A slow fall

Chapter 13 - Caleb

    My parents made sure to speak with Mary and a few other members of the congregation who had volunteered when they picked me up.

The positive praises I received when I became the conversation topic was enough to absolve me of any recent mishaps and I was once again allowed to sleep in my room and leave the house.

Turns out my stall was one of the most popular. Apparently me demonstrating how to win, then Lucas proceeding to do exactly that, was great for sales.

He received a text saying as much and my phone rang shortly after.

"You do realise you don't have to call me every time I send you a text?"

"Yeah, but I get bored and calling's just easier."

"What if I have nothing else to say?"

"Then I'll just do the talking."

"Okay then Lu, talk away."

"My parents laughed at the sloth." I gasped, "Yup, called him ugly and everything."

"How dare they?"

"I know. I told them off though, don't worry."

"Too right, he's adorable. Have you named him yet?"

"Not yet."

I thought of Froggy, cuddled up close to my chest. "You should call him Slothy."

"Slothy?"

"Feel fitting."

He was quiet for a moment. "Yeah, it does."

For the next hour and a half we stayed on the phone, talking about everything and nothing at all. I asked about his upcoming football games, he asked about my school work. I told him about the new album my favourite band realised, and he finally sent me his playlist.

I added it to my library straight away and swore to listen to it as soon as possible.

The conversation dwindled as time wore on, the night a peaceful lullaby, the city calling us to sleep along with it.

"Go to sleep Cae." His voice was quiet now. I'd put it on loud speaker a while ago, sat it on my pillow and curled up beside it. It was just past midnight and my eyes were begging to shut, and even though I didn't want to hang up, I thought I might actually be able to get some sleep for the first time in a long time.

"Don't go."

I wasn't sure where that came from, but it was how I felt.

Lucas didn't seem fazed by my request, "Want me to tell you a story?"

"About what?"

"Hmm," it was silent for a moment, "I'll tell you about the book I'm currently reading. That helps people sleep, doesn't it?"

He sounded tired too, but when I pointed that out he dismissed it and carried on talking anyway.

"Do you like Greek Mythology?"

"Are you gonna start reading me Percy Jackson?"

"I'm pretty sure you read that years ago."

"Stalker."

"I gave you the books."

My laughter didn't belong in such a hollow house.

"I'm reading The Song of Achilles. Have you read it?"

"No."

"Okay, I'll read it to you then." And so he started at the beginning even though he'd nearly finished. He read chapter after chapter, his voice slurring with sleep, but as he talked I finally found comfort in the darkness.