[Titanic] Ticket

Most of the time in July in New York, the weather is sunny and fine, with almost no wind. The lake water is as calm as a side of mercury-plated carved glass, with an unidentifiable fishy smell.

Lester sat in the shade of a tree by the lake, counting from one to ten thousand. He took off his heavy jacket and threw it aside. The sweat was like sticky thin snakes, flowing from his forehead all the way to his neck, along the The back of his neck was wet with his white shirt.

Winnie poked its big head over and placed it carefully on the young man's shoulders. This two-year-old white Andalusian warmblood horse looked a little melancholy, with bright black eyes that were moist and cute—probably Because its new owner couldn't get up enough energy to accompany her for a couple of laps.

Lester fed it some apples, and gently stroked its long and healthy neck: "Hey, good girl, be obedient. When the weather is cooler, I will take you all over the whole white cuckoo—I promise. "

"Your guarantees are always worthless, Mr. Roland." Carl's voice came from behind him. He tied his horse next to Winnie, and then sat down next to Lester. "Ice water, sandwiches, and Some little cookies - Catherine says they're delicious."

"You don't look too happy, Carl." Lester tilted his head and smiled, probably because of the right amount of exercise, and his cheeks had a wonderful rosy color, which made him look lazy and charming.

Carl hugged his forehead and kissed: "I'm sorry, I wanted to make you happy."

"Actually, I am very happy. There is no happier time than this time." Lester pillowed on the strong hardcover thigh of a rich man as if his bones had been pulled out, and his light eyelashes covered his eyes. They were gray eyes full of tenderness—they trembled slightly in their mottled eyes, like two fluffy dandelions.

Carl couldn't help poking it, and Lester avoided his fingers, complaining, "It's itchy."

Carl held his finger and said something in a low voice, Lester squinted his eyes and smiled, his eyes were like fish swimming slowly in the lake, with clear traces of sunlight on the scales: "...I love you too. "

……

At the end of July, Lester and Victor discharged Turner Sr. from the hospital, and he was sent straight to a new crepe shop in Queens—thankfully he finally agreed to sell the Angel "Transfer, although it seems unwilling and has used harsh conditions to make things difficult for them several times-but everyone understands that this is just the last bit of heart that an old man can do.

"This place looks good. I think Clara and the others don't have to complain to me about having no good place for afternoon tea." Victor bent down and got into the low walnut door, and the wind chime on the carved iron made a crisp sound ——This looks much more upscale than that broken car horn, with stretches of vines hanging down by his side, some of which are still blooming with bright yellow bell-like flowers.

Lester sits down in the swing chair and puts his hands on the plush cushioned table: "I bet it wasn't Alex's work - he's just going to make this place look like something, Anyway, you know, Broadway style."

Bell and Alex came out from the inside, first greeted the old Turner in the wheelchair, and then Alex crossed his shoulders and complained dissatisfiedly: "Gosh, don't look down on me like this, Lester— —I don’t try to turn myself into a magnet every day. Well, well, I’ll tell you the truth, it was Bell’s idea—he likes it like that, like a bitch.”

Bell came out with the teapot and cups, his movements were unexpectedly nimble, he slammed the dinner plate on the table steadily and gently, and then rumpled Alex's hair without hesitation—the boy Crazy with rage, God knows how hard it is to grow his long hair for his new role, he fights back mercilessly, but apparently Mr. Augustus's muscles aren't built to look good In the end, Bell was almost as motionless as a mountain while pouring tea for everyone while being beaten expressionlessly.

Lester was overjoyed, and the depressed old Turner also showed a little smile after a long absence.

"They look - just like my parents. Because they have each other, they can be happier than everyone else." Victor whispered in Lester's ear, his eyes were a little lonely, as if he was enduring with great sorrow.

Lester stroked his hair carefully and lowered his eyes: "Victor, no one can go well. If you can't look at the world in a different way, then you will always be immersed in your own misfortune."

Victor curled his lips in a rare way: "You know—you've always made me think of you as more of a philosopher, Lester. Once again, I regret that I didn't board the Titanic."

Lester shrugged, and didn't seem interested in replying to his words.

Bell finally agreed to take over the dismantling work of "Angel"-this was specially requested by the old Turner. He seemed to know the young man's ability from the bottom of his heart, and it was difficult to trust the professionals Leicester and the others hired. Wrote a staggering check—luckily the value of Macy's shares was enough to cover the hefty fee.

When dusk came, Lester finally let out a long sigh, his mind and soul were about to fly briskly into the clouds, everything had settled down, and nothing could stand in front of him anymore.

Lester stood on the steps in front of the store, raising his hand, as if wanting to catch a strong beating pulse—maybe it came from this strange and challenging era, or maybe it came from his long-standing The injustice and resentment towards identity suppressed in the heart.

"you are happy."

Lester replied mildly: "I've been looking forward to this day. Money, power, cars and wine, always make people happy, don't they?"

Victor raised his eyebrows indifferently: "I don't want to be the one who spoils your fun, but I have to tell you—not very good news, Charlie Hockley is here, just got off the boat today, get ready, I don't want you to get hurt, honey."

Lester suppressed the last trace of his smile, his gray eyes glowed cold silver under the moonlight, he seemed to be fully armed in an instant, becoming an indestructible fortress in the long flow of time, emitting invisible power and oppression.

"I was already prepared."

Victor opened his mouth, and in the end he could only retreat and lowered his shoulders: "No matter what, I will stand by your side, Lester."

Small theater [Carl many, many years later]

Carl has had a problem lately. He has started complaining endlessly about his countless rivals over the years.

Lester thought he might be in menopause.

This went on until Christmas, when Carl hung woolen stockings by the head of the bed.

Lester got up quietly in the middle of the night and peeked at the piece of paper he hid in his sock:

【He is still so beautiful, but I have a beer belly and wrinkles. Will he fall in love with those young people in their 30s and [-]s...】

Lester smirked and wrote under the slip of paper:

[Quit your sweets and alcohol, and start exercising together tomorrow.In the end, I promise, we will always be old. 】