Malcolm was never a big traveling person, and the places he knew for vacations and unwinding were limited, to put it mildly.
Still, he suggested it to April anyway.
He was locking his office door when he saw a stranger coming from their apartment. His blood chilled instantly.
"I don't think we've met before," Malcolm said, steeling his resolve as he walked toward the man- a very big, bulky man.
Jason extended his hand and Malcolm took it. "Hi, I'm Jason. A third-year music student here."
That's when it hit Malcolm. He's the new boyfriend Elijah has been bragging about.
"Oh, I'm Malcolm. It's nice to finally meet you," he said.
"It's a pleasure. Really," Jason replied, dimples showing through a bashful smile. "So, I'll see you around?"
Malcolm nodded, still confused, as Jason walked toward the elevator.
Malcolm went into the apartment- it wasn't like Elijah to let his date roam around the floor like that.
But what he saw inside surprised him. In a good way. Elijah was fast asleep on the couch, his favorite cartoon series still playing on the TV.
It almost felt like the good old days. Days when Elijah could stop acting and just be himself, not the gay icon stereotype everyone assumed he was.
Malcolm switched off the TV, pulled the blinds shut, wrote a small note for him, and left to pick up April from the sixth floor.
April was already waiting in the hall when Malcolm arrived. She flung herself at him. Malcolm was caught off guard- but especially happy.
"There, there," he said gently. "I've got a shopping list. You want to add anything?"
Letting him go slowly, April looked up at his tired face and stroked his cheek lovingly.
"Let's go to the beach first."
"But you hate swimming in saltwater," Malcolm reminded her, following her lead.
"There's always a first time for everything," April said, pressing the elevator button. The doors opened instantly, and they stepped inside.
Malcolm pressed on, "What about the sand?"
April really looked at him- then smiled sinisterly.
"You're still afraid of the ocean!"
Malcolm denied it, ears red with embarrassment. But it was futile; they both knew how terrified he was of massive bodies of water.
April stopped teasing him and went straight for the kill. "If I ask you to be completely honest with me about your thoughts and feelings, would you do it?"
Malcolm frowned. "I've never lied to you."
April smiled as they arrived at the second basement, where their family car was parked. She stepped out.
"Malcolm," April began awkwardly, "we've been together for three years now, and I'm not sure I know why you do what you do every day."
Malcolm was lost. "What do you mean?"
"Your dreams and hobbies," April clarified, turning to him once she was strapped into the passenger seat. "What you like to do for fun. Stories about your childhood…"
Malcolm thought for a moment before starting the car.
"My name is Malcolm Christophe Richard. The only child of my late parents. You could say I was unplanned- my parents eloped to get married and were cut off from both their families."
He continued, "I've been a child of this town for as long as I can remember. My mother died on my sixteenth birthday. My dad… in my twenties."
April could see how much it hurt him, but she believed he needed this to heal.
"I used to dream of being a doctor," Malcolm went on at last. "But later, I fell in love with real estate. And I don't think I have a hobby beyond making money and keeping my loved ones happy and healthy."
It was obvious he wanted the conversation to end- but April was still curious.
"What do you like to do for fun?"
Malcolm hesitated. "Promise you won't laugh?"
"I promise."
He studied her for a second, then shrugged.
"Clean the town."
April didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Clean the town, Malcolm? Are you serious?"
"I know it's weird," Malcolm said awkwardly, "but it helps me unwind and still feel productive."
April shook her head, smiling softly.
"Then let's do that today, Malcolm."