trickorTREAT - A Rigby Raines Bonus Mini Story

trickorTREAT

[Hey folks this mini-story is a companion to Just Rigby - A Marching Band Story (aka "Because". ]

***

My name is Rigby.

Last year, around Halloween, was a pretty rough time. I still have a hard time thinking about last year. I lost my mom to cancer. It's almost a year later, but the pain is still there.

The only real bright spot is my best friend Chewie.

I really can't think of anything good from all of last year, but this one time, Chewie made me forget all the bad stuff. It's like everything was dark and he showed up and changed everything.

For a few hours, it's like my night turned into day. Like, I legit smiled almost the whole time.

I don't know where I'd be without a friend like Chew. His name is actually Charles, but it seems weird to call him that. He's always been Chew to me.

So, here's my story...

***

I had been locked in my room staring at Beethoven and Beatles posters on my wall for days. When you lose someone close it hurts really bad. I don't like to think about it much because it still stings, Those days were pretty dark.

I don't like to admit this to many people, but I even tried to cut myself a few times, just to see if it would take my mind off the pain inside. For a few minutes, there was an initial rush. Seeing my own blood was scary and thrilling at the same time. It didn't really help in the long run...not really. My heart still felt like it was being squeezed by a vice and the momentary endorphin rush went away, leaving me just as empty as I was before, but with fresh marks on my thigh.

I actually told Chew about it, and he and I stayed up all night talking about it. He's so great. Now anytime I feel like I'm spiraling out of control, I text or call him. Sometimes, he just calls me out of the blue to check on me. It's been about seven months since the last time.

Chew called me earlier that day to ask if I wanted to get out of the house.

"Not really, Chew," I said. "I'm not really feeling up to the chaos of the world today."

He said he understood, but in true Chewie fashion, he was standing at my door two hours later. He's terribly annoying at times, but I can't help but love him. He's such a thoughtful guy. My best friend.

***

I opened the door and a rush of cold air hit me. It was a chilly fall day in the Atlanta area. I didn't even know what day it was because it seemed like my calendar was just a big blur of days and weeks.

But that all changed when I saw Chewie standing there. I immediately knew it was Halloween.

"Hey, Rigs," he said, "sorry to be a pest...but I just wanted to make..."

"CHEW!" I couldn't help but hold in my surprise. "What are you wearing?!"

He was standing there in a blue body suit that was a little too tight. He had on red boxers over the tights. Around his neck, he had tied an oversized red beach towel.

"I'm Superman, Rigs." His voice was a little sheepish. He was always trying to impress me with his creativity. His voice trailed off as he repeated, "Superman."

I totally got that he was Superman. That was painfully obvious. It was the OTHER parts of his costume that made him look hilarious. I couldn't help but laugh.

"WHAT!?" He shifted on his feet. I could hear the embarrassment in his voice.

I couldn't see his face, though. He was wearing a full ski mask that had one of those adorable fuzzy balls on the top. There were holes cut out for the eyes and the mouth. He was also wearing the biggest, puffiest winter gloves I've ever seen.