O is for Opera

 

Ted wasn’t sure what he would find when he arrived home but the wonderful smell of dinner cooking was not what he was expecting. But sure enough, there was Blake, teatowel over his shoulder, standing at the stove stirring whatever was in the pot on the burner.

Blake turned and spoke a hesitant greeting, not sure how it would be received.

“Dinner’s almost ready,” he said giving a sigh of relief when Ted gave a softly spoken greeting in return. Maybe things were going to be okay after all. “Why don’t you put on some music.”

Ted walked over to the shelves and put a CD into the machine. Blake looked over his shoulder as he checked on the food in the oven. “That’s nice; what is it?”

“Opera. La Traviata.” He went on to explain the story of Violetta and Alfredo, glossing over their tragic love and saying they lived to sing many glorious duets together.

Ted had been walking toward the kitchen and Blake, to the living room. They met halfway and were mere inches apart. “This dinner was kind of a thank you. I didn’t know how else …”

Whatever they felt at the beginning was still there.

“I know we didn’t get very far the last time.” Blake’s voice was both apologetic and hopeful.

“Yea, I sorta checked out in the middle,” Ted answered, not wanting to remember that particular incident. He pulled Blake to him and they kissed.

Maybe things could work out.

***
 

Ted went with Blake when he checked into rehab. Ted wanted a new start for him and Blake and this was the only way it would happen.

Blake was putting his clothes away and Ted was babbling about the nice staff and great snacks, hoping to postpone his actual leaving. But the time had come. The goodbye kiss was tender but too short.

“See you tonight.”

“Tonight,” Blake responded, trying to sound positive about the whole situation.

“Oh, here, I thought you might like to listen to that.” Ted handed a plastic case to Blake. “It’s your favorite opera.”

Blake smiled. “It’s the only opera I know. But you said they stayed together.”

“Must be ‘La Traviata two.”

Blake nodded and gave a slight wave. Ted stood there for a moment longer before he turned and left the room, fighting the empty feeling in his gut.

 

***
 

That evening Ted, carrying a pizza box, and Emmett walked down the hallway of the rehab center joking about the fact that Em had brought his autograph book with him. The empty feeling Ted had earlier had vanished and he couldn’t wait to see Blake again. After tonight he wouldn’t be allowed visitors for two weeks.

Ted peeked into the room he had left just hours before but no one was there. He immediately asked the person at the desk where Blake was and was told he had signed himself out.

“Where did he go? Did he leave a message?” His heart was beating too fast and the empty feeling was back.

Emmett looked worried for his friend, an ‘I told you so’ in his mind, but for once he knew not to say it out loud.

“Are you Ted?”

“Yes.”

The man reached behind him and grabbed something off the counter, handing it to Ted. “He said to give this to you.”

Ted had no words…no thank you…no nothing. He turned, pizza box left forgotten on the counter, and walked away. He had only gotten a few steps when the CD of La Traviata fell to the floor with a hollow plastic crash. Ted kept on walking.

Right now nothing could fill that empty spot in his gut. Or in his soul.

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