Pretend This didn't Happen

Dogfood

Josh woke up in a strange room, it was Claire's bedroom. Foggy in the head, he walked out of the room and into Claire's private suite finding his way to the bathroom where a fresh change of clothes was folded neatly for him on the edge of the vanity. Josh flushed after his crap before climbing into the shower. After a nice, long, hot shower Josh climbed onto the bathmat set onto the floor to soak the captured water escaping the shower curtain. Josh was feeling refreshed as he walked out of the suites exit fully cleaned and clothed. A beautiful trick played, Josh thought now I am lost. Starting to believe he was still in a dream, Josh went on his lone exploration, finding his way to being served coffee by his wife hours later.

"There you are sleepy head," Claire said while pouring coffee after Josh turned his cup over, placing it right side up to be filled "do you always sleep in so late?"

Taking his first sip of black coffee Josh looked up "I didn't know if I was sleeping or awake, touring this maze of a place." Reaching for the coffee fixings Josh made up his coffee. Claire filled a second cup with coffee before taking the coffee pot back to brew the next and returning to the table for coffee with her spouse. "Is there anything this guy hasn't thought of?" Josh asked Claire "I mean it seems to me he has fully prepared for an end of the world scenario," Josh told his wife "and judging by what I've seen and heard last night, if that wasn't just part of the dream I am still stuck in, he has abilities that are out of this world."

"You have no idea," Claire responded, taking a seat "I think we best keep it that way for now." The couple sat together discussing life and catching up.

Three cups of coffee later Gary broke into their private conversation "hey there you are" Gary notified them of his presence. "I thought maybe you pulled a Houdini and did a disappearing act," Gary assured Josh that crazier things where known to happen in his presence.

"No." Josh admitted, claiming he was lost in amazement in the maze he would like to now call his home too. Assuring Gary he'd stay out of the way, writing a novel.

Gary's gears turned and his beard began to smoke "give me a few minutes to think about it." Gary went to his smoking table and rolled a cigarette before returning to the table where the couple sat "OK," Gary addressed Josh after Claire had returned with a fresh pot of coffee to refill their cups "you have your answer there." Watching Claire spin around without refilling his cup "come on dear, it's up to you to seal the deal" Gary winced at her when she turned back with coffee in hand.

After a forced sigh Claire responded "that's why you can get your own coffee." Laughing Claire returned to the table and poured Gary a coffee also. "Are you sure this is such a good idea?" Claire asked with a peculiar look.

Stepping out of the kitchen to have her break "Connie answered what was on Gary's mind, only a bit more bluntly "don't worry love, if he repeats anything he sees here he will surely disappear."

Claire gasped looking at her now identical triplet sister, so did Josh looking between the two. Gary could only laugh "thank you Connie. I don't think I could have been so direct."

Josh could hardly control the unanticipated suspense moving around in his seat like he now really needed to use the restroom. "Woe!" Eyes widening "what the Hell is going on here?" Josh demanded answers.

Bringing out a rack of ribs "pork ribs," a confused Bubba stopped and stuttered in response "and by the way who is Anish, Gary?" Bubba asked before returning to the buffet table to deliver the rack of ribs to its designated trays. Now joining the rest of the occupants at the table "just a passing thought while I was in the kitchen."

Clearly disturbed, Josh asked "yes, who's Anish? Was he the first to say too much?" Starring at Bubba Josh asked and who is this guy?"

"No" Gary said trying to calm the situation. "Anish was the realtor who sold me the first house I bought when I got out of prison." Gary explained "A really nice fellow, unfortunately he died in a car accident on the way to see me perform at the last gig I did at the lounge that hired me to play in the evenings." Gary went onto explain "This guy is Bubba, I spent nearly half my life with him and couldn't bear to see him flipping hotdogs for a living after all we'd been through."

Bubba nodded in appreciation, sharing a smile between him and Connie. "Bubba," Gary said "bag up those ribs and place them in one of the plastic garbage bins," explaining "there's some dogs coming and we're going to need process some dogfood. Today is Saturday and we're going to make a point of not eating pork on Saturdays."

Hearing these words were a sort of comfort to Josh though his mind still raced to catch up to his heartbeat. "Breathe buddy," Bubba told Josh "you'll live through it. It's not your days work going to feed the dogs" Bubba sneered at Gary.

Gary just laughed at the interaction "Josh, do you remember where the riding horses are?" Josh nodded and was already scrambling for the exit when Gary interrupted his escape "Diyari and Rhiana will meet you out there and could use your help. Thanks buddy and you're welcome here, I'll send a laptop up to your suite though you understand there is no internet connection here." Josh turned around and nodded once more before quickly disappearing.

All were silent, listening to the pattering of footsteps disappear and all burst out in laughter until Claire asked "Really what happened to Anish?" Looking questioningly at Gary "I remember the guy."

Gary  had a puzzled look on his face "I really don't know. Maybe that pig Bubba spent all day slow roasting to perfection ate him." The black man standing a few meters from the table licking his sticky fingers turned white and Bubba collapsed.