These characters are from the sweat-beetled brow of Craig Bartlett... lucky stiff.
Rated PG-13 cause I felt like it.Enjoy.
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It's always the same. The laughter of my fellow campers, Nadine's infectious smile, the roar of the rapids, the vertigo of the capsize, Nadine calling my name... blackness. But the nightmare begins as I open my eyes, for in my waking hours I am all too aware that I'm without her. How much of the recurring dream is memory, and how much is imagination helpfully filling the gaps is of little importance. It has passed from incident to legend now, and I embellish both the good and bad, and am saddled with the most painful version.
Showered, dressed and down to breakfast, it's all I can do this morning to maintain a civil facade to my family. Tonight, doom befalls me, for this evening is the Sadie Hawkins Dance, and I am to accompany 'her' this evening... heaven, I'll dance in the arms of an angel divine, until, like Persephone, I'm returned to hell for the remainder of my time.
Breakfast is a suitably ghastly affair, as my mother and my darling sibling Chastity debate the social merits of a naval piercing, and why she was without one, while my father is in full retreat behind the latest issue of WORLD AFFAIRS. Sighing, my thoughts return to her, as I dare to indulge in a multitude of unrealistic fantasies of the evenings outcome. Nadine, sobbing in my loving embrace as I comfort her after Brainy is crushed under a falling piano, and the like...
The bus arrives a tad early, so I'm winded as I stumble towards an open seat near the back, and collapse back, trying to compose myself. Eyes closed, I breath deeply and consider the day ahead. She'd been infuriatingly vague as to any and all details of the event, either during or after the dance. She merely disarmed me with that little look that she knows full well turns my bones to pudding, and blithely assured me that all concerned would have a fabulous time.
Gahh! How you mock me in my torments.
I'm roused from my pitiful torpor by a soft chuckle and an all too familiar voice,"I feel your pain, brother. Who would've thought that Hell would replace the river Styx with a limo ride and dress code?" I open my eyes to see Brainy in the seat ahead of me, leaning over and looking much better without the piano.
Smiling, I say,"Cover charge at the dance will be a poppyseed and honey cake tossed to the three headed bouncer. How are you holding up, old boy?"
His invitation to the dance had likewise been but boon and bane as Brainy stood before the doors of Chapel Perilous in anticipation of the evening with his own Salome, Helga G. Pataki. As I was haunted by Nadine, so he too by the fearsome firebrand at Arnold's side.
Our ride to school was pleasant enough, and our chat just served to reenforce my begrudging fondness for him. Finally, I could bare it not longer and asked,"Um, Brainy... has Nadine said anything to you about tonight? I mean, in regards to me, or should I say 'us'. Well, you know what I mean!"
His features took on a somber air as he fidgeted in his seat. "Well, yeah but... I've been sworn to secrecy by both Nadine and Helga. Um, sorry..." he smiled weakly.
Drat!
"I see. Say, Brainy... are you alright with all this? I mean, we all agreed and whatnot, but still... you ARE okay with... Nadine and I, correct?" Again, I'm favored with a quiet smile,"Ron, you've never given me a reason not to trust you without question. In fact, I will let you in on one little secret; the idea of Nadine asking you to the dance... that was me." I was thunderstruck.
"Y-you! This was YOUR doing? But why!" I said, near panic.
"Because I can't think of a better guy to entrust her to." and again the grin.
"But the Helga thing, well, that was really outta left field. Nadine's little joke. I wonder if... if Arnold is okay with me taking her?" and he furrowed his brow.
Laughing, I said,"Oh, PLEASE! There is no man walking the face of the earth so confident in his situation. I dare say you could have Helga handcuffed nude to you for a week and he'd not bat an eye! Trust me old boy, you're in no danger of the wrath of Arnold." and it was my turn to smile.
The bus ride and chin wag with Brainy had done wonders for my attitude and I wouldn't be lying if I said that I was beginning to enjoy the coming evening. At school, I prepared to head off to homeroom, when I noticed the oddest look on Brainy's face, "Thanks a lot Ron! Now I've got that Helga nude and handcuffed image burned into my brain for the day..."
Sharing a laugh we parted company and I stepped quick to my morning's classes.
At lunch, I was again rewarded as Brainy had some manner of business or another to attend to and was off in his labors, and as such, Nadine doted and fussed over me in ways I'd only know in dream. Oblivious to the other diners at our table, we laughed and talked in a way I hadn't known since... summer camp, and it was life renewing in ways nothing else could be for me.
Secure in the trust Brainy placed in me, I enjoyed the hour more than I normally would have. Warmed by her radiant beauty, cooled by her still inner peace, I was the sole inhabitant in an Arcadia of Nadine. Too, too soon, it was time to return to studies and Nadine graced me with a smile as she offered that she was beside herself in anticipation of the evening; an evening that now I would gladly stretch into an eternity.
But such unbridle ecstasy in one person would upset a greater cosmic balance, and so, warped gods sought to bring down my spirits. As I stooped to enjoy a drink at the water fountain, I chanced to catch a scrap of a conversation taking place around the corner between Helga and Arnold.
"So, you're SURE you're okay with all this? I mean, I think Brainy REALLY needs this now, but I won't do it if you're uncomfortable, and I mean that!" said the sweet voice that Helga only uses when speaking with Arnold.
I could almost hear his grin as he reassured her that his faith in their union was unshakable. "Besides," he said, "I'm more worried about Nadine. This whole moving thing must be murder for her."
Helga paused a moment, I think choosing her words with care, "I've talked with her a long time about this and she feels it's for the best. Their relationship has changed over time and she thinks that it's better for Brainy to start finding his own life without her. The move will be a big step for both of them, and he needs to get on with his life..."
I'm without the capacity to think coherently.
Moving.
Oh dear God, it's all so clear now. Nadine is moving away, and tonight, THIS night was to be her going away present to me. This explains several cryptic references made by Brainy this morning during our chat. Despite my own pain, I can only think of poor Brainy. I lost her long ago, but he is losing her now, and in this moment of crisis, Arnold selflessly allows the love of his life to comfort and give succor to him in this dark hour.
How will either of of make it through this night?
To Be Continued...
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