Subject: Jens and Axel go on a date
Do you like my new email?
13.10
From [email protected]
Subject: Jens and Axel go on a date
God where have you been all my life? It’s fate!!!
You are crazy dude. Anyway, I like you already. See you at 3.30. Got chemistry now, and would like to pass so will put phone away.
PS. Love you.
The no13 Tram, Central Oslo
Twenty years later
It’s definitely the same Axel Kleve. How could it not be.? The face is the same. A little more defined. A little older. Still there is no doubt that Jens is staring at Axel. His Axel. His hair is still a blond mess. His eyes bright and clear.
“Pappa who is that nurse, are we buying Marthe shoes from that nurse? You said I could have your phone in two minutes Pappa. Two minutes. Why are you looking at that Pappa? Where are Marthe’s shoes? I want to play subway sweep. Shoes are boring.” Mikki is getting annoyed.
Jens’ hands are shaking. He thinks it’s not too noticeable but he can barely keep the phone still. Mesmerised by the photo.
Mikki is shouting again, and Jens panics a little. This is no good, so he does what he usually does. Clicks on the ASK US ANYTHING link. His own personal ‘fix all the shit I don’t know how to fix’ place. Any question answered by an expert in the field within twenty-four hours. Usually quicker. Because ‘PPN understands today’s parents and knows that time is of the essence’. Jens has read the blurb. Fallen for the hype—hook, line and sinker.
Because as a parent you are sometimes desperate. Jens is desperate most of the time.
Where can I find out what shoe size my daughter needs and where can I order with next day delivery? She is 2. I am in trouble with the nursery and her shoes are apparently a disgrace.
Kind regards Jens Sommerfeldt
Father of the Year.
He presses send. Yeah, shit joke. But since there is no one else who Jens can share his shit jokes with these days, he relies on the friendship of someone anonymous in an office who will answer his crap questions with a smile. Within twenty-four hours. Or less.
He loads up the game for Mikki and lets his eyes rest against Marthe’s head. He is just going to close his eyes for a second. Just a little rest.
All he can think of is Axel.
The first time they met they laughed even before they had said a single word. Axel clinging to his text book, and Jens with a scrunched-up hand towel in his jacket pocket.
“Hi, I’m Jens, your boyfriend. Fiancé. Whatever.” He had reached his hand out and Axel had given him a hug. Just laughing.
“Hi, I’m Axel. Nice to meet you. Boyfriend.”
It had been an easy friendship. Lots of laughs over coffee and muffins and a test in the History of Norwegian Poets and their work, that Axel had aced thanks to Jens and his love of all things weird and wonderfully quirky. Like little bits of poetry written by old men who were clearly out of their minds. Jens had always loved Hauge, an eccentric gardener who lived on an island on his own, dreaming of things that he would never find. He had tried to explain it to Axel, who had taken notes, listening to him with a little amused smile and a quirky comment, making him blush when he derailed into something completely irrelevant. Again, and again.
They had left when the coffee shop manager threw them out. Then they had gone back the next day to celebrate Axel surviving Norwegian and help Jens ace the last Biology exam. Which Axel talked him through, drawing diagrams in on napkins and talking animatedly with his hands until Jens finally got it. He did. He understood!
The bad jokes continued. Jens would sling his arm over Axel’s shoulder when they walked. Side by side. They would high five each other in the corridors. Laugh at stupid texts throughout the day.
Axel had been the first friend who got Jens. Who truly got him. Who had let him be silly and stupid and clingy and touchy-feely, and Jens had loved him. Loved him for giving him that. For letting him be himself and not some carbon copy year three idiot like the one he pretended to be most of the time.
The first time it happened was a few months later. They might have had a few beers. There might have been a joint or two involved, but the two of them had ended up on Jens’ bed. Watching some crap movie with Axel hogging most of the bed and Jens’ head on his lap. Axel’s fingers playing with Jens’ hair, and Jens rolling over and laughing at Axel’s… well, whatever Axel had been telling him.
It had just been a moment. A fleeting second or two. But it was there. The way they looked at each other. Like they both knew. Like the air went all solid and stagnant and there was nothing but white noise. Then it was gone. Then Axel went to the loo and Jens got them another beer.
It wasn’t until Jens turned the light out, when Axel was almost asleep in the bed next to him, that he dared to reach out and stroke his hair. Gently touch his cheek. And Axel had rolled over and curled into Jens’ arms. They had slept all night like that. Holding each other.
In the morning, neither of them had said a word. Just slipped back into their normal banter, like it was nothing. Nothing at all. And that’s how they had rolled.
From: [email protected]
RE: Shoes for a 2-year-old
Hi.
Congratulations sending the very first email to ASK AXEL Although I think you meant to press ASK US ANYTHING. I don’t know anything about shoes for a 2-year-old, but I will be happy to pass on your question to the right people.
Anyway, I had to write that in case you are not the Jens I think you are. If you are then I am the happiest person in the world. How long has it been? 20 years? I almost had a heart attack when I saw your name.
Jens, I know we haven’t spoken since, but if you want to meet up? Just to have a beer? Have a laugh or two? I am all yours.
Axel .
PS. Congratulations on stalking me again. Good Job.
The last time Jens had seen Axel, was a Sunday afternoon, spent lounging around in front of the TV at Axel’s. Just hanging out. Side by side. Arms touching. Jens’ head on Axel’s shoulder. It wasn’t like they talked about it. It was never mentioned. They just liked touching when they were together. Hanging out. Chilling.
They had fought over something, just being silly. Nothing serious. Axel had his arms around Jens’ neck, while Jens held the remote control for the TV over his head. Just out of reach. Taunting him about not getting to watch the match. Being silly. Not thinking. Not thinking at all.
Axel had just reached up. Pressed his lips to Jens’ mouth, and kissed him, Softly and quickly, just a peck, making Jens’ lips sting like he had been burned. Making him press his fingertips over his lips to soothe them. Wanting Axel to do it again. Just staring at him as he stared back. Eyes on eyes, and not a single word spoken.