September 2003
Schemer had agreed to tell Schemee about the illness, and he meant when he said that he was going to do it. He really did. He had called him up one day and asked him to come over and spend some time with him. The general season was just about finishing and he knew Schemee didn't have any games left to play. Schemer didn't want to do anything to disrupt his season.
"So what did you want to do today?" Schemee asked as they were sitting with coffee in hand on Schemer's balcony, overlooking the city.
Schemer was lounging, looking intently at the skyline, trying to figure out when a good time to tell his nephew would be.
"Uncle Schemer?" Schemee questioned.
Schemer snapped back to reality. "Right, sorry. I was just thinking about something else. I know there's a basketball game on tonight, I can call up one of my business associates and see if his box is free." He took a sip of coffee.
Schemee wrinkled his forehead. "Are you feeling okay?"
Schemer choked on his sip of coffee. "Fine, great. What makes you ask that?" He asked, sputtering.
Schemee shrugged. "You look a bit unwell, not quite yourself. Dan said you didn't look so great at the baseball game that they saw you at."
"I wasn't feeling well that day, but it's all fine now." He instinctively lied, and then mentally berated himself. Now he was going to be caught in a much bigger lie later on today.
"Hmmm. Okay, that's good. Did you want to grab dinner and see if your friend's box is free?" Schemee suggested.
Schemer called up his friend and it turned out the box was free to use. Schemee went to use the bathroom before they left and Schemer remembered that he had left a pill bottle out on the counter.
Shit… Maybe he wouldn't notice? Or think anything of it? People over the age of forty take pills for a lot of things.
Fortunately Schemee came out and didn't mention it or look suspicious about it. Schemer felt relieved but realized it would only be temporary because he'd still be telling him later on. There was no getting around it.
They sat in the box, enjoying the game and making small talk. Schemer always enjoyed Schemee's company, and considered Schemee closest to him. If there was someone he could trust his problems to it would definitely be Schemee. So why was he having such a hard time telling Schemee what was wrong?
Because Schemee would worry?
Because Schemee had no other parent in his life?
Because Schemee would know that he'd been hiding it for so long?
Perhaps Schemee noticed the slightly stricken look on his Uncle's face, and he nudged his shoulder slightly.
"So why did you want to spend time with me today?" He smirked.
Schemer tried to mimic the smirk. "Can't I spend time with my favourite nephew?"
"You could, but you're usually less quiet and doing more scheming." Schemee pointed out.
Schemer laughed under his breath and sighed. "Uhh, listen Schemee, there's something I wanted to tell you."
"Hang on, me too." Schemee said. Schemer looked up with confusion written on his face.
"I wanted to thank you for everything. I wouldn't be here, or successful for that matter, if it weren't for everything you did for me." He said sincerely.
Schemer looked shocked for a moment before it registered with him. "Thanks Schemee. I… That means a lot to me."
"No problem, so what did you want to tell me?" He asked.
Schemer froze momentarily, thinking about his words carefully. Finally he sighed, "I just wanted to say how proud of you that I am."
Shit.
When he got home Stacy was waiting for him.
"How did it go?" She asked concernedly.
"As well as expected." He said dully. He gave an indirect answer, it wasn't exactly a lie.
"You told him? You for sure told him?" She asked.
He smiled and kissed her. "Of course."
Never mind, there it was.
Coming to Terms - Carolina Liar
