“So who is Ziggy?” Ted asked as he stood in the doorway of the office.

Gene took the book he’d placed on the desk next to him, opened it to the back page, and handed it to Ted. Ted read the poem, then handing it back said, “How’d you find the book?”

“It was with the university books donated the other day.”

“Was Ziggy the owner of the books?”

Gene shrugged. “I don’t know. The guy who dropped them off said they belonged to his son.”

“He didn’t leave a name?”

Gene glared at Ted.

“Of course not,” Ted said, answering his own question.

Gene had searched the telephone book, matching surnames and initials to every couple written on his list. It had resulted in his list tripling in size.

“Did you check the university books for a name?” Ted then asked.

Gene stopped looking in the phone book and glanced at Ted. “I didn’t. You think there might be a name there?”

Ted shrugged. “Maybe. There are several on the shelf. You can check if you want.”

Gene stood and moved past Ted, making his way towards the shelf where that held all their textbooks. It wasn’t often Ted had those types of books, and when they came in, he would advertise them on his website to move them fast. Gene removed one from the shelf and wondered why he’d never considered looking there first. Gene opened the front cover and skimmed the first few pages. Nothing. He looked inside the other books but, again, nothing.

“No luck?” Ted asked as Gene walked towards the counter.

“None. But that’s fine. I’ve got Dylan helping me.”

Ted smiled. “I’m glad you have someone, Gene. We worry about you.”

“I’m fine, Ted. I’m getting better.”

“We know you are. But we still worry.”

He didn’t mean to make Ted and Mary worry. He was grateful for everything they’d done for him. Once Gene moved out, things would improve.

“You want to get going now?” Gene asked, not wanting to talk about himself any longer.

“Yes, if you’re ready to take over.” Ted accepted Gene’s dismissal of their conversation as he removed the store apron and handed it to Gene.

Gene took the apron, put it on, and sat behind the counter. Several people came into the store and Ted assisted then before leaving. Once the shop was empty, Gene pulled out his phone and the list of names and numbers he’d gathered.

The first couple Gene called were William and Anne Hemmingway. In the phone book, five W and A Hemmingway’s existed. He had looked up A and W Hemmingway, but would try the obvious first before making the job any harder. All the confidence in the world could not stop Gene’s anxiety from growing as the call connected. His heart pounded in his ears, growing so loud Gene almost disconnected the call when it went to an answering machine. Upon hearing the recorded message, Gene disconnected the call.

He realised he hadn’t prepared what he would say. Gene paused and ran over it in his head. With a deep breath, Gene called the next number, his determination stronger than his confidence. The woman who answered the phone was very polite, and when Gene inquired if she had a son called Ziggy, she told him she did not. The third call reached an Amelia instead of an Anne. The fourth call rang out and the fifth call wasn’t the Hemmingway he was looking for. He crossed three names off the list, leaving him with two to call back.

A steady stream of customers kept Gene busy until the end of his shift. He cleaned and locked up for the night and walked to the local cafe. He bought himself a coffee and reminisced about his morning with Dylan.

As much as Gene wanted to call Dylan, his anxiety held him back. In the past, Gene had always come across as too eager. Hadn’t his first meeting with Dylan proven that. He didn’t want to ruin things with Dylan. The fact Dylan had not shunned him right from the start had only encouraged Gene. As much as it frustrated Gene, he decided it would be best to hold off on calling Dylan until the following night to share the news of what he’d found so far.

Gene watched the coffee shop staff around him closing up for the day. He was the last customer to leave. As he began to make his way home, he planned for the following day. If he forced himself to wait to call Dylan until he had information, Gene would put in all his effort the following day to get results.

Once he arrived at home, Gene followed the same routine he always did, only this time he was met by a quiet house. The chill in the air indicated no one had been there for some time, and as Gene removed the clear wrap from his dinner, he spied a note on the kitchen table. After placing his meal in the microwave and heating reheat, he moved to read it. Gone out to the movies. Be back late.

Gene stared at the note. It was in Frehley’s handwriting. It pained Gene that he was no longer a part of the family. He threw the note away, removed his dinner from the microwave, and sat at the table. The stillness created another kind of anxiety for Gene, one where his loneliness became a beacon in the night everyone ignored. Being alone in the house brought a sadness he didn’t want to deal with. Conflicted by the emotions tormenting him, Gene ate quickly so he could shower and be in his room before they got home.

The feeling of being trapped frustrated Gene. When he climbed into bed, he logged onto his bank account through the app on his phone and he looked over his bank balance. A little over $4,000 was not enough to move out, not when he was working part-time. He hoped that now that his mother was working, he could save more. Gene placed his phone facedown on his bedside table and closed his eyes, remembering his father. The pain in his chest seared from the hole his father had left. How he missed him. If not for his siblings, Gene didn’t know how he would've coped with living in a house he wasn’t welcome in.

In that moment, Gene recognised the destructive path his thoughts were taking. If he continued to dwell like he was, he’d only end up tormenting himself for most of the night. The Calvin and Hobbes comic became a welcome distraction. Gene removed the comic book and the list of names from his backpack. There were quite a number of people to call. Gene focused his attention on the list, determined to change his thoughts. It was too late to be calling anyone, yet he was itching to call regardless. He hadn’t been as excited about something for a long while. Although the chances of finding Ziggy were low, Gene hoped the search would bring him closer to Dylan.

With Dylan now on his mind, Gene picked up his phone, tempted to call him. Gene pinched his phone between his fingers and twirled it around in his hand, contemplating whether he should wait. Perhaps sending him a text message would be fine. He could thank Dylan for his help. No one would think that was inappropriate. Pleased with his decision and not feeling guilty about it, Gene typed, Thank you for this morning. Now have a list of names. Will let you know tomorrow how I get on.

Gene hit the send button, pleased with his message. It didn’t matter if he didn’t get a response. The feeling Gene got from sending his message was enough to get him through the night. When Gene heard his family returning, he turned everything off and lay in the dark as he listened to them retire for the night.

Theyer stopped by his door to say they were home, and Gene got up to speak to her. He stood in the doorway without leaving his room. Frehley joined the conversation on her way back from the bathroom and Gene listened as they both told him about the movie and what they had for dinner.

“I’m glad you all had fun,” Gene told them.

“Maybe next time you can join us if you’re not working?” Frehley asked.

“Maybe.” It hurt Gene that his siblings would never understand why he was no longer part of the family. Perhaps when they were older and asked, he might tell them. But for the time being, Gene would continue to stay out of his mother’s way. If it meant distancing himself from his brothers and sisters, then that was how it had to be.

Gene bid them good night, locked his bedroom door, and returned to bed. Only when he had snuggled down did he notice the screen on his phone light up. Gene leaned up onto his elbow and checked his phone. The reply from Dylan said, Good luck.

Gene smiled. It wasn’t much, but Dylan had responded, and that was enough to keep him hopeful. As his thoughts continued to drift to Dylan, a mischievous tinge hovered on the tips of Gene’s fingers. He was tempted to tease Dylan. The thought of how Dylan would respond was enough to make Gene text him again.

Exhilaration pumped through Gene’s body. As in the past, his desire to tease would lead him one of two ways: rejection, or, if he was lucky this time, getting his man.

Gene replied, Thank you. Don’t suppose you could send me a photo of yourself? I can’t sleep.

The reply came immediately after: What the hell man!

Gene laughed, visualising Dylan expression.

Without hesitation, Gene replied, Ah, don’t be like that. I want to gaze on your adorable face before I go to sleep. Unless I can come over now and do it in person.

He sent the message, almost tempted to call.

A minute passed and Gene wondered if Dylan would ignore him. When his phone vibrated again, he was surprised to see that Dylan had sent him a photo. He was with two women, one on either side of him. He was wearing sunglasses and a large hat, casting his face in shadow, making it difficult to see his features. Gene smiled and replied, Well that’s something I guess.

Go to sleep, came the return message.

The emotional high subsided and Gene replied, Good night

No reply came, and after some time, Gene tucked his phone under his pillow, falling into a blissful slumber.