Stay With Me

FOUR

I knew better than not finishing the bottle of whiskey before talking to Garrett.

"Can we talk now?" He said as he put away the empty bottle when I nodded and sat with me again.

"What do you want to know hot shot?" I replied trying to be funny.

"Let's start with the basics, name, age, birthday, pet peeve"

"Well we both know what my name is, my last name is Baton, don't make fun of me, I know my name sucks. I just turn 18 a week before I moved here and one of my biggest pet peeve is when people jump into the conclusion that I was name after the sporting brand" I finished my speech.

"Nike Baton? Well, you're not right? I mean you're named after that goddess in mythology right?" He asked, me I looked at him and gave him the nicest smile I can and nod.

"At last, someone who got it right. And oh my middle name is Chesby, that is also my mom's name" I said with proud honor.

"That's great, your name doesn't suck. So how often do you visit Arizona before you moved here?" He asked.

"Oh my parents used to bring me and my brother every summer here in Arizona."

"Used to? When did you stop?"

"You know, after the accident. I was 7 back then" I replied, the alcohol in my system helped me say everything a lot easier.

"But only your mom died right? Why did your father stop bringing you here?"

"My brother died too, and my father kinda spaced out, you know and just work everyday, I think he thought I'm dead too." I replied, shaking my head.

"I doubt that, you're not that forgettable Nike, I bet he's just busy with work that's all" he said, trying to make me feel better. I knew what's real though.

"Either way, he forgot about everything that happened. Block everything from his mind. We even stopped playing the piano because he always leave me with the babysitter. He stopped talking to me when I stepped in middle school" I said, thinking about my father makes the lump in throat heavier.

"I am sorry" that's just what he said and he wrap an arm around me. I always feel comfortable whenever someone hugs me.

"I bet you and your brother are close." He said, changing the topic about my father.

"Oh yeah, but he is much closer with Jared, you know they had a year without me, talking about boy stuffs" I replied, I imagine what my brother would look like if he's alive. We have the same eye color, we both inherit my father's pale skin but he has mom's hair as well, just like Jared's. I wondered if he'll wear it the same as Jared. If we'll like the same music or will he hate me for listening to country music.

"I bet." That's all he can say as I dozed off in his shoulders. For a second I wondered how we looked like, sitting on the kitchen floor drunk, talking, and cuddling.

&&

I woke up in an unfamiliar room with a massive headache. My defense was to stand up and run but I managed to take in everything that happened. The last thing I remember was dozing off in John's kitchen with Garrett.

"Rise and shine sweet pea" John's voice said as he opened the door on the bedroom I was in.

"What time is it?" I asked, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"9 am. We made you breakfast" he said.

"Can I uhm go home and- cause I need to visit Jared" I replied standing up now, my headache is still a bitch.