Roach

LOVERS CANNOT SEE BASED ON WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

ANTONIO SAT, ROCKING BACK AND FORTH in the chair at the back corner of the classroom, listening to the tick-tock rhythm of the clock, and waiting for the familiar ring that came at the end of each day.

He watched Bassanio, who relaxed on a chair two seats in front of him. His blond curls were glowing in a halo of sunshine that pooled in from the open window, and he was laughing. Antonio smiled as he listened.

What would happen if he told him?

Antonio glanced out the window then and saw the sun, struggling to brighten the drab winter sky. It was close to setting now.

There was a story Antonio’s father had told him once about the sunset, when he was much younger, a story that only a sailor would know. However, Antonio had long since forgotten it.

He shifted his focus back to the clock, and resumed watching the hands plod through, waiting for the bell.

It wasn’t really the bell that he was waiting for.

Solanio nudged him and Antonio spun to his left.

“What?”

“Do you have the time?”

Antonio pointed to the clock on the wall.

“Right.” Solanio paused. “You still grounded?”

“Yeah.”

“It was a hell of a party.”

“Thanks.”

“Definitely worth it.”

“Thanks.”

“Did you get with any girls?”

Antonio glanced over at Bassanio, and felt his face heat up. He lied.

“Yeah.”

“Nice. How many?”

“Some.”

“Nice.”

“Thanks.”

Antonio went back to waiting and watching the sunset. If only he knew what it was he was waiting for.

The thing about the sun is that sometimes when it’s setting, it flashes. Green.

The bell rang, but Antonio stayed in his seat. That wasn’t it. A few of his classmates lingered, throwing him curious glances. He dipped his head in acknowledgement to a few, and dispersed the rest with a small wave of his hand. Finally, it was just the two of them.

Bassanio slung his backpack over one shoulder and sauntered over to Antonio. He grinned.

“We’re free,” he said. “So where to?”

Antonio forced his lips to curl upwards. “Home.”

“Still?”

“Yeah,” Antonio said, dragging himself out of the chair. “Still.” Bassanio frowned and Antonio forced a smile for him.

“Sucks,” Bassanio said, patting him on the arm as they walked out the door, “Sucks balls.”

When the sun sets, it produces a flash of green light. However, while the sun sets every day, most people have never seen the flash, because it can only be seen when certain conditions are met.

The two boys entered the hallway and were greeted by batting eyelashes and hopeful swoons. Neither noticed.

Bassanio walked down the corridor, and a path through the crowd materialized before him. His head turned and he met Antonio’s gaze. A moment. Then Bassanio continued walking and Antonio followed him, through the hallway and out the front doors.

They escaped to the front steps, looking down at the open courtyard with its bland whites and muted greys, created from stone coated in snow. Yet the sun sparkled off of the fluffy mounds, making rainbows dance on the ready canvas.

“Where had you wanted to go anyway?” Antonio asked, raising an eyebrow at his friend.

Bassanio rubbed his head. “Portia.”

People can only see the green flash when the horizon before them is clear and the sky is clear. There can be nothing barring their vision.

“She’s hot,” Antonio said. He had overheard boys talking about her in the gym room.

“Yeah.”

“Didn’t know you liked her.”

“I - She’s got nice tits.”

Antonio nodded. “Big.”

“Yeah.”

Antonio looked up and their eyes met for a second. Then Bassanio pulled his stare away.

This is why the green flash is so popular amongst sailors, because when they’re out on the ocean the horizon is always clear. Once there’s a cloudless sky then the sailors are set, because there aren’t any trees, or houses, or other obstacles to block their view.

They began to descend the steps as Antonio clicked his tongue on the roof of his mouth.

“Solanio and Salerio have been worried about you,” Bassanio said, running a hand through his blond curls.

Antonio snorted. “Yeah?”

“They reckon you’re having ‘lady trouble’.

Antonio glanced at Bassanio, and the two laughed. Antonio sighed softly. Ladies were the least of his problems.

“I’m not.”

“Oh,” Bassanio said and his face relaxed into its usual smile. “That’s good then.”

“Why?’

“I wouldn’t want you to be having lady troubles.”

“Why?”

A pause, Antonio waited. Bassanio spoke, “They suck.”

Antonio flinched. “You’d know.”

Bassanio became fascinated with a rock under the snow. “No, I wouldn’t.”

Antonio didn’t hear him. “What’s the story there anyway? Besides her tits I mean.”

Bassanio shrugged. “No story. I – I just was thinking we’d go hang out with her and her friends.”

“Because you like her.”

“She’s a likeable person.”

“I know,” Antonio agreed, leaning against the hood of his car as he eyed Bassanio. “But do you like her?”

The thing about the green flash is that, even when you’re in the perfect position to see it, you probably won’t, unless you’re waiting for it. You have to be completely ready, because when it does happen, it only lasts for a moment.

Bassanio started at Antonio, and Antonio stared back.

Bassanio’s face shone suddenly, struck by a shaft of desire, and for a moment, the sun was envious. For a moment, he was struck speechless, unable to do anything besides stare, leaving his eyes open for any who wished to read them.

Antonio blinked.

“Maybe,” Bassanio said. “Like I said, she’s got big tits.”

“Right.” Antonio smiled. “Well, good luck with her. Tell me if I can help you in any way.”

“I might need a wingman,” Bassanio suggested.

Antonio considered it, for a second, but his heart hurt too much, “I – I’m grounded, but money or something for a date or whatever. I’ll cover that once I start getting my allowance again. Let me know, all right?”

“Yeah.”

Antonio hopped in his car, “Anything to get you laid.”

“Anything to make you happy.”

They both laughed and then Antonio drove away, leaving Bassanio waiting in the parking lot.

It was a shame that Antonio didn’t know the story about the green flash, because if he’d been able to remember, then he might have realized what he had been waiting for. That flash on Bassanio’s face that told him everything he needed to know. When next would both his horizon and his sky be clear, free of worries and women? Maybe not for years; maybe not ever.