Sonder

Chapter 14

Peanut butter. Honey. Potato bread. Bananas. And, formaldehyde.

"Charlie Chaplin's" dishwater water grey corpse is 'dessert' after Nick's lunch. [Charlie Chaplin is the name they've given to their dissection cat in anatomy and physiology].

"...and that is when Robert puked jungle juice on the front row, just like we'd hoped! We sold over 100 CDs and at least 40 t-shirts. It was Siiiick!"

Kevin is telling Nick and Ryan about his concert from the weekend. They are the Escalator Alligators, and Kevin punctuates most notable moments with a laterally whipped head and a Gene Simmons tongue. The hot pink spikes of his hair make his skill resemble a mace that Blossom of the Powderpuff Girls might wield.

"But man was Bret pissed. He totally thought we weren't gonna get the mess out of his Digitechs".

"Did you try vinegar?" Ryan asks.

"Umm... vinegar??"

"For cleaning. To clean. It's effective, nonabrasive" Ryan states factually. Kevin is just sidetracked. Deflated. Confused.

"When I moved into my apartment, the fridge... Well, the fridge had blood all over it. or Cherry Jello... or some kind of red fluid. So, I sprayed a vinegar mixture all over it, and with a toothbrush... eventually... I was able to get everything clean." Ryan explains.

The other two boys nod their heads in understanding. With their scalpels and tweezers, they continue to prod their feline hobo. Charlie Chaplin now rests in a disposable lasagna tray.

"Latissimus dorsi, oblique major, oblique minor, plantarfaci..."

"Did your family move from 12th st?" Nick asks Ryan.

"Nope, just me."

"Wow, you can afford that?" Nick tilts his head in surprise.

"Yeah, managing Quiznos pays me pretty well" Ryan shrugs.

"Why?" Nick asks about the move.

"um..." Ryan's face loses confidence, " I guess because ever since my sister got back from the Marines... the house has been really crowded..."

Nick and Kevin issue nods of understanding.

"...And my parents have their own issues... it's just better this way... with me coming home from work late, and all that..."

Nick's awe is visible. As he understands it. This guy, Ryan, is his classes valedictorian... AND apparently, he works a full-time job. AND he lives on his own. This estranged friend is doing it all. "How many rooms does the place have," Nick asks.

"Just one."

Damn, Nick clicks his tongue, "well, is rent a problem for you?"

"I got a bit of help from my parents, but, I don't think I'll have any problems getting by."

"What kind of couch do you have?" Nick asks.

Ryan laughs, "I have a cheapo futon from K-Mart".

Perfect.

Ryans demeanor is so calm. He is as steady and peaceful as the surface of a Koi Pond. But his calm is interrupted by Felcia Escibido collapsing onto their table:

"Help meeeeeee," She says, mostly to Ryan. So Ryan goes over to help her.