Matt was looking for shells. The luau was in a few days and he thought it might be fun to make a necklaces for him and Angie. He had noticed Alex sitting on the beach pretty fast. The two of them actually hadn’t spoken in a week… not Alex’s fault. Matt had been purposely avoiding him.
He didn’t want to catch anymore feelings more than he already had.
Of course that didn’t mean he was going to leave Alex hanging there. He walked up over to where he was sitting, “Hey…”
Alex looked over, “Oh. Matt. Didn’t see you there. I guess you saw me crying...” Matt sat down next to him. He looked at Alex. Alex sighed, “Sorry… it’s just… it was today, twelve years ago that my mom died.”
“I’m sorry,” Matt looked at the ocean, “Do you want to talk about it?”
Alex nodded, “She was the best. She used to make me salted radish sandwiches for lunch and toss the gridball with me in the backyard,” He was silent for a moment, “Did your mom ever do things like that?”
Matt shrugged, “When I was a kid sure. Angie and I were seven when I started getting into cooking so my mamá used to let me help her in the kitchen. It was our thing. Angie and I have four other siblings so this was the time of day she made for me,” He frowned, “We don’t talk much anymore.”
“Your mom took really good care of you,” Matt attempted to try and change the subject. He didn’t like to talk about it.
“Yeah… I was too young to really actually say “thanks”. Now she’s gone forever,” Alex looked at the box in his lap, “This is the only keepsake of her’s I have left after everything with my dad… her secret music box.”
He opened it up and the music started to play. It was a light pretty song. They sat in silence listening to the music and the sounds of the beach. Once the music box ran its course Alex looked over, “So… what are you thinking about right now?”
“Look. I know I’ve been avoiding you… but if you ever need to talk at all I’m always going to be here for you,” Matt replied.
“Thanks,” He turned away, “You know you’re probably my closest friend right?”
“I’d be upset if I wasn’t,” Matt chuckled.
“You…. you’re different then the other guys. More sensitive. I’m glad.”
“It’s because I’m gay. We’re more in touch with our feelings.”
“You just ruined the moment,” Alex shook his head.
“I ruin a lot of things,” Matt shrugged.
“We should probably get back to town,” Alex stood up and Matt followed. They walked up the beach but Alex stopped, “You won’t tell anyone I was crying right?”
Matt chuckled, “I might tell Angie.” He ran before Alex could react.
“Hey!” Alex ran after him.