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“This is shit. This is too much, man” I scrub my hands over my face.
“I knew this wouldn’t be easy for you, with everything still fresh from Riley leaving, but I had to tell you before you found out
WHEN YOU'RE READY
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some other way.”
“I appreciate it.”
I do, really. It’s just how much more of this shit can one person take. How many more people are going to disappear from my life.
“So, what now?” I ask him
“I haven’t heard much. My dad called me this morning to tell me. I imagine within the week there will be a funeral.”
I close my eyes and take a deep breath.
“Is there anything we can do?” I ask Chris
“Not sure. Let me make some phone calls and see if anyone needs help.” Chris gets up and heads towards the door. I follow behind him.
“Thanks again for letting me know.”
“I’m here for you, you know that, right? Even if I’m annoyed with you occasionally. I’ll never stop being your best friend.”
I put my arms up and he comes in for a hug. Usually, we give a couple slaps on the back, and we would be done. But this time, we stand there for a few seconds, knowing the other needs the comfort, or maybe it’s me that needs it. Either way, it’s nice to know I haven’t lost him.
We let go, and he leaves. I turn back to go inside and see that Sharkbait snuck in at some point.
“Hey buddy.” I say and sit on the floor. I put my hand out and he rubs his face against it. I pet him, and he crawls in my lap.
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“You’re the only constant in my life.”
I look down at him and he uses my chest to step up on and rubs his face along my chin. His purr turning into a meow.
I grab him and pull him back a little so I can look at his face.
“Did you seriously meow?”
His eyes dart around, and I realize I am holding this poor cat by his armpits.
“I don’t know why I am asking you that. Of course, you did. I heard it.”
I let go of him and grab him some food from the cupboard. I pop the top and set it on the floor. Sharkbait rubs his body against my leg and meows again before eating.
“Holy shit! You did. You can meow.” I shake my head, then dress. I turn my phone on and see that it is eight in the morning, only a few hours before I normally get up.
I’m debating if I should text Riley. I know she connected with Lenard, but is it like the connection she had with me? Something she literally threw away and left in the dust of her Jeep tires.
Bitter? Me? Not at all.
I send a text to Chris to see if he has heard anything. But he replied that it’s a waiting game right now.
