Re: Elaine/TJ
TJ hadn't seen the old club nights. They'd only been having jam sessions at the school with Hanna's hand injury. He couldn't help recalling the conversation at one of them about how this was nothing like a real club. Of course, Brian had been right about that.
This was nothing like a real club.
If TJ thought about how it was different from Diesel, let alone The Dome, he might actually cry at what he'd been reduced to accepting.
But, it was still the only real social gathering available. He could still dance with Travis. He could spend time with Tommy and Brian, who were the only ones there who shared his taste in entertainment. He was hoping to talk to Doug at some point. Living in the same house didn't make it easier to talk when they were both too tired by the time they got home. While his lungs didn't totally hate him anymore, it had been easier when they could play hooky while Travis was at work.
And it looked good to be seen participating, even if he had refused to play. TJ understood that Travis being the second-in-command on their unit came with social obligations as well as responsibilities in the field. He might dislike most of these people, -- although, dislike would imply actually caring -- but he could play nice in order to make his lover's job easier.
Of course, when his mother came over almost as soon as Travis left, TJ's internal hackles rose. This much he knew too well. If she'd just wanted to say hello, she'd have come over while Travis was there. Coming over now meant she wanted to talk about Travis.