Freak Genius

Chapter 5: DAN

Chapter 5

Dan

Dan’s eyes followed Macy up the driveway. He didn’t feel safe leaving her, but he knew her parents would already be suspicious on why Brittany had not dropped her off. They would likely interrogate her if either of them noticed him watching her as she strode up the pavement. So, he began down the road, hoping he would be able to remember his way home. He successfully exited the subdivision and soon found himself on the main road again. He found it difficult to concentrate on the vehicles ahead of him. He could feel his eyes burning and he pulled over, knowing it wouldn’t be long before his vision was blurred with salty tears. Only seconds after he stopped the car on the side of the highway, he was sobbing. He was unsure why. He’d never sobbed in his life until today. That was, of course, if you didn’t count the day his dog died. But Macy wasn’t a dog. Macy was his best friend. Never had he known how much he cared about her. It seemed wrong to be pulled over on the side of the road crying so hard it hurt.

His gut seemed to collapse on itself. His shoulders shook uncontrollably. He could not find the strength to bring up his hands and wipe his eyes. He couldn’t breathe. His lungs were too weak. His chest felt as if a large elephant had sat on it. Dan’s eyes burned when he closed them but felt heavy when he opened them. He couldn’t decide which was worse. Eventually he lost all faith in the idea this was going to be quick. He didn’t know how long he had sat there but the sun was setting by the time he could suppress a breath. His nose was very much clogged. He had to sit with his jaw hanging open uncomfortably so he could breathe. His mind was so flooded with thoughts he felt he just wished he couldn’t think. Somehow, everything felt like a dream. It seemed so terribly wrong, it was so messed up. It couldn’t possibly be real life. But, somewhere, in the back of his mind, a small voice told him that was the worst truth about life. Even when you willed something to be a dream with everything you possibly could it still lingered in reality.

Nothing could change the past.

Dan sniffled and wiped his nose, shifting the car into drive. The whole trip home passed in a blur. Nothing happened. One moment he was pulling onto the road and the next he was in his garage, yanking the keys out of the ignition. His parents were still not home, judging by the absence of their vehicles. He stumbled out of the car and lumbered to the door, keys in hand. He opened the door to a gleeful Benny. He trudged down the hall to the kitchen counter where he had been celebrating the discovery of toaster strudels just this morning. His eyes were glazed with wistfulness. Dan halted at the counter and just looked. Not in any particular direction. What he was looking at was uncertain. He just looked.

Then he felt his left pocket vibrate against his leg. Many moments later he reached his hand down it and gently pulled out his phone. Brittany’s name flashed on the screen followed by her message: “Hey! Call me!” He ignored it but still clicked on the keypad. He began to type in a contact name. M. A. C. Y. J.- Macy’s picture popped up and he clicked on it. Next thing he knew, the phone was ringing up to his ear and Macy’s voice answered, “Hello?”

“Macy? Please don’t hang up!” There was a long moment of silence. Dan checked the phone to make sure she hadn’t hung up. “I know I never really act like I care about you, but are you alright?” There was more silence. “Don’t lie to me.” She sighed and Dan pressed the phone hard against his ear. “Fine. I’ll do the talking. I know what I said to you was wrong. I’ve been harsh to you before but I realize that this is different. I was being selfish and blind to the fact that I was hurting you more. You are my best friend and I am truly sorry. I had no right to say any of what I did to you. I think I realized in Physics while Ms. Haller was telling us that story how serious this is. What happened to that girl, I don’t know what I would do if that happened to you. I really don’t. Now will you answer my question.”