Blood Sugar

Part Fifty-Eight: Special

I was totally bummed John didn't tell me about his birthday. I hated being unprepared. And I hated it even more when it was a special person's birthday and I didn't have the perfect gift. I had absolutely no clue what to get him.. at all. Of course I knew he was crazy for music, guitars, art, anything creative. But he could get himself vinyls and guitars. I wanted to get him something special.

I thought about it all day at work and barely could concentrate on anything else. It was crazy. This birthday thing threw me off track. I knew he wasn't gonna be my boyfriend for long.. but still.. I felt the urge to grant him a special day.

When I was done with the paperwork in the office, I hurried to John's place. It wasn't too late so me and Bill had plenty of time left. He was already there, smoking a cigarette on the steps to his apartment. I placed myself next to him and took out a smoke for myself.

"Hey Kaya. How was work?" I shrugged and smiled at him for calling me Kaya and not.. whatever he would call me. "Why so happy?", he asked and nudged my shoulder. Normally I didn't like body contact with people I barely knew. But strangely I didn't mind him.

"Well.. It just amused me how quick you learn." "Learn what?", he asked and smirked. "My name." He chuckled. "Oh sorry.. sweetheart?" I hit him and rolled my eyes. "I had a good day, too by the way", he said and grinned. I blushed. "Sorry for not asking." "Hey, no worries."

I stub out my cig on the step and looked to Bill. "So.. any ideas for the big day?" He pursed his lips. "Well.. the thing is.. the Chilis are throwing their party on Friday. John's birthday is a Sunday. But parties on Sunday are.. meeh.. you know? But if we do it on the day after we'll need plenty of coke to keep the people awake", Bill said and grinned.

A cool shiver was running through my body as I thought back to my coke night. It definitely was one of the worst nights ever.. turning out good after all... but still. But Bill was right. I knew the parties the Chilis throw. The day after was barely any fun. And I wasn't gonna stop people from bringing drugs to a party. It felt like the most natural thing for a Hollywood party.

I cleared my throat. "Um.. I suppose you got the connections?" "Yeah I'll take care 'bout that. So.. Saturday then? We could start rather late so people can get some rest", Bill said and grinned. "Yeah.. good point. I'll cover drinks and food then. Maybe we'll find some bands to play for him. We could chat up with Flea and Ant. I bet they know who to ask.." Bill nodded. "And.. for the location.. a friend of my mom happens to own an old factory building he uses for cultural events and shit. A pretty cool place for a party and no neighbors who'd call the cops", I added. "Cool thing Kay. I guess we're done party planning pretty soon, huh?" I smiled. "Yeah. So now.. present?" Bill grinned at me widely. "Let's go", he said and grabbed my arm.

I had no clue where he was taking me but I followed either way. The streets we walked in were unfamiliar but had quite the charm. Old buildings from 18-something and small stores located in the basement. We entered one that said "Cineaste" from the outside. It clicked. Old movie cameras like the ones that I saw in Lawrence's apartment everywhere.

I looked to Bill. "Let's get him a movie projector." He grinned. "Yeah. And some french silent movies. Fred's got quite the collection." "Oh my god.. John's gonna freak", I said and squealed. I was way too enthusiastic about it myself. This would be the best present anyone would get him. But then I hesitated. This was gonna cost a fortune. Bill patted my shoulder. "I know that old sucker. He's gonna give us a good price. He's about to close this store. Nobody seems to care about these chestnuts anymore", he said and shrugged.

We picked out the coolest projector ever and a fine selecetion of movie roles. Fred ordered us a taxi that drove the stuff up to Bill's apartment.

I helped him carry everything upstairs and stayed for a beer. We listened to Jazz and talked about his wall decorations. I found out his great-great-grandfather was a scientist that did a research on insects. Bill had historic prints of butterflies, sow bugs, caterpillars and ladybugs hanging on the wall. With scattered handwritten notes underneath. It had a gloomy feeling to it. I had to think about a mad professor, hiding himself up in his cellar with dim lights and jars of living creatures around him that he would dismantle in any imaginable way. But it was impressive either way.

"Quite the zoo you got there", I said and chuckled. "Yeah.. John thinks it's creepy. He wouldn't let me hang them in our shared apartment", he said and we both laughed. "Well.. I think it's interesting." He smiled at me and looked away quickly. There was something about Bill.. I couldn't put my finger on it. I wasn't sure if he really liked me. I felt like he tried to hide what he was feeling from me. It made me curious.