Another Day, Another Door

Chapter 7

Patrick knocked lightly on his friend's door. "Hey Dan," he said awkwardly. A small silence passed. He was about to knock again when he finally got an answer. 

"Are you alone?" Dan asked. Even his tone sounded depressing. "Yeah. Just me."

Patrick heard the door unlock but it stayed closed. He slowly opened it and stuck his head inside. 

The room was dark, with no light except for the sun's rays trying to beam through the tightly shut blinds. He stepped in and lightly closed the door.

 He saw Dan sitting on the edge of his bed with his back turned to him. Patrick took a few steps over to him. "Don't," Dan said, making Patrick stop in his tracks. "I don't want you to see me like this. Just...go sit in the chair over there," he said pointing to a chair next to an old desk in the corner.

Patrick went and sat in the chair while Dan continued to hide his face by keeping his back turned. "I didn't want to talk through a door," he said sadly. "That's why you came up here right? To talk. They never quit checking on me unless I talk to someone. Why do they have to care so damn much?" Dan asked as he cradled his head in his hands.

"They're your family, man. They love you," Patrick replied. Dan gave a sarcastic chuckle. "Why would they love me? Their only kid with a defect. I'm just a lost cause."

Patrick noticed his friend's grip getting tighter on his head. It was like he was trying to block out the world. 

"Listen," Patrick said, "you're not a lost cause. When we were outside yesterday, you know what I thought to myself? I thought, man, this guy is talented. Dude, you're one hell of a musician. And on top of that you've got an amazing singing voice. AND you write music. People would kill to have the skills you have. You're the most talented person I know."

Dan just sat in silence. 

Patrick sighed and got up to sit next to his friend. "Don't," Dan started, but Patrick just ignored him and sat next to him on his bed.

He had never seen someone so sad before. It looked like Dan found it hard to even muster a frown let alone a smile. His eyes looked heavy with sadness and Patrick was genuinely starting to get even more worried about him.

He'd never actually seen what depression looked like. Sure he had a friend or two who struggled with it but he'd never witnessed it. 

Dan looked like he wanted to say something but instead just plopped his head back in his hands. That's when the tears came. Patrick could tell his friend was trying to fight them off but it was too hard. So he just sat there crying in front of Patrick. It was strange to see him so vulnerable. 

Patrick put a hand on Dan's shoulder. That was the day the smaller of them comforted the bigger one. And the day they became best friends.

------------------------------------------------------------

It was strange to see Dan act normal once Monday came around. He walked and talked as if nothing had happened the day before. It was like a switch flipped inside of him. But Patrick didn't question it. He was just glad seeing his friend be social again.

Then he wondered how many times this had happened since he met him. How many times had he been depressed one day, then perfectly fine the next? Not telling anyone.

Patrick couldn't tell but he was just glad it was over now. He never wanted to see Dan like that again.