Finding My Way(Preview)

Seth

My other housemate, Kevin was the one to introduce Max to the world of gaming. But then Kevin kicked the habit and only plays occasionally now. The three of us have been friends for about six years, since we all started uni together. We shared a couple of computer programming classes.

About a year after we met, we rented the house together in Carnegie. It's Kevin's uncle's investment property. He had just bought it at the time and was looking for reliable tenants. I'm sure if he saw the state of the place at the moment he wouldn't be thinking we were such great tenants anymore. Max has totally taken over the lounge room now that he can barely get in his own bedroom with all the junk in there.

Kevin on the other hand is not a slob. He isn't home that much anymore, though. I think mainly because he can't stand to live with Max now either. I honestly don't know where Kevin spends his time, all I know is that I don't see him much. So lately when I get home I just hang out in my own room. Lucky if I get a grunt from Max as I pass him. It's really not the best situation to be in anymore.

As we walk back to the office Pete says how much he's looking forward to getting home tonight. It just makes me realise how much I'm not looking forward to it.

"I think I'll be looking for a new place to live soon. My roommate is giving me the shits."

"Yeah? Well if you need any help with that Jazz's brother Shaun is a real estate agent. He helped us out when we were buying our place. Remind me to give you one of his business cards. He can help you with rentals or if you want to buy."

"Okay cool."

***

I hear the gunfire before I even place my key in the lock.

"Hey Max!" I call out as I enter the hallway and poke my head in the lounge room of our house.

"Mmmph," is his only response.

"Could you turn it down a bit mate?" I ask him and am not surprised at all that I get no reply. I walk up behind him and repeat my request. Still nothing, so I reach over and turn the knob on his speaker down myself.

"Sorry," he says, but barely turns his head from the computer screen. Deep in battle for the claiming rights on some virtual land no doubt. Best leave him be, it's not like he really notices my presence anyway. I've noticed lately he has given up shaving too, even that requires too much effort.

I pass Kevin's room on the way to mine but he's not there, as usual. I dump my satchel on the bed in my room and go to the kitchen. Grabbing the rissoles I bought yesterday from the fridge, I hunt through the cupboards and settle on some potatoes and a can of peas and carrots. While I busy myself peeling the potatoes I contemplate my next move. I need to speak to Kevin, see if we can do an intervention or something. Max is becoming so unbearable.

The potatoes are boiling and the rissoles sizzling when Kevin eventually walks in.

"Seth," he greets me with a nod, while grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge.

"Hey Kev, you want some tea? I probably have enough here." We used to eat together nearly every night, the three of us. We took it in turns to cook or sometimes did it together. Lately I have just been buying my own groceries and cooking for myself.

"Nah, thanks though. I'm heading out."

"How's it going?" I ask. But what I really wanted to ask is where the hell are you going, every night?

"Yeah not bad man. You?"

"Not good. It's Max mate, I dunno if I can handle it much longer!"

"What's that?" He looks at me quizzically then takes a swig of his water.

"All he does is play on those friggin' computers. He's practically catatonic. He has a pile of dirty dishes and rubbish all over the lounge. It's turning into a junkyard like his room. I try to watch TV in my room or read or sleep but it's so bloody loud all the time. We've gotta do something."

"Like what?" Kevin asks, but it feels like it's only out of politeness. I honestly don't think he cares at all. I drain my potatoes at the sink and start mashing them with a little milk and butter, turning my back on Kevin.

"I dunno, an intervention or something. Cut off his supply?" I turn back to find that Kevin is inching his way towards the back door.

"Can we talk about this later? I've really gotta go," he says and promptly turns around, pushes the door open and exits, before I can even respond.

I take my frustration out with the masher on the potatoes and then dish up my dinner. What is Kevin's problem? It's like he doesn't care at all. And where the hell does he keep going?

I take a seat at the table and eat my dinner for one. Again. And that's when it hits me.

Fuck, I'm lonely.