It Had to Be You
By: Adriana M
Tags: Short Story, LGBTQ, Romance, Love

Jonah walked into the pub his friend had recommended he check out once he was settled in Sydney. The place was simple, with a nice neighborly vibe. Next to the bar hang a bunch of framed photographs on the walls of people having a good time: friends playing pool, group hugs, Halloween parties. One face called his attention. It cannot be. Jonah stared as he slid onto a stool, eyes glued to the frames. He registered movement to his side and heard the clank of shot glasses on the wooden bar. The bartender had poured two drinks. Jonah looked up. His mouth fell open. It was him, the man in the photographs. Liam Mckenzie. His first love.

“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, he walks into mine,” said Liam with a smile.

Jonah froze for a minute. “Is this your bar?” Was all he could manage to say.

“Indeed, my dear Jonah, the blonde confirmed, lifting his shot glass in a cheer and downing it all down in one gulp.” Without turning around to look, Liam called the other bartender.

“Jason”

“Yes, Mr. Mackenzie?”

“I need you to take charge. I’m calling in sick.”

Jason laughed

“You’re right here, Mr. Mackenzie. I Don’t think you can call in sick now.”

Liam kept his eyes on Jonah, took out his cellphone and dialed. Jason’s phone buzzed. The young man rolled his eyes and picked up.

“Hello, Mr. Mackenzie”

“Hello, Jason. I cannot come in. I’m sick. You’ll have to cover for me.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. What seems to be the problem if I may ask?”

“I’m lovesick, my boy. I’m lovesick.”

He ended the call and smirked. Jonah gave a nervous laugh. He was still in shock.

“You haven’t changed,” he offered.

“Well, thank you. You, on the other hand, look quite different,” answered Liam with a warm smile. “Give me a second, let me come around.”

Jonah blushed a little. Back in high school, he had been a wallflower, thin, with terribly framed glasses and always dressed as his mother said. He thought himself utterly hopeless in the romance department, but then a miracle happened. For his literature class senior year, he got assigned by the professor to pair with Liam for a project called the poetry exchange. Each partner wrote a short poem in a journal, and then they exchanged notebooks. They would take them home and read them there, then write a response to the poem, and the next class switchback. Each week they got a new prompt, so the exchange lasted for months.

For Liam and Jonah, it started as homework but soon became an outlet for their thoughts and feelings. After a few exchanges, both partners trusted that the other one would not reveal the content to anyone else. And since each student could select one of their pieces to submit for grading every month, it was possible to maintain an intimate dialogue without the professor knowing all the details.

They exchange stories of family, friendships, pain, and love. Liam had been struggling with his sexuality, and Jonah helped him navigate his feelings through the exchange. But they never spoke out loud of these intimate things. The journals were sanctuaries, a place to be free without fear of judgment. It was too valuable to risk it. Outside the exchange, the two boys were polite to each other but maintained their usual facades, Liam the fun-loving, outgoing jock, Jonah the reserved, shy bookworm. By the end of the year, Jonah was desperately in love.

On the last day of class, when he got home, he realized he didn’t have his notebook. He was brokenhearted about it, thinking he had lost it. Two days later, a package arrived in the mail. It was his notebook plus a bound copy of Liam’s journal. They came with a note.

I’m sorry I didn’t ask your permission to take the journal, but I was afraid you would say no, and I wanted to have a copy to take it with me. My family is moving back to Australia, and I won’t be able to attend graduation, I was distraught when my parents told me we were leaving so soon so I took the notebook before there was a chance I would not see you again. Please forgive my impetuosity. I hope you won’t forget me because I will always remember you. Thank you for being my friend. Though to me, you were so much more than that.

Love

Liam

Jonah had cried for days, locked in his room. For the next few years, he carried the journals everywhere he went, and whenever he felt lonely or lost, opening one of them to a random page would transport him to a time when he was happy. Where there was a sense of belonging. When he was in love.

And now, his long lost love was in front of him, maneuvering to get himself out from behind the bar. Jonah downed his drink, wondering how this will go. Should they shake hands? Bro hug? Or would it be just an awkward hello? Before he could get his pants on a twist, Liam had walked around in a few long strides and was enveloping him on a hug. Jonah let himself be held tight, breathing the familiar scent, a knot on his throat, eyes prickly.

“I missed you, my Jonah. I missed you so much. It’s like you found your way back to me.” Liam’s voice was filled with emotion. Tears rolled down his face.

Jonah broke down, little sobs shaking his chest. After a few moments, he calmed down and leaned his forehead on Liam’s

“About time for us to talk face to face, don’t you think?” he said in a chuckle, swiping Liam’s tears with his thumb.

“Or I could get us a couple of notebooks?” Liam quipped softly.

Jonah laughed, still not letting go.

“We are adults now. I’m sure we can manage to talk. We’ll start by catching up.”

“Sounds wonderful.”