{"id":10821,"date":"2020-12-10T09:28:45","date_gmt":"2020-12-10T15:28:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.msabrookhaven.org\/literary\/?p=10821"},"modified":"2021-10-30T14:59:53","modified_gmt":"2021-10-30T19:59:53","slug":"light-reading-for-the-busy-mind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.msabrookhaven.org\/literary\/2020\/12\/10\/light-reading-for-the-busy-mind\/","title":{"rendered":"Light Reading for the Busy Mind"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hey. >.<\u00a0 \u00a0 This week I’m not going to bombard you with another rant or tell you to go out and try something.\u00a0 I have been kinda stressed lately, not gonna lie. Maybe you have to?\u00a0<\/p>\n

When I do get really stressed, and I mean the apex of like maximum stress level I have to walk away physically and\/or mentally. Schoolwork has sent me to that place recently, so I figured maybe I could provide a short story I have recently revised to give you that well-needed distraction or just a time-passer.<\/p>\n

It is a short little gay story about a couple facing their hardships and becoming united through the complexities of IKEA. Hopefully you enjoy it? If not I also provided a video afterward that might also pique your interest…\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Trouble\u00a0<\/span>in<\/span>\u00a0Ikea<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As\u00a0<\/span>Kenner<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>locked the door to an empty apartment,\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>got into the passenger seat of their\u00a0<\/span>2013\u00a0<\/span>Jeep Wrangler<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>Kenner<\/span>\u00a0lifted his way into the vehicle and looked over at\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>with a smile. He was too\u00a0<\/span>distracted<\/span>\u00a0to notice however,\u00a0<\/span>so\u00a0<\/span>Ken<\/span>n<\/span>er<\/span>\u00a0began the trip.<\/span>\u00a0There was little discussion between the couple besides light chitchat.\u00a0<\/span>This was simply how it had been.\u00a0<\/span>Kenner<\/span>\u00a0even shivered at one point, noticing the cooler atmosphere inside the vehicle<\/span>, and a<\/span>fter a while, t<\/span>he young couple arrived at the Swedish furniture store<\/span>\u00a0early on a Saturday morning.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHave you ever been here?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo<\/span>, h<\/span>ave you?\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u00a0inquired.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They walked into astonishment<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>f<\/span>or, the store was setup as a maze with shortcuts and all.\u00a0<\/span>Both of them<\/span>\u00a0were as confused as the time they were forced to go to Home Depot. with their lesbian friend, Gale.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0well, I guess we just start at section one and go from there<\/span>,<\/span>\u201d<\/span>\u00a0Kenner<\/span>\u00a0said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The store was spiraled within itself. To a novice<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0of the store<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0it\u00a0<\/span>may<\/span>\u00a0be compared to\u00a0<\/span>an<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>accordion knot.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>This place<\/span>\u00a0could\u00a0<\/span>even\u00a0<\/span>parallel\u00a0<\/span>with<\/span>\u00a0a void of confusion<\/span>\u00a0for the couple<\/span>, if they were not careful.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>They did not focus on the matter<\/span>, however, and would<\/span>\u00a0go on<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>to<\/span>\u00a0spotlight objects that\u00a0<\/span>piqued<\/span>\u00a0interest within themselves.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kenner\u00a0<\/span>immediately noticed something that would look great in the living room against the harsh brick wall.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you think about those?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTrack lighting? Your mother would hate those. Besides, the kitchen has enough lighting.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u00a0it is<\/span>\u00a0our\u00a0<\/span><\/i>apartment. She can say what she wants.\u00a0<\/span>Besides<\/span><\/i>, these would go in the living room, obviously,\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Kenner<\/span>\u00a0remarked with a raise of his eyebrows.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rin\u00a0<\/span>quietly added<\/span>, \u201cOh…okay.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With a sigh<\/span>\u00a0Kenner<\/span>\u00a0replied,\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>Thank you.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The couple kept perusing Ikea for anything that might add a touch of fabulous to their new apartment.\u00a0<\/span>Kenner<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>naturally<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>pushed the shopping cart section across section<\/span>, not that he minded.\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u00a0roamed along,\u00a0<\/span>occasionally veering off to closer inspect an item that<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>riv<\/span>e<\/span>t<\/span>ed<\/span>\u00a0his curiosity.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Ken<\/span>ner<\/span>, what about these little glass snakes? I am sure your mom could find these nice.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>And w<\/span>hy would she?\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Kenner<\/span>\u00a0asked while looking directly into\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u2019s eyes.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The tension caused Rin to shift his<\/span>\u00a0gaze to another part of the room whil<\/span>st<\/span>\u00a0replying, \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kenner plainly\u00a0<\/span>sighed and the two continued their search for anything they\u00a0<\/span>didn\u2019t know<\/span>\u00a0they needed. The store kept turning and twisting the couple into many \u201crooms<\/span>,\u201d\u00a0<\/span>like<\/span>\u00a0a labyrinth disorientating its on-goers.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, I\u00a0<\/span>actually\u00a0<\/span>love the way this place is set up<\/span>. Sweden really knows what\u2019s up,<\/span>\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Kenner<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>remarked.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Makes me<\/span>\u00a0wonder what the gay scene is like in Sweden,\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u00a0added.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you would,\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rin\u00a0<\/span>crossed his arms as his cheeks rose to a pink tint. Silently, he\u00a0<\/span>proceeded<\/span>\u00a0walking. The couple continued their<\/span>\u00a0reticent<\/span>\u00a0journey. One would point to an object and the other would give a simple shake of the head to indicate their response. It<\/span>\u00a0kept<\/span>\u00a0on\u00a0<\/span>like this\u00a0<\/span>for quite some time. The occasional statement piece<\/span>\u00a0may<\/span>, however,\u00a0<\/span>receive<\/span>\u00a0a sentence or two of discussion.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, this rose painting is incredible. I mean,\u00a0<\/span>Ken<\/span>ner<\/span>, this\u00a0<\/span>has to<\/span>\u00a0be perfect for our bedroom. The way the thorns are so detailed and highlighted.\u00a0<\/span>All those Fire Island gays are going to eat this up and you know it<\/span>,<\/span>\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>under a lower breath, while trailing off, added, \u201calso oddly enough my high school art teacher.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Agitatedly,\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>Rin<\/span>, why would<\/span>\u00a0they<\/span>\u00a0need to be worried\u00a0<\/span>about<\/span>\u00a0our bedroom?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rin\u00a0<\/span>raises his hand to facepalm for a moment, but quickly lowers i<\/span>n attempts to avoid<\/span>\u00a0escalat<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0the situation<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>I just meant it would look good there. That<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s all<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Ken<\/span>ner<\/span>.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay<\/span>, b<\/span>esides, I don\u2019t like how the thorns are so gruesome<\/span>\u00a0with<\/span>\u00a0the heart in the picture. I- I do not want that in our bedroom.<\/span>\u00a0Okay?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay. No, I get it.<\/span>\u00a0It\u2019s fine. No heart and thorns. Gotcha.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Kenner\u00a0<\/span>looked away as he asked, \u201c<\/span>Rin<\/span>, maybe we could each find some stuff and then reconvene.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell actually-\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u00a0was not able to finish his statement before\u00a0<\/span>Kenner<\/span>\u00a0had walked away through a shortcut. The only problem was\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u00a0had no clue how the store was mapped, so he was now lost in a foreign land of Swedish furniture. So lost, he did not even realize until a few moments after that\u00a0<\/span>Kenner<\/span>\u00a0had taken the shopping cart as well. This was<\/span>\u00a0all<\/span>\u00a0new to him.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rin\u00a0<\/span>tried to\u00a0<\/span>actually find<\/span>\u00a0something, or at least figure out how to get through the store.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>Okay, well, I am at,\u201d he motioned his head up to the map. \u201cKitchen?\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u00a0looked around and saw silverware<\/span>\u00a0which confirmed<\/span>\u00a0his<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>current ideology<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u201cRight.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese bowls sure are<\/span>…<\/span>bowl shaped, and these spoons sure are<\/span>…<\/span>nice?\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI could help you find a good spoon if you needed one.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u00a0was shocked as a man had approached him<\/span>\u00a0from behind<\/span>, and it was not\u00a0<\/span>Kenner<\/span>\u2019s\u00a0<\/span>voice<\/span>. Without haste, Rin flipped around to see who it was, but wait.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Was he the one from\u00a0<\/span><\/i>the new gay dating app,<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>Cumall<\/span><\/i>, he had s<\/span><\/i>een<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>earlier?<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>pondered<\/span>\u00a0as he looked down at the man\u2019s pants<\/span>, examining,\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>then moving his gaze\u00a0<\/span>back up.\u00a0<\/span>Oh my god, he was.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This man continued while following with his eyes where\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u2019s eyes had trailed down to, \u201cYou remember me, don\u2019t you<\/span>?\u201d The man\u00a0<\/span>leaned over to whisper in Rin\u2019s ear bluntly,\u00a0<\/span>\u201cYou know it\u2019s even bigger in person.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rin\u00a0<\/span>blushed as\u00a0<\/span>t<\/span>he<\/span>\u00a0heat of the breath<\/span>\u00a0on his ear<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>told the brain to tug<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>his\u00a0<\/span>yearning<\/span>\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0he had to<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>fight<\/span>\u00a0it. H<\/span>e<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>nodded no<\/span>\u00a0while replaying internally,<\/span>\u00a0I can\u2019t<\/span><\/i>\u00a0do this to Ken<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0I can\u2019t do this to Ken.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, but I am here with someone. Thanks for the spoon offer though.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>said attempting to escape the situation. He\u00a0<\/span>could not move his body or stare from\u00a0<\/span>this man. His mi<\/span>nd clashing with his selfish desires into a perilous war of<\/span>\u00a0morality.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In a deeper voice\u00a0<\/span>Kenner<\/span>\u00a0didn\u2019t quite have, the enigma-of-a-man replied,\u201d Are you sure?\u201d He looked around and leaned in ever so slightly to\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u00a0and continued, \u201cLike, really sure?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rin\u00a0<\/span>could smell the prominent masculinity\u00a0<\/span>wafting from the unknown man. Close,<\/span>\u00a0oh<\/span>\u00a0so close<\/span>–<\/span>\u00a0close enough for a foolish<\/span>\u00a0mistake to be performed. So close<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0the unattainable trust of\u00a0<\/span>Kenner<\/span>\u00a0would\u00a0<\/span>now become\u00a0<\/span>even\u00a0<\/span>further<\/span>\u00a0irreconcilable.\u00a0<\/span>So close now, desire may deem itself\u00a0<\/span>free and rampantly ensue all its motives.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you kidding me?\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A squeaky voice called from behind\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>, and he knew to frantically push this mystery hunk away from him. He turned around with god speed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>K<\/span>en<\/span>ner<\/span>, this isn<\/span>\u2019<\/span>t what it looks like.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot what it looks like?\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell\u00a0what should it look like then\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>?\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI-I told him no.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, so no, now,\u00a0<\/span>still allows<\/span>\u00a0getting two inches apart and eye raping people.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI swear\u00a0<\/span>K<\/span>en-I am sorry<\/span>-h<\/span>e came onto me<\/span>.<\/span>\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, you\u2019ve said that before haven\u2019t you\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a couple tears escaped\u00a0<\/span>K<\/span>en<\/span>ner<\/span>\u2019s eyes,\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u00a0gawked back with his hand covering his mouth, with not even the faintest clue how to reply.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The man who had been pushed away spoke nervously, \u201cHe\u2019s right. I<\/span>\u00a0mean I did<\/span>\u00a0c<\/span>o<\/span>me onto him.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGet out of here!\u201d\u00a0<\/span>K<\/span>e<\/span>n<\/span>n<\/span>er<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u00a0unanimously yelled in reply.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

K<\/span>en<\/span>ner<\/span>\u00a0continued through\u00a0<\/span>clenched\u00a0<\/span>jaws,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u201c<\/span>Rin<\/span>,\u00a0you\u00a0too<\/span>.<\/span>\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rin\u00a0<\/span>attempted to near\u00a0<\/span>K<\/span>en<\/span>ner<\/span>\u00a0but<\/span>\u00a0was\u00a0<\/span>struck with\u00a0<\/span>a vicious amount of force in return. Falling to the ground backwards\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>looked up at\u00a0<\/span>K<\/span>en<\/span>ner<\/span>\u00a0speechless.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve never hurt me before…<\/span>K<\/span>en you promised you would never hurt me after we talked\u00a0<\/span>that night\u00a0<\/span>on the b<\/span>alcony<\/span>.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI guess I should have made you promise the same then. Foolish of me, wasn\u2019t it?\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Kenner<\/span>\u00a0released\u00a0<\/span>his sigh.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>K<\/span>en,\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u00a0leaned over into\u00a0<\/span>the shelf of oriental plates and\u00a0<\/span>brought<\/span>\u00a0his legs and arms towards himself<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>He began to outwardly unleash his sorrow<\/span>,\u00a0<\/span>his wails wer<\/span>e unheard by\u00a0<\/span>Kenner<\/span>\u00a0except for one other time.\u00a0<\/span>K<\/span>en<\/span>ner<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>paused to\u00a0<\/span>watc<\/span>h,<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>he\u00a0<\/span>couldn\u2019t help but see himself.\u00a0<\/span>A man who has been hurt. A man who i<\/span>s causing pain to others due to that hurt<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0They were<\/span>n\u2019t<\/span>\u00a0so different.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>K<\/span>–<\/span>K<\/span>en, I\u2019m so sorry. You know I never meant to make y-you feel like<\/span>,<\/span>\u201d\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u00a0struggled at attempting to vocalize his rem<\/span>orse. His tears were on-<\/span>flowing. There were even slight convulsions every time he gasped for air through cries<\/span>, \u201cl-like I felt before. I would never wish that pain!\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rin\u00a0<\/span>relentlessly wailed<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>into\u00a0<\/span>K<\/span>en<\/span>ner<\/span>\u00a0as he got down on the floor.\u00a0<\/span>K<\/span>e<\/span>nner<\/span>\u00a0told\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u00a0little<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>I\u00a0<\/span><\/i>knows<\/span><\/i>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>and<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>It\u2019s<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>okay<\/span><\/i>s<\/span><\/i>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>all the while\u00a0<\/span>contemplating his own belief of the\u00a0<\/span>statements,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>he himself was saying.<\/span>\u00a0The couple would need time<\/span>, and as the couple<\/span>\u00a0had<\/span>\u00a0learned<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0p<\/span>ain never enjoyed\u00a0<\/span>d<\/span>rifting away\u00a0<\/span>quickly<\/span>. It lingered and festered within unless continually resolved.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Rin\u00a0<\/span>lifted his head<\/span>\u00a0towards\u00a0<\/span>K<\/span>en<\/span>ner<\/span>\u00a0as they both sat on the ground<\/span>. Neither knowing whether the tension had dissipated. They simply saw each other. For the first time in a while, they\u00a0<\/span>actually<\/span>\u00a0saw<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>each other. The air was dry. It was as if the vibes being omitted were strong enough to warn others because not a single worker or customer was around. Finally,\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u00a0handed the spoon he was considering, before events transpired, to\u00a0<\/span>K<\/span>en<\/span>ner<\/span>. It was a set of only two large spoons. There was an olive branch indented and colored onto the stem of them.\u00a0<\/span>K<\/span>en<\/span>ner<\/span>\u00a0mildly grinned accepting the spoons<\/span>\u00a0and placing them in the cart.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>K<\/span>en, I\u2019ll push it.\u201d Jerry offered while\u00a0<\/span>sniffing his last sniffles and\u00a0<\/span>using his sleeve to clean his face<\/span>\u00a0of any remorse<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>K<\/span>en<\/span>ner<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0slightly shocked, motioned his hands to the cart handle.\u00a0<\/span>Rin<\/span>\u00a0began pushi<\/span>ng\u00a0<\/span>the cart around<\/span>. Before<\/span>\u00a0attempt<\/span>ing<\/span>\u00a0to understand\u00a0<\/span>K<\/span>en<\/span>ner<\/span>\u2019s translation of Ikea<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0Rin went to the\u00a0<\/span>Cumall<\/span><\/i>\u00a0app icon and uninstalled it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The two\u00a0<\/span>chuckled<\/span>\u00a0when a wrong turn\u00a0<\/span>was made\u00a0<\/span>and busted into laughter when\u00a0<\/span>a collision<\/span>\u00a0with another customer transpired. A<\/span>fter a while, through a united effort, they made it to checkout, together.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

I hope you enjoyed that for whatever reason you may have needed. Whether it was that distraction from busy, busy life or just an interesting time\u00a0 \ud83d\ude1b<\/p>\n

Also if you have any revision offers feel free to comment them below?<\/em><\/p>\n

I did promise you a video though… This is one that gives me joy when I’m down. The revolting happiness that has been integrated into the music, lyrics, dances, scenes, and members really rubs off onto the soul.At least, for me.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Be wild, be free, and have fun \u2665<\/p>\n