Page 4 of Sweet Thing

“This is what happens when I eat proper meals and don’t just try and survive on water and chocolate! Food is actually quite nice.” Their eyes met, and they both grinned in understanding.

“I’m going to be a part-time hausfrau for a while, and I’ve been writing a Fantasy novel, making art and playing music. I like not having to travel, and no fashion assignment could drag me away from Emily and Lukas. What about you? I saw you walk for Manuello Kozi, you looked great.”

“Thanks, yeah, I was stoked with that job. It was my first in a long time. It's early days, but I’m taking the job seriously, no parties. Have you spoken to Veronik recently? I wanted to say sorry to her too.”

“She’s coming to the opening tonight. I pop in occasionally. She wants to put me back out so desperately, you know. It’s been like six months out of the industry, and she is still trying to tempt me. She could dangle a million Euros in front of me, and it still wouldn’t tempt me away from this little man.” He shook his head and laughed, hugging the sleeping baby strapped to his warm chest. A phone beeped, and Pieter groped in his pocket. He read the message and grinned wolfishly.

“Okay, Little Bird that was Mama reminding me it’s your booby time. Let’s get you home,” He said to his baby son. Lukas wriggled in response, still fast asleep.

Simeon’s eyes caught Pieter’s, still filled with awe and longing. As Sim looked up Pieter stood; his tall, willowy figure blocking the noonday sun, creating a corona around his blond-haired head. Sim was unsure as to whether this was closure at all. Pieter looked beautiful, angelic. Sim was still magnetically attracted to him. Was this the end of their friendship or a new beginning?

“It was good to talk. I mean it Sim, pop by and say hi to us tonight if you’re free. I’m sure Emily would like to meet you at last.”

Sim stood and offered a hug. Pieter accepted it, and baby Lukas was nestled between the embracing men.

“You both smell so good,” Simeon commented and blushed in embarrassment.

“Baby smell is amazing, isn’t it? See you soon, yeah Sim?” Pieter said, a hand on Sim’s shoulder. He turned and began to stride away with the unmistakable confident long-legged gait of a model.

Simeon felt bereft for a second, as he stood numbly, and watched Pieter walk away. So many words still stuck in Sim’s throat—there was so much he wanted to say. He stared at his feet for a moment, wondering whether Pieter had been nice just to get away from him. When he looked up, Pieter was just about to turn a corner. He glanced at Simeon, lifted a cradling hand from his baby son’s back, and sent a beaming smile and a wave of farewell. A happy tear fell from Simeon’s eye.

****

Simeon was in shock. What had begun as the final step in his Rehab therapy to find closure and move on with his life had morphed into something else entirely. Pieter was open to rekindling their friendship. It was more than Sim had dared to dream.

He was mildly panicked that he was invited to Emily’s Exhibition opening at The Franzen Gallery. He recalled that years ago, when he’d eventually found out the name of Pieter’s girlfriend, he’d carried out an internet search. Emily Raven had no social media presence at all. Simeon found images of her erotic paintings on gallery websites, but learned little about the woman herself; he didn’t even know what she looked like. How the hell was he suppose to web-stalk the competition if they wouldn’t get in the game? Emily Raven’s nudes were beautiful and filthily erotic. Simeon had reluctantly admitted to himself that she was an amazing painter. He could understand how Pieter could be drawn to someone who could paint like that.

Pigeons returned and pecked at the seed someone had scattered on the path at Simeon’s feet. They took to the air when a small child running ahead of his mother headed towards them, wide-eyed and roaring. Sim was bought back to his verdant surroundings. He swallowed the lump of angst in his throat and recalled how his therapist had told him that he couldn’t make Pieter love him, and if he cared for Pieter at all, he should be happy that he had found someone to love. He knew she was right, but deep in his heart seeing that beautiful man stalk confidently into the Tiergarten rekindled the spark of longing. Simeon sighed deeply and admitted the painful truth to himself. Pieter was still everything he wanted in a man, and his plans to find closure had now gone completely awry.

Originally, Sim thought he would apologize to Pieter, and then soothe his broken heart shopping on Papa’s platinum card. Then he would end up at home, alone, with milk, cookies, and his latest gay romance book.

Simeon stood decisively and took a deep centering breath. He hadn’t actually accepted Pieter’s invitation yet, but said he’d think about it. He was seriously worried about meeting Emily Raven—about meeting all of his and Pieter’s old friends who knew what he had done and the damage it had caused. Veronik Hassell, his ex-Mother Agent, would be there, and their make-up artist friend Gretchen Steiner, and hairstylist friend Olli Brandt would attend, both with their partners. They used to be like family to him, but when he’d hurt Pieter, they’d all taken Pieter’s side. It was Simeon who’d distanced himself from them, through shame, and eventually, he’d lost himself in drink and drugs to ease the pain.

Sim was indecisive about what to do. It would be a huge test. He didn’t know if he could cope with such a public event while sober. He was very curious about Emily’s work and desperately wanted to see Pieter again.

Simeon strode out of Tiergarten and toward the Brandenburg Gate. The Franzen Gallery was on Neustädtische Kirchstraße, just ten minutes walk away. He decided that maybe, if he happened to stroll past the gallery on his way home, he could have a sneaky peek in the window and find out if it was worth putting himself on display in front of a room full of people who hated him.

****