AN: Not too much to say about this one. It's a short one, so I'm a little tempted to upload two chapters in one day, but I think that's a little extreme. Anyways, enjoy!
Charlie Finster.
August 28th 2009
The car ride to IHOP seems to take a lot longer than it should. It's alright though, because Suzie, Maya, and I are talking and we're having a pretty good time. Suze and Maya have a lot in common. They'll probably be good friends, I think. I'm glad they like each other. But Kimi is sitting in the front seat, gazing out the window, not saying a thing. I don't know if she's bothered by the fact that Maya's in the car, or if she's thinking about Tommy again.
As far as my sister's relationship with Tommy goes... it probably seems really fucked up that I haven't gotten involved and told her about Lil. It's not an issue of loyalty, though. I'd never choose Tommy over Kimi in any circumstance.
No, it all started back when they first got together. I could tell that she liked him and they were always hanging out, texting each other, and calling each other - things like that. So one day, I pulled Kimi aside to talk to her and I told her that being with Tommy was a pretty bad idea. I was like, 'He's my best friend. So I know better than anyone that he's not good with commitment'. I told her that he wasn't ready. He was too immature. And hey, she didn't want to believe me. She told me that I was being jealous and that I needed to stay out of her business... and would you look at that, now I am.
I turn my head from Kimi finally to ask Suzie if it's alright that I light up a cigarette in the car.
"Sure, Chuck. It's your car." She laughs, and I take one out of the pack. Then we start talking about the party. "So, how bad was everything before you left?" She asks. "I mean, when I was walking around, the place was wrecked. Do you think the maids are gonna walk out like they did last time?"
I burst out laughing, knowing exactly what Suze is talking about. Tommy's first party, the very beginning of freshman year when his popularity still wasn't all that serious. It was supposed to be just a small get together at his parents' new crib with just a few friends. So then it turned out, the people who got invited started inviting their friends, telling them about Tommy and how cool he is and shit. So all these people show up, and of course; whenever this happens, shit gets trashed. But there were just so many people. The house was literally wall to wall packed with people.
The worst part was, the house didn't clear out completely till about 3 in the afternoon, the next day. The help came in at noon. They cleaned up a good portion of it, but they had to work around all types of passed out teenagers and shit and eventually that got tiring. So the little mexican ladies found Tommy underneath a pile of his dad's books in the office, sleeping like a baby, and told him that they were taking the day off.
And you would think that Tommy Pickles would have played it like a big shot, got pissed off and cussed the help into doing their job the way his father would do. But instead he apologized and allowed them to take the day off like they said they were going to. Then he called Phil and I, and the four of us (including Dil) finished off the rest of the mess, hungover and everything.
"I don't know. I don't think they will. It isn't as bad as last time. The help doesn't even interfere with Tommy and Dil anymore," I shrug, taking a drag from the cigarette burning between my fingertips. "Maybe they figure they're a lost cause."
"A lost cause is a tough way to put it, isn't it?" Maya says and I look over to her, smiling because I was almost positive that she had fallen asleep but she's wide awake, curious as could be. "I mean, they're doing well enough. Certainly if they run into trouble, their parents will be able to get them out of it. Kids like that live it easy. They can be as destructive and rebellious as they want to without any repercussion."
"So, what does all that mean?" I ask her and she shrugs.
"Means that no matter what happens, they'll never be lost or find themselves in harm's way because mommy and daddy's money and social status will be able to get them out of there."
We all go quiet for awhile and I realize that she's probably right. Tommy and Dil will never be able to see the consequences of their actions, or how many people they've hurt by their decisions, or how they hurt themselves. It's like they've cheated their youth because that's what growing up is all about. After all the drugs and boozing are done... you wake up one day and find yourself in a dark place inside yourself. You're all tired and fatigued, and you look around and no one's there to save you. That's how we mature. We drag ourselves out of there.
They won't ever get that chance.
After a few minutes, the car comes to a halt and I look up and realize we're at IHOP. Suzie and Kimi have climbed out of the car and after awhile, Maya and I decide to do the same thing.
"Let's go get some pancakes," Suzie says with a smile. A fake one, mind you.
And I wrap and arm around her and smile back, a genuine one. "Yeah, Suze. Let's go."
