Misanthrope

29

Chase has been away from home for the past ninety days. I go to see him once on the weekends because the clinic is over three hours away.

Today though, I don't have to drive three hours to go see him, because today, he's coming home.

Three months ago, when he overdosed on heroin, the doctors and his parents decided rehab was the best route to go down.

Even though it was his first time using heroin, they decided it was better to be safe than to be sorry.

Although it hurt Milo and I, and even Logan, to see him go, we knew that it's what was best for him.

The three of us are currently sitting in the cafe, in our usual booth, waiting for Chase to arrive.

"Hey pumpkin, what can I get for ya?" Mandy asks as she arrives at the table.

"Hey Mandy, we are actually waiting for someone else, would you be able to come back when they arrive?" I ask her, not telling her who's coming.

When Chase stopped coming to the cafe, Mandy got sad. We didn't tell her why he stopped coming but I'm sure she had some idea.

"Oh! Who are y'all waiting for? I'd love to meet them" she smiled at us.

"Forgotten about me already have we?" A familiar voice says from behind Mandy.

"Chase!" I almost shout as I jump up and give him a big hug.

It's only been a week since I last saw him but it feels like years.

"Hey bitch" he greets me while hugging me back.

"You sure are Chase anyway" Mandy rolls her eyes at his language but giggles a little "So do I get a hug or no?" she pouts.

"I'll have to think about tha-" he begins but Mandy cuts him off by hugging him anyway.

"C'mere you little shit" she laughs as the two embrace.

When she finally lets him go she leaves to give us a few minutes to work out our orders, although she knows we already know what we are having.

When she leaves Milo and Chase stand in front of each other awkwardly, not knowing what do do.

"Fuck I missed you" Milo breathes as he hugs Chase warmly, taking him by surprise.

I can tell they are both trying their best to hold back the tears and the sight of them together warms my heart.

"I missed you too sunshine" Chase replies as he rubs his back soothingly.

Cheesy shits.

The two sit next to each other across the way from Logan and I.

Chase eyes Logan warily, still unsure on how to feel about him.

"I'm glad you're okay man" Logan tells him and Chase smiles genuinely.

"Thanks bro" he nods and they leave it at that.

Mandy takes our orders not long after and the four of us eat while catching up on the past three months.