EPILOGUES
Epilogue II:
Holding The Center
Ron was kicking back at Felix' house, watching TV. His homework and labor at Smarty-Mart only left him short stretches of leisure time. Most of that was spent with Kim, but he also wanted to spend some time with his other friends. So he'd gone to Felix' for a brief bout of Zombie Masters, and then watch some TV.
Though in truth, he wasn't really paying attention to what was on the TV. It was just meaningless background noise. His mind was still at the Riddleton Senior Prom, still dancing with Kim and holding her in his arms. He remembered the feel of her lips against his when they kissed after getting back home.
Felix was waving his hand in front of Ron's eyes. 'Dude, I'm glad you and Kim are cool again.' he said. 'But seriously, you look like a zombie - it's creeping me out.'
'Sorry dude.' he said. 'But have I mentioned how awesome KP is?'
'Several times.' said Felix, with a slightly tired edge to his voice.
'I know it's cheesy.' said Ron, 'Naco cheesy. But ever since we made up, I just feel closer to her than ever. Like maybe she and I are in it for the long haul, you know what I mean?'
Felix blinked, looking over at him from his wheelchair. 'Dude, are you thinking about going steady or something?'
Ron didn't answer for a moment. 'I donno.' he said thoughtfully. 'Do you think she would?'
Felix shrugged. 'She seems pretty sweet on you right now.' he said. 'It would be cool if it lasts. But Graduation is coming up in a while.'
'What's Graduation got to do with me and Kim dating?' said Ron, puzzled.
'Ah, nothing.' said Felix. 'I mean, when Brick graduated, he gave Bonnie her walking papers. Everyone kind of expected him and Bonnie to keep dating after Graduation, but he outgrew her pretty fast.'
Ron bit his lip. 'He kinda did, didn't he?'
Felix shrugged. 'Sometimes graduating changes people.' he said. 'They grow up, they move on, they meet new people...'
Ron felt a chill inside him. 'They kinda do... don't they?' he said, and his voice getting quieter.
'Kim's been getting tons of college offers too,' he went on. 'You and her could wind up half-way across the country from each other in a few months, maybe half-way across the globe. Who knows what kind of crowd she could be running with at her college? Long-distance can be a relationship killer.'
'They can... can't they...'
'But hey, you and Kim have always been close.' said Felix, smiling again and clapping his hand on Ron's shoulder. 'You'll stay close, even if you do wind up at different colleges!'
Ron said nothing, now lost in his thoughts. And like a visit from his Cousin Shawn, he felt his self-doubt starting to creep back into his mind. 'Nah...' he thought. 'After everything we've been through? After what she said in the hollow? Kim wouldn't break up with me just because Graduation is coming... would she?'
As if noticing it for the first time, he heard the TV speakers. It was a basketball game, and the announcer was calling a play.
'Tough luck for the home team as the visitors score. Very embarrassing for the center player - the ball was stolen right out of his hands. Looks like the center couldn't hold...'
Ron didn't understand why, but he felt a strange disquiet hearing these words, and they seemed to echo in his ears.
center couldn't hold...
center couldn't hold...
center couldn't hold...
Felix had wheeled over to the TV and was smacking the cable box. There was a burst of static and the sound and picture resumed. 'Sorry,' he said. 'Digital cable. Sometimes it stutters like that.'