November 1st, 1963
Nova Starlit —
"How was Wilbur today?" I asked after hearing the front door slam shut. "He's fine. Why? Is it some sort of event?" Glam called out–entering the kitchen now. I prepared a small dish of appetizers as I rolled my shoulders. "I dunno, it's Edith's birthday and typically this is when he loses himself," I spoke as Glam chuckled and sat across from me. Watching me roll tiny dough balls. "You're not wrong, he was pretty upset at Forbidden today. Like everything was on his nerves you know?" Glam spoke, twirling their finger in the air. "Well. That's already an interesting day then." I spoke, grinning and glancing back up to Glam. Glam looked away, seemingly uninterested as I scoffed. "Look at me go, already talking about Wilbur, how was your day?" I asked, watching Glam's head turn as a crooked smile approached. "Well, if I do say so, it was fine. That customer I told you about–the one screaming about eggrolls? Turns out she's a traveling wrestler." Glam muttered as that took me by surprise. "Really? I didn't even realize!" I spoke–actually shocked. Maybe because I've never seen this lady. She's gotta be buff! "Would you like a drink?" I called out. Glam rolled their hand as they thought for a while. "A bottle maybe, do you want to share?" They asked, having talked about the wine bottle we had planned on opening but Drew freaked out whenever he spotted it. I smiled as I turned around to grab the bottle. My hands slightly slipped when I did grab it but I couldn't help but remember the faces Wilbur was making last month. His eyes nervously glanced at the bottle in my hand when I was trying to treat him. Was that rather stupid to show an attempting recovery addict the addiction? "Glam, do you wanna take a sip first for me?" I called out and turned myself back to face them. They nodded reluctantly, getting up to grab the two wine glasses. I focused back on the original meal. My handwork became sloppy as the thoughts trailed. God. He's trying to be a better person and I just showed his problem to his face. What if there's another reason? What if he was nervous cause something bad was in the drink? Glam nudged my shoulder, knocking me out of the trance as I glanced at the red wine sitting in the glass. "Bottoms up, huh?" They said, taking a long pause and then a small sip. I joined moments later as I smiled weakly. "Bottoms up, hun." I joked. Glam gasped and chuckled. "God that was bad."
Wilbur Beloved —
Drew was out with Forbidden but I felt agitated. I was smoking at least 2 cigarettes at the same time and it was not healthy. I coughed into my fist, my nose running as the idea of even getting sick seemed pathetic. It's her birthday. I wonder if anybody is taking care of her grave. I shivered slightly before turning the paperwork over. The idea of staring at small numbers on a piece of paper gave me a headache. Maybe it's time to head home then. I got up, packed Drew's stuff, and then soon mine. I left my office and alerted Forbidden–watching him trail Drew back around. "Thanks, Forbidden–" I began before seeing Forbidden signal to his nose as I didn't realize my nose was running slightly. "Sorry–I'll give you a slight raise," I said, smiling before grabbing Drew's hand. "Bye Bye Forb!" Drew cried out as Forbidden waved. But before we left, that darn customer approached. "You should try adding more exclusive meals to the menu." She suggested. From what Glam told me–this young woman's name was Ava and she was considered to be extremely strong. Due to the fact, that she's our leading cause of a broken table over these egg rolls. "Why? It's an American Diner." I spoke before watching her eyes squint at the nametag stuck to my chest still. I held Drew close as I decided to just keep moving forward. "Don't you dare walk away from me, Wilbur!" She screamed as I shut the door in fact behind me. "Who was that Daddy?" Drew asked. I rubbed my nose as I dug through my pockets to try to find an already escaped cig. "Crazy customers Drew. That's who."
Making it back home was already risky, my head felt like it was boiling, and wearing the suit made it feel worse. What made me want to end it all was seeing Nova and Glam's car just outside. I exited the car, helping Drew out before I coughed into my elbow. Drew ran inside before screaming out the two's names. Oh great. Before I entered my own house–I paused. Their conversation still rang clearly. "So you think Wilbur might have some sort of maniac personality?" Nova called out as I could assume Glam nodded. "Isn't it obvious? He's two-faced!" They hissed. I opened the door feeling rather disgusted with being talked about behind my back. "Ah!—The man of the hour!" Glam spoke again, launching up from their chair and wrapping their arm around my shoulder. "What's going on?" I asked out as I glanced at Nova. She smiled wholeheartedly as Glam started. "Well—we decided to think about it but we're getting married!" Glam announced as I felt rather peeved. Announcing this inside my house? I forced a smile to show my regard for the subject as I pushed Glam's arm off my shoulder. "Wow! Young love!" I said as Glam chuckled. "Maybe you could also find another love-" They began before pausing. I glared at Glam now before Nova got up herself and tugged Glam away. "Sorry!—They're just so excited and can't help but ask you to know!" Nova spoke, trying to save Glam's mistake. I paused briefly as I tilted my head. "You guys assume I'm seeing somebody?" I said, feeling softly conflicted with the thought. Conflicted for what? Maddie had moved on easily but I'm stuck cause who else would enjoy a man like me? "Uhaa...no. I don't but Glam assumes so because you always enter with such an attitude." Nova commented. I probably have an attitude cause I drive home at 3 am each night from Maddie's with the worst hangover to get Drew to school. "Wow—really," I spoke trying to join with the tone. Nova glanced to the side now while the topic of love collapsed. "Well. Congratulations on the engagement, but I feel like there's a real reason you're here." I said as Glam slammed directly into the conversation. "Oh! We're being told that Maddie had actually changed her will and announced you unsuitable for Drew." My eyes shrunk upon hearing those words. "Oh. Oh ho–No you're joking! This is a small prank, right? Cause there's no way they're just NOW finding something in her will." I spoke, feeling threatened at losing the only lifeline of someone close to me. Someone close to me. "Wilbur I understand that but–" Nova began but I shook my head. "No. She's been dead forever which means her will doesn't make logical sense anymore." I spoke out as I trailed myself toward my living room. Maybe if I run off from the conversation it can't haunt me. "Wilbur!--" Nova began again before I turned around roughly. "What?! Do you want to remove the only lasting remains of Maddie from my life? I thought you hated Drew? The poor kid!" I spoke, working on a last protocol–manipulation. Manipulating the emotions for a sort of empathy to leak out. "Wilbur no please–listen it's–" Nova began before Glam approached in. "No, we're only doing it cause of the fact it was in her will!" They spat as I chuckled. "Well. That's ironic! But do I care what a dead woman has a wish for me?" I said as the two fell silent. "Now, if you excuse me–I was going to take Drew out for a small dinner since I personally don't want to last around this house," I spoke as I hushed the two out of the room. They took their leave and finally left me alone. It was pestering in a sort but I understood the reason. Thinking I have a new secret partner is rather extreme. Nobody would like a lunatic.
I walked up the stairs to spot Drew sitting on the final steps. "Why do Aunt Nova and Uncle Glam want me gone?" He asked slightly burying his head into his knees. I sighed heavily, sitting right next to Drew, and adjusted myself. "I don't know. They assume I might just...leave you alone kiddo." I said as I rubbed my hands over my head. Scratching and itching at a never-ending itch. The itch is the fake person I have to put up cause I can't help but find myself trying to act better than how I actually feel. "Drew, where do you wanna eat?" I asked, looking down at him as a soft sad smile loomed over my face. Drew leaned his body against mine as he thought for a bit–making it obvious by placing a finger on his chin. "Can we get some burgers?" He asked, smiling and lifting his head up to stare at me. I exhaled and chuckled slightly as I grabbed underneath his armpits. Making him squeal. "Don't you eat already enough of that at the Diner?" I spoke, playing with Drew as he giggled and squealed in response to my attacks on his tickle spots. "Noo!!--Forbidden don't let me!!! Noooo!!!" He cried in joy as he flaked his arms out to try to defend himself. I paused for a moment as I grinned. "Alright! Then burgers it is! C'mon kiddo put on your shoes." I said as I got up and started to head down the stairs. Drew, flying down the flight, already made it to the door he almost bounced off the wall. This is how her birthday is meant to be, just me and Drew living and not being haunted by the past. "C'mon!" Drew wailed as I grabbed my own pair of shoes. Watching Drew fly out of the house to wait outside.
February 12th, 1965
Glam Undergroove —
I sat at my home in peace as I exhaled. It felt nice not having the occasional Drew meetings–rather they've stopped in general for the past year. I stretched my arms up as Nova sat next to me on the bed. "How's my partner feeling?" She asked, her eyes fluttering half shut as I chuckled. "I dunno–pretty stiff from last night. You're good at doing that." I said, rubbing my nose slightly as she chuckled to herself. "What? Can I not try to make you feel good?" She spoke out, fixing my hair slightly. Her hands were practically fluttering against my face, which made it almost easy to fall back asleep. "Do you have any work today?" She asked out after a while, making me reopen my eyes again as she was lying right next to me. "Mmm. Maybe. I could come late." I said, turning towards Nova as she chuckled. "You're so bad." She said, shoving me away as I took it as my sign to get up. "Well, you seem no fun when it's early." I joked as I could hear her scoff. "Alright, let's not even get there when you were crying for me–" "Okay! I get it!" I said, my face flustering as Nova laughed. "I know! I just love watching you fuzz up." She spoke, kissing my back, and then pushed me playfully off the bed. I turned around to spot her grinning, her nightwear sat loosely on her shoulders as I looked away. Attempting to resist whatever any newly wedded couple feel after being just married.
I walked into the kitchen, scratching the back of my neck as I found myself just pouring coffee and not eating much. When I assumed that I'd only be an hour late–I couldn't help but notice that I would be several hours late. Shit! I waited for the coffee to sit still as I rushed myself back into our bedroom, trampling over the clothes we left on the floor. Picking up mine and spotting Nova's ear twitch from the bathroom mirror reflection. "I thought you wanted to be late?" She called out as I laughed. "Turns out I'm several hours late," I said as I could hear Nova chuckle at my misfortune. "Ooohh–you better run paper boy." She spoke. And that's exactly what I did–grabbing my stuff and tossing my undone tie around my neck. I'll tie it at the red light that sat always for a while towards the Diner.
I opened the Diner door as I slightly paced myself into my office, making sure nobody would see me. I sat down on my chair as I could finally breathe. The Diner had slight remodeling ever since it hit a year of Red's 'unfortunate leaving.' His office became a private party room, we trashed out half of his stuff. In any sort of way to not remember his department. Wilbur insisted quickly and it was shockingly the fastest he'd ever join into a project. Speaking of, he's been super happy lately. You could ignore the horrible substance abuse he had in the prior two years. I guess Nova's plan of fake–threatening to take away Drew would force him into rehab. Though, I've never seen him go into Rehab. He even declined heavy drinking at our marriage reception, maybe it was because Drew was there. Drew was even growing to be like Wilbur in a way–ignoring the severe trauma the two have rooted. Drew's horns were growing in, and that's all I could acknowledge differently. The kid still had a baby face in my eyes but Wilbur claims that he's just a 'Mini Him.' I hope not. I don't want to deal with Two Wilbur's.
I worked on paperwork before hearing a slight knock at my door, and it caused me to glance up. It was Wilbur as he grinned. "Question but–Wow–you look fucked." He said as I scoffed. "Oh? Is it really that obvious?" I said as Wilbur's grin became a cheeky smirk. "Look man, if you ever need help covering hickeys I can get that covered." He said, stroking his neck almost as if it was a callout. I rubbed my neck in response as I didn't even acknowledge that fact. I had only just run out of the house–that's embarrassing. "Okay...well what else do you wanna say?" I responded. "Oh, nothing. I'm planning on bringing Drew up to New York maybe late this year. Just my idea of giving you a heads up if I vanish." He spoke. Did he mean it in a similar tone to– "Oh, well. Thanks for the heads up." I replied. I watched Wilbur nod and turn around. His quick movements help you forget about the fact he has a noticeable limp. Every time I pry a question to it–he ignores it. But when I watched Wilbur walk off, I couldn't help but notice a slight figure that loomed behind him. I stretched my head outwards, hoping it was just my brain mistaking a customer, but it felt not fooled. That figure looked oddly familiar to an old face I hadn't seen in a while. But it couldn't be him, he's long gone. I stared momentarily, closing my eyes as reassurance and laughing to myself. When I opened my eyes–he was back. His face was dismorphed. What the fuck–I didn't blink as we locked eyes. "What the hell..." I whispered harshly under my breath. His neck looks dislocated, his arms broken and torn off from his body. Unlikely– I wouldn't expect his death to involve him being shirtless. Oh good god–is that blood?! I held back the urge to remove my glance, soaking in everything as he crooked a smile. Despite it looking like his face couldn't handle it. "R–Red?" I muttered before seeing Forbidden walk right in. I jolted back, my eyes instantly closing as I rubbed them. "Mr...Undergroove?" He asked as I chuckled and repositioned myself. "Uh–Yeah?" I called out as Forbidden handed me a paper. "This was given by some dudes in suits." He said as I felt my eyes widen. Shit! The inspectors! I completely forgot! "Ah–thank you Forbidden," I spoke, before watching him stay there for a bit. "Do you know what happened with Drew?" He asked, seemingly worried. "I'm not the boss of that," I responded. Forbidden messed with his fingers slightly before scratching the back of his neck. "Well–Mr. Undergroove. Mr. Beloved isn't rather in his office so I just assumed since you two are close that you'd know!" He spoke as I chuckled. "I haven't seen Drew anywhere near me 2 years ago. I think the kid's just full-time in school, gives Mr. Beloved more time to focus here." I said as I just went off what I could remember Nova saying. However, the sudden shift of conversation made me rather riled up. "Ah. Okay. Sorry for asking then." He said, trailing out of the office as I focused on the blank sheet of paper that sat on my desk. Like a taunt; Unflip me! Bless or curse your eyes with whatever is written on me! Lucky for me I remembered that Wilbur was in before me which means he was present during the inspectors. Making my worry some attitude dissolve and flip the paper with ease. Another pass. That's good. I exhaled, shoved the paper with the rest of the Inspections, and logged into the filing cabinet.
I came back home to spot Nova and Elias sitting at the kitchen counter. "Oh! Welcome home!" Nova announced as I waved slightly back, collapsing myself over the couch as a groan stifled. "Has it always been like that?" Elias commented as Nova giggled in response. "Oh no, they just went to work pretty late today." She said as Elias made an audible sound of understanding. Before the two deluged into their conversation once more. I rubbed my neck, feeling the slight bumps of last night's show. Hickeys? God, Wilbur must know too much from experience if he could just spot it. That makes me queasy now that I think of it–the amount of time that they could've done it...oh god yeah he has a kid. Kids in a sense. That's already happened several times in his experience.. Forcing my brain to focus on something else, I launched myself back up and strolled towards the kitchen. I kissed Nova on the head and rummaged through the fridge. "Sorry for just vanishing." Elias' voice reminisced as I grabbed myself some leftovers. "Oh, no it's fine Elias! Grief can take a while to shift. Especially with how close you had gotten with Maddie." Nova replied as Elias chuckled. I could hear his voice audibly crack. God, I would rather shoot myself than hear someone cry. Nova somehow managed to read my mind, slapping my back as I yelped. Launching my waist slightly forward as I rubbed my lower back. "Hey!" I cried as Nova grinned. "Whoops. My hand slipped." She joked as she averted her attention back to Elias. "You two got married I can assume?" He asked. Nova chuckled as I could tell she moved her body posture to be more comfortable. "Yeah, just last year actually. It was nice–you'd be surprised with how many of my relatives swarmed poor Glam here." She spoke, talking about me as I turned around. "Hey! You never told me your sister had at least 5 kids! I thought they were all cousins. Good god not even want to mention the slow dance." I cried, the sore memory playing clear.
Nova in her white dress and Me in my suit swaying the soft melody before a kid yanked my leg and launched me flying into Nova. Causing a slight roar of laughter in that room. Slight.
Elias laughed into his palm slightly, before sighing. "Nova, we have to go shopping again. It feels somewhat stupid, but whenever I shop by myself it's like...awkward! I always had someone to ramble about." He said as I received my microwaved food. Opening the container and eating. I turned to face the two as I nudged Nova. "Maybe that'll be perfect for that cookbook you got gifted. I've missed your meals." I whined slightly as she chuckled. Looking at Elias and nodded. "Of course! Just dial me when you can. We need to reconnect since you decided to go just MIA on us!" She spoke as Elias chuckled. "Sorry–ever since...I don't even know how to explain it! It was a sad and lonely 2 years. That's all I can say. Especially since I was mortified with that dry insult by that Red guy that clung to Wilbur's waist." Elias spoke, stabbing me with the memory as I choked on my food. I slammed my fist into my chest as I saved myself from the meal. "Do you even know what happened to Red?" I spoke out, somewhat shocked by how the isolation for Elias had been detrimental to the local news. "No? Why?" Elias spoke, Nova instantly turning to me as she looked rather upset. "Why are we bringing him back?" She asked. I shrugged. "Maybe he'd want to learn that Wilbur's completely isolated as well," I said as Elias chuckled. "That addict? Finally, It's nice knowing you two separated yourself. Oh! How's Drew?" Elias asked, looking around but was only greeted by Nova's nervous face. Elias' face dropped realizing. "No–You seriously didn't leave Drew with that man." Elias spat bitterly, grabbing onto Nova's arm as a sort of control. Nova shook her head slightly. "Drew's unironically his... stability." She mentioned.
Elias only chuckled.
"Do you know what you allowed to be brewed?! If Drew suddenly gets hurt or whatever he's going straight back to where he was!" Elias mentioned, making whatever me and Nova had done with Wilbur 2 years ago pretty useless. The two of us turned to each other as we chuckled nervously. "I–I'm going to see what's on the news," I announced, leaving the two alone and entering the living room. "Glam! Your dish! Leave it in the kitchen!" Nova called out–forcing my mind to do a whole 360 and place my dish on the counter. And then returning to the living room, turning on the TV, and spotting the News channel. I had to slightly adjust the antennas on the roof of the TV, with it being now an older model, but it turned right on. The headline seemed more shocking than what I'd liked:
RED TELEVISION'S BODY FOUND!
"No way..." I muttered, the coincidence of spotting him just earlier today and now his body. Good god, I assumed he probably killed himself but... I recollected my thoughts as I breathed softly. Trying to suppress the internal panic that brewed. "Glam? What's on the news? Elias is asking!" Nova asked. "Uh—Uhm...They found...They found his body." I spoke back, slightly reluctant. "What?! No. No way!" Nova also spoke out, entering the living room before seeing it herself.
They found his body buried next to an axe. It was in a nearby forest to Maddie's place, they assumed whoever had killed Maddie–had done the same with Red. The small lines of text ran along the bottom as I didn't even understand:
POLICE ASKING AROUND.
NEIGHBORS UNAWARE OF ROTTING CORPSE BARELY STICKING OUT OF THE GROUND.
SOME SUGGEST HAVING THIS DONE WHENEVER A BAD STORM ARRIVES.
IS THIS GOD'S ACTION AGAINST THE COMMUNITY?
"Oh–Oh my god," Nova said, covering her mouth as I turned slightly to Elias.
"There he is," I said, a faint smile trying to calm the room.
Elias only looked mortified before pointing back at the TV. Almost like a divert to my attention. I nervously glanced to spot his broken neck. His dismembered arms. And ironically enough, he was shirtless. Just like the figure of him I saw today. I swallowed hard, was this Red's sign? Red's cry for help? Is this what disbelief of a situation is? My hardest thought was playing dumb, hoping it'd work. And it did.
But now seeing my dead best friend, who had threatened to expose my horrible past, mutilated to almost near unrecognition. I saved his ass too many times. But now staring at how stubbornly Red had decided to push a limit. And now he's dead. A single teardrop hit the floor as Nova turned to spot me. "Glam you–you're crying..." She mumbled, growing close to me as I didn't even realize. I looked down as the tears continued. "Why am I crying...Nova?" I asked, my body shivering as my eyes glued straight back to the TV. I hoped that you ran away Red. That Wilbur told you to scram...god damnit you faggot.