Rod - The Weapon

Chapter 22: Memories

Henry takes the roasted fish and starts to remove it from the stick. While doing this he says, "Okay, I'm guessing that you both went to the firefighter's place after receiving his address from the captain? How did you get him to confess though?"

I quickly think for a bit and say, "Rachel had a plan up her sleeve. It was kind of really dumb, she was terrible at creating schemes."
I continue, "We just knocked on his door and said that we were Kane's friends who were supposed to pick him up after his fake death.

I said, 'We know that Kane's dead, so you better confess what you did to him?' Poor guy wasn't ready for the least bit intimidation, so he told us everything. When we did eventually reveal our identities, he sighed a sigh of relief, not what we were expecting.

He said that he'd rather be in jail doing nothing than end up dead alone in his apartment."

Henry sighs and says, "So innocent, yet so dumb. I kind of feel bad for the guy but he brought it upon himself."
Ginny asks, "Is the fish ready?" to which Henry says, "Yeah, you want a bite babe?"

She nods in approval as Henry breaks off a piece from the main body of the fish and feeds it to her. Guy gags at this while Valerie says, "Can't you ever be happy for them once in your life?"

Guy thinks for a moment and says, "Yeah you're right. You know what? I'm happy for the both of you, over my dead body." Valerie starts to laugh, so do I. Ginny says, "Dude, what is your problem? He is my boyfriend and I am his girlfriend. We aren't going to kill each other!"

Guy takes in a deep breath and says, "No, I don't want you to ever hurt my best friend forever. Since he is like in love with you, at least promise me that you'll never leave him. Or else you will experience the wrath of me."

Ginny stares, her eyes tell a certain phrase, something like 'What the fuck?'
I just laugh and say, "I'm not sure if you want them together or not." Guy nods and says, "I don't want them to be together, but it is far too gone now, so I'd rather have them be together."

Valerie asks, "Enough you both! Can I get some fish now please? I'm partially hungry." Her pleading voice gets me cracking up and I say, "Give the poor kid some fish won't you Hen?" He just smiles and cuts of a piece and hands it to Valerie on a paper plate.

This guy was prepared for anything, I will not lie about that. He proceeds to hand everyone a plate and yes, it is delicious. After all when we catch our own meal, it always tends to taste better.

As we eat, I say, "Did you both start making the podcast?" to which Guy replies, "Well, first we needed the information which you haven't finished telling, but we are making the first episode right now. Almost finished, I'm pretty sure you'd love it."

Valerie asks, "Will Aiden's voice be added to it?"
Henry says, "The story telling will be done by us but we're counting on him to conclude every podcast. And the viewers might have questions which he can clarify."

I nod thoughtfully because I wasn't really aware of this. To be honest, I hadn't even thought about the podcast until today. All of this just feels like I'm telling my life's story, no Rachel's incomplete life story.

Valerie asks, "Is he getting paid for this? I feel like you should." I just look at Henry awkwardly while Guy says, "Uh, yeah, we haven't paid him yet but after the podcast is out and we start earning, we'll give him 30% of the profits. The rest 70% we'll split between Henry and I."

Yeah, we had talked about this before. I don't really mind about the money because the entire motive is not about the materialistic gains. It was about the spiritual healing process for me, maybe money for them though. And I don't blame them for it because I don't expect everyone I meet to be sympathetic towards my issues.

They're just kids and I am proud of them that they're making good money for themselves.

                              ****

It is about three in the afternoon, everyone is just talking to each other separately. Henry and Ginny just cuddling on a hammock which Henry brought with him, dude is too prepared. Thank god he didnt bring his whole house, especially his bed because god knows what he'll do with his girlfriend on it.

Guy and Valerie seem to be bonding while fishing. They have caught about... zero fish, I believe. He is just too invested in her eyes, than the lake to care about catching a fish, at least one. If I had been there, by now we'd have caught at least 5 big ones.

All he is catching I her attention. Now the only one left is me, I mean Guy did invite me to fish but I wanted to give them some time alone. I am just reading a book right now. I wouldn't especially call this boring, more like peaceful.

The mood is just really calm and the view is serene, so what else is there to ask for? I continue to read my book, well to be specific, Rachel's favorite book. I have already read this twice, but for some reason reading it makes me feel closer to her, metaphorically and literally too.

I recently went to the hospital to get a full body health check up before my 40th birthday. I don't know why I do it, but right before a decade of my life gets over, I get checked up in the hospital.

The doctor found nothing too serious, just a small issue in my heart. It is called 'Marfan Syndrome' and it isn't that serious at all as long as I take my medications. It just means that I have weak blood vessels, bones etc. Not that I care because I can keep it under control.

I am quite fit and I do eat healthy, so it isn't a problem. I just have to take a tablet after food each night. Even if I do skip a day, it doesn't matter since my condition is barely showing any symptoms. I have been meaning to tell  Henry and the others this but I tend to forget it quite often.

I look at them all, they're too happy, I feel like I shouldn't ruin the mood with this not so happy piece of information. It isn't even that deep so I may or may not tell them I guess.

I look at them once more, it reminds me of how I used to be. Henry and Ginny give me a vivid memory of my past, when I was once young. I won't lie, I used to be a really quite kid who just focused on his career.

Rachel was definitely the crazy one. She made me wild, and I toned down her craziness a tad bit, after all we all influence each other in one way or the other.

Guy says, "Why are you staring at them like that?"
I am a little bit shocked because I didnt even notice him walking up to me. Then I say, "They just stirred up some old memories, nothing important."

He nods and says, "I have known you for quite some time now, I feel like there is more to this but I don't want to be nosy. It is none of my business."
I just smile and remember something, I turn to ask, "By the way, when are we leaving?"

Guy looks around, they all seem to be engaged in whatever they're doing, so he hesitantly says, "Maybe an hour should be fine." I just nod agreeing.
He continues, "You don't have to sit alone at all, you can join us. Aren't you bored?"

I just smile and say, "Sometimes you are your best company, but I'd love to fish for some time before we leave. But before we fish again, we'll clear out some space and put it back in the car so that it'll be easier to just take a few things in our hands and leave."

He gives me a thumbs up and we move towards the table, fold it and throw it back into the car.

Now I am ready to fish alright.

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Hey y'all! How'd you like this chapter??? I felt like it was kind of interesting. A lot more twists are yet to happen so please stay tuned!!
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