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Carl

I stretched as I woke up from bed today to my alarm. I put my glasses on and looked around my room and sighed. This was how it was going to be for as long as I  lives. I don't have a lot of friends, no husband, wife or kids. Hell I don't even have a boyfriend. My life was so lame. I got up and did about my morning routine and took my cereal box from the cupboard in the kitchen. I sat on the stool eating and wondered how my life turned out like this.

I'm Carl O'Brien. I'm twenty and single. I'm a writer and three of my books have been turned into movies and I've been famous for them. I'm also gay which no one knows about. Its not that I care about it or anything cause its starting to be accepted around so I can cone out but the problem is with my parents. They both are very religious and condemn people like us to hell. That's why I can't come out. I only came out to my elder sister who is okay with it cause she's bi and her girlfriend is super cool. Alex had to move out of our house when she was in college after coming out to our parents. After that she never came back to us but I still kept in touch.

I am so afraid to tell them about it since they might commit suicide. I left the kitchen and went to my study where I was completing my new story.  I was on the last chapter so it means I more rest till I get ideas for a new story. I typed on my laptop the last words of my story and I was done before noon. I sent it to my editor Joy. She's a trans and my parents hate her so much. I've been told to change her but I can't think of anyone who can fit the job like her. She's the best manager/editor anyone could ask for.

I left my study  and moved to the living room and sat in front of the TV and started flipping through the channels in Netflix when I received a call from Joy.

"Hey Joy. How is it?"

"I'm so sad it ended. Is there really no love story for the writer. You know that he's my favorite and will soon be the favorite of everyone."

"And why's that?"

"Cause he's so real and lonely. Can't wait for him to tell his parents he likes men. I want a book two"

"What! This one is not even out yet. I haven't even done a book launch."

"Don't worry about that Carl. I have it all under control. You have a book launch next week. It would be uploaded on the web in three days and in two weeks your book would be sold off on shelves and we'll have so much money to spend for a life time. What do you think?"

"Good. At least I know I have a lot of rest to have."

"Awww poor baby. I'm sorry"

"I'm twenty Joy."

"And I'm twenty eight. Means you're a baby."

"Whatever. I'll see you at the book launch with my parents."

"Ugh...you know they hate me."

"Oh come on. They love you in their own way."

"Yes by condemning me to hell anytime they see me."

"Oh Joy."

"Speaking of them. Have you told them about you? I want to know if I'll be attending their funerals."

"Then I'm truly sorry. I haven't told them a thing."

"What's taking so long? You can't hide in a closet forever Carl. You'll hurt yourself"

I listened to her and sighed. She thinks its so easy to do it. I'm being torn between my parents support and my career not that it has something to do with it too. I'm just looking for an excuse.

"Carl listen. Nowadays is not like those times where we were being killed and so on. This is the 21st century and people everywhere are starting to accept us for who we are. I even got myself a guy."

"Congratulations Joy. I'll think about it okay. I want to get something to eat so I'll talk to you later."

"Okay then. I'll see you as soon as I finalize your date for your book launch."

"Alright. Bye Joy."

"Bye Carl."

I hunged up the call and went into my room and took out my wallet and keys. I dressed up into jeans and turtle neck top. I got out of my house before locking the door and unlocking my car. I got in and drove to the nearest restaurant where everything was not that expensive and my favorite place cause I knew the owner.

I sat down and Betty the waitress came to me with a smile.

"Hey Carl. How are you?"

"I'm good. How was your day?"

"Stressful as usual. Do you want the usual?"

"No. I will like something different for today. Can you suggest something for me."

"Then try this one. Its the chef's secret recipe and its on high demand."

"You mean the chicken Alfredo made with chicken wings and thighs?"

"Yes."

"Okay. I'll have it."

She took my order and went away to tell the chef my order. I sat down sipping on my water when I saw news reporters storm by. This was odd cause like they were running after no one.

"That'll keep them busy."

I was startled to hear a man's voice beside me and I panicked hitting him in the face.

"Oh my God. I'm so sorry"

"Don't worry. I shouldn't have scared you."

"I'm very sorry. Did I hurt you?"

"Now how can a beautiful young flower hurt me. Unless it has thorns. So do you?"

He asked and winked at me making blush. I didn't know why I was blushing I mean yeah he's so handsome and muscular. I have this feeling he is flirting with me.

"Um...no....I don't have thorns."

"I'm Dan. Nice to meet you beautiful."

"I'm Carl O'Brien. Thanks for the compliment."

I managed a small smile for him with my face going red. Why were his words making me feel giddy. I don't understand.

"Well I better be on my way Mr writer."

"How did you....oh you've read my books."

"Yep. I want to know if you have another story out?"

"I'm having a book launch next week but I don't know the date yet unless I ask my manager."

"Okay. I'll see you around cutie."

"Cutie? My name's Carl."

"Cutie fits you. Bye"

He left my table and went out the restaurant I looked out the window only to see him disappear around the corner of the finished smiled to myself at the things he said. Betty brought my food bringing me out of my trance. I sighed and started eating before I remembered I didn't take his number to inform him about the book launch. I mentally smacked my head. 'Good job Carl. You did a pretty good job'

I finished my food and went back home. I layer on the sofa thinking about my handsome stranger.