Chapter 8- Animals and Movies
Of all moments in my life now was the time the batman theme song popped into my head. At first conclusion, Mom and Dad were the villains, I was the damsel in distress, Cole was Batman and David was Robin. Cole and David working together to save me, unlikely, but plausible. David was so different from Cole. They lived on opposite sides of the track, I could barely see them in unison. It was also hard to imagine Cole, the neighborhood bad boy, as the ultimate hero, but he was strong enough and with his black hair he looked somewhat like the actual Batman. Plus, seeing Cole as a Robin, a sidekick, almost made me chuckle. David had certain qualities that fit for Batman, like the clean record with authorities and in general being the 'good guy', but I just couldn't muster up an almighty David. So, now it was set. Mom and Dad were evil, Cole and David would work together to save me from my sinister guardians and I was completely insane for concocting this conclusion.
Mom: You had no right to act like you did this morning.
Me:
Dad: Yeah.
Me:
Mom: We've decided to go back to see doctor Andrew Kaman again.
Dad: Yeah.
Me:
Mom: As a family.
Me:
Dad: Huh?
Mom: This whole family is screwed up.
Gee Mom, thanks for admitting the obvious, I mean, even Kaman could've diagnosed that, and could you please not call him Andrew? Don't even say he's a doctor. It's a terrible thing to think that just maybe, David would become a Kaman. Ewe.
Dad: Well now. I don't think we all need to go to this shrink.
Gee Dad, thanks for having my back. Now I'll die alone in therapy.
Mom: We're all going at eight am tomorrow. Final decision.
Me:
Dad: [sarcasm] Great.
On cue the phone rang. Mom stormed off and Dad walked to the computer.
Me: Hello?
David: Melinda!
Me: Uh, hi Rob- David.
Gladly, David hadn't noticed that I almost called him Robin. He seemed somewhat rushed and nervous. Maybe he was going to break up with me. Well, we had technically only been on one date, but if he was ending this then, there definitely wouldn't be a change to actually become a couple. I switched the phone to my other hand.
David: Mel, I was wondering- well, I haven't seen you for a while. How are things going? I mean, um. Want to go see a movie tonight?
Me: You're asking me to go to a movie?
David: Well, I understand if you have homework to finish up or a picture that needs to be painted. Wait, no. It's summer. You wouldn't have schoolwork. Unless you're in summer school. Are you? Never mind. It's none of my business. I jus-
Me: I'd love to.
No one would notice if I just snuck out for a little while. I mean the odds were Dad wouldn't even get up from the computer and Mom, well, Mom would need smokes. Maybe I needed some cigarettes. No. Not tonight.
I picked up a few loose dollars on my dresser, for an emergency. I grabbed my light coat and headed outside. It amazed me how cold the summers got in the Midwest. Even as I practically slammed the door no one noticed my disappearance. I didn't care when or how David got here, I needed to get out. Soon enough David arrived in his fancy jeep. At first I couldn't see anyone in the passenger seat, but when the jeep halted where I stood it was clear, there was a man with hair similar to David's with a small build. He was dressed in a formal outfit and looked like…well, nothing. No emotions at all, at least none that were readable.
I climbed into the backseat and waited to be introduced. This couldn't have been David's uncle, who owned his own lab, because of the way he looked. He just didn't fit the characteristics, he might've been David's dad, he would pass as a doctor. Maybe it was his cousin, but he would've had to come here from Europe and that's definitely too much effort for a ride to the movies.
Mystery Man: [muffled voice] I'm David's father.
Me: Hi.
I tried to sound confident, but I probably came off as ostentatious of myself. Great first impression. At least David's Dad was really different from his Mom. David's dad could just sit and do nothing while David nervously talked about some kind of hypothesis of a cure for the common cold. I had almost fallen asleep when we got to the theater, David has his true rambling fits.
When we walked into the movie theater I felt crowded. There were vigorous lines that never seemed to end, and the worst part, every occupant of every line was staring at me. Even if they didn't mean to they did, no one could help it. They thought I was some kind of idiotic animal that isn't civilized enough to be among humans. Well, this idiotic animal was going to show all the dimwitted humans off. The animal was going to act normally and ignore the stares, try to prevent misconduct, be polite and stay with David.
I can't escape this hellSo many times I've triedBut I'm still caged insideSomebody get me through this nightmareI can't control myselfSo what if you can see the darkest side of me?No one will ever change this animal I have becomeHelp me believe it's not the real meSomebody help me tame this animal(This animal, this animal)I can't escape myself(I can't escape myself)So many times I've lied(So many times I've lied)But there's still rage insideSomebody get me through this nightmareI can't control myselfSo what if you can see the darkest side of me?No one will ever change this animal I have becomeHelp me believe it's not the real meSomebody help me tame this animal I have becomeHelp me believe it's not the real meSomebody help me tame this animal Somebody help me through this nightmareI can't control myselfSomebody wake me from this nightmareI can't escape this hell(This animal, this animal, this animal, this animal, this animal, this animal, this animal)So what if you can see the darkest side of me?No one will ever change this animal I have becomeHelp me believe it's not the real meSomebody help me tame this animal I have becomeHelp me believe it's not the real meSomebody help me tame this animal (This animal I have become)
Three Days Grace- Animal I Have Become
I stayed beside David while he purchased the tickets and I politely nodded to anyone who looked in my direction. I spoke up when I wanted to get popcorn and thanked the cashier. By the time David and I got into the theater I could no longer feel the unnerving stares. Possibly because when the lights dimmed people could no longer see me, possibly because everyone had just given up, either way it was peaceful for two hours. Only two hours. The movie was nice and I was able to focus on everything. The plot, dialogue, character transformations, even the little details. Too bad my concentration dissolved after those two hours.
Random Adult: Melinda! How are you? are you okay?
Kid From School: Dude, I am so sorry for Andy.
Cashier: Melinda, I feel your pain!
David: Maybe we should go.
Me:
How many people went to see a movie at five pm? Even more important, how many people needed to crowd me before they were assured that I was an animal? I hadn't notice I was in David's truck until he drove out of the movie theaters parking lot, across the road, and over to the Nike store. David's Dad got out of the truck and went into the store. Somehow David had transferred from the front seat to the backseat so he was now sitting inches away from me.
David: Dad said he needed to go here yesterday for some hospital approved footwear. I thought it wouldn't be a problem to do an errand before you went home. Unless you didn't want to go home, we could go somewhere else if you'd like.
Me: David, I'm content right here.
David: Do you hear that? I think it's a radio.
Me: Yeah. It is a radio, I think it's from the Nike store. I like the song that's playing.
It was true, the song I heard wasn't adrenaline based and had a very good beat. Maybe I'd go home and search for this station. Then, David spoke suddenly.
David: This should be our song. It really fits our relationship, I think.
It fits our relationship? No doubt about it, David was nervous. Somehow, for once, this came easily. I leaned over to David and gently kissed him.
The winter's marked the earthit's floored with frozen glassyou slip into my armsand you quickly correct yourselfyour freezing speech bubblesseem to hold your words aloftI want the smoky clouds of laughterto swim about me forever more(Chorus)I will race you to the watersideand from the edge of Ireland shout out loudso they could hear it in Americait's all for youthe shells crack under our shoeslike punctuation pointsthe planets bend between usand a hundred million suns and starsthe sea filled in the silencebefore you said those wordsand now even in the darknessI can see how happy you are(Chorus)I will race you to the watersideand from the edge of Ireland shout out loudso they could hear it in Americait's all for you(5x)it's all for you
Snow Patrol- The Planets Bend Between Us
Soon, David's father returned and drove us home. David's hand had gently grabbed mine shortly after the vehicle restarted. I couldn't focus very well after I left David, but I knew it would be best to keep a low profile when I got inside my house.
Although the lights were out I was still cautious as I crept up the stairs. I took a brave peak toward my parents room. They were sound asleep. Good. I went straight to my ancient radio and found the station that had been playing at the Nike store. Even though David and my song didn't play, I had no trouble finding sleep.
(Well, there isn't much to say. I'm tired and this chapter explains itself. Goodnight. Peace/\love\/see ya!