***
Scope slumped at the bar, trying to get his hands dry. You could never get your hands dry after washing them in public bathrooms. Ever. Especially when you were washing blood off them.
“What’ll you have?” the bartender asked. Scope looked at the man.
“Vodka and Tonic,” Scope said. The man brought his drink and drifted off to talk to regulars.
“Hey stranger,” a familiar voice said. Scope closed his eyes.
“You’re just in my head,” he breathed.
“I don’t think so,” Monica said. He looked.
There she sat in a wheelchair, rolling towards him.
“You don’t look so good,” she said.
“That’s my line,” he said, and shot the rest of his drink. “You’re not really here. I’m imagining you.”
“Scope, quit being an asshole. It’s taken me a long time and a lot of money to find you.”
“But you’re dead,” he said, and motioned over toward the bartender for another.
“I was in the hospital for graduation. They restarted my heart three times. I went into a coma for a week.” Scope looked at her.
“I’m so sorry,” he whispered. She bit her lower lip and clenched her jaw.
“It wasn’t your fault,” she said. “A lot of shit happened that night. I didn’t come here to blame you for it.” The tears came to his eyes anyway, hanging off his face and landing on the bar.
“I came because I’ve been trying to watch you, and-“
“I know,” he said. He'd never gotten past that night. He was still twelve years old, looking at her rounded hips. He was still eighteen years old. He was still listening to her cry over the com, telling him she still had feelings for him.
“So you know I’m alive. We can make everything right.”
He shook his head, lip quivering. The guilt and shame collected on his face and cascaded onto the bar, drop by drop.
“Scope, you don’t even have to do this. I head a chain of little toy stores over in Oregon. We sell teddy bears. Nobody tries to kill me. I don’t ever have to carry a gun.”
“I’m not worth saving,” he managed. He put one arm on the bar to rest his head on. Monica watched him stare at the wood grain before she straightened.
“Well, if you’re ever in Oregon, look me up okay? I’ve got a job for you if you want it. Or we can have a coffee or something, at least.”
He nodded into his arm and let his eyes slip closed. He heard her hands on the wheels, turning herself around. She left.
About the Author
Brent Meske lives near Seoul, Korea with his wife and son. He’s published elsewhere, though not for money. He writes and reads constantly, and often teaches English. He does all his own book covers, and other folks’ covers too. Check out book covers for clients here!
Note
Thanks for reading. You’re the reason I write.
If you liked this story, just hang on…there are nine more interconnected tales to go with it. More will be coming, some free, some not.
If you already have a receipt for Breaking Benjamin, please keep it and send it to
[email protected]. I’ll send you a free copy of From the Desk of Col. Garrett Ross. Be sure to remove any credit card info so I don’t have to resist the urge to steal your identity and bankrupt you. Cheers!
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I’d be honored if you could leave me a review for this or any other work you’ve read.
Also by Brent Meske (* indicates free work)
The Clements Tales:
Broken* (a Tale of Breaking Benjamin #1)
Buildup and Breakup* (a Tale of Breaking Benjamin #2)
From the Desk of Col. Garrett Ross (the compiled tales, including Business With Pleasure and Falling Out)
Two For One* (From the Desk of Col. Garrett Ross #1)
Amour Amour Amour Amour* (From the Desk of Col. Garrett Ross #2)
Inheritance* (From the Desk of Col. Garrett Ross #3)
Just A Phase* (From the Desk of Col. Garrett Ross #4)
Water Torture* (From the Desk of Col. Garrett Ross #5)
Medicate* (From the Desk of Col. Garrett Ross #6)
The Elf and The Ogre* (From the Desk of Col. Garrett Ross #7)
Three Simple Rules* (From the Desk of Col. Garrett Ross #8)
The Long Road Home (From the Desk of Col. Garrett Ross #9)
No Games* (From the Desk of Col. Garrett Ross #10)
Forever Ends* (From the Desk of Col. Garrett Ross #11)
Under the Knife* (From the desk of Col. Garrett Ross #12)
***
Something Super:
Super Nobody* (Alphas and Omegas book one)
Patriots* (Something Super, the First)
Superhero Stories Written in Ink* (Something Super, the Second)
Coming Soon: Super Anybody (Alphas and Omegas book two)
***
Seven and the Eggs of Cadbury* (a sugar-coated tale)
EXO* (a short sci-fi adventure)
Sick Summer Camp* (something horrific)
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