Stand By LaChambers

Ch. 4: Just Best Friends

[GORDIE'S POV]

It was only 10:00am on a Saturday morning, and thousands of thoughts were already rushing through my head. Chris was as of right now, probably still asleep. The whole time we were at the diner that one day with Kathy, Teddy, and Vern, the tension between Teddy and Kathy was undeniable. They kept catching glances at each other here and there, which I think created an awkward environment for the rest of us. After that, everyone split ways except for Chris and I, we ended up hanging out the rest of the day setting off cherry bombs in nearby fields. 

My folks came back into town and everything went back to the way it was before they left, quiet. Right now, I was on my way down to the market to look for some bread to buy since we had just run out of it the last time Chris came over. 

As I walked in, the door opened causing the small bell up above to let out a ringing sound. I moved past the rack of chips and made my way to the back, where the bread had always been since I could remember. 

"Hey I know you, you're Gordie Lachance," the market owner called out from behind the front counter. "You're Denny's little brother. Shame what happened to him."

I nodded in response to the man's blunt statement. The loaf of bread in my hands was tossed onto the counter as I took out my 22 cents of payment. 

"Do you play football?" he asked me. "-because your brother sure could play some football, best player this town's ever seen."

"No sir, I don't," I said shaking my head, and throwing my 22 cents onto the counter.

"Well then what do you do?" 

"I'm not sure yet sir," I admitted. 

He gave me a slight nod before I walked out the door, leaving at the sound of the small bell ringing again.

Denny really was my best friend, he understood me and accepted me for whatever I wanted to spend my days doing. He never once put me down for anything I did, unlike my father. My father adored Denny for the reason of him being such a great football player and getting a scholarship to a nice school. My brother would be the one to change the topic, to acknowledge something great that I did so I didn't feel ignored. 

Ever since Denny died, my father has spoken less in regards to putting me down for what I love to do. Although now, he compares myself to Denny expecting that I follow in his footsteps. 

"Hey! Gordie!" a familiar voice called from behind me. 

I turned my head to see the face of Chris Chambers, of whom I thought would've still been asleep. 

"Hey Gordo, what are you doing out here this early in the day?" he asked, running to catch up with me.

"I just went to go buy some bread at the market," I answered. "What're you doing out, I thought you'd be fast asleep."

Chris let out a small laugh. "I was actually lookin' for you, Gordo," he stated, swinging his left arm across my shoulders, pulling me in for a brief side hug. 

"Well you found me. Why were you looking for me?"

"Follow me, it's this way," Chris ran ahead, expecting me to follow behind him, in which I did.