Where My Demons Hide

Plus One

The day before I was forced to go back to my mothers I found myself shit faced on my couch for the entire day. I even made it a point to go to the store myself and stock up my fridge. I knew I couldn't count on my normal delivery guy since Gage scared him off my porch so I had to fend for myself. 

I had lost count of how many bottles I had emptied, but I knew it wasn't nearly enough to drown out the fact that I would have to face him again tomorrow. The day was flying by and I was getting increasingly more anxious as time passed. By now the alcohol should have done it's job and dulled my senses. Instead, it seemed to be amplifying them. 

My phone found it's way into my hand more times than I am willing to count. Gage's number had been on the screen each of those times. For some reason, he was the one person I wanted to vent to. But he was the last person I wanted to see.  Wait, that's not true either. My sibling was the last person I wanted to see. Even if I was on fire and he was responsible for the worlds supply of water, I wouldn't want to see him. 

After the tenth time I called and hung up on Gage, I wasn't fast enough to disconnect. I heard his deep voice on the other end as my finger hovered over the red button. Dammit, my luck couldn't get any worse. 

"Meadow, you actually going to talk this time?" it sounded like there was a smile on his face as he asked the question, but in my mild haze it was hard to tell.

"Fuck off Gage, why are you calling me?" I guess the booze was doing part of its job since even I could heard the slur in my voice.

"Seriously? I can come by and show you my call log. All the times you thought you were hanging up actually went through.  I think this is call number twelve." 

"Like hell it is, I have better things to do than prank call you all day," I smirked to myself as I lifted another bottle to my lips.

"Thirsty Thursday, right?" Damn, how did he know?

"Whatever, Gage, I don't judge you. Where the hell do you get off doing it to me?" Hiccup.

"What did you call me for, Meadow? Last I checked, things weren't exactly sunshine and rainbows between us."

"Jesus, Gage. Let a sleeping cow graze," wait, that's not right. "Let a crying cat eat?"

"I believe the phrase is, let a sleeping dog lie," he was definitely laughing at me now, the smug bastard.

"Yeah, sure that. Anyway, why are we still on the phone?" 

"You were the one who called me, so maybe you know."

"Right well, I'm supposed to go to my mothers house tomorrow," hiccup, "and I don't want to go."

"Meadow?" The worry was clear in his voice, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out why.

"What do you want?" 

"Things didn't go well last time you were there," he sounded like he was trying to be careful with what he said, but what did that matter? Things have gone to shit since I met him so why not say it like it is?

"Exactly, you rescued me from there when I sliced and diced."

"Okay if you're going to put it out there like that, I guess.  The last time you were there you left on a stretcher. What could you possibly need or want to go there for?"

"My cocksucker brother is getting out of the looney bin for a visit and mother dearest thinks I should be there to welcome the cunt home with open arms," my hand flew to my mouth to stop both the word vomit and actual vomit before anymore could spill out.

"And I'm guessing that's the last thing you want to do considering your extremely colorful words." 

"Jonah and I do not, exactly, see eye to eye."

I was met with silence on the other end. So much so that I had to check to make sure I didn't somehow accidentally hang up on him. After a few minutes I heard him take a few deep breaths before he spoke again.

"Jonah is your brother?" the disgust in his voice rivaled my own when I spoke about Jonah.

"Yep, now why do you care?" 

"What time should I meet you there?" his question threw me for a loop. Which was incredible considering I was finally feeling the full effects of the alcohol.

"Wait, what the fuck are you talking about? This invitation wasn't a plus one!" Mother would NOT be pleased if I showed up with some guy.

"It is now, Meadow, what time should I pick you up?" There was zero room for argument when he spoke like that. 

"It's sexy as hell when you get domineering with me like that," I purred at him.

"Ok, I'll be there at 4 to make sure you don't bail. Not sure what the consequences would be, but if you're being forced to play nice with this fuckbag I can only assume it wouldn't be good if you didn't show up.  I will be dressed in my Sunday best and at your door by 4 sharp," one more deep breath, "try and get some sleep Meadow. G'bye."

The phone went silent again and I pulled it down to stare at it.  

On a scale of one to even I literally can't. Fuck me sideways what the hell just happened?