Ci vediamo

10. Morals and Emotions

On a lazy Wednesday morning... well, afternoon, I decided to step outside for some fresh air after spending 48 hours locked inside the apartment.
Park had stopped by twice since his previous visit but I didn't open for him because I still hadn't gotten over what they... what he did.

I sat at the steps... without my stereo. I wasn't going to serenade any passersby for the time being. The steps had a strange sense of peace. I'd go there whenever my mind was a mess and needed to calm down or whenever I was bored.

"Hey... this is for ya." A medium sized man said holding out a plastic bag, looking at me strangely.

"Do I know you?" I asked.

"Yes. Well no, I guess not... ummm we ummm met the other day on Astrid Ave. and I accidentally poured ya groceries." He said looking to the ground.

Oh. The homophobic jerk who knocked Park and spilled my ice cream and chili! He had some nerve!

"Accidentally?" I scoffed.

"I'm... I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said those... terrible things to ya... I-"

"I don't know what your deal is but I don't want to be disturbed. Leave!" I said, irritation building.

"But-"

"I SAID LEAVE ME THE FUCK ALONE!" I yelled and people passing stopped and looked at us.

"And take whatever is in that bag back with you. I'm not interested!" I added.

"I'm sorry." He said as he meekly walked away.

Something strange was going on. He looked nothing like the jerk who'd hit Park before. He looked... scared? But why would he be scared? What for? And why would he apologize to me?

"Are you alright?" Someone asked.

"RK? It's not yet time for your shift, is it?" I asked.

"No. I was coming back from my daughter's school when I saw you here." He explained.

And, that was the longest sentence I'd heard from the security guard!

"I'm fine. Thanks for checking in on me."

"Was he... Did he hurt you?"

"Nothing I haven't heard before. He was being a nuisance and trying to ruin my day." I said, motioning for him to leave. "Thanks for your concern though. See you around!"

"See you."

I sat on the steps enjoying the sun for a little while longer, thinking about nothing. I was starting to feel hungry and the sun was getting hotter so I decided to leave.

I didn't want to go back to the apartment yet so I decided to take a walk around the neighborhood. I walked to many places but couldn't stay because they all reminded me of my friends. They were scheduled to leave for their respective family vacations in, give or take, 48 hours.

All my life I'd known those two. What would my life even be like without them? If I hadn't met them? I didn't want to think about that.
I kept walking and I believe I was lost!

"Where am I?" I wondered, looking around for something familiar.

I was standing outside what appeared to be a condemned building on a street I hadn't been to before. How had I got here? I searched for my phone in my pockets but quickly remembered that I hardly ever moved with it anymore since I was so used to not using it now.