Suburban Island IV

Fire Drills (Theresa)

Fire Drills (Theresa)

-Theresa-

I can't explain how it got like this. Charlie came to me while I was still in the air ship.

"You want me to do what?" I asked. He didn't fully come out and say it.

"Uh... well... it's about Kathy," he said. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"What about her?" I asked. Several word salad attempts later, Charlie told me what he wanted. He even offered to pay me. Did I take the money? Sure. Because why not? Not like I could really use it anyway.

And that's why I'm here.

Kathy is doing fine, thank you. I don't know why I had to do it. Don and Charlie should just talk to her. It's not like she doesn't want to or anything like that. From what I know, there isn't any bad blood. It doesn't make any sense.

But I am here. Why haven't I left yet? Well, it is because of a boy.

His name is Dylan. I am not sure how this all happened. I just came over to his house one day and I have been coming back ever since. I don't know. He just looked lonely.

I dropped my shoulders.

"Fine," I said. "I'm here to watch after someone."

"Who?" Dylan asked.

"Kathy," I said. He gave me a strange look.

"What for?" he asked. I sighed and rubbed my forehead.

"Charlie sent me here," I said.

"Who's Charlie?" he asked.

"He's part of the government," I said. The neighbors on this block already knew that I came from said government. There wasn't a reason to lie. Where else could I have come from? I didn't tell them why. What was the point? No one asked anyway. Dylan shook his head.

"I don't believe this," he said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Forget it," he said. He walked out of the room.

"Dylan!" I said, turning around. He waved me off as he walked out of the doorway.

"Where are you going?" I asked.

"Why do you care?!" he shouted. "Leave me alone!" The door slammed shut across the hall.

---------

Why did I get involved with him? Dylan was never my focus to begin with. I was supposed to be looking after Kathy. But here I am, looking after some cute boy who looks lonely. Maybe he was right.

But I can't stop caring. It would be a lie to say that he needs me. He doesn't really need me, does he? I still can't let him be alone. My watch buzzed on my wrist. Oh, I should check in with Charlie, shouldn't I? I turned and walked out Alyssa's room.

Dylan has one computer that works in the den. There wasn't a password on it either. (Good thing for me in a situation like this.) I sat down in the chair and booted up the computer. I opened Zoom and logged in. I looked at my watch. Come on. Don't tell me you forgot. I hated when Charlie would leave me waiting. He says a certain time, but then he doesn't pick up. It's so annoying.

"Hello?" I heard the other line ask. I quickly looked up.

"Charlie?" I asked. He stared at me, eyes shifting left and right. Why does he always look like he's up to something? I shook the thought from my head.

"Yeah?" he asked.

"I'm checking in like you said," I said. He about jumped in his seat.

"Uh... how is she?" Charlie asked.

"Good," I said.

"Oh, good," he said.

"Charlie," I said.

"What?" he asked. I sat up in my chair.

"Why don't you and Don ever talk to her?" I asked. "I'm sure that she wants to talk to you." Charlie paused for a moment. I could already guess there was an excuse coming. I shook my head.

"Whatever," I muttered.

"It's complicated," he said. Sure it was.

"Can I go?" I asked.

"Oh, sure," Charlie said.

"Bye," I said. I was about to hang up another thought crossed my mind.

"Hey, Charlie," I said.

"What?" he asked.

"When can I come home?" I asked. Charlie blinked at her at first.

"Aren't you home already?" he asked. He ended the call. I sat there in silence. Was I really home as he said?

"Are you going home?" I heard behind me. I turned to see Dylan standing in the doorway.

"Where is my home?" I asked.

"Don't you want to go back to the floating government?" he asked. Did I want to go back? Charlie sounded like he wasn't expecting me back.

"I don't know," I said, putting up my hands. "I guess I am staying for a while." Dylan didn't look so impressed. I shrugged at him.

"What do you want me to say?" I asked.

"What do you want from me?" Dylan asked.

"I don't know," I said again. "Do you want me to leave?" This time, he was the one to go quiet. He looked like he wanted to say yes. Come on. Why don't you tell me what you really think? Dylan finally shrugged.

"Looks like you and I are at an impasse," he said. Sure we are. This wasn't going anywhere. But we didn't know how to get past this.

"Looks like we are," I said. I shouldn't have been surprised.

"So what do we do?" I asked.

"You tell me," he said. I used to think that thisjob was easy. Somehow, things got more complicated. I don't know how to cleanup this mess either.