The Deadman ✔

Chapter One

The only creatures that are evolved enough to convey pure love are dogs and babies.
-Johnny Deep

By the time Violet called to tell me she wanted to go home- -but her so called best friends were staying to watch another movie- -I was almost asleep.

I'm almost grateful that I didn't actually fall asleep because I had left my contacts in. That's one bitch of a problem to deal with in the morning.

Contacts.

Ugh.

Pulling up to the movie theater in my truck I only have to honk once before Nonnie is climbing up next to me.

"I thought Jason was going to give you a ride home." I say, trying to start a somewhat decent conversation. She doesn't say anything so I try again "Do you not feel well or are you just-"

"Listen Thatch, I've already told you. I don't want to talk to you so please...be quiet."

Right.

I almost forgot she hates me.

Not having to be told twice my mouth snaps shut, eyes drifting to the road as I take off out of the parking lot.

This town is small, so it takes no time at all to get to her house.

"Bye." I mumble as she leaves, giving me no acknowledgement as she goes.

Same old, same old.

Going back home, I decide to pass up the turn to my driveway and hop on to the highway.

Three hours away and three hours back are where most of my family live.

All in the same town, spread out across the edges. Forty minutes away from each other, able to run to each other any time they need. Even my grandparent's farm is only one town over.

Meanwhile people have to waste six hours of their time to see me.

Not worth it.

To drown out my thoughts, I turn my music up until the bass nearly makes me flinch.

Once my eyes get all stingy I pull over at a rest stop and trade out my contacts for my glasses -knowing Eliza isn't used to me not wearing them and I don't want to add anything else for her brain to make sense of.

First she's kidnapped by that bastard again, then she's broken up with by that oblivious moronic boyfriend she said I didn't need to meet yet, then our douche-bag cousin drags her off to the hospital.

Alexander, her brother, is busy with college- -just like Cellie, who happens to be his girlfriend- -and can't find much time to drive back a visit. He is a great brother, despite his time table.

By the time I park outside the hospital, it's dark outside and around the time that the cafe shuts down. But I know Anderson won't say no to me, he likes me.

That could be because he knows I'm dying.

Or it could be because when Eliza needed the best doctor around, I gave up my best chance so she could have hers.

And of course, that asshole promised he'd never tell Eliza or her parents that. As far as they're concerned, Dr. Anderson just couldn't handle a dying 16 year old.

I've never regretted doing that.

Hospital Boy is home, is what I think as I walk through the doors.

I don't need directions, and just have to smile at a few nurses on my way to Eliza's room.

Nobody questions me.