Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 2

going back to our table when a guy stepped right in front of me. I bumped into him and he spilled his beer. Rico stepped in before he could give me the beating he thought I deserved."
    The restaurant manager and another man walked over to their group. The manager stuck out his hand.
    "I'm William, this is my partner Sal. I'm sorry about what happened with my brother-in-law. I'm not trying to make excuses, but Todd isn't usually like that. He's just had a really bad weekend. You guys okay now?"
    They all looked at each other and Dan answered for them.
    "Yea, we're good, but I think we're going to leave now."
    "Alright, but give me your names and you are all welcome back to have lunch with us. It will be my treat."
    They exchanged information and Dan herded everyone out the door. They stopped for take-out on the way back to Woodies and as they all got out of the car, Dan motioned to Rico.
    "Take a walk with me?"
    Rico nodded and they started off down the beach. They walked in easy silence for a few minutes before Dan spoke.
    "I'm in love with you."
    Rico stopped short. He hadn't seen that coming.
    Dan turned to face him.
    "You know how protective I am of Mickie. When I saw the two of you in the center of that crowd, my heart was in my stomach with worry. For you. Concern for you, your well-being, was the first thing that entered my mind. I love you Rico."
    Rico was stunned. He didn't know what to say to Dan's heartfelt declaration. He cared for Dan, he was sure of that. He accepted that Dan had become the best friend he ever had, but love? Rico wasn't sure he knew what love was.
    He was silent for too long. Dan gave him a sad little smile and touched his shoulder.
    "It's all right. I just needed to let you know."
    Dan walked away and Rico couldn't move for a minute. He couldn't wrap his mind around what had just happened. Had he just lost his friend? Rico started walking with no clear direction in mind. He had to think about this.
    ****
    It had been several days since he had seen Dan, but he had constantly been on Rico's mind. Rico was trying hard to discern just exactly what he was feeling.
    He had gotten used to being around Dan, eating meals together, talking to him about his uncle, sharing all the little things that life hands out daily. That was friendship right?
    So just what were they, friends with benefits? Somehow that didn't sound quite right either.
    Rico was frustrated. He had always had a hard time understanding what others were thinking and now he was pressed to put a name to his own feelings. He'd finally had enough. He was going to see Dan and they were going to hash this out for once and all.
    His determination easily carried him to Dan's house. The only problem was no one was home. That was odd. His uncle didn't have treatment today and it was Dan's day off, so where were they?
    Rico hit Woodies next. No one there had seen them either.
    Rico's concern was growing. He tried calling Dan's cell, then Mickie's. Both phones went to voicemail. Rico called the hospital where Uncle Russell had been receiving his treatments. He wasn't there.
    Rico started driving. He would check some of their usual haunts before he started to panic. Maybe they had gone back to that Mexican restaurant for their free meal. Rico had only gone about two miles up the 75 when he saw Dan's car pulled off to the side. He parked and could hear music coming from the other side of the rocks. Seagulls were swarming the area and he could smell that someone was smoking pot.
    Moving quietly around the rocks, Rico took in the scene in front of him. His uncle was wrapped in a blanket, leaning against a rock, with a joint in his hand. Dan was stretched out next to him, his arms folded under his head. Mickie had a huge bag of popcorn and was tossing it to the seagulls as he shook his skinny hips in time to the rock beat.
    Relief flooded through Rico and made his eyes sting. They were all right. His family was ok, nothing had happened to them. He paused at that thought, his family. Yes. It fit. They were all family to him and you weren't just friends with your family. You loved them. Whether you liked them or not, you LOVED your family.
    Rico nodded to himself. He had a rather large apology to make and a lover to collect. How best to do that? Rico returned to his car to think some more. It wasn't going to be enough to just apologize to Dan; he needed to make it clear how he felt. He needed to make a statement there was no chance of