Sonder

Chapter 32

In the living room, Brenda hands Corey his shipping present: "The Modern Man's Complete Guide to Picking Up Women". Everyone laughs and Corey's freckles are consumed by crimson blush. The couches are filled as people crowd around him to look at the 70s book. 

"It's from the ARC. It's too funny. I had to get it. It should help you in the Navy. And I had to get you something since you won't be around for your birthday..."

The table of contents reads something like this:

Chapter 1: So, you're a square when it comes to birds?

Chapter 2: Components of an attractive man.

etc.

"I'll send it to you as soon as you're out of boot camp."

"Thanks, mom," He rolls his eyes and hugs her, kissing her cheek. Their eyes are sparkling with laughter and chatter. The brightness hides the mist around their eyes.

"Ok, Pictures!" Out front, on the lawn, everybody knows the routine. Their shoulders wrap around each other politely. "OK, nice one. Now goofy..." Noogies, rabbit ears, tongues, crossed eyes, *click, click, click*. "Great! Prison Pose everybody..." Everyone lights up a cigarette, even non-smokers. They light up and cross their arms across their chests. Their chins lift high and their lips get fat, or tight and razor-thin. They have stink-eyes and popped collars. They're a patchwork crew. Goth black, Oxford blue, a fishing t-shirt, femme pink, tomboy chic, kneeless jeans, bondage pants, a strange, mop-tops, crewcuts, and mohawks. Zipper hoodies, sports cuts, a leather bomber. Half a dozen fashions, one uniform gangster facade. *Click*.

*screech*

A bing cherry Gia bumps up to the curb, creaky and clean. The driver stumbles out with a bed head and baggy eyes. His naturally olive skin is sickly pale. His sweater seems like a neglected animal, fatigued by filth, it's trying to escape him.

"I made it! Thank god." His breath is heavy and there's sweat on his brow. 

This guy has been both reckless and methodical with his bridge-burning for the past two years. The black hole of his habit had compelled him to find new ways to separate every person that had ever been charmed by his cute puppy nature from variable sums of money. Taking valuables from house parties, selling services for jobs he would never complete, or slyly bleeding people, micro-loan after micro-loan. Not to mention hurtful sharpie scribbles and STD distribution. All of this for marijuana, of all things. Corey had been fleeced a time or two. But, the loyalty of his heart had apparently beat out any of the bad blood it may have harbored. The nervous sweat breaks when Corey hugs him. "OK, a picture of you two!" *Click*.

Minutes later, AO2, the recruiter arrives with an Intrepid full of new recruits. Final hugs and last words, Corey stoops into the car with just the clothes on his back and a convincing smile. He's gone.

The tears escape from the dam in Brenda's eyes. The children she has co-mothered for the past 4 years, they revolve around her like planets trying to console the sun.