SMOKE -------------------------------------------------------------------------- by Mike Daryl Ormond
Chapter 2: The Game
As we rested the beer cases near the bar, Duncan called everyone's attention and started to explain the dating tool he wanted to test on us. He sounded very exited though almost everybody lost interest already by the time he got the part where he would be sending yet another email.
"I expect everybody's entries by end of next week, ok!" he exclaimed as he ended his speech.
"Yipee..", I thought. "This email is going striaght to the Recycle Bin."
The party ended as dramatic as it started with someone from the building office downstairs cutting off the electricity to Duncan's apartment. I must say I saw this coming as soon as I saw Andrea bringing out the karaoke machine an hour earlier. Duncan went downstairs to reason out with the building official who did this while Andrea & I ushered the remaining guests out of the apartment with flashlights.
"Guess we'll need to help birthday boy here in cleaning up this mess", Andrea said as we scanned around the now quiet apartment.
"Artee here doesn't seem to be too amused as well", I said as I pointed my flashlight to the sofa where Artee was sitting.
Artee is Ducan's cat. Duncan went through a very bad break up with his girlfriend for six months during the time he got Artee. I remember him picking up Artee when we were jogging through the park about three months ago. Artee was not in the best of shapes when we saw him in the park that day. He was very muddy and thin. For the next month or so, Duncan nursed Artee back in to heath. Fed him, cleaned him, even left him at my place when he was out of town. I guess, during that time, Duncan just needed Artee as he needed him.
"Hey, I've got I idea", Andrea said as she was picking up Artee on the sofa. "Why don't I just have Artee here stay at my place tonight while you can have birthday boy stay in your apartment. We cold worry about cleaning up tomorrow."
"That sounds like a great idea!" Duncan said coming in the living area. "They seemed to have locked up already downstairs. I guess I won't be having any electricity until tomorrow morning."
"That settles it then." Andrea said as she motioned towards the door with Artee in her arms. "Call you guys tomorrow!"
"And I don't have any say in this..." I said as I saw Andrea leaving.
"No!" Andrea shouted from the hallway.
"Don't worry. I promise not to throw up on your couch again." Duncan said as he was packing a change of clothes in a bag. "Which reminds me.. how is the couch?"
"It's still with the cleaners. I was thinking of picking it up tonight but.." I looked at my watch. It was already 12:40 am. "I guess they're close by now."
"I get the bed then.." he said walking back into the living area gathering his wallet & keys from a side table.
"What made you think I would.." I interrupted focusing the flashlight where he stood
"You owe me pall.. It will take a month before I get rid of the smell of smoke from this place.. and today's my birthday you know." He said as he started walking towards the door.
"It's officially Saturday.. the day after your birthday.." I argued as I joined him in the hallway.
"We could always share the bed like when we were kids.." he proposed teasingly as he locked the door to his apartment.
I almost smiled at the idea but replied knowing I would be sleeping on the floor tonight, "Don't push your luck too much, buddy."
My apartment is just four blocks away from Duncan's place. Duncan & I always wanted our own apartments after college. I got mine six months ago. Almost 2 years after Duncan got his. Duncan & I have this secret rivalry in almost everything and so far he's up 3-0. He's got the better apartment, he's got the better job and he's got me completely jealous.
I rolled down my window as we drove out of the basment parking lot.
I was waiting for the stoplight to change on first corner when I saw Duncan from the corner of my eye looking at me.
"What?" I asked looking back at Ducan resting sleepily in the passenger seat.
"I just.." he stammered "I just wanted to thank you for the party... that's all"
"You're not getting soft on me now, are you?" I said jokingly as I looked back to road and drove on as the stoplight changed.
I didn't get a response.
I glanced back at Duncan and saw that he was already done for the evening. As I reached the next stoplight, I took the oppurtunity study my good friend as he was sleeping.
"You know.. I can settle for 3-1...", I whispered as I drove on. "You can have the better apartment You can have the better job. And you can have me completely jealous... As long as I have you."
------------------------------------- Next...
Chapter 3: The Day After
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