Story 13 Rewind: The Long Distance Journey (Written)
Synopsis: Pedro and Alejandro have been together for over four years, most of which has been spent in the couple’s familiar cocoon of Philadelphia. After being accepted into a coveted art fellowship in Los Angeles, Alejandro is forced to move - separating the couple physically and emotionally. Navigating long-term relationships can be challenging under any circumstance, but Pedro and Alejandro must do so with an ever-present 3,000 miles looming over them. How do they create intimacy in their new normal?
Primary Characters: 2 male-identified
Spice Level: 1
Written by: Danni
I’m tired and I don’t want to be here. The words repeat in Pedro’s mind. This is his first time on the West Coast, and he’s decided he is never coming back. He’s on a rooftop in Los Angeles, at a party where he knows virtually no one - unless hearing about them for the past two months from his boyfriend Alejandro counts. Pedro’s flight got in late last night from Philadelphia. He went to bed the second they arrived at Alejandro’s apartment. Sadly, his body is on East Coast time, meaning he woke up earlier than he wanted and found himself alone.
Alejandro is buzzing around the party. This is his first social interaction of the day. He woke up early and immediately began editing footage for his documentary. He glances at Pedro and sees his boyfriend of four years talking to Erin, a sculptor in his six-month art fellowship.
Alejandro’s heart is full like the mouth of a child who stole cookies from the jar. That Pedro agreed to use his vacation time to visit him on another coast lets him know that they’ll get through being long distance. Alejandro is a third of the way through the program. These first two months he’s struggled to find a balance between being present with the other participants (some of whom double as his roommates), working on his documentary, and talking on the phone or video chatting with Pedro.
The sun is sinking behind the horizon. Pedro is listening to Erin give him the lowdown on everyone at the party. Alejandro has the tendency to be spacey when it comes to introductions. He assumes that because social interactions come easy to him, it must not be hard to strike up conversations with strangers.
“Do you want me to get you another drink? Or something stronger?” Pedro warms to Erin's generosity. She's easy to talk to.
“Yeah, I could use a glass of white wine.”
"No, problem. Follow me.” Erin leads the way to the bar as she finishes telling him about Lucas. Lucas is the man whose party they’re attending. Pedro is surprised that Lucas is a fellow. He always pictured art fellowships as ways for people who don’t come from wealth or have it themselves to work on their art without worrying about finances. Lucas lives in an opulent apartment building in a trendy neighborhood with rooftop access and a bar. Two bartenders stand in front of shelves crowded with bottles. Pedro works at a nonprofit that supports grassroots political campaigns, so being around this level of wealth is like being in Narnia.
“Can I get a glass of Riesling?” A second after the words leave his mouth, a pair of familiar arms wrap around him.
“Hey, Cutie.” Alejandro kisses Pedro on the cheek. The scruff of Alejandro’s facial hair feels right against Pedro’s clean-shaven face. “Are you having fun?”
Pedro turns in his arms. “I am now.”
“Riesling,” says the bartender.
“Thank you.” Pedro points to Erin with his chin. “She’s been taking care of me while you made the rounds.”
“Mind if I take him?” Alejandro directs his question to Erin.
“By all means.”
The two men stroll toward a secluded corner. They huddle close on a cozy divan. The sunset is almost complete; the saturated oranges and pinks are slipping deeper into an expanse of purples and blues. Pedro leans on Alejandro as they watch the sun fully disappear. He wraps his arms around Alejandro’s waist.
“I missed you.” Alejandro begins to run his hand through Pedro’s curly locks. He is neither worried, nor surprised that Pedro does not say it back. Alejandro kisses the top of his boyfriend’s head as Pedro burrows further into his side and drapes his leg over Alejandro’s.
Pedro is not expressive through language. However, he does admit to himself that being beside Alejandro feels like old times. The low-level irritation that he was nursing earlier disappears. This moment is for them, and they take it. He does wish they were back in their cramped apartment in Philadelphia, but he understands why Alejandro had to leave. He is proud of him, but he also longs for their small rituals: watching reruns of the Golden Girls on Thursdays, doing a face mask together, laughing at Ms. McCarthy's stupid dog.
Pedro turns his face to Alejandro. “I’m glad I’m here.” He kisses him full on the lips. They remain seated, their bodies still touching and fully relaxed. Their breath syncs up. They stay like that until the temptation to be social eats away at Alejandro. When they rejoin the party, they each feel cherished and are buoyed knowing that Pedro does not leave for four days.