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NOAH
It would’ve been easy to drown my sorrows in a big bottle of Jack Daniels, but I was sick of feeling hungover and out of control. Not to mention, I have terrible judgment when I’m intoxicated.
Mom has an afternoon flight back home, so she’s spending most of the day out with some friends. I left work early, picking her up to take her to the airport. When it comes time to say goodbye, I can’t help but miss her already.
“You’ll get through this, kid,” she tells me with a reassuring smile. “You can get through anything. Just don’t end up in jail… again.”
I wish I could believe her, but I question everything in my life with no conclusion reached. It’s way too much for me, so I just block it out. For now.
We say our goodbyes, hugging it out until she disappears through the terminal.
Charlie calls to inform me that the girls are staying over at Lex’s sister’s house so we can have a decent night to adult. Now, I’m assuming a bottle of tequila will be present, but I’m misinformed. It’s Monday, and I still have a long week of work ahead of me. That, and Charlie can’t drink.
When I arrive home from the airport, Charlie is dressed in her pajamas and with what she calls a messy bun. Kate is beside her, dressed casually in a tank top and sweats. I know she arrived back around noon with a flight back to the East Coast tomorrow.
Even in her casual attire, Kate looks even more gorgeous, flawless without the ridiculous makeup women often cake themselves in.
“Do you guys realize it’s only five o’clock?” I remind them.
“Yes.” Charlie smiles. “Go put your PJs on.”
“Uh… why?”
“Because when girls have their hearts broken, this is how we recover. Now go get changed and be back here in ten minutes.”
I laugh loudly, watching the two of them stare at me like a pack of angry wolves. I shake my head repeatedly while making my way upstairs. I decide to wear my gray sweats and a white tank since it’s almost identical to Kate. I don’t own pajamas with fluffy bunnies on them like Charlie, thank fucking God.
As I step closer down the stairs, the aroma of pizza lingers in the air. I didn’t have much of an appetite today, stopping only for coffee and a pack of mints. But I sure feel hungry now.
“We’re eating pizza. Is that it?” I ask both of them.
“No, silly,” Kate scolds playfully. “That’s just the first course.”
Charlie stands in front of the television. “Okay… do we watch The Notebook or Titanic?”
Should I mention that both movies sound awful? Why on earth would they want to watch such depressing shit?
“Go… The Notebook,” Kate suggests. “And remember the rule… no talking.”
Charlie smiles, clicking the remote and locate the movie on the hard drive. She dims the lights in the theater as I plonk myself next to Kate. She’s holding a box of tissues, then grabs a slice of pizza as the movie begins.
“Hey,” I whisper, leaning over to Kate. “You wanted to talk?”
“It’s not important, Noah.” There’s an uncertainty to her voice, but she’s quick to smile. “Not anymore.”
Thirty minutes into the movie, I’ve lost interest.
“So, why is this helping us right now?” I complain.
“Because it’s one of the greatest love stories. It’ll make you smile, laugh, and cry all at the same time,” Charlie responds with a waver in her voice.
I’ve devoured a whole pizza when the movie becomes interesting. Okay, the female lead is fucking gorgeous, and the story becomes somewhat sad. Somewhere during the middle, it all begins to make sense, and the girls beside me have their tissues scrunched up in their hands with tears streaming down their faces. I’m not sure why. Sure, it’s sad, but nothing that depressing.
And then, the old lady screams at her husband, and the realness of the situation leaves an empty pit in my stomach. Charlie and Kate are a mess. I swallow the lump in my throat—it’s actually quite sad.
Charlie pauses the movie and tells us she’ll be back in a few minutes. She returns with three tubs of ice cream. I pick the strawberry, and she presses play again as we all eat out of the cartons.
The end of the movie is almost near, and I seriously can’t take it anymore. It’s so sad and depressing, I finish the carton of ice cream, and I’m not any closer to feeling better about myself.
