Time Warp: Year of Living Dangerously (Sean)

[Joshua Bernstein]

February 2010

Bobby Bernstein's condition had been deteriorating for months now. They all knew that it would happen eventually, but nobody had the heart to say anything to Charlie. She was very good at both being in denial and in guilting her three children into allowing her to stay this way.

But eventually even she had to relent. She could no longer take care of her husband by herself.

Out of the three, Josh was the only one without a family, but although his loft apartment was spacious enough for a single man it was not even remotely convenient a place to live with an elderly couple, one of whom was mentally incapacitated.

And then he had thought of Sean.

He wasn't too keen on his parents living in a retirement community, but of course the staff would be better able to see to their needs. And the home in Burlington had excellent Alzheimer's care.

Even better, it was less prohibitively expensive than anything in the City.

And so he found himself taking the train to see his best friend. He had briefly discussed moving over the phone, but he had held off saying too much, wanting to see everything for himself before fully committing. He had been to Pilot Ridge so many times, but had never thought he would move there, and so there were so many details he hadn't paid attention to.

Details including housing.

At least there were always houses for sale in Pilot Ridge, the result of population turnover related to the school.

He didn't have long to wait once the train pulled into the station, spotting the telepath's tall form almost immediately.

"Sean!" He waved vigorously to the other man with one hand, picking up his luggage with the other. "It's been too long since I've been up this way."

[Dr. Sean Neville]

February in Pilot Ridge was still firmly in the middle of winter. It had snowed the past few days, although it had warmed a bit (for Vermont), reaching temperatures that hovered around freezing. Sean had donned his winter coat and had brought a spare hat for Josh, just in case his friend had neglected to wear one, as it was somewhat warmer down in New York (although nothing that compared to the temperatures outside of the North East).

However, spotting the younger man, the telepath saw that Josh had dressed himself appropriately, and he shoved the second hat into his pocket.

The train station, fortunately, wasn’t too crowded. Pilot Ridge and its surrounding area had never been a bustle of activity, which had its positives and negatives. The positives made space abundant. The negatives included the fact that trains were fewer than in more populated areas, which made for sparser options. However, the train came in on time, and the telepath had been waiting for a while, as he preferred to arrive early and wait as opposed to arriving late and making others wait instead.

He saw his friend step off the train, and he began to walk across the platform towards the attorney. Approaching the other man, he smiled broadly and leaned in for a quick embrace, before reaching out, offering to help with the luggage if Josh so desired.

“It has been,” he agreed enthusiastically. “Far too long. Do you want a hand with that?”

[Joshua Bernstein]

Josh glanced down at the luggage in his hands before hefting it up to prove that he could handle it himself.

"I've got it. I packed light." He promised, leaning into the embrace and attempting rather awkwardly to return it with his one free hand. He had packed far lighter than he would have were he traveling anywhere but here; one of the perks of staying with Sean as opposed to a hotel was that his best friend actually had a spare room for him, as well as clothes and toiletries.

And some of those clothes had even been put there on purpose.

"I ahh...forgot to check the neighborhood listings before coming up, though." He looked around the train station for one of the newspaper boxes that sometimes offered free house listings. If there was nothing available here he could easily look them up online, of course, but why waste time in the car if he could start checking early?

"But first! Would it be possible to stop by and get some coffee? And maybe a pastry? I got so caught up in my book I ended up skipping lunch..."

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Since Josh demonstrated that he desired no help with his luggage, Sean stepped back, allowing him to take the suitcase unassisted. Instead, he began walking the length of the platform, out towards the stairs and the parking lot where he had left his car.

His friend could pack light when visiting him. The guestrooms were stocked with clean sheets and towels, and the attendant bathrooms had more than enough soap, toothpaste, and shampoo to last the duration of the visit and longer. Additionally, Josh’s sleepover clothing remained in the closet for use.

It was nice to have a system.

“I have the day’s newspaper in the car,” he offered over his shoulder. He had a daily subscription to the local paper, and he had brought it with him to read while waiting. The real estate listings were in the back, so they could look them over together.

At the question, he chuckled lightly, turning around to offer his friend a playful look. “When was the last time I turned down the opportunity for baked goods? There’s a coffee shop downtown. Or we can go to the diner I take you too if you want something more substantial.”

Sean was fond of both. Despite being small, Pilot Ridge had good food culture.

[Joshua Bernstein]

Josh's face lit up as Sean mentioned having a newspaper. "Oh, good. That will work." He agreed, following the taller man along the platform.

The question about pastries, although rhetorical, elicited a chuckle and a reply. "Now that you mention it..." He hefted his luggage as they reached the stairs, peering down them in some concern. Sometimes carting suitcases around was a bit more difficult than he liked; still, it was only a one person job and he had to maneuver the station in New York by himself. He didn't need to impose on Sean for this.

"Do you mind if we stop by the diner? I don't want to sit and eat in front of you if you've already had lunch."

That would be rude, and while he and Sean certainly had their share of communication issues he didn't want to compound that by being inconsiderate of his host.

"Or if you've got engagements."

This, however, seemed less likely; it wasn't as if he worked a job where it was necessary to be on call once he left for home, and he had known Josh was coming for several weeks now. Plenty of time to plan around this visit.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean kept his pace a tad slower than he would otherwise, mindful of the fact that Josh had luggage. When they reached the staircase, he paused, turning his head to gaze questioningly at his friend. While the attorney had already declined his offer to help once, circumstances had changed with the additional element of a flight of stairs.

However, his friend insisted on carrying the suitcase himself, and, resigned, the telepath descended the stairs carefully.

“Of course I don’t mind,” he assured the younger man. Sean wouldn’t have made the offer if he minded. Moreover, he wanted Josh to eat real food, considering his appalling diet, and the telepath could always enjoy coffee and a slice of pie at the diner. He was rather fond of it, after all.

“And I don’t have engagements,” he added, turning his head to look over his shoulder at his friend behind him. “I cleared the day, because I wasn’t sure if you had real estate appointments yet and needed me to drive.” It had been easy enough to do. While he had a job and a social circle, it wasn’t as though every minute of Sean’s day was occupied. If there was an emergency at Hammel, he had his cell phone with him. Otherwise, they could spend the time together.

[Joshua Bernstein]

While it was unsurprising that Sean had cleared his day for Josh, it was still flattering and heartening and the attorney felt warm with pleasure. This was what best friends were for, taking time out of busy schedules for non routine visits. He had felt that it was a shame the telepath hadn't lived closer for so many years, making it difficult to do all the things that other best friends did, but that had never weakened their bond.

"I have no appointments yet. I wanted to see the neighborhoods before even thinking about the houses."

Of course, it had been a long time since he had looked for a home, and then he had only lived in apartments. This was far different, more foreign. But also exciting. He wondered what it would be like to have a house, with a yard. He could have outdoor parties without having to take over the roof of his apartment or taking over crowded public areas.

As they neared the parking lot he peered out at the cars, seeking the familiar sedan. It was unlikely that Sean had brought the van, if it even still worked. The last time he had been down it had been in the garage, and while he was sure that his friend hadn't got rid of it he also doubted that it saw much action.

Still, he found himself asking anyway. "Which vehicle did you drive?"

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean acknowledged that with a nod. If they didn’t have set appointments, then that meant that they could move at their own pace this afternoon. They could stay at the diner for a bit to eat and to peruse the real estate listings. Then the telepath could drive Josh around to the younger man’s contentment, looking at every neighborhood in Pilot Ridge if he so desired. “We can go anywhere you want,” he promised. “Do you have an idea of what price range you want for the house?”

That made a difference. While real estate was quite a bit cheaper in Vermont than it was in the City, the neighborhoods differed. Some houses were more expensive than others, varying by size and location.

“The sedan,” Sean said, pointing off in the area where he had parked his car earlier. As if there was any doubt. While he kept the van in working order and took it in for its annual inspection, since he wanted to keep the vehicle and one never knew when he might need it, he otherwise never used it. The sedan was his town car, and it was reliable.

Upon locating it, the telepath led his friend toward it. As soon as they reached it, he popped the trunk and offered his hand to help lift the suitcase inside.

[Joshua Bernstein]

"Oh." Josh commented, shrugging his shoulder since he couldn't wave his hands given that they were occupied. "As long as it isn't one of those mansions on the outskirts of town I think I can afford it. I was hoping for something that isn't too far from downtown, though, you know, so that I can cycle in to work until I get a handle on driving."

He had never had to drive while in the City; any location that couldn't be arrived at by subway or foot or bicycle could easily be reached by the abundant taxi services. There had simply been no need and thus he had never bothered learning.

Pilot Ridge did not have a subway system or taxis on every corner. He was therefore prepared to learn how to drive. Still, he wanted to be realistic; he would need time to learn, and thus he would still have to be able to get in to work somehow before he'd acquired a license and a car.

This time when help was offered he didn't reject it, instead allowing Sean to take the luggage from him.

"I think my mother is starting to warm up to the idea of moving. She was so reluctant, at first, but I know she's having difficulty caring for dad by herself."

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean picked up the relinquished suitcase and placed it in the trunk. Then he shut the trunk and walked around the car to the driver’s seat. Using the automatic opener on his key ring, the doors were unlocked, and he slid into his seat. The telepath waited for Josh to do the same before starting the car and resuming the conversation.

His friend had a valid point about real estate prices in Pilot Ridge. They were quite cheaper than those in the City, even before the housing market bubble had burst. Even homes near downtown. Acknowledging the limitation with a nod, he remarked, “I know a few places off the top of my head, in terms of locations. We’ll see if there are listings there, but if there are, we’d do well to look there. Family neighborhoods.”

All of the neighborhoods in Pilot Ridge were safe, although some were far nicer than others. Sean knew that he lived in an exceptionally nice neighborhood, but he liked it because of the children and their families who constituted his neighbors. Additionally, his house was gorgeous, if he allowed himself the moment of immodesty. Josh was too old to want to live in some of the singles areas, but there were plenty of options.

At the other remark, he nodded again, although his expression sobered a bit. “I’m glad to hear that she’s warming to the idea. Although I’m quite sorry to hear that she’s struggling with your father’s care. It isn’t easy.”

[Joshua Bernstein]

Josh trusted Sean's opinion on which neighborhoods to look at, and so he nodded as he took his seat.

"We'll look wherever you recommend. And," He added, slipping on his seat belt, "The closer to you it is the better. I can't very well drop in unannounced if you're too far away."

Unless he got to know some of his neighbors well enough to beg for last minute rides, which was something he wasn't adverse to doing. May as well befriend everyone he could, given that he would be in an entirely new location. He couldn't just walk two blocks to the dry cleaners or the bar; now that was going to take some getting used to.

His smile turned to a frown at the acknowledgement of his mother's predicament. "It isn't easy at all. It's hard enough when I visit, so I can't imagine having to live with him. If anything happened..."

She would have to fight Bobby to get in the car. But then perhaps emergency responders were trained to deal with recalcitrant patients. He could only hope that nothing would happen between the present and the move.

"Moving him is going to be a challenge. But at least Matt and David both offered to help. It would be a nightmare with just me and mother."

Not least because then he would have to hire someone to drive them.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean turned his head, checking his blind spot before pulling the sedan from its parking space. Clear, he began the drive toward the diner on the edge of town. Fortunately, Pilot Ridge was small enough that no drive took a particularly long amount. Not as cozy as individual neighborhoods in the City, but smaller than the suburban sprawl in which the telepath had been raised back on Long Island.

“I wouldn’t want you to live too far away either,” Sean remarked, although he and Josh had proven that they could survive long distances. After all, they lived several hours (and states) away at present and had for nearly two decades. Still, it would be so pleasant to have his friend in the same town again, even if the cause for moving was anything but happy.

He listened thoughtfully as the younger man described his concerns about moving his father. The drive would be difficult, both logistically and in terms of accommodating physical and emotional comfort. His brother’s and brother-in-law’s offers to assist would go a long way. But there were other options.

“I have an acquaintance involved in home care,” he said after a moment of deliberation. “Her power is tactile sedation, and that might go quite far in keeping him calm for the drive. You and Matt could rent a full-sized van for seating, and she could ride up with you to keep an eye on your father.”

There were other options, of course, but it was a suggestion.

[Joshua Bernstein]

At Sean's offer the attorney's face lit up. This was something he had never considered; it was true that many meta humans utilized their powers for careers such as this, but given the percentages within the population as a whole they still essentially counted as a niche market.

That his friend knew of someone was, while unsurprising given where Sean lived and worked, also not something that would have crossed his mind had the other man not mentioned it.

"Can you give me her number? Of course I'll have to discuss it with mother, but that's really a wonderful idea."

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean turned the car out of the parking lot and onto the main road in the direction of the outskirts of Pilot Ridge.

The telepath, perhaps more than many (if not most) had contacts within the meta-human community, particularly those who provided medical services. It was part and parcel of his job, both as a meta-human psychiatrist himself, and as the psychiatrist at the only school for meta-humans in the entire continent of North America. The professionals he knew each had their own clientele and area of expertise.

He was happy to recommend them to anyone in need. Such as Josh and his family.

“I’d be happy to,” he said, turning to look at his friend briefly before returning his attention to the road ahead of him. “When we get back to my house, I’ll pull her information from my Rolodex and write it out for you. If you tell her that you’re a friend of mine, I’m sure that she’ll be happy to make the trip.”

The telepath would owe her one, but it would be well worth the favor.

“If you want help when talking it over with your mother, let me know. I can be persuasive on these matters,” he offered. And he did have a bit of insight into the topic.

[Joshua Bernstein]

Josh smiled gratefully at his friend, glad to have someone so willing to help him out. Someone who wasn't family, that is; of course he was grateful to his brother and his brother-in-law, and he was close to his family and loved them. But it was something else altogether to offer help when one wasn't related.

"My mother would love for you to talk with her," He observed, "Although she may not be thrilled by the topic."

Then again, it involved helping her husband, and he knew how much she loved his father. She would want to do whatever was in his best interests.

"But she misses you and asks about you. She even sent her regards when I told her I was coming up here."

His mother had always had a weak spot for Sean; not that Josh blamed her, he had a fondness for his best friend as well. Surely everyone could understand.

He spotted the sign for the diner, familiar from previous visits, and another smile lit up his lips at the same time his stomach growled in anticipation.

"If my stomach has its way I'm going to open the door and fling myself at the diner before we even stop."