Enemies Without a Limit

Chapter 21

                                   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh, God, don't let me starve! Darryl pleaded silently as he desperately fished through his house for food. He checked through the pantry and the fridge. All he found that was digestable was liquor and beer. There was meat in the fridge that was long perished as well as rotten fruit. Days before he had tried nibliing on them but he immediately threw up--something he had been doing for the past four days. He quit the profuse drinking ritual he had started Saturday, thinking it would better for him to sober up instead of becoming exactly like his father. But it wasn't easy. Everytime he had a moment to himself, where he wasn't distracted, his body quaked and pained and the tears and cries of hatred would come back. He tried to busy himself by watching television--but the cable company cut him off on Sunday. He tried going outside but the bright sun gave him a piercing headache. Ultimately, he decided to clean up the mess he made and tidy up the room.

He wasn't up for going to school either. He knew his grades would have slipped by now and there was no chance he would move onto his senior year and he tried to talk himself to thinking that he didn't care. He didn't want anyone to see him like this and her didn't want to explain anything to Naomi. He felt horrible for telling her that he didn't want her here but he knew that it would be better for the both of them if they go back to hating each other, though he was sure that she already did.

He huffed out a large sigh as he gave up and headed back to the couch. He hadn't been up to his room much--especially not his parents' room--and spent most of his time in the living room on the couch and in the kitchen. It's the middle of the afternoon and I'm dying of starvation, thanks a lot dad. Darryl thought loathingly as he prepared to squat down on to the couch until his doorbell rang.

He sucked his teeth as he headed for the door. Why can't people leave me the fuck alone? "Oh, hey, Officer Dancy." Darryl greeted dryly as he met her at the door. She must have been off-duty because she was out of uniform and dressed in a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. 

"Hello, Darryl. How have you been?" she asked in a rueful smile. Darryl mentally rolled his eyes.

"I'm fine. Can I help you?" he said curtly.

"I came by to see how you're doing and to drop off the car." she said as she pointed behind her. He peered over her shoulder at the car that was unrecognizably his father's. It looked brand new with it's new paint job and its shiny exterior. The dents he remembered on the car were all evened out and for the first time the piece of junk looked promising. "Do you like it?" she asked as she examined his face. 

"Yea, it looks great. Thanks." he replied. He was grateful but he couldn't bring himself to smile. "But it looks like you fixed more than the engine."

"Well, I figured this would be better so you can go out in style." Dancy joked. 

"This must have cost a lot though. I promise when I get things back in order and I get myself a job, I'll pay you back."

"Oh no, that's not necessary. Consider this as a gift--not a hand out."

"Thanks."

"So, I also want to talk to you about finding another family to live with in the meantime." 

"I told you that I don't have family or friends to live with. And I'm fine living here on my own. I been taking care of myself for two years now and I can do it for many more." Darryl snapped.

"Well don't you think someone should take care of you for once? I can tell that you're taking the loss rather badly."

"How can you tell that?"