I barely listen to the headlines. After a few minutes, I turn back to 'Pop' and try to follow along. I drown out the music and the prattle of the DJs. This really hurts me. That trip marked the beginning of the end for the four of us. I would barely see Pete after that. Even during the summer, we would be working at different spots, different times. I don't think I've seen him in three, maybe four years. Same with Will. Once he transferred to Virginia, I haven't heard anything from him. Why did he move? He had an in with UK Med Center; I knew it. Haven't seen him since just before he graduated. Before last year, I hadn't seen Rick since just after graduating. We bumped into each other just when we went back to home. I was picking up the last of my things that had survived the years to move to my place; Rick was probably doing the same.
It's not that I had other friends. Okay, I really didn't. Not as close. I had the guys in the weekly game sessions, but I almost never saw them outside that. I have a few ties with some of my classmates from college. Not really. I barely remember half of them. Same for high school. I keep in touch with a few others, semi-regularly. I am still kind of close to one or two brothers of my exes, strangely enough. Then again, I haven't had to many girlfriends. Two in college, and three in the years since. Didn't get to date in high school. Wasn't allowed.
Why did Beth have to go and break up with me? Thanksgiving was going great. I finally met her parents, her brothers and sister, their families, and quite a few cousins and extended relatives. Dinner was fine. Then, her father had to ask about my family. I had to go and say that my mom was probably on a riverboat on the Ohio River, gambling. She hates Thanksgiving. Both her father and stepfather died in November. We rarely celebrate it. For some reason, that ticked Beth off, especially after I hinted that I wouldn't be seeing her at Christmas either. A few days later, Beth said we need to go on a break. A few days after that, m she left me. I was a month away from proposing! Maybe two. Whatever.
Haven't gotten over it yet. Only started top go out again a few weeks ago. Tonight was going to be club-hopping, fully diving back into the scene. Still, I wish I knew more people to help hook me up. My co-workers are no help. I try to stay away from most of them. We don't share much in common besides working for Blue Homestead, and barely that considering what Hemphill thinks of me. Most try to keep away. I need to meet new people but how can I now that I have Sam.
I take a quick glance to my right. He still appears to be sleeping, but he could be faking it. I used to do that a bit when I was his age, but then I was still in bed, so I could fake it. Then again, he's going through a growth spurt. Probably taller than me now, lucky kid. Why didn't I get those height genes that he has? He might not be my brother, after all. Evidence says otherwise. What am I thinking? I can't take care of him.
Suddenly, there is a line of break lights blinking ahead.
"Crap!"
"Did you just swear?" Sam groggily asks.
Great. This he hears. This might be worse than hearing me sing to Rhianna.
"At least you're awake. I think there's been a wreck up ahead. Frequently happens on this stretch of highway."
"Where are we?" he asks.
"About a mile outside of Charleston. I remember seeing accidents on the news at least once a week when I was growing up. This could take awhile."
"They covered accidents here in Lexington? That doesn't make any sense."
"I moved to Lex after college. Well, my last years. I grew up on Willow Road in a small town in Pike County. I would mention it, but the name wouldn't mean anything to you. We got much of our news from West Virginia television stations. There wasn't much in local coverage, at the time. I've heard that things have improved lately, but I don't get back there too often to check it out." I respond.
"How long will we be hear?" asks Sam.
Just then, the sirens from various rescue vehicles start screeching. Seconds later, ambulances and fire trucks come into view, state troopers right behind.
"Who knows?"
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