Old friends, new friends.

Chris spent most of the afternoon just hanging out at his house trying to keep busy by writing his history essay and filling out college apps. However, try as he might he couldn't get his mind off everything Teddy had said. Chris felt a sinking feeling in his gut, almost like guilt, but worse. Today was the first real conversation he'd had with Teddy in almost three years. Back when they were about twelve they had been real tight but then gradually they had drifted apart. Chris had always assumed it was the natural thing to happen; sometimes you just had to let go of your past and of other people. Sometimes the only way to succeed was to step off the train. You know, back away. At least that's what he had always thought and he had been happy with his decision. But now seeing how bitter Teddy had been Chris felt different. He wondered why it had never occurred to him how Teddy and Vern would view his leaving the group. Now he saw that Teddy at least had felt abandoned. Chris hated that. It seemed as if this week everything he had ever said or done was coming back to take one final shot at him.

Gordie. Chris felt another stab in his gut. What was he going to do about Gordie? Did Gordie feel abandoned like Teddy had? Chris stared at the blank page in his lap. There was no way on earth he was going to make the same mistake again, even if it were for different reasons. Sure, some people do drown. But there was no reason you couldn't help them and still save yourself. Maybe he could help Teddy and maybe he couldn't, maybe it was too late. But with Gordie he had to act.

   Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Chris stood up and glanced through the fraying curtain to see two figures standing on the front step. One was Eyeball the other was standing in the shadows and Chris couldn't see their face. Chris hobbled over to the front door and pulled it open.

"Christopher," Eyeball said from the other side of the screen door.

"Hey Richie," Chris said a little nervously.

"Hey Chris." It was a warm voice. It was Eyeball's old girlfriend, Jillian Mackenzie.

Chris opened the screen door slowly. "Hey, what do you guys want?"

"A favour," Eyeball said simply.

"We were going to hang out and talk about stuff and we were wondering if you would mind Aimee tonight," Jillian said and Chris saw that she looked nervous.

"Baby-sit?" Chris was shocked. Guys didn't baby-sit outside their own family, did they?

"Yeah," Eyeball said rolling his eyes. "Why, you got a problem, Christopher?"

"We'd really appreciate it," Jillian added.

"Ah it's just I had plans tonight," Chris said weakly. He saw Jillian's face sink, Eyeball on the other hand looked a little relieved.

"Guess we'll have to talk another night Jillian." Eyeball positively grinned.

"No, it's okay, I guess I can." Chris tried to smile. Eyeball looked like he wanted to kill him, Jillian was the one grinning now.

"Great," Jillian said. "Could you please come round my house at about seven tonight then?"

"Sure, I guess." Chris tried to ignore the poisonous look on his brother's face.

"We won't be long," Jillian promised.

"Yes, we definitely won't be long," Eyeball added.

"Thanks Chris, we'll see you later then." Jillian smiled then turned and began to walk away.

"Bye Christopher," Eyeball hissed and punched his brother on the arm before walking away.

Chris stood and watched them for a few moments before heading back into the house. He would have to talk to Gordie later than planned. Teddy was going to be mad.

Gordie was at the Tessio's house hanging out with Vern and eating potato chips.

"This is boring, let's do something else."

Gordie glanced at Vern. "Like what?"

"I don't know… play cards or something."

"Cards?"

"Yeah. You remember cards Lachance?"

Gordie rolled his eyes. "Yes I remember, Tessio."

Vern hopped up from his chair and went to rummage through one of the cupboards. He came back with a pack of playing cards.

"Got them free from that restaurant down on third." Vern explained.

Gordie ate a chip before responding. "What'll we play?"

"Three penny skat, what else?" Vern smiled.

"Okay, but you gotta bet bigger than a penny Vern-o."

Vern smiled and dealt the cards. "How 'bout a quarter bet?"

Gordie shrugged. "That's fine." He picked up his cards. Crap, he had a very bad hand. The highest card he had was the four of clubs.

Vern was beaming; he clearly had good cards. Vern had never mastered the poker face. Gordie wasn't a great liar but he was better than Vern.

They played for a few minutes in silence. Gordie was collecting spades. He had the queen and the ace of spades and a useless five of hearts when Vern suddenly tapped the table.

"I knock."

"Shit," Gordie whispered and reached for his last card. He prayed it was something high.

"I call thirty," Vern said proudly and laid out his cards on the table.

Gordie turned over his last card and suddenly he was smiling. "Read them and weep Tessio!" He laid his cards out, the ace, queen and jack of spades.

"Aw go fuck yourself Lachance!" Vern grumbled and scooped up his cards before reluctantly depositing two quarters in the centre of the table.

Gordie was smiling as he shuffled the cards. Somehow it seemed a good sign that he had just won the first game, like it represented something bigger, you know? His head felt almost clear once more and the room seemed brighter.

"Hey Gordie man, you goin' to deal anytime soon?" Vern asked, jolting Gordie's from his thoughts.

"Yeah… soon."

Vern watched Gordie for a second before speaking again. "Hey man you want to teach me that box shuffle sometime?"

Gordie's hands froze on the cards, now he remembered why he missed Chris. Denny had taught Gordie the box shuffle and although not much, it was something of Denny, which Gordie therefore felt very protective towards. Chris would know never to ask Gordie to teach him how to shuffle Denny's way. Chris knew that to ask Gordie to teach him that was like asking for a part of Denny and there really wasn't that much left to go around.

"Gordie?" Vern asked hesitantly.

Gordie finished shuffling the cards and silently dealt them out. Vern was his friend but Vern was no Chris. No one would ever replace Denny and no one would ever replace Chris. Gordie glanced down at the table and he felt his eyes well up just a little. Denny had been taken from him but Chris had voluntarily left. There was no denying that. The room was suddenly darker, as if the sun had hidden her face behind the clouds. Gordie swiped his left hand across his eyes.

"You okay man?" Vern asked in alarm.

"Yeah… I just got something in my eye." Gordie picked up his cards. "No sweat man."

"You sure?"

Gordie paused for a while before speaking. "Yes."