He Couldn't Get Her Out of His Mind
…same day as previous chapter
Drake rubbed his eyes about to throw things at Josh, Megan, or whoever left the TV
running. Noise never bothered him before, he liked his music loud and putting the
volume up on the television. Naturally, it was sensitivity due to the "C" word or make
that the two "C" words that was the recent culprit of everything wrong with him. He used
to love sleeping and doing nothing outside of going on dates with the requisite hot
chicks and playing in his band, but now sleeping was like a prison term. How come the
feel-good literature never showed a cancer patient in bed with the look of doom and
frustration on their face?
He propped up his pillows and sat back. Funny, the TV wasn't on. So where was the
noise coming from?
Drake was curious but didn't feel like getting out of bed. There were days when he
didn't want to do anything, but yet that noise was there pleading with him to come
investigate it.
This used to be the coolest bed in the house, but now he couldn't just jump carelessly
down to the ground, not after the time he almost lost his balance when his body was
reminding him, "Hey, you've got cancer, maybe you should just take it easy."
He went down the ladder and actually had to hold onto the bars, which really did make
him feel like a non-conqueror. That the victory could not be reached, that Drake Parker
could not get to the top of the mountain and mount his celebratory flag for the world to
see that he could beat his disease.
Where this noise coming from? The floor was cold even with his socked feet, but he
still was intent to keep on walking onward.
"Megan." He mumbled when he saw her open room door.
The unknown sounds getting closer and louder than they were before when he was still
in his bed.
It was her stupid computer blaring some kind of nonsense. It wasn't even music, it was
just some random older male announcer with a typical game show host voice dressed
in a cheaply made three piece suit talking.
"Now here's the entry from St. Patrick's featuring Mary Lopez and…"
How do I turn this speaker off?
"My name is Mary Lopez."
"And I'm E.J. Watson."
Emme Jessica…(E.J.?)
...long blonde hair
Unison: "Us and the rest of the St. Patrick's Tigers cheerleading squad want to remind
all of you kids to be a winner and stay off drugs."
you CAN smile…
…you're pretty
"…Next up…"
No, don't go away.
Drake put his hand on the computer screen.
"Hey, Boob, what are you doing in my room?"
"Come back." His voiced cracked like Rose DeWitt Bukater's as his eyes started to
well up for reasons he did not want to consciously admit.
"Drake, what's wrong?" Megan asked genuinely concerned
"Wha-What?"
"Drake, do you want me to get Mom?" Audrey kept her physical office time down to a
part-time basis and did the rest of her work at home in case her proud son needed
her.
"No. What's this thing on your computer?"
"Something my school is making us watch for drug awareness week so we can do a
report on it."
"Can you email me that video please?"
There was an urgency in his voice and she thought he had to be exhibiting madness.
"Sure." If it was going to make him happy to see a bunch of kids, who probably all
dabbled in the drug culture themselves, speak out against doing them in the first place
then who was she to judge?
"Thanks and do it NOW."
"Alright, Drake, I will." She was able to send embarrassing to Josh video moments to
her pals in China in minutes flat, so this was a piece of cake.
What was happening to her brother? Sure he used to be a careless Boob who only
cared about his hair, having sex, and playing his guitar. But this incarnation frightened
her.
Drake ignored his feelings for quenching his thirst, even though he knew he shouldn't,
but it was only going to be for a minute as he sat down at the computer desk.
He got nervous and put on his instant messenger typing feverishly.
FenderGod: Did you email me the video clip?
XxMeganXx: Yes. Check your email.
FenderGod: Thanks, bye.
FenderGod is now offline
Drake banged his palms on the desk as he waited impatiently for Real Player to open.
Fuck…advertisements?
Who cares about KDJY and it's partnership with the San Diego School district?
Fast forward….please…
Computer don't freeze…
Wait…too far….
Go back….
E.J. Watson, smiling cheerleader, with the long blonde hair.
Two weeks until the next meeting? He wished he was sitting in that support circle right
now being insulted by Miss Priss with her wrapped too tight silk head scarf.
Drake must have watched that tiny clip twenty more times before going to the mini
fridge under his bed to take out a bottle of sugar free berry juice.
You're not a mean person.
You only want people to think you are.
Drake went to sit on the sofa to finish his juice, blankly stare at the television, and to
daydream like he used to do.
I know your type.