Page 40 of Flowers To Give

After the beach scene was successfully shot, there weren’t many more scenes with Clark to film in Hawaii. Clark was to fly to Vancouver to finish filming his scenes on stages and Jeremy was placed on a commercial airline with a one way ticket home. The ending of filming had snuck up on Jeremy, having been consumed by the island and the movie for so long it was hard to believe over a month had gone by. Eneki had offered Jeremy a full time position with the horse wranglers, and although the money was tempting, Jeremy was eager to get back to his cattle and sustainable way of life.

As for Clark and him, it was tense to say the least. They were professional, but their interactions were lackluster. Neither of them caught the other’s eye, stealing small glances but nothing more. Jeremy had plenty of time to tear out his hair, wondering if he’d done the right thing by protecting himself. He had dreams about that kiss, wondering if he’d ever feel that way again.

Soon, the once endless waters are replaced by land. Flat plains transform into rocky, steep mountainous valleys as he soars by. They pass over rural areas and Jeremy tries to spyLimerick and Willmaker Ranch before they approach the city limits and land. Jeremy waits forever to get off the plane, the airport just as bustling and confusing as the one in Oahu. He eventually finds his way to passenger pick up and waits by a numbered pillar until Yana pulls around with the ranch’s Toyota.

Tossing his duffle bag in the truck bed, Jeremy climbs into the passenger seat with his backpack and greets his friend, “Hey, stranger.”

“Ah, you’re really here!” Yana smiles, bringing her arm up around his shoulder and giving him a half hug across the seat bench. She leans back and gives Jeremy a once over before putting the truck in drive, saying, “You’re so tan!”

Jeremy chuckles, buckling up, “No more than I usually am.”

“No way. You’re, like, super tan. It’s different,” she smiles, “So, how was it?”

“Really something,” he rifles through his bag and pulls out a puka bracelet he’d bought for her from a souvenir stand, “Here. Got ya this.”

“Aw! It’s actually so cute. You always get me such good gifts,” Yana takes the bracelet and rolls it between her fingers as she drives out of the airport. She puts it on her wrist and her smile grows somber.

Jeremy looks over to her, asking, “So, what’s new on the ranch?”

“New? Oh, not too much,” she clears her throat, scratching her jaw.

It may have been a month since Jeremy’s been gone, but he can still tell when his friend is hiding something. He pushes her shoulder a bit and asks, “C’mon, what’s been going on?”

“Well,” Yana chews on her lip, “It’s Laurelai. She’s a tyrant. And a pot stirrer.”

“Ha, what does that mean?”

Yana shrugs, “There’ve been some rumors.”

Jeremy’s blood runs cold, afraid of the answer but asking the question anyway, “What rumors?”

Yana takes a deep breath, glances over to Jeremy and then bursts out asking, “Why didn’t you ever tell me you were gay?”

“Oh my god,” Jeremy hangs his head in his hand, collapsing back in the seat.

“Holy shit, it’s true. You and Barry? For real?” Yana laughs out of astonishment.

Jeremy shakes his head, the worst case scenario playing out. He asks, “Who all knows?”

Yana lets out a genuine, louder laugh, “Who doesn’t know? Poor Barry… It’s been the talk of the ranch!”

“Why didn’t he tell me about this?”

“And how was he supposed to do that when you don’t pick up the phone? When’s the last time you checked in with any of us?” Yana rolls her eyes, “You should feel lucky I even agreed to come pick you up.”

“Hey, I got you a gift, didn’t I?”

“Hm. Still, you could have texted more,” she wiggles in her seat, “I missed you.”

“I missed you too. But I was really busy and the time difference was insane,” Jeremy tells her his excuses for distancing himself from the ranch.

“Whatever. Just don’t go blaming Barry for what you’re about to step into is all I’m saying.”

“Well, can you bring me up to speed?” Jeremy asks. Yana shoots him a sidelong glance of disapproval and he tacks on, “Please?”

She chews on her lip for a moment before spilling, “Laurelai said she caught you and Barry going at each other.”

“That’s it?”