MELANCHOLY [S.T. B. Hargrove]

45

"Can I try that?" Erica questions as I light a cigarette.

"Nope," I deny, setting the burning stick on the table.

"So.. you just burn away your money like that?" she asks.

"Yep."

"That's stupid."

I laugh. "You're face is stupid."

"My face? Have you looked in the mirror? You got more bags under your eyes than my great grandma. And she's dead!"

I couldn't help but smile as I rest my head on the table, staring at the cigarette.

"Thanks for buying my lunch," she says, opening up the bag of food. "The cafeteria cooks aren't cooks. They're like.. slop munchers."

"Slop munchers?" I repeat. "Aren't they the ones that make it and the kids the ones that eat it? Doesn't that make the kids the munchers?"

"Oh, shit.." she gasps. "You right. You got me on that one."

Erica was one of the few people that could still make me laugh and smile without a care. Her antics and wit was on another level to everyone else and she kept my mind off my thoughts.

"Are you gonna babysit me next weekend?" Erica asks.

"If your Ma calls, yeah."

"Good."

"Why's that good?"

"Because that old white woman that watches me when you're busy is bo-ring," she draws out. "She usually falls asleep on the couch watching game shows."

"And what makes me so much better, huh?"

"You actually talk. You don't treat me like a kid. You kinda let me do whatever I want and I think that's great because-"

"You're not trying the cigarette."

"Well, shit."

"Erica! Erica!" Dustin screams, suddenly rushing up to the table.

"Whoa!" I call, catching him as he slides on the gravel.

"Thanks, Rocky," Dustin breathes, standing up straight. "Erica, we need your help."

"Oh, not this bullshit again," she sighs, looking up at the sky. "How many Russians this time? What vent?"

"No Russians. No vents," Dustin assures. "We need you for Hellfire."

"Hell-what?"

"D and D," Mike says, panting and leaning over as he walks over. "We need.. another player."

"This 'cause Lucas is at the game?"

"Well.. yes.. but no.." Mike struggles.

"Even if he was free, you know you'd out-play his ass," Dustin tries.

"Don't butter me up. I'll join the stupid Hell-dorks for the night. Only because I don't know what the campaign is and I want to be surprised."

Hellire.. Dungeons and Dragons.

Eddie.

"Wait," I shoot an arm out to Erica.

"What?" she asks.

I look to Mike and Dustin. "Leave."

"Huh?" Mike asks.

"Go wait by the doors, I'll bring Erica in a second. Go."

Mike and Dustin make faces, but oblige and walk away.

"I need your help, too," I tell Erica once the boys are gone.

"Does everyone think I have all the answers to the world?"

"Oh, you absolutely do, smartass."

"You're right. I'm a genius."

"Look.. we're gonna make a deal. When they find out you're a super badass withcy-dragon thing-"

"Do you know anything about D and D?"

"No, but that's not the point," I brush it off. "Those high school nerds are gonna beg for you to play when they figure out how badass you are."

"I'm listening.." she nods.

"But.. I need something from one of them, too."

"So, what? You're gonna say that I can only play if he gives you something in return?"

"Exactly."

"And what do I get out of this?"

"Free lunch for a month," I point to the bag.

"Make it six."

"Two months."

"Four and I get to ride in your car to school."

I lean forward on the table. "Three and you get first dibs on my babysitting you so you don't have to deal with the white hag anymore."

Erica holds her hand out. "Deal."

"Deal," I say and shake her hand.

--

The D and D set up was more chaotic than the boys' old one in Mike's basement.

"Racquel?" Eddie asks. "You play?"

"Nope. I'm just the chauffeur."

His eyes trail down to Erica, disbelief.

"Mary Jane for my driver or I don't save your asses in this campaign."

"Do you even know what Mary Jane is?" Eddie asks her, leaning down with his hands on his knees.

"I do not, but she gave me five bucks to say it."

They'd already had the back and forth about Erica even knowing what she was doing. But, there were so many terms and rules, that it was like they were speaking another language.

"Racquel," Eddie gives me a look.

"Mary Jane or Apple-Stack walks."

"Applejack," Erica corrects.

"What she said."

Eddie huffs. Then, he nods his head to the side. I follow him behind the curtain.

"Two grams. That's all," he says, pulling his backpack closer.

"Four grams and I still pay you," I offer.

Eddie takes out the metal box. "Fine."

I take out the wad of cash as he takes out a baggie. I grin and pop the money on his chest as he holds out the bag.

"Pleasure doing business with you," I grin.

"Last time. Make it last," he warns.

I wink and click my tongue as I salute him, walking back to the kids.

"I'll be in the car. Have fun killing demons and dragons," I call to the kids.

"It's Vecna's curse!" Dustin cries in protest.

"Well, kick Vecna in his balls for me," I say, walking out of the auditorium.

"Rocky, are you still dropping me off at the airport tomorrow?" Mike calls.

"Be up and ready by 5 a.m. or I'm leaving."

"Thank you!"