Page 47 of Bless This Hot Mess

Ronald stretched out beside him; one leg bent over his knee and the other tapping his sneaker to some imaginary beat, “And find a lawyer who says it’s okay for us to steal secular music and Christianize it.”

Japheth grinned, “Look at you! Getting down with the Christian lingo. A few days ago, you didn't even know who Jesus was and now your little light is growing into a full-on flame!”

“Don’t get too close,” Ronald quipped, eyes sparkling with a mix of humour and mischief. “This forest fire might scorch ya!”

Japheth swivelled in his chair, excitement bubbling up, “I’ll take my chances. Me and you. Wow. Bandmates. A few days ago, I thought you were outta my league and now look at us–lawn chair lounging lizards.”

Ronald raised an eyebrow, “Lizards?”

“Yeah, like, chilling in the sun, not a worry in the world. I’m just trying out nicknames for our friendship,” Japheth explained. “Rebekkah and I call each other partners in prayer. I want that with you, too. If Trinity is gonna go all the way, we gotta be tight. No secrets. I want to know everything about you. What makes you tick.”

Ronald chuckled, cracking open another root beer, “What makes me tick?”

“Yeah, I know you love basketball and music but that’s what you do professionally now. What about your hobbies?” Japheth turned his lawn chair to Ronald and leaned in, resting his elbows on his knees.

“Let’s see… I watchRoswell. Mostly because I think the aliens are hot.”

Japheth didn’t miss a beat, “Max, Isabel, or Michael?”

“Why pick?” Ronald shrugged. “I think aliens are naturally pansexual and polyamorous like me.”

Japheth nodded, like this was the most reasonable explanation in the world, “Fair. But if I had to choose, I’d pick Max.”

“With long hair,” Ronald added, as if it was obvious.

“Yes! When he cut it, he went from dreamy to…” Japheth stopped mid-sentence, something clicking and grinding his share with Ronald to a stall. He sat back in his chair and started whistling theRoswelltheme song, hoping his distraction was distracting.

Ronald sat up in his chair, “Wait, does Rebekkah know?”

“Know what?” Japheth deflected but it was a deflated attempt; he was tired of a life of constantly masquerading.

“Japheth, it’s okay. You can be exactly who you are with me. Self-determination is very empowering. I’m asking if Rebekkah knows that your favourite alien is Max?”

“I mean…” Japheth trailed off, biting his lip.

“So, no?” Ronald smirked.

Japheth squirmed in his seat, “I’ve hinted and basically said it withoutsayingit, but she’s… pretty clueless.”

Ronald let out a deep belly laugh, “Love that movie!”

Japheth beamed, feeling the deep camaraderie that was quickly forming, “Me too! We arenailingthis new best friend thing. Is that okay? Sorry, that was presumptuous.”

Ronald took a long sip of his root beer and shrugged, “Yeah, since there’s no nailing going on here, I’m down for a bromance. You’re weird. And sweet. I know a bunch of stuff you don’t know, and you know a bunch of stuff I don’t know, so it’s good. We’re both gonna grow by spending time together.”

“You aresodeep,” Japheth marvelled, wide-eyed.

“Yeah,” Ronald leaned back, looking nonchalant but secretly pleased.

Japheth rested his head back on the chair; his root beer balanced precariously on the armrest, “Do you know much about nephology?”

Ronald lowered his sunglasses and squinted at Japheth, “Umm… nope!”

“Me neither,” Japheth admitted, with a grin that suggested this didn’t bother him in the least. “It’s a branch of meteorology that studies clouds, their formation, development, and dissipation,” he waved a hand toward the scattered clouds above, “but that never really held my attention.”

Ronald shrugged, “What does?”

Japheth’s eyes gleamed, “Pareidolia.”