Dots and Zeros [Completed]

11. Madeline

'Wait, you're meeting with a friend? Since when?'

I look at Sam sitting on the opposite of the dinner table. I assembled the chairs yesterday. I got pizza on my way back from work to celebrate.

'Since last Tuesday. I met someone at a paint booth at the fair thing at school,' they say.

I totally forgot to ask them about that. I should really write those things down in my planner.

'Right, how was the fair?' I ask.

'It was boring to whole way through. Except for one booth. At least I thought.'

'What happened?'

'I walked up to the booth and asked if he had some good stuff. He immediately said it's all low quality and I shouldn't get it.'

'Well, at least he's honest. What's his name?'

'Eugene. He told me he had way better stuff at home, and I could take a look there if I wanted. So obviously I said yes. I have yet to find the perfect teal color and I can't seem to mix it correctly.'

So they're going to a guy's house. When I'm away getting drunk in a bar somewhere. That's fine.

'Is he home alone?' I ask.

'I don't know. Maybe he is, maybe he's not. What about it?'

'Nothing. Just wondering if his parents are home. He does still live at home?'

'I think so. He lives five minutes away from here in a house like ours.'

'Okay.'

We continue eating our pizza. I'm not sure what to think of it. At least Sam's making friends. That's good. Eugene appears to be an older man. Okay. That's alright. He still lives with his parents. Nothing weird's gonna happen. It's good they're making friends.

'What?' Sam asks. 'Why do you have a mom-expression on your face?'

'No reason.'

'You don't have to worry, alright? If something happens I'll call you. So you better not pass out because of all of the alcohol you'll be downing with your friends.'

'I won't. I don't drink much anyway.'

'There's this thing called peer pressure. I've heard plenty of lectures from you on it. Want me to repeat them for you?'

I smile at the kid sitting in front of me.

'I'm good, thanks.'

'Your loss. Who are you going with?'

'Ramona, and some people I don't know. She told me three other names. Maybe if I see their face I'll recognize them.'