Louder than my headphones

Mikey was gone. Carmy needed chefs. Richie needed Mikey. Conrad just needed something to do.

He didn't want school again. Didn't wanna explain to his dad why he quit. Didn't wanna sit in his room blasting Infinity on High thinking about if anyone would care if he disappeared.

Then Richie called-well, yelled, because that's how he says he cares. Said Carmy needed help. Said The Beef was turning into The Bear. Said Conrad had to get off his ass.

So he showed up.

Carmy stayed quiet. Richie yelled. Sugar kept checking in. Conrad just tried to fade into the noise.

He wasn't trying to fix himself. He didn't even know what that meant.

But he showed up.
And for now, that was enough.