Zedlist – Part Twenty One
“Feel free to use the shower by the way”, Kevin said. “There is a blue towel hanging up in the bathroom, it’s clean.”
“Thanks”, Tim said, “A shower would be good, I still feel half asleep.”
Kevin took the used crockery back into the kitchen, rinsed the items before placing them in the dish washer and then went back up to his room.
He had a bong while Tim was taking a shower. He loved getting half-baked in the morning, there was something about ripping a bong after breakfast and then having a hot shower that really set him up for the day; it made dealing with reality that little bit easier.
Tim was sitting back in the front room when Kevin came back downstairs. He was sitting cross legged on the floor, with the back of his wrists resting on his knees and the tip of each forefinger pressed to the tip of each thumb. His skin was noticeably lighter than it had been before his shower. He was letting out a humming noise that resonated in such a way to appear as if it was coming from everywhere.
Kevin thought it best not to interrupt, and went into the bathroom to have his post smoke shower. The shower was every bit as relaxing as Kevin had expected. Feeling invigorated and cleansed, he came out of the shower and reached out a wet hand for his towel. As he put the towel over his head, softly padding his face, he noticed the all too familiar smell, deeply offending his delicate nostrils. “I told you to use the blue towel,” he shouted through to the living room, hoping that Tim would hear him. There was no response. He didn’t get many joys in life, and his little routines were very important to him, he felt as if his whole morning had been ruined.
“I’m colour blind”, Tim said as Kevin walked back through the living room, “Both towels looked exactly the same to me”.
“It’s fine”, Kevin said in a tone that clearly indicated that it was far from fine.
Kevin may have been more understanding, had he thought for one second that Tim was telling him the truth. He went upstairs to dry his hair and took the opportunity to have another bong, just to ease his frustrations. Fortunately, as with most petty grievances, Kevin’s initial hostility was short lived and he was able to see Tim to the door in an amicable fashion.
“Before you head off”, Kevin said, “Take down my new number, I bought a cheap pay as you go phone so that we can keep in contact”.
“Excellent”, Tim said, “That is going to be of considerable help.”
They exchanged numbers in the usual awkward way that people tend to exchange numbers; missing digits out, reading them back and correcting them.
“I’ll be in touch to discuss our plan further”, Kevin said.
“That reminds me”, Tim said, “Can you text me Amy Reed’s Number, I need to send her the Lysergide”.
“The what?”
“The LSD.”
“Oh yeah, of course.”
Tim’s smile revealed cracked and discoloured teeth, which had started to take on a rather roguish charm. “Thank you very much to you both for having me, please say goodbye to Alex for me”.
Kevin wasn’t too sure if he liked himself and Alex being referred to as “you both”. It kind of made them sound like a couple. Even if he were gay, he thought, he was pretty sure he could do better.
“I’ll contact you very soon”, Kevin said, “Take care.”
With that Kevin went to his room, smoked another bong, and played the new South Park game. Kevin couldn’t help but feel that with all the extra excitement, the game just didn’t fulfill his new found craving for the unpredictability and excitement of real-life drama.
The Reeds were sitting down to breakfast. Amy was used to her father dominating all conversation, but this morning she found herself trying to fill in the uncomfortable silence while both her parents were busy cornflake gazing.
Since Colin’s nightmare Amy had noticed a change in him, he had been quieter and far less confident. Amy didn’t like it at all, the change made her feel insecure and uncertain of what would happen next.
“…and so that’s what I’ve decided I want to do”, Amy said.
“Sorry, what?” Colin said looking up from his cereal as if awoken from a dream.
“I would like to come and do work experience at the station with you.” Amy said.
Colin looked surprised. She had never shown any interest in his work before.
“I just think that it would be a positive step for me, you know, get me out of the house, into the workplace. It will help my confidence and will look good on my C.V.” Amy said eagerly, keeping her real motives hidden.
“What do you think mum?” Amy asked.
Mad took her time answering this, without looking up she said, “It doesn’t matter, it’s all going to end anyway, it always was, there is nothing anyone can do.”
Colin shook his head gently, as if to convey exasperation. Amy looked at him, waiting for some kind of sane response. “I’ll mention it today, we should be able to get you started next week”, he said flatly.
“Great, thank you”, Amy said, getting up from her chair and throwing her arms around Colin, who remained rigid and despondent.
“Ok.” Colin said, his clipped tone bringing the conversation to an end.
NEXT CHAPTER: ZEDLIST – PART TWENTY TWO
PREVIOUS CHAPTER: ZEDLIST – PART TWENTY
