LITMIR.BIZ

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still a few miles shy of their final destination. “Close enough for now, though,” he laughed, laying his head back, stretching his body across the surface of the tub, and looking up at the towering evergreens surrounding the hotel. “You know, I read in some of the spa literature that local Native American tribes first enjoyed these waters almost ten thousand years ago. That’s pretty amazing all by itself, don’t you think?”

      “Yeah, that’s a long time ago, all right. Kinda makes you feel connected with the continent a bit, though—sorta like home, I guess, but in a different way. There’s a lot more rugged, natural beauty out here. What a change from the area we drove through this morning—like high desert to rain forest in only a couple of hours!”

      “That was pretty dramatic,” Ryan agreed, totally savoring the warmth of the soothing water on his tired body. “And the Columbia winds its way through it all! What a beautiful spot we’re in, Jules! See, I told you we had to get out and see the world! Isn’t this just like totally cool?”

      “Totally warm, right now,” Julian replied contentedly. “I really wondered if Vinnie was gonna make it a few times there.”

      “Not too bad, though—one flat in New Mexico and one busted radiator hose in Idaho—that could’ve even happened to a Lexus!” he grinned.

      “That’s true, and at least we weren’t out in the middle of nowhere when it occurred,” Julian recalled thankfully.

      “I’m glad we decided to stay here tonight,” said Ryan, cradling his neck between two powerful jets on the edge of the hot tub. “I was really getting tired of sleeping in the van. I’m ready for a real bed, aren’t you?”

      “More than you could possibly imagine,” replied Julian, rolling his eyes. “They say it’s more about the journey than the destination, but I’m kinda hoping that’s not entirely true. I do most certainly miss the comforts of home.”

      “Me too. Besides, you snore too much. I’ll be glad when you have your own room!”

      “Well, at least I don’t thrash around kicking and elbowing all night like you do!” Julian countered.

      “Even so, it’s been fun,” Ryan smiled, adjusting his position so that his feet were feeling the full impact of the jets. “You know, there’s a huge mineral pool inside; we’ll have to swim a few laps when we’re done out here.”

      “Swim all the laps you want. I may never be done out here,” Julian sighed as he closed his eyes and completely relaxed in the warm mineral water. “There must be lithium in here,” he added, smiling contentedly. “I don’t think I’ve ever felt so relaxed.”

      “Probably so,” Ryan agreed, “and the good news is that it’s less than an hour from our apartment—we can come back whenever we want!”

      “Oh yeah, I like the sound of that. So we’ll be able to move our stuff in tomorrow?”

      “Uh-huh. I signed the lease starting on the 15th. We’ll probably have to use our sleeping bags for another couple of days till we find some furniture, though.”

      “No problem. At least we’ll have our own rooms, right? No more elbows?”

      “No more elbows!” Ryan laughed. “We’ve got a lot to do before school starts, Jules. Get settled, explore the city…you know, I’d really like to get another band goin’ too—just for a little fun and some extra spending money! What’d ya think?”

      “That would be fun, IF we have time AND we can find some good musicians.”

      “Well, I’ve heard Portland is full of them. Maybe we can run a Craigslist ad in a week or two and see what we turn up.”

      “Ok by me, as long as we don’t screw up at school. That should be a priority.”

      “Yeah, I know. My parents have told me that plenty of times. Think you’ll be able to keep me on the ‘straight and narrow,’ Jules? That’s what the families are banking on!”

      “That’s always been my role, it seems,” Julian grinned. “I don’t really see it changing much just because we’ve left home. Somebody has to supervise you!” he laughed.

      “Can’t deny that. I’ve always been kinda like a hound dog—so enthralled with the scent I’m following that I forget about everything else.”

      “Well put,” Julian agreed. “Just don’t forget to heed the master’s call!”

      “All right, all right,” Ryan agreed, pulling himself out of the water and sitting on the concrete edge of the hot pool. “I lead, you follow, I list, you right my course, I stray, you redirect, I win, you win too—how’s that, Jules?”

      “Not bad for an egomaniac!” Julian grinned. “It’ll do for now, though. Go swim your laps, will ya? I’m starving, and the review I read said they had a great restaurant here. Where food’s involved, you follow me, got it?”

      “Yes sir!” Ryan saluted. “Meet you in the room in about twenty!” he shouted over his shoulder as he disappeared into the immaculate landscaping heading toward the indoor mineral pool.

      Two Days Later

       Portland, Oregon

      “Wow, Jules, this is awesome, eh? Top o’ the Clay, dude! Sixth floor, and our own balcony too! Do you realize we got the only two-bedroom in this entire building?”

      “Thank God for that,” Julian agreed, after getting his first elbow-free night’s sleep in over a week. “Yeah, it is nice up here. Look at that! There goes the MAX, right under our noses! Public transportation at its best!”

      “Better yet, we can go anywhere we want downtown for free, plus it stops just across the street! That’ll give Vinnie a rest for a while!”

      “Another merciful favor from the universe!” Julian responded as he flopped down on their newly acquired futon in the living room. “Could have used another bath in here, though!”

      “Ya-da ya-da-ya,” Ryan chided. “Never satisfied. At least I don’t have to listen to you snore!” he laughed.

      “Yeah, and I won’t wake up bruised from all your nocturnal antics!” Julian grinned. “These are cool hardwood floors too. I love these old buildings. I think the Clay was built in the 20’s, wasn’t it?”

      “Something like that. Awesome location for us too. A couple of blocks to class, quick street car ride to the Whole Foods Market—what more could we want?”

      “Two bathrooms?” Julian jibed as he ducked a pillow hurled in his direction.

      “Good thing we had Vinnie too,” pointed out Ryan, always the optimist. “We would never have been able to pick up all this stuff we got off Craigslist! It does look good in here, though, don’t you think? Nice futon, small dining table, couple of desks, bookcases, lamps—we’re good to go, dude, and we’ve only been here two days!”

      “Not bad for a couple of Charleston boys!” Julian agreed. “Hey, let’s hop on the MAX and head up to Whole Foods; I’m really hungry, and that empty refrigerator isn’t helping!”

      “Always thinkin’ about food!” Ryan teased. “Hey, you know what would be cool?”

      “What’s that?”

      “I saw online a drinking chocolate place not far from Whole Foods—like Burnside and 13th I think. I’ll bet you’d like that!”

      “Drinking chocolate? Never heard of it!”

      “Well, it’s like the newest thing—not hot chocolate like we’re used to—but really dark chocolate, served hot in small espresso cups. Reviews online are fab!”

      “Sounds good to me. Let’s give it a shot while we’re up there. I’m never one to turn down dessert, even if I have to drink it!” Julian laughed.

      “Ok,

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