Suzie’s House 408 : Blocking Traffic

“You could have just called. We can talk any time.” Drew tried not to glare at Walter while the kids from Gene’s band stared. Not to mention anyone else on State Street interested in the little knot of people blocking the sidewalk.

“That wouldn’t prove anything.” Walk looked smug around the mouth, but worried around the eyes.

Drew decided to go with the eyes. He sighed in exasperation and ran his hand over his hair. “So long as you don’t make a habit of it, I guess it’s fine. I don’t mind getting out of the house right now anyway.”

“Were you programming?” Bruce looked interested.

“Yeah. Just a little extra HTML for a site I built a week ago. Some customers are never happy no matter what you do for them.” Drew glanced around at all the people walking around the busy business area. “Let’s get you home, Walter.”

“What? Go back to the misery of my stale existence? Come on, man. I’d rather stay here.”

“Well, we can’t keep blocking traffic.”

“Then let’s go back to the park where I met these kids. They were playing the most amazing song about you!” Walter grinned. His frame vibrated with joy, though it was clear his old bones wouldn’t let him bounce much anymore.

“Oh, is that how you met? Wait… a song about me?” Drew turned toward the kids.

“Uh… yeah,” Tracy said. She looked embarrassed.

“It’s not really just about you.” Bruce stepped forward. “It’s more about the universal feeling of not fitting in real well. Like that line about Grandpa. There’s no real grandfather. We just made that up.” Bruce looked at the other two teenagers as though to gather support, and got nods of agreement.

Emma still wore a mask. The feathers waved and bobbed with the motion of her head. She wore them so often Drew would have been harder put to recognize her here without one. A couple of years ago he’d have gently suggested she take it off. Now, he just assumed it was up to her. If anyone would know about feeling out of place, he would guess it had to be these kids.

“But I’m in it?”

“You… inspired it.” Tracy looked guilty.

Drew thought about all the ways in which he could inspire a song like that. Had they felt pity after catching him staring into space in some weird pose like a mannequin? Had they noticed when he got lost while talking, or seen some horrified expression on his face when the walls melted around him?

“I don’t want to know.” He put a stopping hand up and shook his head. “Do what you want. But Walter…”

“I know. It’s your privilege to tell me to go home, even if there’s nothing to do there.”

“If not home, where do you want to go? You can’t stay here. Neither one of us can afford to stand around too long.” Drew thought about what it would be like if he had one of his drug flash-back episodes at the same time that Walter had one of his Alzheimer’s attacks.

“I know! Let’s go back with you, Drew.” Tracy grinned at the suggestion.

“No. Better stay clear of the house for a little while. Gene and Suzie are still talking to the lawyer.”

“Oh. Well, then how about we all go to Emma’s house.” Tracy raised and eyebrow at Emma.

Emma’s eyes widened behind her mask, but after a second she nodded her permission.

Drew wasn’t at all sure about imposing on Emma’s family, but couldn’t think of a better place. At least they stood a chance of containing any mayhem by explaining the situation.

“Walter?”

“Suits me!” He turned toward Emma. “Lead off McDuff.”

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Let’s play pick-a-story. Would you rather see what’s going down with Gene and the lawyer, or see what happens at Emma’s house next week?