Supporting the Rebellion

It was strange being out in public without Chloe, a reminder of how noisy the world was without her. I was used to Daniel’s Noise, but it didn’t offer the same level of sanctuary my girlfriend offered. This level of chaos was taxing but manageable, and today was important. Chloe was dragged off by Sophie for some ‘girl time.’ How quickly she abandoned me for the company of my aunt. The last I saw of her was the playful smile she had as she waved goodbye.

I thought Daniel would be in a similar mindset at being metaphorically abandoned by his wife, but his Noise was overjoyed despite his neutral expression. He was plotting something.

The door had barely shut when he turned to me. “We’ll give them five minutes before we leave. Should have plenty of time before the movie starts.”

This was the first I heard of us seeing a movie, but it wasn’t entirely unexpected considering what released this week. Daniel had always been a fan of the franchise. Sophie despised the lead actor, meaning he was out of luck when it came to a movie buddy… until he conscripted me.

What I didn’t expect was the monumental tub of popcorn that he drowned in butter, or the pretzel bites, nachos, soda, and candy as he enlisted my extra set of hands to help carry his trove of junk food. Considering the way his eyes salivated at the sight of such treasures, the movie was probably an excuse for the carbohydrate pilgrimage we were now embarked on.

“Does Sophie know you’re getting all this?” I asked before taking a handful of popcorn.

Daniel dunked a chunk of pretzel into the cheese and devoured it. Bliss rippled through his Noise as he savored the moment.

“Picture this: a loving, benevolent husband minding his own business, hears a gasp that stops the heart. Being the kind, loving husband I am, I rush to the defense of my beloved only to find my wife felled by an enemy so devious, so evil, I am rendered helpless. The moment I entered the bathroom, I knew my end was upon me. Then came The Look.” He shivered, eyes taking on a distant look as if he were reliving the memory. “Pray you never experience The Look. It is not something one forgets. She looked at me—poor, loving fool—as if I had personally brewed every latte that crossed those beautiful lips.” His finger shot out, as if to silence me before I could speak. “And the espresso machine was her idea, not mine! ‘Think of all the money we save in the long run!’”

A dramatic sigh left him as he slouched, shaking his head. “Next thing I know, our fridge is seized by kale and quinoa insurgents. She’s reading nutrition labels like ancient prophecies, muttering about ‘hidden sugars’ as if they’re traitors in our midst. The mere rattle of a chip bag summons her like a seagull to a fry. Suddenly she’s just … there. Judge, jury, and snack executioner.” Daniel looked at me, beseeching solidarity. “A man can’t live like this! I can tolerate the diet change, but the quantities! She’s measuring portions, Jake. Measuring! A man needs sustenance.

“But this is where the rebellion begins.” He leaned in, voice dropping conspiratorially. “I have stashes strategically placed around the apartment. For every stash she finds, I build two more. She told me if I spent half as much time meal-prepping, I’d have abs by now.” Daniel blew a raspberry. “As if abs could ever bring a man as much joy as nachos.” To prove his conviction, he dipped a chip into cheese and devoured it, sporting a triumphant grin.

“You told her we were seeing a movie, right?”

“Of course! What kind of man do you take me for?” His eyes twinkled. “But, uh, if she asks, we enjoyed everything in moderation.” My gaze swept over the leaning tower of snacks. “It’s not as bad as it looks. We are sharing.”

“Mm-hmm,” I said, utterly unconvinced.

“Bah. You’ll understand when you’re married. Love may be patient and kind, but it does not survive on rice cakes alone.”

I didn’t think much of it at the time, the movie starting as Daniel and I stuffed ourselves over the course of two hours. The true weight of his words didn’t land until dinner—another establishment Sophie would likely blacklist. My poor uncle, suffering from hamburger withdrawal, ordered two.

“Do you think Sophie would disapprove if I married two women?” Daniel was mid-bite on burger number one when I asked, and the coughing fit suggested better timing was in order. I knew it was premature to start thinking of something that permanent at this point. Considering our age, and current plans and goals for the future, there were years before we would get to a point to start seriously considering it. It was a possibility though, so worth some thought and consideration in the broadest sense. Chloe likely wanted marriage; Alexis was still a question mark.

“M-marriage?!” he wheezed, eyes wide, Noise flaring with confusion and a dash of panic.

Right. Perhaps a bit smaller scale is in order. Context too. I backpedaled. “Maybe that’s too big. Let’s try this: do you think Sophie would be okay with me dating two women?”

“At the same time?” I nodded. “Uh… Are you?”

That was a good question. It was in name only at the moment, but I suppose recognizing it was a start even if labels hadn’t caught up. “Yes.”

Daniel’s usual playful Noise settled into something more contemplative. He rubbed his jaw, burger momentarily forgotten. “Is Chloe okay with this?”

“It was her idea.” A spike of worry vibrated through his Noise. “We’re still figuring things out. And before you ask, Alexis is the other woman.”

“The younger Parker sister?” I nodded. “How did that happen?”

The next half hour became a condensed history of romance, redacted for length and modesty. I highly doubted Daniel wanted a highlight reel of our drunken union that sparked the building fuel we’d been slowly piling up.

He absorbed every detail, asking precise questions that helped me reflect on the circumstances and perspectives. A part of me had been concerned opening up to him about this, but I trusted him and his insight. The way his Noise remained calm and free of judgmental emotions proved my intuition correct. Besides, it was a good trial run for Sophie. There was no one who understood her better than him.

“Hmm,” he said as I finished. “Well, legally speaking, you would easily qualify for the Gift exception for polygamous marriage.”

“I’m less worried about paperwork than about Sophie’s reaction.”

He frowned. “Why are you concerned about that?”

I hesitated. “I don’t want to disappoint her.”

He snorted. “Are you happy, Jake?”

The question startled me. I almost reminded him I didn’t feel happiness, but then I checked my internal barometer. Chloe’s steadfast and warm presence a hearth that anchored me. Alexis’ hot and teasing flame, unpredictable but always bright. Even if the feeling never reached inside, their symphony something I could never join, I could see the dance and influence it in my own way. That was enough. “Yes,” I said. “I am.”

A broad smile split his face, his Noise echoing it. “That’s all that matters to us.”

His smile softened. “Though you might want to wait until you are more… official? It’s nothing bad or anything like that, but you know her. She’ll want to know every little thing before smothering the poor girl. Best to let the starting jitters settle before subjecting Alexis to that.”

I saluted him with my water glass. “Sage advice.”

“I have my moments.” He reclaimed his now-lukewarm burger, chuckling. “Dating two women. Here we were worried about you finding one—well, mostly her. I always knew you’d find someone.”

“Of course,” I said, leaning heavily into my monotone voice. “I’m glad I can finally openly work towards my longstanding dream of building an extensive harem.”

Another **** episode ensued, Daniel quickly grabbing for his soda. The stunned expression from Daniel was one I wished I had a photo of. When he recovered, mirth crackled through his Noise. “Yeah … maybe keep that life goal from Sophie.”

I tilted my head, wanting to keep up the banter. “Can I count on your support?”

“Oh boy, I think I should stay away from this one.”

“Jealous?” I **** a smile, trying to match the one he was wearing.

“Not even a little. A younger, dumber me? Sure. But now? Absolutely not.” He tapped the wedding ring on his finger, grinning. “You’ll understand once you’re married.”