The Man with a Guitar

Chapter 2: Sam

I woke up with a hangover in the morning. I had too much to drink last night and I don't even remember most of it. My guitar was lying beside me on my bed and I gathered that I must have played last night. I detest drunken performances and that's why I don't drink but last night Robby didn't excuse me from joining the celebration. Robbie got a promotion yesterday in his lame ass job as an accountant and I couldn't be happier for him. I shouted his name when I was sober enough to gather these things up.

"The rock star is awake. How may I help you sir?"

"Stop screwing around and get me some coffee. My head hurts."

"You had too much to drink last night buddy."

"Yeah thanks for that."

He went into the kitchen and I heard the coffeemaker whir. Robbie was the best flatmate I could wish for, that's what I thought sometimes. The other times I am usually busy thinking about songs to write. It was a fine Saturday morning, with clouds covering the sun, birds lying in their nests and chirping the day off and plants swaying with the soft breeze. I undressed and took a bath. I was still buzzed after the shower and needed a detox. I entered the kitchen while Robbie was pouring me the coffee.

"Mm you make one hell of a coffee." I said as I took my first sip.

"Yeah? The secret ingredient is one tablespoon of vodka."

"That has really gotten old."

"Melanie is going to come over tonight. You might want to make yourself scarce; we are having a dinner date."

"Why do I have to leave? Can't you guys hang out in her apartment?"

"Her roommate kind of freaks me out."

"Every girl freaks you out Robbie just get over it."

"I will give you a $100 to leave us alone tonight."

I rolled my eyes and agreed. Not because of the money of course. But the bastard owed me $100. I finished my coffee and went into my room. Mom had called last night so I called her back.

"Hey honey, how are you? You didn't answer my call last night where were you?"

"Robbie and I were out last night so couldn't pick up. So what's up?"

"Everything is good. I just missed you. Your dad also misses you son you should call him."

"Please stop feeding me with these lies. He doesn't miss me. He is too busy for that."

"Sam, you know that is not true."

"Mom I have got to go. I will talk later."

"Okay bye love you"

"Love you too"

******

I was lying on my bed with my guitar, trying to write a song. But my thoughts drifted away to those days when I was most vulnerable, when I was trying to earn love of the person whose love should have been my right in the first place. Why did Mum always have to bring Dad up? I know he doesn't give a shit about me then why does she try to make me feel better with the lies? I had accepted to live with the unpalatable truth and was more than happy with it. If not love, it earned me my freedom from being weak and vulnerable. I didn't want to lose that at any cost.

I decided to go to the library nearby to calm my nerves. Reading books has always helped me with that.

"Hey Rob, I am hitting the library. Want to come?"

"You are kidding me? In what universe do you think that I will go to the library to do anything but make out?"

"You are a beast."