Tainted

Tainted {{Chapter Three}}

                                                 * * * Brendon’s P.O.V. * * *

                Work could not have gone by any slower.               

                Neither Tyler nor Josh had to work today, so it was just me and a few other employees that I really didn't talk much to. There weren't many people in the shop, either, so I basically just washed dishes and mopped the floor the whole time.

                "Six o'clock," I announced, rinsing off a cup and setting it in the dish rack. Quitting time. I pulled off my apron and hung it on a hook near the door.

                "Where you headed to now?" My boss, Geoff, asked me.

                "I'm not sure," I replied as I shrugged my coat on over my shoulders. "I might go over to Josh's. See you later." He waved to me as I made my way through the shop and out the door.

                For some reason, I'd decided to walk to work today. What had possessed me to do that, I wasn't sure, because it was freezing out. I ambled down the street and turned the corner, wrapping my arms around myself.

                I'd talked to my mom a few days ago. She'd seemed okay on the phone, but my mother was very good at hiding her feelings. I knew that she was probably hurting.

                I walked down another street and turned into a small bar. I sat on a stool and the bartender came over, wiping his hands on a towel.

                "What can I get you?"

                "A beer, please," I responded, and he poured a large glass and slid it across to me. I picked it up and swallowed a mouthful of the beautiful copper liquid. I came in here often so the guy didn't bother to card me anymore.

                I wasn't a huge drinker, but a beer every once in a while never hurt anyone. It helped cleared my mind when it was clouded with nonsense, such as now. I finished my first and started on a second, sipping off it slowly this time.

                It was times like this when I kind of wished that I had a girlfriend, or at least someone. The majority of my friends, and even a few of my band mates, had girlfriends. I almost felt left out, but then remembered how difficult girls could be, how it wasn't really even worth it in the long run, anyway.

                I stopped after my second beer and paid the bartender, leaving the bar. I usually only ever had two drinks, because I could get emotional if I was drunk enough.

                My wandering finally led me to Josh and Jordan's apartment building. I took the stairs up to the fourth floor and walked into their shared apartment, and the first thing I saw was Jordan stretched across their couch, playing a game on a Nintendo DS.

                "Hi," he greeted me without looking up.

                "Hey," I replied, "Where's Josh?"

                "Out." He set down his game and finally glanced at me. "What's up?"

                I plopped myself down onto his outstretched legs. "Nothing, just got off work."

                "Oh," he responded. Then he muttered an 'ow' and pulled his legs out from under me. "How's your mom?"

                I shrugged. "She seems fine. I'm probably going to go visit her soon."