Lost Boy

Can't Say Goodbye

I was at some house party, drowning myself in alcohol, when a nearby conversation caught my attention.

"Wonder why they're doing it now," the short brunette girl was saying. She looked familiar but I couldn't remember her name. I did remember the feel of her lips around my dick.

"I know. Seems weird since the vigil was only a week ago," the taller girl with pink hair replies. I think we went to high school together.

"You want to get out of here?" The girl who I had forgotten was grinding on my lap whispers in my ear. She had meant it to sound sexy, but her voice reminded me of an old baggy babysitter.

"No. You can get off now," I tell her without looking at her.

She lets out a huff, shoving me as she stands up. "Asshole."

I stand up after her and walk over to the two girls. "Who are you talking about?"

I must startle them as they both jump and turn to face me. I can see the moment they realize who I am as the brunette visible pales and pinky presses her lips together.

"Who were you talking about?" I snap when neither girl answers. I knew they didn't want to tell me but I needed to hear it.

"Andi," Pinky speaks up. "Her parents are taking her off life support tonight."

I don't remember dropping my beer bottle but it wasn't in my hand when I left the house. Everything was a blur from the moment I stepped outside. All I knew was the panic building up in me. I needed to get to Andi and somehow I ended up at the hospital.

I didn't bother stopping at the front desk. I knew where Andi's room was. And they wouldn't have let me in if I had asked. I take the stairs when the elevator takes to long. On her floor I zone in on her room. I can already see her parents and family gathered in the room. I was halfway down the hall when her father turns and spots me, but I don't slow down. I needed to get to her. I needed to see Andi.

I'm panting by the time two nurses block my path. "Let me in!" I yell, struggling when they grab my arms. "I need to see her."

I was a desperate and panicking mess. It felt like I was losing her all over again. Her parents were huddled in the doorway, staring daggers at me. They hated me. I hated them to for daring to take her away from me.

"You can't do this! You can't take her from me!" I'm screaming at them by the time two security come and replace the nurses.

I'm kicking and screaming every curse as security drags me away. I knew I probably looked like a mad man. But I didn't care. All that mattered was the fact they were taking Andi away from me.

I'm dragged downstairs where a cop car is waiting out front for me. I continue to struggle as I'm shoved into the back seat. It's not until we pass the police station do I look at who's driving.

I had expected Officer Hardin but to my surprise it was the officer who bought me breakfast a week ago. At least I think it had only been a week.

"Where are you taking me?" My voice was hoarse from all the yelling.

"Somewhere to rest for the night," he replies simply.

Panic begins to build in my chest again. "If I'm not under arrest you can't keep me here." When he doesn't respond I add, "I'm not going to rehab." I didn't deserve help. Not when my brother was dead and Andi was- I press a hand to my mouth as the alcohol I drank threatens to make a reappearance.

The car stops and the officer gets our. He opens my door and I look out at a blue two story house. A few of the lights inside were on shining through the windows. It didn't look like a rehab facility.

"Where are we?" I ask as I shift my gaze to look at him.

"My house. You can either sleep in the car or come inside," he replies before heading up the stone path to the front door.

I don't know why but I eventually followed him. He opens the front door and motions for me to go in first. My whole body was tense, ready to flee at any moment.

"Why am I here?" My eyes flick around the small entry we stood in. To the left was a wide doorway that lead into a sitting area. A set of stairs here to my right. Next to them was all short hall with a door on one side. At the end of the hall I could see tiled floor and a counter.

"As I said, to have a place to sleep tonight."

The officer was annoyingly calm about all of this. There had to be some ulterior motive.

"Why?" I demand as I look him in the eyes.

He thinks for a moment before letting out a sigh. "My wife works as a nurse at the hospital. She called me when she saw you. Figured this would be better than a cell."

I narrow my eyes at him. Trying to figure out if he was lying. It didn't seem so. Though I still didn't understand what he got out of this. "You're letting me stay here? In your house for the night?"

He nods his head. "I'll show you to your room." He turns and heads up the stairs.

Again, against my better judgment I follow him. We pass a room with light peeking out the bottom of the door and I hear someone move inside. But they don't open the door. I wonder if it was the officers kid. Warned to stay in their room while I was there.

The officer leads me to a midsize room that was decorated in the theme of blue and gray. There was a queen sized bed sitting against the right wall. A desk was situated under the window across from the door. To the left is a dresser in between two door.

The officer walks to the door closest to us and opens it. "In here's the bathroom. There's a fresh towel set out if you want a shower. The beds been freshly made as well."

I still had no idea why he was doing this. Why he cares. But I had a feeling even if I asked again I would get an answer.

He stops next to me in the doorway, "I'll be downstairs if you need anything." With that he leaves me on the edge of the room. I stay still until I can no longer hear his footsteps on the stairs.

I had half a mind to turn around and run out of that house. But the idea of a shower was too enticing. I step into the room and close the door behind me. Then I enter the bathroom, closing and locking that door. Just like the officer said there was a fresh towel sitting on the counter. Next to it was a new toothbrush and small toothpaste. I wondered if they always had it set up life guests or if he'd been planning to let me stay.

I remove my clothes and step into the shower, turning the temperature up until it burns my skin. I just stand under the stream of water for a few minutes. It's as of the drops clear away the drunken fog in my head and everything hits me at once. I double over, resting against the wall, and puke onto the floor. The water washes it down the drain. When there's nothing left to come up I collapse on the ground and break down. Sobs wrack my body as I stare at the gray tile wall. Every memory I had of Andi replays over in my head. I sit there until I have no tears left to cry and the water runs cold. When I teeth start to chatter I stand up. There's bottles of shampoo  and conditioner sitting on a small shelf as well as a bar of soap. I clean my hair and body in the now fridge water. By the time I get out and wrap up in the towel my whole body is shaking.

Once I'm dry I redress in my clothes and go back into the bedroom. I drag my fingers along the blanket on the bed before sitting down. It was soft and comfortable. Exhaustion over takes me and I give in, crawling under the covers and laying down. As soon as my head hits the pillow and I close my eyes I'm drifting to sleep. My last thought is praying this is all a nightmare.