Corey's Secret
Chapter 2
Topanga
After a few hours had passed Corey began to awaken from his deep state of mind. His eyes slowly opened and he was trying to recall why he was laying on the cold hard pavement. Then he attempted to stand up but that was more difficult then he thought it would be. For when he had gotten to his feet he doubled over in pain and grabbed his knees. At this moment is when he noticed the small bag lying on the ground just next to his right foot, with a bit of amusement and confusion he picked it up and held it in the air to take a closer look. There was a dark greenish brownish substance in it. This is when he suddenly remembered Topanga and he quickly looked at his watch. He took off as fast as his knees would allow, knowing that Topanga would be worried about him. As he walked down the poorly lit and abandoned sidewalk he calmly shoved the bag in his left jeans pocket, not sure what else to do with it. He continued to walk though the dark city and watched as stray dogs pilfered though the metal garbage cans, looking for food. He had decided that the best thing to do was not to make a huge fuss about what happened, he knew Topanga would become scared and paranoid and beg him not to work at the Classical Café any more. He was not going to let that happen, they needed the money and he wanted to provide it.
"COREY! YOUR HOME!" Topanga shouted in joy. But her face quickly turned when she saw the cuts and scraps on the side of his face. "Of course I am home." Corey responded in a cool calm manner. "Corey."
"Yes my Topanga."
"What happened today? Anything I should be concerned about?"
"Nothing unordinary."
"Corey, your are not telling me everything. I can see the cuts and dry blood on your face, plus you are more than just fashionably late from work. Your shift ended a ten and it is now well pass one o'clock am."
"No don't worry Topanga, it was a rough night but everything is ok." He said as he bent down and kissed Topanga on the lips then disappeared into the bedroom. She sat still on their couch staring off into the distance, eyes glazed over. She was thinking, she knew things were not ok but it was apparent that Corey did not want to tell her, at least not at the moment. So after a few more minutes of reflection she got up and finished the dishes and went to bed.
Monday morning arrived and Corey and Topanga got up and fixed breakfast together as they normally did but while they were eating they began to talk, "My head hurts, I have the most awful headache." Corey said as he put his fork down and lifted his hand to his forehead and covered his eyes. "Corey why don't you stay home from work tonight. I think it would be better for you."
"No Topanga we need the money, besides I will be ok, trust me."
"Corey I wish you would just tell me what is going on."
"I already told you it is nothing, I just fell down on the way home, ok."
"I guess I am going to have to accept that for now but I really don't believe it Corey! I really just think there is something else going on. I just want to remind you that when you are ready to talk about it I will be waiting."
"I know Topanga."
"Corey, I am going to class now but maybe we can talk about this later." She said as she started to clear the dishes. After they were all in the sink she grabbed her coat and book bag and left for class. Corey decided to go to the library before his History class started.
He opened the heavy library doors and made his way to the back of the first floor, where he could use the internet, after spending some time looking at a variety of sites he stood up and walked quietly over to the computer to search the library's catalog of books. He thought for a minute before typing in the keywords illegal drugs. After getting the results of his search he pulled the selected books from the shelves and sat down at the nearest table and began to read. He then pulled the small bag from his pocket, keeping it under the table. A few seconds passed and his eyes jumped from the bag and looked around making sure no one was watching him then he quickly shoved it back into his pocket and slung his bag over one shoulder. Pushing the chair in he left the library quickly and quietly and headed for the dorm.
Slamming the door behind him he ran through their dorm and yanked the bag from his pocket and gave his backpack a toss, it bounced as it landed on the aqua colored couch. He ran into their bedroom and looked around trying to think. Then in a quick decisive move he picked up his pillow and dropped the bag into the bottom of the pillowcase and sat the pillow back down and began to fluff it as if everything were normal. He made his way quickly to the door making sure to gab his backpack and coat off the sofa and proceeded on his way to History class.