Losing Light

Chapter 11

Chapter 10

"But what if I don't know what to say?"

"There are a lot of things to talk about, Gareth."

"But what if there isn't?"

"I'm sure he won't mind if there isn't much to say. Ask him about his life, but make sure to ask about the arrowheads. Say you've had an interest in them, a secret interest all of these years."

"But I didn't. And I still don't."

"Quit beginning your sentences with but, first of all."

"But-"

"Shut up, Montgomery or I'll kick your ass."

"Sorry."

I sigh. "Stop pacing, you're driving me crazy."

He stops pacing in the hallway leading up to the visitation room. Gray eyes bore into mine shakily. "Do I look okay?"

"You're in a fucking orange jumpsuit. What do you want me to say?"

"'Gee, Gar, you look so freakin' handsome! You are rockin' that jumpsuit so hard I wonder why you're not a male model!'"

"I'm not saying that."

"But it might help..."

"I like women. Besides, you're naturally revolting."

"Ohhh that hurt man..."

I roll my eyes, but give him a friendly slap on the arm. He smiles calmly at me and gives me a bone-crushing hug. I sigh in annoyance at the gesture, remembering the reasons why I didn't want any friends. But I give him a small pat on the back anyways.

He would've hugged me longer if I didn't.

"Are you fine now?" I ask.

Montgomery shrugs with a half-smile. "I don't know...I guess."

I check the clock on the wall. "Well, you'd better be ready, because it's time." I push him to the guard handling visitation, and Gareth enters the visitation room.

There's a small window looking into the room so I can see what's going on. A blond man-well, more boy than man-dressed in tight jeans and a goofily graphic shirt tucked in slumps in his chair, but knocks it over when he sees Gareth. He turns a delightfully embarrassing shade of pink and scrambles to pick up his chair. Gareth smiles widely, and I think he laughs because his shoulders shake. His back is to me. The blond man, who I presume is Burton, rubs the back of his neck and takes Montgomery in with his eyes.

He looks like he's stammering something out to Gar, and looks at his hands. I can't hear a thing. Burton is suddenly lifted into the air, held tightly in his old friend's arms. He smiles gleefully, even when the guard angrily warns of the no-touching rule.

They start to talk. I only catch glimpses of Gareth's face and mostly Burton. He seems shy in a little kid kind of way. I notice his shoulders are a bit tense, but I inaudible words seem to flow out of his mouth easily. His hair is cut in a boyish way. He looks like a smart fellow.

For a moment, they smile at each other. Gareth lightly takes Burton's wrist in his hand. His jaw moves up and down. His visitor merely blushes at the table separating them. My only friend's foot taps the floor for just a moment, his eyes watching the movement. Gareth raises his head to look at Burton and says something. Burton's face changes a little. His brow furrows. Gareth quickly says something in return, and the blond man relaxes some.

They go back to the exchange of smiles. There isn't anything else to see. I leave the window.