Chapter 16 - The Move and Moving On
Driving into one of the suburbs of Cincinnati, Leroy was tired, but he knew he wouldn't get to rest long. Dave's friends had plans for all of them that evening. Dave and Leroy were only staying Friday Saturday and leaving Sunday back to Virginia. Leroy did all of the driving because Dave worked the night before, and Leroy knew he would sleep most of the way. It was close to an eight-hour drive.
Arriving at Alex and Jill's house, they were greeted by their happy nosy aging golden retriever, Molly. Jill gave them the grand tour before getting anything out of their car. Which started with the basement. "This is where the kids stay. I would show you their bedrooms, but they're a mess, you know, kids. Both Sara and Tyler are with their friends tonight, but they'll be here tomorrow. Maybe you know how kids are. They may call and ask to stay over another night."
The rest of the downstairs was a finished basement with a large screen tv, pool table, and a bar with a full kitchen. There was even a walkout to the yard, with a beautiful patio and a swimming pool.
Jill showed them the open living room, dining, and kitchen when they walked back upstairs. All three rooms combined were almost the size of Leroy's entire house.
They didn't show them the master bedroom but did take them to where they'd be sleeping. Which was the only other bedroom on the main floor. It was the front bedroom. The bedroom was set up like a hotel room. The queen-sized bed, beautiful desk, an armoire that held the TV, and had several drawers for their clothes. Not that they couldn't have hung everything up in the huge closet.
The bathroom was also like a hotel, but better. Jill even pointed out that there were extras in the drawers if they had forgotten their toothbrush or toothpaste. Now they were allowed to bring in their bags. Leroy told Dave he would get them, but Dave followed him to help.
"Holy shit, Leroy. I didn't realize that Alex has built himself up so well. It's great, but shit."
"Well, guess we'll have an exciting weekend." Leroy laughed as he pulled their bag out of the trunk. Dave pulled a smaller bag out of the back seat that contained Leroy's medications.
"Hey, Dave?" Alex walked out to talk to them alone. "My kids are well informed you two are a couple. So you don't have to worry about anything, and just to let you know, the room you're in is a little on the soundproof side. We did that on purpose, so Jill and I could have some fun without the kids knowing."
"Why didn't you do it to your own room?" Dave asked.
"So if the kids were doing something, we could hear it," Alex responded.
"That makes sense," Dave responded. They all turned to walk back in. "Well, what is on the agenda for this evening?"
"Drinks with a friend, dinner, then the comedy club, and if you are up for it. We will be going back to the bar. They have a band tonight."
"Sounds like a fun full night," Leroy responded. "When do we leave?"
"Dinner is at six, and the show is at eight. The bar is just down the road, so we're thinking about heading there at about four. That'll give us a little time to drink maybe one or two beers before heading to dinner."
"Where did Jill go?" Dave asked.
"You know, women, they have to take a bit to get ready," Alex responded.
Leroy carried their bag into the bedroom, and Dave took the clothes out and started putting them into the armoire's drawers. "Don't feel like living out of a suitcase for a few days." Leroy jeered. It didn't bother him. He knew Dave would make himself at home.
Dave didn't even respond after putting the clothes in the drawers. He closed the suitcase and placed it in the closet. Then he turned on Leroy, pushed him down on the bed, and kissed him. "I love you, Babe."
"Ditto," Leroy responded and smiled.
"Why don't you lay down and rest for a bit, so I know you don't get overwhelmed." Dave was a little worried that Leroy drove the entire way and would be up all day and night now.
Dave knew Leroy had been dealing with Jason all evening the night before. So he knew he didn't get any rest before Dave got out of work. Then after Dave took a shower and ate something, they were on the road by three that morning. They did stop for a late breakfast, so they weren't starving when they arrived.
Leroy laid down, and Dave talked with Alex for a while. "Leroy laying down?" Alex asked.
"Yeah, he hasn't slept since yesterday."
"How are you two doing?" Alex asked.
"We're good. Leroy's doing better than he has been." Dave looked at Alex, and he knew what he would ask. "If you are wondering, no, he's been great. We haven't had any issues with him wanting to run since Jason."
"Jason grounded him?" Alex asked.
Dave hung his head, "He wanted a kid. I'm the one that didn't." Alex looked at Dave. "Leroy thought I believed he was a burden now that he's sick. When he bought up having a kid, I blew up, which made him feel even worse."
"Oh shit," Alex responded.
"Yeah, I know I caused it. We went to therapy together for a while." Dave shook his head, but Jill came out, so they changed the subject.
Jill smiled, "I'm so glad you two could come. I hope that you have a great time this weekend."
"I'm sure we will, Jill. Don't worry."
They sat around for a couple of hours talking, and Dave decided he would go get ready and wake Leroy. He walked into the room and closed the door, and Leroy was asleep. Dave had to smile. He knew Leroy needed the sleep, and he hated to wake him, but they needed to get ready.
Dave sat down on the bed and spooned behind Leroy. Leroy woke, "Hey Babe, is it time?"
"Yeah, I was going to get changed. I didn't know if you wanted to or not?" Dave asked. Leroy just nodded, so Dave hugged him before he got up.
Leroy walked behind Dave into the bathroom. Dave still couldn't believe the house that Alex and Jill had. It was literally a mini-mansion. They washed up a little. Both of them changed their shirts and walked back into the room. Leroy pulled Dave into a hug.
"How tired are you, Babe?" Dave asked.
"I'll be okay."
Hearing someone clear their throat caused them to turn around. "Hi, sorry, when you two are ready, we'll go." Jill was standing at the door smiling.
"Okay, Jill, we'll be out in a few minutes," Dave responded.
Dave and Leroy came out a few minutes later after using the restroom one last time. Also, making sure Leroy took his evening meds before they left, so he didn't have to remember to take them later. Alex and Jill stood up, and they all walked out through the garage, which was a two-car garage.
It had Jill's car and a two-seater sports car, but they didn't take either vehicle in the garage. Alex and Jill were just taking them through the garage to Alex's in the driveway. All this was blowing Dave away. He didn't know how well off Alex had become since moving away.
Their first stop of the night was to the Fretboard Brewing Company Bar, a craft brewery. If Dave or Leroy would have to describe the place to anyone. They were going for a county barn party in a huge garage. It had a great atmosphere.
Alex had ordered Dave the same beer he was having: a Trey Amber Ale with only 5.7% alcohol. When it came to Leroy, he told them he didn't care, and so Jill ordered what she was having, which was the JM3 at 9.0% ABV.
"Jill likes her alcohol, Leroy." Alex laughed. "I swear she just looks at any menu for a beer or wine with the largest alcohol content."
"Well, it's a good beer," Leroy stated as someone joined them at their table.
