About Sea Change

by Syd McGinley
17 pages / 6100 words
Available file types - html, lit, pdf, prc

Col and Bri are in Bri's native Cornwall for their holiday, their more exotic trip cancelled thanks to Col's bad money management. Bri loves Col dearly, but sometimes he really hates acting like a sugar daddy. When an offer crops up from Bri's extended family to completely change his life, and Col's, Bri thinks it might be a great idea. But nothing in mystic, mythological Cornwall is as it seems, and Bri might be making the biggest mistake of his life. (Previously published in the Put Some English on It Taste Test)

Sample

Col’s driven me to distraction from London to Devon, but I resisted throwing him off the train as it crossed the Tamar River to Cornwall. He was gawping at naval frigates and missed my sigh. Now he’s scrawling pink marker around every “baby, we must see this” until the guidebook blushes. It’s not his dream holiday, but it’s all we can afford. We’d lost our Marbella trip’s deposit, but our vacation time was locked in. My Aunt Sal took pity. She didn’t comment on Col’s Easter-depression spending spree, but said, “Prep the cottage for tourist season, and you can stay free.”

When I told Col, he whined, “Countryside, Bri? And England?”

But he’d caught that sigh, and he’s dutifully enthused about Cornwall. He does want to see Loe Bar, “Excalibur, Bri!” He sang Abba at Waterloo station. I couldn’t rebuke him. I imagined his crushed look and his chastened whisper, “Sorry Brian. I’m trying to enjoy our holiday. You said I should”. Sometimes it’s tearing off butterfly wings to top him. I do love him, but often fight the temptation to slap him. Col’s a forensic accountant, but he’s a ninny. He makes good money, but it’s gone by mid-month. “Why should I be good with a budget?” he asked wide-eyed. “Analyzing corporate books has nothing to do with my willpower.” He giggled. “You always rescue me.”

“I won’t have my credit ruined. Don’t you want us to be a couple?” I undermined my argument by paying his share of the lunch bill. I’d hoped my recent stand about the holiday would help. When Col couldn’t pay his share, I forfeited my deposit and cancelled. Col had a hissy fit. If I loved him I’d pay his share. I’d yelled back, “I could take Mike, but I’m not. I’d never leave you behind. But it’s time you put something into this relationship.” There was a long silence during which I’m sure Col remembered he’d “borrowed” his deposit from me, and how prudent, handsome Mike stares at me.

“Bri? Don’t be mad. You’re so grounded, and I’m so…”

“Oh don’t start that ‘I’m a frivolous fag and I can’t help myself’ crap. Just don’t, Col. I want you around, but I hate being treated like a sugar daddy. You make more than I do.”

“How do you always have what money you need?”

“Need,” I repeated. “I buy what I need before what I want.”

“You’re so responsible.”

“Don’t make it sound like an insult. It’s not a bad thing.”