First World Problems

Huh? That was a legitimate idea. Why couldn’t you go?

Accident... fractures... does that ring a bell?

Except for a few stipulations, yes. But he’s also a gremlin.

Actually, no, I didn’t ask him out. I suppose you could say we just kind of… ended up together. I prefer young at heart!

Well... yes he is.

The words Felipe were saying rang truer than Stevie could even say. Nodding vigorously as he swallowed another bite of pizza, then cleared his throat to answer. “Constantly. I know there’s still twenty-four hours in a day but somewhere along the line it feels like we’re down to twelve or something. There’s just never enough time to get things done.”

Maybe it was just a sign they were getting older, but as neither of them actually were all that old to begin with, it felt like maybe some things could be done to fix that. “Sounds like you and I are feeling the same way about things.”

Felipe humea distractedly. At least, he wasn’t the only one to feel that way so there had to be some truth in that. Or maybe there was so much to do that slowing down wasn’t always possible. Either way, he’d had to plenty of time to think recently and even if he couldn’t exactly relax, it was kind of nice to have all this time on his doing to do pretty much nothing at all.

He took another bite of pizza. Sometimes simple pleasures were the best. Food and the company of a good friend and making small talk with him was worth all the summer parties in the world so no wonder Felipe wasn’t upset about not being to throw his annual party this year. “What’s new with you though? I mean other than work related stuff”.

I can’t believe summer is almost over already. I feel like most of it was a haze. But thank you, that’s true! Honestly, same. With being sick and then playing catch up, I haven’t either.

Well then come on over and we’ll get drunk. Just a tiny little bit drunk. Then you can call Stevie to drive you home.

Sky: Just making sure, man! How are you feeling now? Back to normal, or are you still doing PT?

Sky: And how are the lovebirds doing??

Felipe: I'm good. A little stiff but that's normal. Still doing PT so it'll get better in a few weeks.

Hi babe.

Hi gorgeous.

As the guy Stevie usually tended to live through vicariously, he could understand exactly why Felipe was going a little stir crazy right now and already looking ahead to things returning to normal. “That’s good man, I’ll be waiting,” he added with a chuckle. Some things would always be the case for them, and sharing pizza and drinks was just one of those things.

After offering him the first slice, Stevie took one for himself as well and took a bite. “Any time.” Resting back in his seat as Felipe turned the tables and asked him how things were going, Stevie answered as honestly as he could. “I’m okay, it really just feels like all I do is work these days. I know I’m going to blink all of a sudden and the summer’s going to be totally gone.”

“No kidding”, he agreed. Felipe sometimes felt that way. Even going out for drinks with friends after work had become somewhat difficult. People were taken with their professional and personal lives and that made him wonder. The older he got and the less time there seemed to be for anything other than work.

“Do you ever feel like you’re always running? Like I used to be able to do so many things in one day but now it’s... it’s strange. There’s barely time to do anything”. He shrugged. His theory was that someone was manipulating the world clock... but that was unlikely.

What about we could all go sailing?

Just in case you didn’t know, you’re not funny.

I wasn’t jealous, you dork. Gizmo! That’s… cute. I think. Unless it’s bad.

A vacation is more appealing than ever now. Love? Did we? Um… I dunno. you’ll have to refresh my memory. I see– you can reuse them for other things though! Felipe and RG sitting in a tree…

Don’t worry, Gizmo is a nice little thing, isn’t he?

Dude, I have been sick as a dog. I suck for missing out on the holiday, but I hope ya’ll had fun and didn’t get into too much trouble. Maybe I could have a Labor Day weekend party to make up for it? Did I miss much?

I hope you’re feeling better now? It’s summer time Sky! We’ll have plenty of occasions to party, get drunk, etc. We can also do something before Labor Day. I haven’t had a beer in weeks so we need to change that.

Sky: Nooo! That's just mean. You know I was just messing with you.

Sky: You would not. Want me to dress up like a waiter and serve it for you? I mean, I would.

Sky: Have you started PT yet? I don't blame you, but at least it's an excuse to avoid the sun right now? It's really damn hot. Sounds like you need to be extra sweet to her.

Sky: I don't think so. Then again, I'm not a relationship expert. But I mean, I don't think Ruby Grace is the type to flee from something like that.

Felipe: I do.

Felipe: No it's cool. I'm just gonna wait some more so I can do it myself. I want to do it myself, you know? But thanks for offering.

It was good to hear Felipe laughing, seeing one of his best friends in obvious discomfort was off-putting but his reaction made Stevie feel a little better about it. Once he took a seat he hoped Felipe might take the chance to fill him in a bit about how things really were and immediately his intent to get out of the wheelchair was there. Stevie nodded, leaning forward in his seat, and upon hearing that he had no shortage of people helping him and looking after him seemed like it both helped Felipe and also seemed like an inconvenience.

“Well, don’t get too used to that, I’m expecting you to reciprocate and bring me pizza eventually too.” A grin, with an extra nod attached to it. “There’s a lot of people who want to see you get better, though. And I’m happy to help out in any way you need, Felipe. Whatever it takes.” Reaching out to lift the lid on the pizza box, he offered it to his friend first.

“Trust me”, he nodded ““I love being pampered but I ant wait to be able to do that”. Felipe was usually always out and about, working or having fun or visiting someone so it was weird for him to spend so much time homes. The worst was probably not being able to do simple things like make something to eat or even shower without paying attention to a cast. Well not having to sit down to shower would also be great but he knew that it was only a matter of weeks, things would go back to normal.

“Thanks”. He reached over to take a slice of pizza and took a bite. He’d always known he was lucky but didn’t realize how much until recently. He was thankful for each and everyone of them and needed to think of a way to thank them all once all this was behind them. “What about you though? How have you been?”

It took Stevie aback at first to see Felipe’s mom answering the door for him, but the momentary surprise gave way to the realization that of course he’d need some extra help right now. Directed out to the back deck after chatting with Maribel for a few moments, he made his way out slowly to where his friend was, seated in his wheelchair. Before he had the chance to announce his arrival Felipe turned and saw him coming, offering a smile and a happy greeting.

“Hey yourself.” Stevie grinned back at him, happy and inwardly relieved all at once to see Felipe looking mostly like himself. After his ordeal, he wasn’t sure exactly what state of mind he may have been in. “I hope you’re hungry, made sure to get an extra large one of these bad boys,” he chuckled as he held up the pizza before setting it down on a table next to him. Taking a seat as well, Stevie looked out over the backyard scenery for a moment, then turned back towards Felipe. “So seriously, how are you feeling?”

“Always”, he laughed. He is always hungry, especially when there is pizza. Besides, Stevie’s visit was a good surprise. He’d been surrounded by women for days -not that he wasn’t complaining about it- but he wouldn’t talk to his mom the way he talked to Stevie. 

“I’m okay”, he shrugged “can’t wait to get out of that thing”. It wasn’t his favorite topic. It always reminded him of his ridiculous idea to leave without telling anyone where he was going but also of the night he spent all alone out there. The memories sometimes haunted him at night or even during the day, whenever his mind wandered back to that day. “I’m being taken care of. Abuela, my mom and dad, Santana, Ruby... and my best friend brings me pizza. I’m living like a lord these days”.