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reaching out to grab Oliver’s arm and pull him back. “Hey! What’re you doing?” Frank demanded, shaking him. “Talking to David!” Oliver snapped. “That’s why you wanted to come, Frank , to talk to David! Why aren’t you talking to him?” “Oliver, I’m trying...” “Then talk to him, Frank! Make him say something!” “Make him? Just...are you playing games with me?” Frank demanded in a sud den burst of anger. “This is not a game, Frank! This is where I talk to David!” Oliver shouted, pointing to where he stood to emphasize his point. “You were talking to him the other night in my bedroom!” Frank retorted, and Oliver fell silent, crossing his arms. “But this is where David talks to me, Frank,” Oliver said. “He talks to me ri ght here.” “And is he?” Frank asked. Oliver shook his head, sniffling again. “Mama--my mom says he’s just a voic e,” Oliver whispered. “A voice in my head,” he explained, looking completel y wrecked over the idea. “I’m not supposed to listen to him anymore, but he still talks... right here.” “Then why isn’t he?” Frank asked, attempting to keep calm. He didn’t unders tand. He’d encountered David’s personality before. He knew it was there. Bu t, unless Oliver had more control over it than his parents let on, it almos t didn’t make sense that David hadn’t made an appearance yet, especially if what Oliver told Frank was true, and David wanted to be heard. “I don’t know, Frank... he stopped talking. He stopped talking to me.” “What? When? When did he...” “I came this morning,” Oliver explained, his breathing becoming choppy i n his rushed words. “But he wouldn’t talk to me! Is he gone, Frank? Why won’t he talk to me? Make him say something, Frank! Make him!” Make him? Frank took a step back, stared at Oliver in disbelief, and suddenly raised his hands as a sign of his mental defeat. “I give up... I just, give th e fuck up.” “But, Frank,” Oliver pleaded, only to be presented with Frank’s hand again. “Look, this is too much for me, okay? I don’t know what I’m supposed to be do ing here, Oliver, and whatever it is, I obviously, can’t, alright? So this th ing with David... it’s just gotta stop. With you... and me. No more of it, ok ay? Shit, I’m sorry I ever brought it up.” “Are you going to leave again, Frank?” Frank sighed, but actually considered the question. “No,” he finally said. H e already felt bad enough for abandoning Oliver the first time. Doing it aga in, simply wasn’t an option for him. Not when he knew exactly what that felt like. “Let’s go.” “Where are we going, Frank?” “I don’t know... but not back to your place.” “My mom won’t...” “I really don’t care if she won’t like it, Oliver,” Frank stated. “Look, I thi nk you need help, and I can’t give it to you, so we’re gonna have to go somewh ere else.” Oliver’s mouth dropped open in protest, but he closed it as Frank stepped fo rward, holding out his hand. “Do you trust me, Oliver?” It wasn’t clear by Oliver’s expression whether he had a positive answer to th at question or not, but he did take Frank’s hand. “It’s gonna be okay,” Frank said, and deep down, he really wanted to belie ve that. “I promised I wouldn’t leave, remember?” “I remember, Frank,” Oliver said blankly. Frank frowned, squeezing his hand and pulling him closer. “And I meant it. ” “I know, Frank. But David said that once, too.” ........................................... Brian was tired when he walked through his front door. It had been a long da y at work, and all he wanted was a hot bath and a fulfilling meal. But, it s eemed that his wife wasn’t going to allow him either, when he found his wife in their bedroom, packing suitcases that hadn’t been used in years. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, woman?” he demanded as he watch ed her shove a few of his Sunday shirts on top of a pile of her undergarm ents. She spun around, looking frantic. “We’re leaving, Brian,” she said, matter-o f-factly. “There’s no more choice in the matter. We’ve gotta start over. We can go... anywhere, anywhere, Brian....” “Hold on a damn minute,” he said, grabbing her arm and seating her on the bed. “What are you going on about?” “That boy was here again--Frank. Oliver’s gonna say something to him, Brian , I just know he is.” Brian laughed. “So what? He already thinks Oliver’s crazy.” “Then why is he still coming around here?” Mary demanded. “It’s over, Bri an! He took Oliver no more than twenty minutes ago. I saw ‘em both sneaki ng off in that boat! We’re gonna have to grab Oliver before we leave.” Mary stood to continue her packing, and Brian watched for several long mo [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ] |
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