Escape

I walk into the Dining Hall and I notice James sitting by himself, shoveling food into his mouth. He doesn't seem to notice me so I wait in line and get my tray filled with mashed potatoes, meat loaf, gravy, and brussels sprouts. Apple pie is also there so I grab a slice for after I'm finished my meal. I also grab some silverware which have napkins wrapped around it. Once I have everything I need, I walk towards the table where James is sitting. I now notice that he has finished eating, but he also has a coat on. This is strange to me because he never wears his coat indoors. Why would he do so now? Maybe he's just cold. I sit down across from James at the table and begin wiping off my silverware with a napkin.

"How are ya, Kid?" I ask him.

"I'm good."

These words surprise me, and I stop cleaning my silverware for a second to stare at him. "You're good?"

"Yeah, I'm good." He replies as if he wants the conversation to end.

"That's the first time I've ever heard you say that." I state.

"I'm coming to terms with some shit." He says bluntly.

"What?"

"None of your business."

I'm beginning to rage a little now. Here I am, willing to help and listen to James, but he just pushes me away. It angers me, because I do want to help him. I want to help him the way Michelangelo helped me. "One of these days you're gonna talk to me."

"No, I'm not."

"You'll get tired of being an Asshole and you'll get tired of not having any friends. You'll talk to me."

"No, I won't." He promises.

"I'm going to keep on sitting with you until you do." James laughs at me now. "I'm gonna keep on sitting with you. Mark my motherfucking words." By now I've completely forgotten about my food, its probably gone cold.

James grabs his tray and stands up. "Have a nice life, Leonard."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I ask. As soon as the words slip out of my mouth, I realize what's happening. Why he's wearing a coat, why he's saying he'll never speak to me again, why he's saying goodbye as if he's going far away. James is most likely going to run away.

"Have a nice life." He repeats. All I can do is stare at him as he walks away. I'm shocked. I thought he was going to get better here, learn how stay away from his addictions. Now he's leaving and going to do who knows what. I shake myself out of my trance and begin eating my now cold food. I have no idea what to do. Others would let him go, but I just can't do that. I can't accept that he's a goner. I think about telling Lincoln or another worker, but they wouldn't do anything. This isn't a lockdown facility. Patients can leave whenever they want. Fuck, why do I care this much about James. I haven't cared this much before about anyone else. As I finish my main course, I pull the apple pie towards me and start to quickly eat it.

I've never felt this connection that I have with James with anyone else. He's beginning to grow on me. I'll miss the Kid too much if he leaves. The only time I've felt something like this was with my adoptive father, Michelangelo. Despite barely knowing him, James is beginning to feel like a son to me. There's no way I can lose him. I pick up my tray and hastily drop it on the conveyer belt.

I walk towards the Lecture Hall, hoping he will be there. There's a good chance he won't be there, but I have to check to be sure. As I arrive into the hall, I pause in the doorway to look for James. He is sitting in the back row all alone. I take a seat next to him and I stare at him. I notice he is still wearing the big coat so I ask him about it.