There was some tension in the room. I had said the dreaded sentence 'We need to talk', that usually is followed up by some round about way of saying 'let's be friends'.

I scooted closer to Felix and took his hand. His hands looked normal. "Felix..."

Then there was a knock on the door.

The knock turned into pounding. Someone was banging on my door.

Then I heard who it was. Cindy started yelling. "Felix! I know you're in there! Are you out of your mind leaving in your state?! Felix come home right now! Michael open this door!"

I stand up and Felix pulls me back on the couch. "Don't let her in".

" she's your sister. Why not? "

Felix looks down and whimpers.

The pounding begins again.

I head to the front door. "Cindy. Felix is here and he's okay. Could you leave?"

" No! Felix! You know it's time to go! It's past time to go. We're already running late and I can't let you waste any more time. Say good bye! Now! "

I look at Felix. He looks like he's being torn in two. I walk over to him. I hug him tight. "Is this about that family thing your sister came to get you for?"

I can feel Felix not his head.

The pounding starts again. "Don't ignore me!"

" do you have to go? "

Felix nods again

"Do you want to go?"

He shakes his head

"Okay."

I go to the door and swing it open .

"Cindy. Felix wants to stay here with me."

She walks in past me to Felix. She looks at Felix. They seem to have a starring contest. Felix whimpers. "I gave you all the time I could. You even stole some time, but it's over." Then she leans down and whispers something to him.

Felix stand up and follows Cindy.

I try to reach for Felix but Cindy growls at me. Felix growls a low grumble at her. "Go, Felix. Now." He exits the room.

"Cindy, what the hell? He doesn't want to go."

Cindy walks to the doorway. She doesn't turn around but her attitude softens and her voice sounds sad, "Michael, I know you can't understand. I don't want to hurt my brother. I know how he feels about you. There are a lot of troubles ahead. I'm rooting for you." Then she left.

The next day I receive a text from Felix.

[Hey Michael. I miss you. Cindy and I are on the road home.]

[*photo of Cindy and Felix at a gas station.]

[It's lonely without you.]

[I wish I could spend some more time together. I'll be back soon and we can go on a real date.]

I reply [Felix are you okay? I know you really didn't want to go. I do miss you. Call me. I want to hear your voice.]

The phone rings.

"Hello? Felix?"

"Hi Michael. Are you worried about me?"

" Yes, it felt like you got kidnapped. Are you okay? "

" yeah I'm fine. "

"Okay. Remember during the Halloween carnival we ate at one of the food booths? If you're okay, which food booth did we go to?"

" we had funnel cake"

Then the phone hung up.

"Hello? Felix!?"

I tried to call him back but the line went to voicemail, which as already full from all the times I called before.

I look at the photo Felix sent me.

Felix and Cindy are in front of a gas station. I Google the station name. There are only four of those in the state. The closest one is 6 hours away.

What should I do?

There's a knot in my stomach. I'm beginning to get so anxious. He said funnel cake, I know he wouldn't have forgotten the Barbeque ribs. I have to go.

I call Harvey and beg him to cover for me for a while.

"Sure, the library is usually empty during the winter anyway so it's a perfect time for a vacation. You never take time off or use your vacation time, so I'm surprised. Because you rather be here at the library than anywhere else. So I hope everything is okay, enjoy your time off. If you need anything let me know."

"Thanks Harvey. Sorry it's last minute."

"Don't worry about it. See you soon, bye"

I pack a duffle bag with a change of clothes. I don't even know what to bring with me. I grab a bunch of stuff I think I might need and head out.

I get to one of the four gas stations Felix could have sent the photo from. I look at the photo. There isn't much to go on. I walk into the gas station. I walk up to the cashier.

"Hi. Um, this may sound weird but have you seen this guy here today like 6 hours ago?" I show the cashier the photo of Felix.

"Yeah." She goes and reaches into a drawer. "Someone turned in this cell phone. It was ringing. The guy on the line said that the guy from the screen saver might show up to pick it up. Here."

I take the phone and the screen saver is a photo of me. A picture I didn't pose for. When did he take this?

I swipe the screen and it unlocks. I look thought the call logs. Just me. The address book. Empty. Photo gallery. Lots of photos of me. He did say he was stocking or "following" me for a few months. There are some more photos. They are photos of a menu from a restaurant and food photos. I Google the restaurant. There is only one within the next few towns.

I drive to the restaurant.

I go in and ask the guy behind the counter. "Do you remember seeing this guy here today, like 5 hours ago or so?"

"No. Sorry. I just started my shift, but the cooks been here that long. We don't serve may customers after the lunch rush. Let me ask him."

The cook comes out. He looks at the photo of Felix. "Oh yeah. He said he'd be back for dinner. He wanted practically a whole rotisserie chicken for supper he said."

I go and sit at a booth in the back. I being to wonder if I made a mistake just following Felix. Now I'm the one stocking him.

After an hour and two cups of coffee, Felix walks into the restaurant.