Ch 3: Telling Stories
A First For Everything Ch 3: Telling Stories copyright 2012, comidacomida
I'd never actually been on an airplane before my trip to New York. It was a pretty cool first experience, but, then again I suppose I was lucky because it was before all those new TSA regulations. I guess you could say most of my attention was on the experience of flying so unlike most veteran travelers I was enthralled with each step of the process. What I mean to say is that all the stuff that gets on most peoples nerves were new to me so it was more a novelty than anything else.
Having been on quite a few flights since, the one piece of advice I could give to anyone is that you should bring something with you to keep you busy. In my case I was pretty lucky because, even though most of the game consoles I brought were in my checked luggage I somehow had the foresight to keep my paw-held game machine with me. I was perfectly content to sit there at the airport terminal working on leveling my my Raichu while I waited for the plane and then working on my Charizard on the flight.
The first leg of my trip was on a red eye flight... we left a little after midnight. It went really fast; going from Burbank to Las Vegas took maybe an hour, and then I had a five hour layover until my flight out to JFK. I slept for a few hours and dreamed of Nicole. I guess part of what the biggest appeal about her was how things left off right before winter vacation started. I remember asking myself over and over whether she was interested in me or if I was just reading into things. Regardless, it certainly left me with some pretty dang crazy dreams during the nap I got before the boarding announcement woke up.
I napped a little more on the almost five hour flight from Las Vegas to New York, but I also played some more Pokemon and thought a LOT more about Nicole. Since I didn't really know where I stood with her my mind tended to go back to the last project we did together before winter break, which meant I also thought about how she said she was thinking of leaving Dios and wanted someone more like me. Honestly... when a girl says that to you what are you SUPPOSED to think?
Anyway, ever since Nicole started making a point of dating dogs I started to learn more and more about the whole Burb Dog craze. In case you aren't familiar with Burb Dogs, it's one of those things that's easy to explain, but hard to explain well. Basically, Burb Dogs are Dogs that seek out relationships with humans. A lot of people think that Burb Dogs are about sex and everything, and I guess sometimes that's true, but not always. So after I heard about Nicole dating Dogs I learned more about Burb Dogs and Leashers (humans that look for Dogs the way Burb Dogs look for humans), and that led me to a specific show called Dog-Eat-Dog.
I'd seen news reports and talk shows and comedy skits about Burb Dogs, but Dog-Eat-Dog was the only show that really seemed to take it from a viewpoint without an agenda. The producers acted like they were saying "This is a show about Dogs and Humans living together and we're gonna discuss everything involved with it." They never pulled punches and they never sugar coated things.
They didn't treat it like some kind of kink and they made a point to use real world examples. The fact that they had people call into the show blew my mind, especially since a lot of em were really smart and had good questions, not like something you'd see on Jerry Springer-Spaniel. I ended up becoming a fan of the show and tuned in whenever I had a chance. I guess I'm pointing this out because the other thing that was REALLY on my mind was the fact that they taped Dog-Eat-Dog in New York, and that's where JD lived. The thought that maybe, just MAYABE I'd get a chance to see the studio had certainly occurred to me.
My plane touched down late in the afternoon, which meant it was already getting dark. It was also snowing, which was pretty cool-- the first time I ever got to see snow in person. The fact that I was gonna be in New York during the holidays seemed kinda cool, and even though I knew it would be weird without having Rita or Rosey around. The chance to spend it with my brother in a place that actually had a winter season seemed like a reasonable trade... plus Rita promised me I could have a second Christmas before New Years, and what teenager was gonna pass up the chance for two days of presents over one?
I had JD's cell phone, which was a good thing because JFK airport is freaking huge! The terminals for the flights are in this big loop and there's a terminal train, and two different routes with different color parking and I was supposed to be looking for some place called Howard Beach Station and the end of some shuttle bus route... all in all it was a bit confusing, especially since it felt a lot earlier than it actually was (I'd never done the coast-to-coast thing at that point so I was real screwed up). One call later, and JD was coming to my rescue-- I just stayed right where I was. I know... I know... nobody should be that helpless, but gimme a break! I was sixteen!
It took JD almost twenty minutes before he met me at the baggage claim (which wasn't THAT hard to find, at least). He looked almost the same, except for a little bit more of a belly-- I remember thinking that his guy probably knew how to cook because from what I remembered about JD he sure as hell didn't (I swear to god, the only Dog I know who could BURN WATER). Either way, he still looked like the JD I remembered, just older. His opinion of me was a little different.
"So... finally grew into the ears, huh?" If you knew JD then you'd know that wasn't as bad a greeting as it COULD have been.
"Please tell me we don't have to take the subway." Back then I was still under the impression that all the crime in New York took place on the rail.
"Geez... fifteen and you're STILL acting like a puppy." he rolled his eyes melodramatically as he grabbed one of my suitcases, "and no... no subway.
"I'm sixteen... you prick." I noted politely.
JD reached out and flicked one of my ears.... HARD. "No cussing." he stated, then continued on as if nothing had happened, "I figured we'd save the subway for day three or four... today you get to experience New York style traffic."
I didn't quite realize how literal JD was about EXPERIENCING New York traffic. Los Angeles traffic is one thing, or hitting the Grapevine on the I-5 at the wrong time of day... but cars in the foreground and sky scrapers in the background is something entirely different. Now, don't get me wrong, there are some really big buildings in Los Angeles, but it just has a different feel from the ones you see in New York, and it's not something that's really all that easy to describe... so, yea... when he said experiencing New York traffic, it really WAS an experience.
It took us about a half hour to get back to JD's place from the airport and, get this: we actually drove through another airport on the way-- apparently La Guardian Airport was closer than JFK. At that point I realized I needed to start planning my trips better; just because tickets are cheaper between LAX and JFK doesn't mean it's really a better deal in the long run. JD certainly gave me a good amount of grief about it all the way across the Triborough Bridge. Of course, shortly after that it was MY turn to get on HIS case.
"So... you decided to come and pick me up alone, huh?" It was a simple question but the implications behind it were plain to see... but JD, being JD... well... he really didn't get it. I made small talk for the rest of the trip, discussing the fact that I'd never really seen snow, and that the buildings were really different from California, and that Rita had actually started dressing up again instead of spending all day in sweats. That last thing seemed to get a marginal response from him, mostly him saying that he had a hard time believing it. Rita DID say that she and JD had a lot of issues to deal with, and that only reinforced that fact.
By the time we got back to JD's place I figured I'd try the boyfriend question again... only a little more direct, "SO where's this guy of yours?" I stood at the entryway, glancing around at the view I got of the living room; it looked nice, which meant that JD's boyfriend knew more about decorating than my brother.
JD tossed his keys on the counter and kicked off his shoes, "Out of state on business." he answered cryptically. For a minute I almost thought he was coming up with excuses; 'away on business' is one of those canned responses you tell someone when don't want to admit that you broke up with someone, "He won't be back til the day after tomorrow." he added after a moment.
I sniffed at the air; it smelled a lot less like JD than I'd expect if he was really on his own again... plus, the fact that the apartment looked NICE also pointed at him not being on his own... if you knew JD you'd know what I mean. Although I could smell the other guy it wasn't quite as strong as I'd had expected from another male Dog... which meant one thing, "So... he's one of those really prissy guys?"
"What?" JD demanded, "Fuck no!" he objected, "If I wanted that I woulda stuck with the bitches."
I continued to question him and he continued to answer them but, the longer we talked the closer I got to getting an explanation from him. In the end, I found out why the guy's scent was so hard to identify: JD's boyfriend was a human. I've smelled humans before, OBVIOUSLY, but when you're sniffing at something unexpected it isn't always easy to place... plus, he'd been with JD so long I'm sure some of my brother's scent rubbed off on him (and not in that way... ugh... seriously... ugh).
Once that was out of they way we finally got down to doing brotherly things. We spent some time catching up, discussed life, and school so, obviously, Nicole came up. Seeing as I learned that his boyfriend was a human I guess it wasn't that big a deal to him if my high school crush was a human too. In the end he turned out to be quite opinionated as to the best ways for me to win her affection and he gave me some great advice to try (which ensured I knew exactly what NOT to do).
It still felt early when JD decided it was time for bed... probably because it was only 10 pm by my watch, but according to the clock on the dvd player it was 1 am-- what a difference a few time zones can make, huh? Anyway, JD went to bed and I spent a few more hours flipping through the TV channels; they had digital cable, which meant that they had FOUR-HUNDRED-FRICKIN-CHANNELS (all with nothing good on) to look at. In the end, I went to sleep around midnight by MY watch.
One of the greatest problems I had in high school was that my body always wanted me to get up in time for class, which meant that even during winter break I got up at 6am. I didn't remember JD having that problem and, as I busied myself around the apartment, I realized that it was a trait he still hadn't picked up. Sometime around ten (or 7am by my watch), after I'd finished washing the dishes in his sink, he finally shuffled his way out from his room.
"What are you DOING?" he asked, letting out a huge yawn.
"Dishes..." I answered.
"Why?" he yawned again.
I couldn't help but give him the same look I used on Rita from time to time, "Because apparently YOU don't."
He scratched his lower back and licked his muzzle sleepily, "They usually get done when my human gets back."
"Hey guy... welcome home!" I mused, imitating JD's tone as best I could, "I saved the dishes for ya."
"Oh shut up, ya little smart ass..." he tossed a sofa cushion at me, "he likes doing chores around the house..." he reached for the coffee pot, "they call it 'nesting' or some shit." We sat down and he picked right up on the conversation about how I'd learn all about it once Nikki fell head over heels for me. Yea... it was one of those picture-perfect family moments I'd read so much about. Thank god things got a little less full of JD wisdom as the morning progressed.
JD really was a good tour guide when it came to New York. He showed me all of the interesting sites and even put up with letting me choose a few not-so-interesting sites. The places he took me were mind blowing, and the places I forced him to take me to were at least somewhat interesting to see once, but, having been back to a few of them since, I can see why he wasn't so eager to bring me.
It ended up being a pretty full day so, by the time we got home we were both ready to relax. We watched a movie, ordered some Chinese delivery, and had my first full-blown New York delivery dinner. After we ate I pulled out my game consoles and attached them to the KILLER flat screen they had. A few dozen rounds of various fighting games later and JD had enough... I DID let him win once, just to be a good sport. Honestly, once you're over 22 I guess your skill at video games goes into the toilet-- I remembered him being a lot better on that old Nintendo he 'found'. Either way, he promised that we'd have a few hours in the morning before we had to go pick up his boyfriend around 1.
The following morning I was up at 6am, just like clock work and yea, even though it was already 9am by JD's clock, he was still off in his room snoring... loudly. I realized that if that morning was like the previous one then I had at least an hour to myself. JD's coffee maker seemed to need some new programming since it didn't seem to be working so I started it manually, grabbed a towel, and headed off to the bathroom for a shower (seriously... after a plane flight and 2 days ANYONE would start to stink).
Any Dog would agree that personal grooming after a shower can't be rushed. I'd like to see ANYONE try to put on a t-shirt over wet fur and expect anything other than a really big mess when they get undressed that night. Between towel drying and air drying, that left me an extra ten minutes (give-or-take) to tend a personal necessity. See... as far as bull terriers go, my fur is a little longer than the average... I get that from my dad. The tail is the other thing... see how it curves? That's from my dad too... Akita genes and all that. These two things mean that I'm not quick in the bathroom. I'll skip the specifics though.
After I was done in the bathroom and JD had his second cup of coffee we headed downstairs to the lobby and hung out a little while longer. JD introduced me to the doorman, an older human named Maury. He was a nice guy who embraced his old-guy appearance, going out of the way to call attention to his big nose, bald head, and well-developed gut. Some people really don't do the self-depreciating humor well, but Maury had it down; I couldn't help but like him right away. (The fact that he called me Sullivan and not Sully probably helped too).
Now, if JD were to tell you the story about when I met Jason Campbell for the first time I'm SURE he'd blow it WAY out of proportion. I was surprised for two reasons. First: that's who JD's boyfriend was. And two: because JD was actually able to spend two and a half days with me without actually messing up the surprise. If you don't know who Jason Campbell is then you've probably been living under a rock for a half-decade because, in addition to being my brother's boyfriend, Jason Campbell has been the host of Dog-Eat-Dog ever since it first started airing... which means I have absolutely positively ZERO problem with saying that he's my number one celebrity crush. And no... not in the weird way. It's innocent. Really.
Anyway, once we showed up at the airport and I got over my moment of being star-struck, Jason got into the car with us and we headed back to the apartment. I'm not exactly sure what we talked about in the car, but I do remember JD telling me off later for not letting him get an word in edgewise. I DO remember Jason being a really good sport about meeting me and he made it feel as if we'd been friends forever. If you've ever met Jason before you know just what I mean... it's the reason that JD refers to him as "Dog Jesus"... he has this kind of aura you can't help but go "WOW" over.
I was on a "Yay, Jason!" kick all night long (again, not as extreme as JD would have you believe), and it went by in a flash. You can imagine the let-down when I learned that Jason was due into the studio the very next day... I mean, you're out on assignment, and you have to go right back into the office the day after you get back? Geez... show business apparently was a lot harder than I'd been led to believe. Jason reassured me though that he'd be home before dinner and that we'd have a chance to hang out more. He and JD went to bed, and I turned the TV up extra loud... just in case they made noise... and they did.
I went to bed a little earlier that night, which meant that I wasn't too groggy when Jason woke me up at what my watch told me was 4am. Although I'm a pretty decent morning-Dog, I'm not so much an EARLY morning-Dog. Still, the chance to have a little chat with my TV idol was enough to get me moving. Jason told me that his first day back in the office was a paper work day, which meant nothing any more interesting than going through a pile of reports and filing out forms.
Although in retrospect I guess it DOESN'T sound that interesting, I was still in a "This is Jason Campbell!" phase and I asked if I could go along to help. Jason, who I swear to god must have the patience of a saint (he IS with JD, after all), promised me that he'd find a day I could go to a live studio session. In exchange for that promise, he probably could have gotten me to kill the queen of England if he wanted, but he settled for me hanging at the apartment and keeping JD out of trouble. I must have said goodbye at least four or five times before he got out the door.
Once the door was closed the fur on the back of my neck stood up just a little when I heard a padded foot slide across the hard wood floor, "You're such a puppy." JD smirked.
I turned around to object, only to see my brother leaning there against the wall completely naked. "GOD!" I exclaimed.
"Not bad..." he showed some teeth in a broad grin, "but Jason says it better." JD straightened up off the wall and scratched his exposed groin, "But, then again, I guess he has more motivation."
"I DON'T need to hear about it." I complained, "Be a good host and put some clothes on!"
"Be a good guest and don't tell me what to do." he responded and headed back down the hall, "I just came out to tell Jay to have a good day at work."
"Just so long as you're not walking around all day with your crown showing." I grumbled. I suppose I should mention that 'crown' is Dog slang for a sheath, kinda like humans call em 'wieners'... well... Dogs' sheaths don't look like wieners, and with the nickname for a Dachsund being-- ya know what? ...never mind.
JD got dressed and once he had his coffee he became about as courteous as you could expect him to be. We spent some time watching movies, played some more video games (I didn't let him win any that time), he chased me around the house with intent to kill, and, when things finally calmed down, we had lunch. Despite JD's inability to cook he couldn't burn cold sandwiches and apparently he and Jason had some ham and cheese in the fridge. By the time we actually got around to eating, JD was wearing a slice of ham on his head and I had bits of cheese stuck in my ear. All in all it was a pretty good lunch.
Things finally started calming down in the early evening. JD said that Jason usually got home around four so we spent some time doing some surfing on the computer in the bedroom. JD was showing me some of the reviews of the recent shows when I figured it was time to take a seat; since he was on the only chair in the room I took the liberty of taking a seat at the foot of their bed.
"For all your complaining about the noise we made last night you sure don't have any problem popping a squat where we did it." JD grinned, leaning back in his chair as he regarded me.
"You're so immature." I stuck my tongue out at him, "It's not like you guys don't change the bedding."
"Yep... every Wednesday." he grinned wider, "It's Monday." he decided to remind me.
I glanced at the linen, feeling my fur rise, but I shrugged it off; JD wasn't going to one-up me again, "Oh no." I rolled my eyes theatrically, "It's not like I'm under the blankets."
He chuckled, "Neither were we last night..." a smug smirk crossed his muzzle, "that's right about where I had my butt."
"Pfft." I flicked an ear, "You have no class."
"Sully... I put the ASS in class." he answered, "Oh... and I was on my back when I came, so you might be sitting on some JD puppy batter."
"GOD DAMN, JD!" I cursed, leaning away from the main portion of the bed as I quickly got up, batting at imaginary stains on my pants. He was laughing at that point, and I froze when I heard the chuckles in stereo, and from more than one voice.
"Hey, Jay." JD said past me. I turned and saw Jason in the hallway holding a basket of laundry, "I was just telling Sully why he shouldn't be sitting on the bed." I heard my brother's tail beating against the desk... the jackass.
"What's wrong with sitting on the bed?" Jason asked.
JD's face went serious for a moment, "He heard us last night." and the seriousness faded into a new huge grin.
"Oh." the human nodded, then looked to me, "It's alright, Sullivan... I changed them this morning before I left." and he continued down the hall.
"Every Wednesday, huh?" I interrogated my half brother.
He shrugged casually, "Wednesday... Monday... it's some day ending in 'y'." and he stood up, trotting off in the direction Jason went.
I went back into the living room to give Jason some respectable distance-- I know I didn't like being bugged right after I got home from school so I figured he probably wanted some time to himself (or himself and JD) before dealing with a start-struck teenager. About ten minutes later he walked right into the living room with a spring in his step and sat down right next to me. That lasted for all of ten seconds before JD squeezed in between us.
"So what do you two have planned for tomorrow?" Jason asked.
"Well," JD answered, picking at an errant piece of ham toward the back of his muzzle, "Since you're taping tomorrow I'm at the studio with you... and I think that means Sully's gonna be stuck here," and he turned toward me, "unless you think you can handle wandering the streets without a guide." he smirked.
"I guess." I answered, "Or I could come with." I offered, "Jason said he could look into letting me sit in with the audience on a taping."
JD glanced between Jason and myself, then back to me, and grabbed hold of my tail before it could pummel him any further, "Give him some time to get back into the groove, Jesus, Sully... you'll get a chance."
Jason, unfortunately, didn't come to my rescue, "Better save it for another time." he said, and my heart dropped. "You'll get a chance but tomorrow isn't the best idea..." he glanced to JD, "Dr Weidtman is going to be our guest."
JD perked up immediately, "You know, Jay..." his tone changed immediately, "You DID promise him..."
I wasn't exactly sure why my brother had a sudden change of heart, but I wasn't about to pass up the support, "I know Dr Weidtman... he's been on your show before! I think it'd be AWESOME to get to see that taping!"
"I'm not sure it--" Jason began
"Oh come on, Jason... it'll be great." I really didn't notice just how evil JD's huge grin was.
I should have know something was up by how eager JD was to help me convince Jason to let me go to that specific show. I should have known that JD would only get excited over an opportunity for oneupmanship or an opportunity to laugh at someone else's benefit. I should have known based on the way he smiled oh-so-innocently at me as he suggested I attend THAT specific show. Yea... I should have known better... I really should have.