“Yeah.I’m in no hurry to repeat that experience,” he said.“It was some crazy shit, being threatened with a gun like that.Don’t really want to think about it.”It was hard to believe it had happened only five days ago and he’d been trying to put it out of his head.“What else is going on with you?”
“It’s Mom’s birthday today.Do you ever wonder where she is?”
“I try not to, to be honest.”Cujo thought back to his last memories of her.It was the day she’d left, and in an ironic twist of fate it had been Valentine’s Day.He’d heard whispering, was convinced it was because they were planning the secret Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles party he’d wanted for his eighth birthday.Creeping down the stairs, he’d promised to only listen for a moment to check it was everything he’d asked for.At first, he hadn’t understood their adult conversation.
“But we need you.I love you for God’s sake.What do we need to do to make this work for you?”His dad had sounded desperate, pleading.
“You don’t understand, I don’t want to be here,” his mom had snapped.“I am done living a life I don’t want.Brody was a mistake.You know that.”
He had sat paralyzed on the stairs.He was a mistake?What did that mean?Were they going to get rid of him?Sure, he didn’t always want to hang around with Connor who was only five, but that’s because Connor broke his Legos and played dumb games.
All these years later, it still bothered him.He was the only child she’d singled out as a mistake.It was impossible to shake the feeling it was his fault.
Cujo let the memory go, took another sip of his beer and looked at Connor.“Who leaves three kids?You barely remember her, and Devon was so young, he has no memory of her at all.”
They sat in silence, drinking their beers.
“New teacher started at the local school,” Connor started.“Met her at the grocery store.”
“Interested?”Cujo asked, pleased that Connor had taken the hint and changed the topic.
“She asked me if I knew any good running trails.Offered to show her, obviously.”They both laughed.“What about you and the engagement party–planner chick?”
“Drea?”Yeah, what to say about Drea?
She’d sounded half asleep when he called her this morning.She’d gone from zero to sixty on the pissed-off scale in two point zero seconds when she noticed it was only six thirty.Yeah, she’d made a good point about respecting people’s sleep, but he’d been up to go to the gym and hadn’t really considered the time.
He rubbed his pecs, still tender and sore.“Gotta be honest.I don’t know about me and Drea.”
“Seriously.I got the impression last time you talked about her that there’s no smoke without fire between you guys.”
Cujo pulled on the ties of his hoodie.“There’s definitely something.”Fuck, was there ever.He was ashamed to admit he’d misjudged her.“The more I get to know about her, the more there is to like.”
“So, what’s the problem?”Connor put his empty bottle down on the table between them.
“Thing is, I’m not sure I want that, man.The whole white picket fence thing, not really my scene.”
“You think that’s where it’s heading?”Conner faced him.“If she’s that great, why not?”
Cujo stopped short at the question.How did he start to answer it?“You know why.Never again.”
“Bro,neveris a really long time.”
“Isn’t that a song lyric?”Cujo asked.The song title was familiar but he was unable to place it.
“No, it’s ‘Forever, that’s a mighty long time.’Neveris even longer.”
“Did you just quote Prince?”
“Yeah, stop dodging my question, you asshole.Why not?”
“Like I said,” Cujo started, “there’s a lot to like about her.I overheard Harper telling Trent she’s been looking after her mom since she was seventeen years old, and having met the bitch, I think Drea deserves sainthood or something.And you should see her when she takes charge.Crazy solid during the hold-up.She’s hot as fuck and tiny, like she needs you to take care of her.But then…” He paused and looked up at the stars, tiny moments of brilliance in the dark.
“‘But then, what?”
“Well, then she opens her mouth, and she’s angry… no, fiery.She’s been fighting the world on her own for so long that she expects you to attack her, so she attacks first.Defends her corner, regardless of the cost.Every decision for the party has been a push for what she wants.She rides my ass something fierce.Constantly.And Christ, I just wish she’d stop and realize life doesn’t have to be so fucking hard.”
***
