Donny just sat there with his beer, staring at the rounded belly that protruded under his shirt. Me and Donny didn't talk all that much. He wasn't exactly a conversational type of guy. At least not with someone like me. If he couldn't talk about cars or video games, he was at a real loss for something to discuss.
"So you leaving for the Haven, or what?"
Of course he had to ask just the question I didn't feel like answering. I yawned behind my hand to show how much I didn't care. "Of course, man. Just getting my victory lap in. Saying my goodbyes and all." Real nonchalant, like the end of the world wasn't just around the corner. He probably sensed something else was up but was too polite to say it straight out. A polite kid, that Donny. It got real quiet then; me with my dark thoughts, and Donny with his dorky thoughts.
The door opened, and Randal came in, all smiles as usual. Randal has those All-American good looks. Curly blond hair, broad shoulders and all. I liked him anyway. "Wassup, Donny boy. Wassup, Louie boy."
Randal was one of the rare guys I didn't mind being around. I mean, he was into cars and sports too, but he could talk about other stuff. Like music, and movies. History. Nature. I've always been into nature. There's a lot of beauty in the world that most people just ignore. Most people don't get it. Randall did, though. He was a photographer, old Randal. Did a lot of digital work online for book and album covers but enjoyed taking pictures of all sorts of stuff. I really liked his work.
"Sup, Randal." Donny was extremely relieved to see someone else come in. Honestly, I think Donny gets a little nervous around me. When you're not the type to sit around shooting the bull, it always makes people nervous, for some reason. What's wrong with being quiet now and then? If I can't get into a solid conversation about something substantial, then I won't talk at all.
Randal closed the door and stood there for a minute, looking at us with a sad kind of smile. "The big day is almost here. Our boy is Havenbound. Guess it's the end of an era." That cracked me up. The end of an era. Randal was good for over-dramatic statements, he really was.
"Yeah, I guess it is," Donny said, trying real hard to force his face to display something other than its usual blankness. "It's been fun though, guys."
"Yeah."
It was getting too mushy for words. "Well, let's not get all teary-eyed, here, girls," I said. "We all knew this day was coming."
"Yeah, but it just went so fast, you know?" Randal looked at me, and I already knew what he was going to say. I cut him off before he opened his mouth.
"Yeah, I know I've been stalling. Been on a victory lap, is all. Saying goodbyes. No worries. I'll be on the tram Monday. Got a little celebrating to do in the meantime."
"That's the last ride out. You're pushing it, aren't you?"
I had to clamp my lips to keep some stupid retort from escaping my mouth. I hate when people state the obvious, but he didn't deserve some scornful reply as my last words. As I said, he was a good dude.
"Sure, man. Sure. Listen, I'd love to stick around getting all sentimental with you fellas, but I got things to do, places to go, people to see." I got up off the couch, staggering like an old man. Then I doubled up, throwing a few shadow jabs at Randall. We went at it like UFC champs for a minute.
Then he did something that surprised me. He wrapped me up in a bear hug. "Gonna miss you, man."
I gave him an awkward pat on the back. "You too, bro."
When he finally let me go, tears glistened in his eyes. He was always an emotional guy, ol' Randal. He grinned like it was old times, though. "Give 'em hell, Louie boy."
"You know I will." I hesitated for a second, dreading to ask. "So… what are you guys gonna do?"
Randal shrugged. "The big underground shelter they've been building downtown. My folks are going there. We'll try to hunker down and ride it out."
Only Randal could make riding out the end of the world sound like a reasonable option. I'd heard about the bunker City Council funded. Terms like 'death trap' and 'mass grave' were commonly thrown into the conversation when it was talked about by the experts. All I could imagine was huddling in the darkness being smothered by the acrid odor of onion breath and panicked farts while the entire structure collapsed on top of everyone.
Donny glanced up from staring at a hangnail. "I think this whole thing is just a hoax, anyway. It's the Illuminati playing with our heads, man. I was just listening to a podcast last night, and they had this scientist who was saying it was all caused by time travel. Like future humans tried to make contact with the past, but the wormhole was corrupted and—"
I couldn't take it anymore. I grabbed my black bomber jacket from a hook on the wall. I loved that jacket. It that soft and comfortable leather, not the shiny kind. I headed for the door. "You boys don't stay up past your bedtimes."
"Need a ride?"
"Rather walk."
"Be safe, bro."
I threw up the deuces as I walked out the door. I didn't have any idea where I was going, but I didn't want to stay in that graveyard of an apartment any more than I had to. The place was dead, and we were just ghosts that haunted the place until we could find places to rest. I figured I'd see them again before Monday, anyway. The funny thing was that I got kinda choked up as I left. I didn't cry or anything, but it was still a pretty emotional moment. I was actually going to miss those guys. Even ol' Donny.
I headed for the shuttle station because I was supposed to meet up with Debby and Greg. They were part of the crew at Restoration Corp and were probably the only reason I could stand working at the place. They wanted to see me off right, so I was looking forward to hanging with them.
Disintegrating leaves fell like volcanic embers around me, perfect for my rotten mood. Every plant and tree on my side of the road was dry and dusty, cracked and splintered. For some irrational reason, the foliage on the other side was lush and budding with flowers that glinted like the petals were made of glass. I walked on, oblivious to either oddity. Just another day after the Skygate Collapse.
The traffic on the road was mostly industrial. There was a never-ending line of heavy trucks coming to and from Los Angeles, where the Haven was. Haven Council commandeered nearly half the entire city for the construction. Millions of people displaced and relocated like they were nothing. It was terrible to witness. The New World Council said it was necessary for the survival of humanity. Of course, every one of them had VIP residencies in the Havens, so they didn't have to worry about the mess they left behind.
The shuttles were automated, so I timed it just right for me to board as soon as I got to the corner. For some reason, I kept thinking about Vicki. It had been a long time since I'd seen her and I felt bad about that. I wondered why she didn't clear the air the last time we talked. She knew I had dated other people, and I knew that hurt her feelings. I had apologized more than once without knowing why I was apologizing because technically she and I had never been officially going out. Was that why she never asked about it?
I went out, hung out with my friends, but was distracted the whole time and couldn't really enjoy myself. I had to make some excuses to cut out but didn't even go home. I spent most of the night on the shuttle riding across the city like some drifter, missing Vicky like crazy. I swear, women don't know how weak and insecure guys really are. They have no idea how long they linger after they're gone, tormenting us with thoughts of what could have been.
4
I didn't remember getting back to the apartment, but I must have because I woke up feeling sore and stiff with my head full of cobwebs. I sat around for a bit, staring at the four walls and thinking about who I wanted to call. Deep inside, I knew. I'd known for weeks. But it took a long time to muster up enough courage to finally dial that number.