In the Name of Love

Chapter 5-1

Chapter 5

Tuesday night, Ryan ate dinner at Merrick’s house, as planned. They talked about their personal interests, finding out they shared a love for action movies, and open spaces where they could hike, as well as dismay at the present political situation. After dinner, Merrick suggested they watch a movie. Ryan found it strange at first. Not the movie, but sitting in a simulated movie theater where they were the only patrons. He wouldn’t have been too surprised if Merrick had made a huge bowl of popcorn for them to share—but he didn’t. Neither did he make any moves, such as putting his arm around Ryan’s shoulders. In fact, he seemed to make a concerted effort not to touch Ryan, moving his leg away when Ryan bumped it while shifting positions to get more comfortable. Ryan wasn’t certain how to take that, finally deciding it meant Merrick had no designs on him, other than their being friends. Which is fine with me…I think.

They only saw each other once during the following week, when Merrick came to the restaurant for dinner. They talked, briefly, with Merrick suggesting they go to a movie the following Sunday, “Because I don’t own any recent ones. I feel sort of out of touch with what’s popular these days.”

Ryan thought it would be fun, and agreed to meet Merrick first at a restaurant close to the theater for an early lunch. They did enjoy themselves, especially when they critiqued the film afterward, debating whether it had lived up to its reviews—or down to them in the case of one critic who tore it apart.

As far as his artwork was concerned, Ryan balanced his time between creating more drawings for his portfolio, and trying to get his portrait of Merrick to work the way he wanted it to—with only marginal success. He wondered if he’d ever be satisfied with it.

He vented his frustration Monday evening when he went to dinner again at Merrick’s house.

“It’s like I’m almost there,” he said, after showing Merrick the most recent version, after dinner was over.

“I think it’s perfect just the way it is,” Merrick replied.

“Well, I don’t,” Ryan snapped, before apologizing for being so sharp with him.

“Hey, you’re allowed to show your feelings,” Merrick told him, smiling. “No one can be bright and cheerful all the time.”

“You are. Okay, you’re not a Pollyanna, but since we met, you’re not so serious all the time, either. You smile a lot more now, which I like.”

“I have a reason to. I’ve made friends with a very nice young man who helps me relax and enjoy life.”

“At least I’m good for something,” Ryan replied ruefully.