. He is really good at making money decisions.”

“You two should sit down and discuss it. Seriously.. like, it’s so important to have talks. Even if it’s about stupid, small things. They add up.”

“Yeah. I wish but there’s never enough time in the day,” Charlie said.

“That’s true, brother!”

The bartender said they would bring the drinks over at the table, so they came over to their table.

“The drinks are on the way, guys,” Pim said.

“Awesome, thanks Pim,” Allan said, looking at Charlie. “Thanks, Charlie.”

Charlie nodded, eyeing Allan with a question in his eyes. “No problem.”

Allan gave him a look back that said wait for the answer, which made Charlie relax a bit.

“You’re so welcome!” Pim said.

“You guys are the best!” Katrina said.

“So you’re doing your residency now?” Allan asked her as the other two sat down.

“Uh, no, I actually just finished up with my degree. I’m starting medical school this fall. I’m not starting my residency yet! That would be awesome if I could fast forward past all the bullshit to that.”

“If only there was a button to press to make the world spin faster,” Allan said, and they laughed. “What about pre-med?”

“I’m doing a combo of pre-med and med school. Dude, you know your shit. Are you a doctor?” Katrina said with a laugh.

“No, no. I just like to read. I read about everything, but I really like science and medicine,” Allan said.

“Allan’s actually badass. He made these kickass rocket boots. I was.. my mind was blown. He literally just created boots that can take you to fucking space, man,” Charlie gushed.

“Oh, what? Holy moly, that’s incredible. How the hell did you know about that stuff? Did you go to Harvard?” Katrina asked.

Allan blushed. “No, self taught. It’s not that hard. I was working on the schematics for months. It took several different configurations before I got it right.”

“You’re a darn wizkid genius, Allan! Seriously I don’t know how you did that..” Pim said.

“He’s fucking brilliant,” Charlie said with a warm laugh.

“Wow Charlie get a room why don’t you?” Pim teased. Charlie laughed.

Katrina nodded, “There’s a whole bubble around you two! Like a little universe.”

Pim nodded. “I thought so too. Like you really have that kind of power couple energy…”

Charlie gave him a weird look. “Dude.”

Pim chuckled. “Sorry!” He said quickly.

Allan covered his mouth, giving Charlie an affectionate look.

The waiter came up with the drink order.

“Sorry the delay,” the waiter said. “We added an extra pour for your patience!”

“Aww that’s so nice. Thank you!” Pim said, helping pass around the drinks.

“Okay let’s toast! To all of us… to Pim and Katrina and to Allan and me, let’s raise our glasses,” Charlie said, and everyone raised their shot glass. “To everyone’s surprise, especially mine, for Pim finding such a great gal that matches his character and personality so perfectly. Even the corny little one liners!”

Katrina laughed but Pim gave him a little eye roll.

“Dude how’d you know about the corny one liners. I’m partial to the really dopey stuff, that makes you melt on the floor when you hear it,” Katrina said, making Pim grin.

“Pim must be a permanent puddle on the floor with your conversations,” Allan said, making Katrina nod happily. “Charlie likes to confess his undying love for me during the most mundane moments. Like I’ll be there sweeping the floor and he drops a Shakespeare line!”

Charlie went a bright red. They all tapped their glasses together and chugged their shot.

Pim coughed a little then chuckled, elbowing Charlie, “Oh how romantic!”

“Shut up…” Charlie muttered.

“I mean but that’s so cute. I’m sure you don’t expect it when you’re sweeping the floor..” Katrina said.

“Oh I do, Katrina. I expect it now. I used to be like, what the eff, Charlie? But now I brace myself for the inevitable emotional crash…” Allan said sassily.

Katrina laughed, pointing at Charlie. “I feel like your guy here crashes out hard when you scrub the greasy casserole pans with gloves…”

Charlie sighed. “You got me!” He laughed softly. Allan winked at him, making Charlie smile more easily.

“Dude where’s the wait-tor? I feel like this place is just… kinda sucks,” Allan complained.

“Dude if we all just went to Salty’s we would’ve gotten our shit immediately…” Charlie added, and Pim gave him a dumbfounded, knowing expression.

“We had to investigate Salty’s actual murder, Charlie,” Pim said in a straight voice. Katrina chuckled but then saw Pim was serious. He whispered in her ear that he’d try to explain it to her but it was so insane that it may be better not to. She laughed.

“Oh yeah… that’s right..” Charlie said dumbly, shaking his head.

Allan’s brow raised, “What the heck?” He asked Charlie.

“You’ll never believe it but the guy was murdered by like a hundred people..” Charlie whispered to Allan, who gave him a horrified look.

Pim moved in, “It wasn’t a hundred, it was seven…”

“That didn’t make it sound better..” Allan said in an annoyed voice.

“Dudes, this place sucks dick,” Katrina said over the noise. “Can we please get some service?!”

“I can get someone, Katrina, don’t worry!” Pim waved someone down.

Pim tried to flag down the avoidant, busy waiter but he didn’t see. Charlie then attempted to and the waiter seemed to see them but went back to the kitchen.

“Let’s just go to McDonald’s. Cool?” Charlie said, and they all immediately agreed.

Allan got up, taking Charlie’s hand. Pim got up, helped Katrina up by taking her hand.

“Dollar menu and then we go bar hopping?” Charlie suggested.

“Yes-uh, definitely,” Allan bumped his hip playfully. Charlie let out a relieved breath.

“Eff yes!” Pim said.

“I second that eff yes!” Katrina and Pim kissed.

It was a cold night but as they left the restaurant, holding onto their partners and laughing about the terrible service they received, Charlie never felt warmer.