Teaser [Chapter 3]

It was seven-fifteen when I finally awoke, still a guest at the single-story mansion. The only reason I knew this was because the digital oven clock shone large and bright across the peninsula of the adjacent open kitchen – my phone battery dead. The rooms weren't bright, but neither were they dark. If anyone anyone else too had slumbered here there was no signs of them; nobody on the couches, chairs or floors; no shoes or jackets in the hall. I thought that I should at least announce my departure, but was embarrassed at having spent the night.

Do I leave the door unlocked? I thought it irresponsible, but didn't know what else to do. I closed the door behind me when the decision was made for me. From the upper deadbolt dangled a key with a masking tape lable reading, “To Ben”. I turned the key, jammed it into my coat pocket, and went looking for the nearest bus or train stop.

I wasn't hungover, but I couldn't light up a cigarette either. My body didn't want it. It wanted a shower on it and some water in it. A bus came and took me to my normal stop.

The first thing to do when I got home was plug in my phone, then clean up. I tried to think of how I would explain my night to Thom, but my shower wasn't long enough. When I had dried off and brushed my teeth I remembered that I only had last night outfit and yesterdays suit to choose from. Suit it was, but this time with a tie. Then I switched on my phone.

Buzz. Pause. Buzz. Pause. Buzz, buzz, buzz. Each a notification of missed messages. I tapped and navigated to my inbox.

Thom:
She said yes. Talk to you in the morning. Tell me all about Casey n the morning. Good luck.

Unknown:
Missed call from Unknown; 12:01 AM

Unknown:
Missed call from Unknown; 12:03 AM

Unknown:
Missed call from Unknown; 12:04 AM

Thom:
Missed call from Thom; 12:04 AM

Thom:
This is Carla. Where are you. Thom is unconscious and at the University Hospital. Come here. Call me.

Thom:
Missed call from Thom; 12:08

Thom:
Why can't I reach you! Where are you! I'm scared! I need you here! Thom is not breathing. Call me. I hope you're on your way. I don't know what to do.

Thom:
Missed call from Thom; 12:10

Unknown:
Missed call from Unknown;

Unknown:
Carla again. What the fuck. Get over here right now. I can't do this alone. This isn't a joke.

Unknown:
He's stable. Unconscious. A coma. No haemorrhaging. I'll be here tonight and all day tomorrow. I love you. Come here now.

2 comments:

Sara V. L. said...

Och jag kan inte sluta läsa.

Unknown said...

Tack, Sara V.L.