Adult-FanFiction.org : Celebrity

All of the Above	By : jai Category: Individual Celebrities > Athlete/Sports Misc Views: 3262 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. I do not know the people written about in this fanfiction. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 7
- 8
March 26, 2017 Philadelphia, PA

“Have a good time and mind your grandmum.” Ian said, giving her one last hug.

“I will, Pops.” Chloe said, trying not to roll her eyes as Ian passed her over to Michael. This had been going on for the last five minutes and she was starting to feel very squeezed.

“Sweetie, are you sure you have enough money? Do you want a credit card?” Michael asked as he squashed into a hug.

“Boys, enough already!” Debbie said, slapping at Michael’s arm. “We still need to go through security and the plane’s leaving in an hour.”

Reluctantly, Michael let Chloe go and stood back. “All right, Mom. Chloe, have a good time and call us every night.”

“And morning.” Ian added as Debbie and Chloe started down the hall.

“And don’t talk to any boys!” Michael yelled after them.

Debbie snorted and slung her bag over her shoulder, “Your parents are impossible.”

“I know but they’re kind of cute when they get clingy.”

&&

Michael and Ian drove back to Chestnut Hill in silence, both lost in their thoughts.

“Michael, do you think we should move back to Michigan?” Ian finally asked, ten minutes into the drive.

“Huh? Why? Wait. Are you seriously considering moving to Ann Arbor with Chloe?”

Ian looked out the window, “Not specifically. But it’s a long way from here.”

“True.”

A few minutes later, Ian asked, “Is that all you’re going to say?”

“Well, I’m thinking about it.”

“You are?”

“Sure. We’d have to sell our house, or maybe rent it. Find a big enough house, find schools for the other kids, say good bye to Grant and Pieter and all the little Hoogies, and your parents, pack up all our stuff and-.”

“Okay, okay. So it’s a stupid idea.”

“No. It’s a great idea but do you think Chloe would really appreciate it?”

“She might.” Ian mumbled.

“At first.”

“But what if she doesn’t like it? What if she misses us?”

“Or what if we miss her.” Michael said quietly.

“I already miss her and she’s not even gone.” Ian replied, just as quietly.

Michael turned left on the next street and a few minutes later, parked the car near the entrance to one of the city’s many walking trails. “Come on. Get your gloves on and let’s go.”

Ian thought about resisting but the stubborn look Michael gave him got him moving. Thankfully, they were wearing boots as the path was a bit muddy. They walked for several hundred yards before the sunlight and fresh air started working their magic.

“What’s wrong with me?”

“Baby, you’re so busy missing her that you’re not enjoying the now.”

“What now? Our little girl is leaving.”

“No, she’s not. Right now, she’s off on a trip with her grandmother and she’ll be back on Saturday.”

“Oh, you know what I mean.”

“Even when she’s at college, she’ll only be ‘at college’. We’ll visit her, she’ll come home for months at a time and we’ll always be her parents.”

“I know all that up here,” Ian said, tapping his head then putting his hand over his heart, “But I can’t convince myself down here.”

“Would following Chloe to college really make a difference, then?”

“No, not really. At this point, nothing less than handcuffing myself to her would matter.”

“Do you feel the same about the other kids? We only have thirteen years for the next ones head off.”

Ian thought about it for several yards, “I don’t know. Maybe. It’s hard to say.”

“You’ve always been hyper-protective of Chloe.”

“Me? Me? You’re the one who is always talking about putting her into a convent.”

“Yeah but it’s easier for me I think.”

“How so?”

“Because she’s biologically my kid.”

Ian started to speak then shut his mouth. At first, he couldn’t believe Michael had said that but as he started thinking about it, he realized that it might just be that simple. Yes, he had adopted Chloe and he loved her beyond reason but he still felt as if something was going to happen and because they weren’t physically related, Chloe would be taken away from him. No, it wasn’t logical but therapy had shown him that illogical fears were a part of life. As a result of those fears, he didn’t feel secure in his relationship with Chloe.

Chloe had certainly never done anything to make him feel this way. She treated him as a parent; more than a parent actually. From what Ian had observed, fifteen year old girls normally didn’t confide in their parents. Chloe did. She also didn’t have the ‘cooler than thou’ attitude several of her friends displayed. Hm. Maybe he wasn’t the only one who felt insecure.

“I didn’t say it to hurt you.” Michael offered a half mile later.

“Love, you didn’t.” Ian said, giving him a smile and linking their hands together.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. It was one of those jump starting questions, like Charles and Walter used to ask. Pay no attention to my free floating anxiety in action.”

“Hey, don’t suck it all up. We’ve got nine other kids to use it on.”

“True, very true. So, what should I do about it?”

“You and Chloe need to sit down and talk about it. Tell her you’re afraid that if you don’t keep her so close, you won’t have her at all. She’s old enough to handle it and understand.”

“Hm. How did you get to be so smart?”

“You taught me. Remember when I was afraid of being Chloe’s dad? Too scared of doing something wrong, so I wouldn’t do anything.”

“Well, I did something right here.”

“We both did.” Michael said, then continued when Ian looked dubious. “We married each other.”

“We do make a good team.” Ian agreed as they turned around, starting back to the car. “Still, would it be totally bad to buy real estate in Ann Arbor? Not for our use but for Chloe?”

“I think she wants to try out dorm life and I don’t want to be a landlord. To college students. At Ann Arbor.”

“Ooh, good point. The place as really gone down hill, now that we’re not there.”

Their remaining walk was again made in silence, but it was one they were both comfortable with this time.

In the car, Ian belted up and asked, “Michael love, is it wrong that I’m jealous?”

“Depends. What are you jealous about?”

“I think I’m jealous of Bob.”

Michael took his hand off ignition. “Really?”

“Really. I mean, it’s okay that you suck at coaching Chloe but me? I’m a fabulous coach. She really should listen to me more than she listens to Bob.”

“I suck?” Michael started, then spotted Ian’s smirk. “You rat!”

“Hah!” Ian said, chortling. “You almost bought it.”

Grinning, Michael shook his head. “It would serve you right if I made you walk home.”

“Speaking of home, I suppose we should be going there. Ryan is probably ready for a rescue.”

“Ah, see I had other plans but after you insulted me like that, I’m not sure if we should even bother.”

“What other plans?”

Drawing an envelope out of his coat pocket, Michael waved it around. “This other plan.”

“And what is that?”

“The key to a room at the Four Seasons.”

“Are you suggesting an afternoon of love at a not-so-sleazy hotel?”

“I am indeed. Proceeded by lunch at Fountain.”

“And, of course, Ryan is okay with sticking around the house?”

“Sure. In fact, your parents were staying home today to help with the kids.”

“I see. But it’s only ten thirty.”

“And we have appointments at the spa for eleven.”

“Then what are you waiting for?”

&&

Ian put the last bite of the Caramelized Pear and Ginger Tart in his mouth and savored it slowly. Between the massage, brunch and Michael’s company, he hadn’t felt this relaxed in months.

“Was it good?”

“Oh, yes.” Ian answered, after swallowing. “I’m surprised you didn’t want any.”

“Don’t worry, my peanut butter brownie was enough for me.”

“And if I’d share, you’d have to share.” Ian remarked knowingly.

“There is that. It’s almost two thirty and it looks like the staff is trying to clean the place up. Do you want to take a short walk around the block before we check in?”

“Sure.”

Their room, on the fifth floor, overlooked the hotel’s courtyard but Ian barely glanced down as he drew the curtains and turned the heat up. He drifted over to the bed and turned off one of the lamps. While Michael took a turn in the bathroom, he decided to investigate the bag Michael brought.

Hm. Lube, condoms, a change of clothes for each of them, and their toiletry kits. The candles, music CDs and silk scarves weren’t their usual travel items, but Ian definitely approved.

“Babe? Can you hand me my kit? I need to brush my teeth.”

“Of course.” Ian replied, taking the item over to the bathroom. “Do you mind if I put one of the CDs in?”

“Go for it.”

Music soon filled the room and Michael stepped out of the bathroom, “Mr. Thorpe, can I have this dance?”

“I’d be honored.”

There wasn’t much room to move but then, they didn’t need it. It was nice to just hold onto each other and shuffle around. While the music played, they kissed and touched and somehow got naked, although Ian wasn’t sure how.

“I move that we move this to a horizontal surface.” Michael suggested.

“I second that motion.”

The bedspread and most of the top sheet ended up on the floor although they were careful to put the lube and condoms on the nightstand. In the dim light, Ian let Michael push him back onto the mattress and groaned when Michael kissed down his neck.

“You’re going to make me do all the work here, aren’t you?”

“Hm? Yes but it’s all your fault.” Ian replied, arching his back as Michael’s fingers circled his navel.

“It is?”

“Uh huh. After the spa and lunch, I’m done for. Knackered. All pooped out.”

Michael lifted his head and glanced down Ian’s body. “Parts of you are interested.”

Ian also looked down, “Huh. Well, that’s one of those automatic responses. Can’t help it.”

“I see. So if I turned you over,” Michael said, as he pushed Ian onto his stomach, “And licked you right here,” Michael ran his tongue along the crease below Ian’s left buttock, “You wouldn’t have any reaction at all?”

With his hands clenching a pillow, Ian managed to grit out, “No.”

“And if I touched you,” Michael moved his hand between Ian’s legs and stroked along Ian’s perineum. “Right there, you’d feel nothing?”

“Not a thing.” Ian gasped out.

Michael slid down on the bed and grinned, knowing that Ian couldn’t see him. “So if I did this,” He quickly blew a raspberry into the back of Ian’s knee. Ian reacted with a satisfyingly girlish scream.

“Michael! Was that really necessary?” Ian asked as he twisted around and started pushing at Michael with his feet.

“Yep.” Michael said, laughing as he tried to avoid getting pushed off the bed. “Okay, I’ll be serious.”

“I’m sorry. That’s not good enough. You’re going to have to be punished.”

Michael tried not to look too interested. “Really?”

“Yes.” Ian said, sitting up and reaching for the scarves he’d placed under the pillow. “Come up here.”

Michael made a show of being hesitant but he eventually ended up next to Ian. “What are you going to do with me?”

“First, I’m going to put the blindfold on you.” Ian said, leaning over and tying one of the scarves on, making sure it wasn’t too tight. “Then you’re going to lay down flat.”

“And then?” Michael asked after he’d obeyed.

“You’ll just have to wait and see. Don’t touch anything while I’m gone.” Ian replied as he got off the bed. He changed the CD and went into the bathroom, returning with the empty ice container. He could see Michael’s body shivering slightly but the state of Michael’s erection assured him that it wasn’t from the cold.

Ian sat down on the end of the bed and meditated for a moment on how much he loved Michael’s feet before leaning down and licking across the top of Michael’s right foot.

“What muscle group is here?”

“The extensor digitorum longus tendons.”

“And how about here?” Ian asked as he caressed the inner curve.

“The peroneous tetius and peroneous brevis tendons.”

“Which connects to?”

“The fifth metatarsal bone.”

“Very good. Now tell me about the bone structure of the foot.” Ian dipped his head and ran his tongue between two of the toes, then sucked on each toe as Michael reeled off the names of each bone.

After he’d tasted his fill and Michael had finished up with talus bone, Ian started nuzzling up Michael’s leg. He licked, kissed and bit at random until he reached the top of Michael’s thigh.

“Michael, are you sorry that you teased me so?”

“M ah.” Michael mumbled through the edge the pillow he’d wedged in his mouth.

“That doesn’t sound very sorry.” Ian said as his hands drifted towards Michael’s ribs and tickled. He’d wisely put his weight across Michael’s legs and avoided being thrown onto the floor.

“God, I’m sorry, I’m sorry!”

Ian took a look at Michael’s cock and wasn’t surprised to see pre-cum dripping down the hard column of flesh. It had taken him several years to discover that Michael got turned on when he was lightly tickled but what a wondrous discovery it had been.

Lifting himself up onto his elbows so he was hovering over Michael, Ian asked softly. “Are you really sorry?”

“Yes, I’m really truly sorry.” Michael replied, sounding properly penitent.

Ian rewarded him with a soft kiss that soon deepened as Michael pulled Ian down onto him. Then Ian ended up on the bottom after Michael tore off the scarf and pounced him. He soon found himself spreading his legs as Michael’s slicked up fingers slid into him and Michael’s mouth sealed around his cock.

The sight of those delicious lips, the feeling of those long fingers stroking just the right spot were too much for Ian and he almost screamed as an orgasm ripped through him. The next sensation he had was a warm washcloth running over his skin and Michael’s voice.

“You okay?”

“M-hm.” Ian nodded, stretching out luxuriously, his hip bumping against Michael’s. “That was wonderful.”

“Good.”

Something in Michael’s voice made Ian open his eyes as his hand drifted down towards Michael’s cock, “God, I’m sorry. You didn’t –.”

“Oh yes I did. All over you. Hence, the washcloth.”

“Oh. Well, I’m still sorry. I was looking forward to feeling you inside of me.”

“Keep talking like that and you’ll get your wish.” Michael said as a shudder ran through him. “Did I ever tell how much I admire your anatomy study technique? I don’t think I would have aced the class without you.”

“All you needed was the proper motivation.” Ian remarked as he moved up on the pillows, took the wash cloth, chucked it into ice container and pulled Michael into his arms. “But I do fondly remember our study session concerning the male reproductive system.”

Michael sighed as he relaxed against Ian’s chest, “Yeah, that was a great night.”

“That was a stupendous night.” Ian said with a grin.

“Ha. When you said you’d help me study, I had no idea you were going to use me as your anatomy dummy.”

“Someone had to read the textbook, Michael.” Ian said virtuously. His fingers were idly playing with Michael’s hair and he felt himself drift a little. “I suppose we have to go home soon.”

“We have three hours or we can stay overnight.”

Ian gave that serious consideration. “Could we?”

“Yeah. Gail and the parents said they could handle it and we did pay for the room already.”

“Hm. But will you still respect me in the morning?”

“I don’t know.” Michael replied, lifting his head and exposing a big smile. “I’d need to do some more studying.”

&&

“How can you eat?” Ian asked a half hour later as Michael was looking over the room service menu. “I was only in the bathroom for a few minutes.”

“I’m not going to order anything right this minute. I was just checking it out. Did you know they have a traditional Japanese breakfast?”

“They do?”

Michael gave him a saucy look, “Yep. It’s your turn to show what you know.”

“Really?”

“Yep. What’s nori?”

“Seasoned dried seaweed.” Ian answered, getting back on the bed.

“How about tsukemono?”

“Pickled vegetables. And your accent has gotten better. Have you been studying Japanese behind my back?”

“Nope.” Michael answered, reaching for the bottle of water on the nightstand. “I think it was all those index cards you and Chloe put around at the house last summer. Okay, I can’t pronounce this one so give me the word for grilled salmon.”

“Yakizakana.” Ian replied, stealing the water. “Did you get this from the honor bar?”

“Yakizakana.” Michael repeated. “And yes, I did. Strangely, seven dollar water doesn’t taste any different from tap.”

“Seven dollars?”

“Yeah. I meant to pack snacks but we were running late this morning.”

“So how long have you been planning this?”

“Ever since Chloe told us she wanted Mom to go with her. I know you were disappointed.”

“Yes, I was but after our earlier discussion, I think it was the right move for her. It’s better that she form her own opinions without us tagging along.”

Michael looked up from the menu, “You really think that?”

Ian pulled the sheet up and shrugged, “Let’s just say I’m trying think that. There is always going to be a part of me that will want to wrap her up in tissue paper and protect her from life. But it wouldn’t be healthy for her or me.”

The menu ended up on the floor as Michael flipped around and snuggled up to Ian. “It still hurts though, huh?”

“Yes it does. She’s not a little girl anymore.”

“I know.” Michael tighten his arms and nuzzled Ian’s neck. “You aren’t the only one having separation anxiety.”

“But you’re handling it much better than I am.”

“No, I’m not. I’m just saving it all up for Marah, Nick and Xander.”

“Oh. There’s a thought. You’re going to be a complete monster by then.”

“Yep.”

“I almost feel sorry for them.”

“Heh. But not enough to stop me, right?”

“No. So, we’re in a hotel room. Alone. And we’re talking about the children?”

“Good point. Assume the position, Mr. Thorpe.”

“Do you want me up or down?”

“Up. I want to play with you when I take you.”

“Your wish, Mr. Phelps.” Ian managed to answer before Michael’s lips closed over his. This time, he managed to hang on until after Michael entered him but it was a close thing.

“Ian? Ian? Um, baby, I need to move.” Michael panted into Ian’s ear.

Shakily, Ian loosened his legs from around Michael’s waist and took a deep breath, “Okay. Just go slow.”

“Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you?”

“No. Of course not. It’s just been a while and- oh, yes! Right there.” Ian slid his hands down to cup Michael’s ass. “God, you feel good.”

Michael grunted as he thrust forward, “You feel good too.”

Ian arched his back and gasped when Michael slid in even deeper. They thrust together for several minutes, until Michael abruptly sat back. Before Ian had a chance to protest, Michael urged him to turn over and with his hands on Ian’s hips, pulled Ian up on all fours.

Moaning, Ian threw his head back when Michael’s cock smoothly slid back inside him and Michael’s hand wrapped around his penis. It only took a few more strokes and Ian saw sparks behind his eyes. Michael nipped at his neck and that was all it took. He could feel Michael coming inside of him and collapsed onto the mattress a few moments later.

He realized he was panting only when he became aware of Michael doing the same thing. They were both sweaty and sticky and the sheets were messy and Ian was much too blissful to care.

“Ian, are you purring?”

“I might be.”

“That good?”

“It was excellent. We really don’t do this often enough.”

“I know. I think the last time was in Australia, when we got back from dinner.”

Ian lifted his head up, “That long ago?”

“Yeah.”

“Three months? It’s really been three months?”

“Hey, don’t get upset. It’s not our fault. Well, yeah it is our fault for breeding kids with ‘our dads are *thinking* having sex’ radar, but it’s more their fault. If that makes sense.”

“It does actually. So I shouldn’t apologize for the long gap?”

“Then I’d have to apologize too. It’s not like we don’t fool around several times a week and sometimes we’re so tired that a little frottage is enough.”

“It’s too bad we had to reinstate the shower sex ban.”

“I know.” Michael agreed with a sigh. “It was too hard to explain the bruises though.”

“I still say we should have sued the tile manufacturer. ‘Non-slip’, my ass.”

“And it was your ass. And my knee. And we broke the hand rail.”

“It wasn’t installed properly!”

“Ian, I don’t think there’s a normal hand rail installed on this planet that can hold over four hundred pounds.”

Ian thought about it then reached over with lightening speed and slapped Michael’s left buttock.

“Ow! Ian, that wasn’t necessary!”

“You were inferring I was fat.”

“I was not.”

“Was too.”

“No way.”

Their mock argument morphed into a semi-serious wrestling match that left them sticky, sweaty, and panting all over again. One of the (hopefully unbroken) lamps was on the floor, the pillows were all over the room, the bedspread was now under the bed and he and Michael were hanging off opposite ends of the bed. While Ian considered how to get into a more secure position, Michael started sniggering.

“What’s so amusing?”

“Good thing the kids can’t see this or we’d never be able to stop them from jumping on beds.”

Ian laughed and fell onto the floor, which made him laugh even harder.

“Are you okay?” Michael asked, hanging over the edge of the bed.

“Yes, yes. I’m okay.” Ian replied, reaching up and grabbing Michael’s arm. “But the view is very interesting from down here.”

Michael sprang back and while managing to remain on the bed, pulled Ian into a seated position. “I’m okay up here.”

“Oh, fine.” Ian pouted as he rose to his knees and leaned on the mattress. “I suppose we’d better straighten up the room.”

“I guess.” Michael agreed as he stood up.

“The sheets are a disaster.” Ian remarked a moment later, his nose wrinkling at the sight and smell. “How are we going to sleep on this?”

“Not to worry.” Michael answered, throwing the bedspread onto the chair. “I bribed housekeeping while you were in the bathroom earlier. We have two more sets of sheets in the closet.”

Ian folded up the dirty sheets and went over to the closet. “So there are. That was brilliant thinking.”

“Thank you. I knew the original sheets wouldn’t last long once I had my wicked way with you and I hate sleeping on messy sheets as much as you do.”

Once the bed was remade and the room restored to order, Ian went over to his pants and pulled out a quarter. “I’ll flip you for the shower since it’s not big enough for both of us.”

“Go ahead,” Michael replied, with a wave as he picked up the room service menu. “Are you hungry? It’s almost six.”

“I could eat. Do you want to stay in or go out? There’s a Whole Foods near here; we could walk over and check out the deli.”

The menu was dropped onto the nightstand, “You do know the way to my heart. Go forth and shower.”

&&

“Are we eating at the table or should we be decadent and eat in bed?” Ian asked as they walked down the hall towards their hotel room.

“We do have an extra set of sheets but do you want to waste them on food?”

“That settles that question. Key card?” Ian asked as they approached their door.

“In my right front pocket. Do you have a free hand?” Michael asked, as his arms were full.

Ian reached over and slipped his hand in the pocket. “No. It’s not there.”

“Oh. Maybe the other one?”

The other pocket turned up empty but Ian was starting to catch on. “So, shall I grope your back pockets too?”

“Hey, it was good for me.” Michael replied with a sly grin. “Right jacket pocket. For real this time.”

Ian pulled out the slim piece of plastic and opened the door, entering first so he could hold it open for Michael. “I can’t believe you got me to grope you in a public corridor.”

Michael set the bags down on the table, “There wasn’t anyone out there and didn’t I deserve something for totting two thirds of the food?”

“Since two thirds of the food is for you, I don’t agree. You owe me a grope.” Ian said, holding up his hand. “But wait until after we eat. I’m surprisingly hungry.”

“Then, my pretty, we should eat.”

Ian pulled the containers out of the bag then turned around to discover that Michael had disappeared. “Michael?”

“I’m in the closet.”

“Since when?”

“Oh, ha ha ha. I was getting the wine glasses.” Michael replied, brandishing the stemware.

“Where did you get wine glasses from?”

“Housekeeping.”

“I was only in the bathroom for a few minutes.”

“They dropped them off while you were showering.”

“And?” Ian prompted as he sat down.

“And?”

“What else did you sweet talk out of housekeeping?”

“Extra towels, extra pillows and matches for the candles.” Michael looked around, “Which are where?”

“In the nightstand on your side.”

“Greatness.” Michael commented. He lit the candles and set them on the dresser in front of the mirror before bringing the glasses over. The wine was poured and Michael sat down, holding up his glass.

“To us.”

“To us.”

&&

Ian woke up the next morning and lazily rubbed his butt against Michael’s thigh.

“Good morning.”

‘Good morning, Love. What time is it?”

“After six.” Michael replied, yawning not so delicately.

“That early?”

“Yeah. We did go to bed early.”

“Bed we went but sleeping we did not.” Ian said.

“Okay, Yoda. Good thing I ordered breakfast for six thirty.”

“With coffee?”

“Yep. Mind if I shower first?”

“Go ahead.”

Ian stretched out across the bed once Michael was up and just enjoyed the soft sheets, warm room and quiet. He must have fallen asleep again because the next time he opened his eyes, Michael was fully dressed and standing next to the table, pouring coffee.

“Michael?”

“Oh, you’re awake. Do you want some?”

“Yes, please.” Ian replied, moving up to sit against the pillows. “I didn’t even hear the knock on the door.”

“You needed the rest.” Michael commented as he handed over the cup. “Do you mind if I start eating?”

“Go on. What did you order?”

“I am having raisin bread French Toast, breakfast potatoes and juice. You’ve got kippers with scrambled eggs and chives.”

“Oh, kippers!” Ian exclaimed as he came over, uncaring of his nudity. “I haven’t had kippers in years.”

“Then I made a good choice.” Michael said, holding up a napkin. “You’d better use this, just in case.”

“I’d better brush first.” Ian replied, swinging around and heading for the bathroom.

“And after.” Michael muttered.

“I heard that.”

&&

“Michael, I just realized something.” Ian said later, in the car as they were heading home.

“What?”

“The triplets aren’t babies anymore.”

“Technically speaking, no they’re not.” Michael agreed.

“Don’t look like that. I’m not suggesting we have another baby – or in our case, babies.”

“No?”

“No. Ten is a good number. Ten is more than I ever expected. For the first time in six years, we’re not expecting nor are we dealing with real infants. By this time next year, the triplets will probably agitating to go to preschool like the twins did.”

“Yeah, probably. The kids are competitive like that, although I have no idea where they get it.” Michael deadpanned.

“Har har. What I’m trying to say here is, I need to find a job.”

“Oh. So what do you want to do?”

Ian tried to think of something but remained silent as Michael stopped the car at the next red light.

“Babe? Do I need to pull over?”

“No. I’m not having a crises. I just have no idea what I want to be, which is really pathetic. I’m almost forty.”

“You won’t be forty for five more years, Ian. And why do you have to *be* anything?”

“So if I decided to loaf around the house for the rest of my life . . ?”

“If that’s what you want to do, I’m okay with it. Ian, you had a job for twenty five years.”

“I – I was only swimming.”

“Which you loved, which you were extremely good at, which was very lucrative.”

“You thought I was good at it?”

“Stop fishing for compliments, I’ll stroke your ego later. The point here is that you wouldn’t be happy at just a job. Yes, you could competently flip burgers or sweep floors but you deserve to be happy.”

“Any suggestions?”

Michael tapped the steering wheel for a moment, “I have one or two.”

“All right.”

“I think you should go back to school.”

“For my doctorate?”

“No, for interior design or architecture.”

“Hm. Why?”

“You want everything to be beautiful. You buy house plan books and redraw them. You rearrange rooms, in other people’s houses, while we’re at parties.” Michael emphasized that last one.

“Well, it was just crazy putting the couch like that. It impeded the flow of traffic.” Ian said defensively. “And Janet liked it.”

“Even so.”

“But those are just hobbies. Things to keep me busy.”

“And how did I end up in physical therapy again?”

“Humph. Point taken. Let me think about it.”

“Okay.”
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