thepnutgallery | A Talisman Trip (Reply)

I heard Julian bustling about and head off to work, and when I got up, I saw he'd texted after I went to bed, thanking me for the best date he's ever been on. Also that he couldn't find his shoe, but he laughed it off and was glad for his sandals. Who is this man? I saw messages from JJD and Carl about Talisman; we'd talked about playing, but hadn't set a day, and then I was out on Friday. I suggested they come over tonight, figured I could snag some snacks, and this would keep us occupied. I found Julian's other shoe under the bed; I imagine Gizmo was playing with it, and I was reminded of the foster kittens stealing my socks while I had an orgy in Seattle. It was raining out, so I figured I'd drop Julian's shoes off for him rather than wait for him to grab them on his lunch break. When I got there, I thought maybe I should have also brought coffee for everyone or something, but I didn't let perfect be the enemy of good. I talked to the newly engaged Farrah, got to see Lauren, and chatted with Julian on the couch there. Things feel hopeful all over, so I don't even have that weird guilt I had in 2020, when my life was improving but everyone else's was facing daily meteors.

I stopped at Ranch 99 and might have gone a little crazy trying fun vegan stuff. Adobo marinade, basil chips, kimchi chips, dried coconut, seaweed snacks, staple items like vegan chicken and mushroom broth... I got a hold of myself, grabbed a couple other things at Ralph's, but then had a little anxiety attack at home and tried to back out of gaming. Second guessing the state of the apartment, how much room we have, and suddenly paranoid Julian would throw a tantrum. JJD and Carl talked me down, but Carl volunteered to host instead.

Gave Julian some time to breathe and call his mom when he got home, I ran over to TJ's and went a little nuts on snacks again, then forgot one of the bags anyway. Carl loves fig newtons, Julian loves Bamba peanut candies, and JJD likes biscoff (gingerbread) cookies. He brought mega chocolate Oreos, so there were plenty of vegan snacks. Carl said he had beer and wine, but Julian brought his own anyway. At least he's no mooch. The game was fun, and I gave JJD the briefest of recaps - my awkward NYEE, run in with the law, and the current status of my relationship with Julian. These are the things we miss out on by not working together in the office or visiting each other's virtual office, when he makes one. Julian was a little off, but it felt more like poor, coarse, socialization skills than anything else.

Julian laid down when we got home, I tried to go through his forms for his therapy appointment tomorrow, but I eventually got to the insurance info page, I couldn't find his insurance card and he refused to look. It was getting late, so I went to bed. He freaked out, wanted to make it clear he wasn't mad at me, just pissed at all the roadblocks they put up to getting help. I get it, I hate it too, but ultimately, he's gotta just grit his teeth and get through it.