“What took you so long?”

“Sorry! The traffic was bad getting home and the freak next door had the cops out again.”

“Didn't involve you did it?”

“Me? Never! They had my car blocked in.”

“Okay, if you say so.” Eric looked at Nick and laughed

“You ready for a wild night?” Nick looks over at Eric. “That why I bring you!”

“So you have someone to take home?”

“No, but I'll still make you have fun.”

“It's over rated!”

The two boys pull up in a small limo to a private airfield with a low fence. From the outside it looked a little seedy, but it served the purpose of Nick's family. They board a ten seat jet bound for their California destination.

“Hey, were here!” The boys get out and enter a cab for a fifteen minute ride to Nick's club Boom Boom Boom.

“Catch up with you later?” Eric turned to hit the dance floor. In about five minutes Eric started dancing with this hot jock looking twink. As the music speeds up, the boys start to dance harder and faster matching each others grove smoothly. Eric looked down and noticed a small aerosol spay can in the guys pocket.

“Be right back, have to hit the head.”

“I'll go with you. Hey, wait up!”

Eric turned to leave but it grabbed by the arm. “Please let me go.”

“I insist.” The guy tries to lead Eric toward the bar to grab another drink.

“Please, I just need to go alone. I get edgy when I'm out. It's been a long time since I've been out. Really, I'll be right back.”

“I just want to make sure you’re having fun.” He taps his pocket a few times.

“I'll pass, but thanks.”

“I don't think I asked! Don't knock it until you've tried it.”

“Then I'm telling you no anyway.” Eric pulls away and finds Nick as quickly as possible. “Mind if I cut in?” Eric says to Nick in a huff.

“No problem chico, you can dance with me anytime! My name is Chris.”

“Eric, and I won't keep you long. I just needed to dump a little pushy trash.”

“I see whom you mean. It's no problem bud!”

“Fly guy here and I can cover ya for as long as you need.”

Ina flirty tone from a few feet away, the jock yells out to Eric. ”I lost you in the crowd sweetie!”

“Excuse me but I don't think you are welcome here!” Nick steps in front of Eric. ”I think you need to go.”

“Don't tell me a prep and a spick are going to try to protect you from me. All he's good for is a quick blow!”

“First, I would never blow that tiny thing! Second, I think we should encourage you to exit peacefully. However since that isn't looking possible, BOYS!”

Three large bouncers walk up to the jock and start to escort him out the door.

“I didn't do anything wrong!”

“The owner’s son disagrees with that, I think.”

“What that spick?”

“No, him!” Pointing at Nick. “Also, that speed ball in your pocket is an instant kick!”

The three boys wave as the jock starts to struggle and ends up being dragged out by his collar. As the music starts back up Nick notices that all eyes are still on him.

“Time to go I think.”

“This is a first, you wanting to leave before I do.”

“I just don't feel it anymore.”

“See you chicos next time I hope.”

“Sure thing Cris, you know I can't resist the Latin charm.” Nick leans over and kisses Cris goodnight.

As Nick and Eric are on the way back to the airport, Eric turns to Nick. “I'm sorry. I never expected to blow your cover.”

“It's okay. You’re more important then any cover I've ever had. Now, let’s get you back so you can work tomorrow night.” Nick looks over at Eric's shocked face. “Don't give me that look. I know you value working more then I do.”

”That's why your my best friend, next to Andhra of course.”

”We've known each other since I moved here in 1st grade. You were the only kid that didn't expect me to shower them with stuff to buy a friendship. You're my first and best true friend. But how does Andhra always win?”

“Money is just something to earn to me. For you it's something you were given as the gift of a trust fund. She's my number 1 girl type friend. You know I can choose one friend over the other.”

“I know, that one of the other things I love about you. And I do work you know! I just get paid more for less work. I watch clubs instead of having to peddle furniture.”

“You know I tease you because I can. On a random note, I miss school.”

“Me too. All those hot guys in the locker rooms. Mmmmmmmm!”

“Shut up, you always were staring at me!”

“True, I guess nothing else caught me eye.”

“Really? Does the name Todd mean anything?”

“Ok, Todd was hot...but he wasn't anything but fluff inside.” Nick gets serious for a moment. “May he rest in peace.”

“Here, Here...to forgotten ass!”

“Prick! You cried too you know.” Nick and Eric start to giggle.

“I know, but he was hot ass and you forgot about him.”

“Fine, you got me.”

The two sat back and listened to the engine for the rest of the flight back. A few hours later the pilot woke them up to get in to their cars and they head home.

About six hours later, Eric gets up and showers. He presses his pants and heads out the door for him boring day at work. Right before he heads out he hits his face with a touch of powder, just to kill the shine from his really oily skin.

“It's about time you learn to use my line!” Andhra starts to yell as soon as she sees Eric. “See what happens when you get a little sleep.”

“Come closer...see only a touch of Wal-Greens powder.” Eric laughs.

“Bitch, why do you have to tease me with flawless skin. I spend an hours trying to get this right sometimes.”

“Why do you think I dropped out of beauty school?”

“I know, I know. You couldn't stand telling people that were decent looking that they needed to improve.”

“And?”

“And...so you could get me this great job with a line I can truly believe in...eventually.”

“That's right.” “So how was Boom³?”

“Terrible, Nick had to blow his cover to get a pushy freak off of my tail.”

“How sweet...” Andhra said in a mocking voice.

Ignoring the tone Eric continued. “Other then that it was fun.”

“Good, so are we breaking together, or did they not give you coverage again?”

“I'm alone again, just drop in at 10 like we planned before.”

“You get home that fast on a Thursday night?”

“Yeah, it's light traffic at nights right now.”

“Cool, see you then.” The two part ways leaving Eric to trudge down to an empty department for the night.

“Why do I miss you so much,” Eric asked no one. “Why do I continue to hold on to this sad job and not get out there like I'm sure you'd want me to?”

“Cause you're a working fool?” I voice seemed to laugh.

Startled Eric calls out, “Lance?”

“No, the names Randy.”

Eric looked over to the previously empty living room section.

“Sorry, to scare you. Are you Eric?”

“I am, how can I help you tonight?”

“My broker told me if I ever needed furniture or bedding to Look for Eric B. and I'd be taken care of.”

“Yes sir, and I have to say I love getting referrals from my friends and customers. I'll do my best to fill those big shoes.”

“I'm looking for a closet unit and dresser for my picky 15 year old son.”

“Right this way...is your son here to help?”

“Travis, you see anything you like at all?”

“This one is cool Dad!”

Eric turned to explain what he was looking at and froze. 'Damn I wish I was 10 years younger!' “Well Travis, that one is a solid oak with a antiqued finish.” Eric stopped again to make sure he didn't sound to high and mighty. “We do have something that might work as the closet piece if you don't mind something similar in a different wood.”

“I don't know, I have to have the perfect set.” Travis started to sound nervous. “How bad of taste do you have at matching?”

“I hope you know I have good taste.” Eric walked over to another pad of case goods. “How does that look to you?”

“Awesome, I was wrong. I really like it.” Travis walked over to the three drawer dresser and started playing with it. He totally ignored Eric's ramble that it was a similar finish over teak instead.

“Travis, I know you like it but it's not tall enough for all your clothes.”

“No problem, it comes in a taller 4 or 5 drawer setup as well.”

“How much more,” Randy asked as he saw the tag on the three drawer unit.

“Well the closet unit is a one of a kind dead stock, so it's going for $250 from the original $1500...the 4 drawer unit goes for $800 and the 5 drawer unit goes for $950. However, for the set I can drop the prices a tiny bit.”

“Really? Now I know why people come back to you! I was actually thinking that I liked the 5 drawer, the closet unit, and the 3 drawer unit. You need the furniture and I'll just use your small one until next month when Eric is going to sell me the cute one by the door.”

“Thanks Dad!”

“Then let's see...$250 for the closet piece, $500 for the 3 drawer dresser and $750 for the 5 drawer to finish the set.”

“Oh my, that is a steal! I'll take it before you change your mind.”

“Right over her then and I'll get it written up.”

Eric finished up the sale and then started to clean the counter for closing as Travis came back over. “What's up Travis?”

“I was just wondering what the cancel policy is.....just in case.”

“Why would you guys cancel?”

“I'm going to come out to my dad and I doubt he'd want to buy me stuff after that.”

“First I doubt that, but I'll give you the number of someone who can help if things ever go wrong in your life.”

“Really?”

“Really.” Eric gives him a slip of paper with a number on it. “This guy can fix anything you have bugging you.”

“Thanks, but who is it? I think I know that number.”

“You should, it's the number your dad gave me as his cell phone.”

“Cool, I knew you'd understand...I just didn't think he would.” Travis turns to catch up with his dad.

Eric finished up his closing thinking 'Good luck Trav.'

“What was that?” Andhra turned to face Eric at the cash and sales drop station.

“Just my civic duty I guess. I felt the need to help.”

“You dad would have been proud.”

“I'd like to think so, but I'll never know will I!”

“Am I bringing Coke again?”

“If you want Coke, then yes!” Eric and Andhra head to their cars so they can meet up for weekly drinks.

Meanwhile...In an office three thousand miles away:

“I think he's ready.” A deep voice says to a man in a cheap Macy's Suit.

“Good, I've been waiting to set up the meeting.”

“Slow down, it's me re-meeting my son. I've been waiting a long time and I don't need you rushing things. I've been gone a long time and need to be able to explain things correctly the first time.”

“He'll understand Sir, I'm sure he will.”

The assist continued to mumble weird things as the deep voiced man starts to file through papers. “I can only hope that he'll take me back!'

End part 1...

EMAIL ME WITH YOUR THOUGHTS AND COMMENTS.Attn: Eric's Wild Ride