Chapter 3: Safely Pinned To My Bra

‘Wow,’ Aaron said, ‘That’s a good friend to have.’ ‘Because I was so shy and reserved, we also joined a hiking club. Alvin said it would burn off some of my fat and I’d learn how to make new friends,’ Ian told him. ‘Not only did it work with the fat, but now we both have several new friends. And as well as that, I now have a girlfriend, and Alvin has a lady friend.’

‘You’re so lucky,’ Aaron said, ‘I can’t imagine you being quiet and shy.’ ‘Three months ago, I was just like you.’ Ian assured him. ‘I can’t imagine having a girlfriend either.’ Aaron said sadly. ‘Is that because you’re too shy to ask one out?’ Ian asked, ‘I was like that too.’

‘It’s not just that,’ Aaron said, then he went red and shut up. Ian smiled at him. ‘I know what you were going to say,’ he told him, ‘Because I was exactly the same. You were scared that if you did get one, you wouldn’t know for sure what to do with her. Until Alvin taught me, I was exactly the same.’

‘You’re very lucky having someone like Alvin to help you.’ Aaron said sounding sad. ‘Well, you have someone like that now,’ Ian told him. ‘You’re out walking with him at this moment.’ ‘Really?’ Aaron asked, his face lighting up as he smiled at Ian.

‘Of course I will, but only if you’d like me to,’ Ian told him. ‘But it might be a few weeks before I can do anything. This weekend we have a wedding of two of our friends from the hiking club. Then next weekend I’m taking Christine my girlfriend, down south for the weekend to meet my mum.’

‘After that, things should get back to normal and I’ll see what I can do. Perhaps you’d like to think about joining the hiking club too, we usually go out for a walk most Sundays. Occasionally there are two-day hikes with overnight stays as well. Would you be able to do that?’

‘I don’t know,’ Aaron said, ‘But I can ask.’ By then they had returned to their starting point. They sat on a bench in silence for a while, just watching the ducks on the lake and all the other wildlife activity, both feeling content.’

Aaron suddenly announced, ‘Do you know, I’ve sat in this park so many times doing just what we are doing now, sitting quietly watching the world go by. Yet having a friend doing it with me makes it seem so much better.’

‘Something else Alvin taught me,’ Ian told him, ‘Is that human beings aren’t meant to be alone. They’re not meant to be hungry either.’ Ian added as he noticed the time and the rumble in his tummy. ‘Shall we go back to the flat, and I’ll ring out for a Chinese?’

‘Yes please, that would be nice,’ Aaron said, ‘I like your flat.’ They walked back and Ian ordered two Chinese meals then made them a coffee each. When the meals arrived, Aaron agreed he’d try splitting them for the first time.

They sat at the table tucking in. ‘When you do get a place of your own,’ Ian told him, ‘You’ll be able to teach yourself to cook properly.’ When it was time for Aaron to leave, he thanked Ian for a lovely evening. ‘It’s good to have someone to share things with.’ Ian told him.

‘When mum moved away,’ Ian reminisced, ‘I really missed her hugs. It must have been even worse for you.’ ‘Yes,’ Aaron said, ‘I still have dreams where I’m hugging my mum and my dad.’ ‘Well friends often give each other a hug too,’ Ian told him, ‘Would you like to say goodnight with one now?’

‘Aaron’s heart felt like it was about to burst with longing. ‘Yes, please.’ he said. Ian opened his arms and Aaron moved close to him. Wrapping his arms around him, Ian put his head on Aaron’s shoulder and told him to do the same.

They stood locked in each other’s arms for ages before separating. ‘Thank you so much,’ Aaron told him, ‘That was the loveliest thing I’ve experienced for a long, long time.’ As he was stepping out of the door, Aaron turned back.

‘Ian, you said you’d been like me until you met Alvin, but you were nice to me long before that.’ Ian smiled, ‘That’s because I recognised instantly how alike we were. I’d noticed that you weren’t mixing much with the others, and I remembered how I’d felt when I started.’

‘So, I was able to overcome my shyness and speak to you, because I could sense that we were kindred spirits.’ Aaron didn’t know what to say, so he just gave Ian a lovely smile and left. He felt happy all the way back, and that night he fell asleep dreaming he was still being hugged.