"This Year" 🅴

Note from the author: In light of everything happening with Coronavirus it’s a lot of fun to think about what it would be like to be out with friends again. Since we can’t escape what’s going on in the world, please stay safe and, unfortunately, in your homes. One day (relatively soon) we’ll be able to move about the cabin (and world!) again.

~

Gerry pulls up to the front of the apartment. Gerry sits there for a couple of moments and starts to dial a number when Cathy runs out with a small overnight bag. She tosses it in the back window and hops in the passenger side. They start to drive off.

Gerry: I didn't think you'd come. 

Cathy: (smiling, casually shrugs) Everyone "wants a little of my time." 

Gerry: Glad you did. 

Cathy: I think it was right for us. Where are we heading?

Gerry: It's a surprise. You'll like it though. 

Cathy: This is some car you managed to rent for the trip!

Gerry: (sliding a hand on the dash) "Six cylinders underneath the hood." More horsepower than I would ever buy. Fun to drive. Wanted to surprise you a little.

Cathy: It's a good thing I like surprises!

Gerry: Can you imagine if you didn't?! There would be "crashing and kicking." I've seen you get mad. At least this time I know you like beaches.

Cathy: "Aha!"

Gerry: Forget I said anything about beaches!! Just… Just… "Listen to the engine whine."

Cathy: It's so refreshing we can do this. I had to remind myself that we were "going to make it through this year" and finally we have. What a shit show. Although, I would have made it through this year "if it [killed] me."

Gerry: I'm glad to hear that! I wouldn't want you any other way. Wait… That's not what I mean. Stop smiling at me like that. What? I didn't mean it like that. 

Cathy: (teasingly) Sure you didn't. 

Gerry: Maybe I should drop you back off. I'm so embarrassed.

Cathy: Hey. You've already come so far in 5 months. Don't let a Freudian slip deter you. (smiling) Deter us.

Gerry: "I am going to make it through this year." And I know it isn't the end of the world, but I'm still embarrassed and we have 2 more hours in this drive. 

Short, comfortable pause.

Cathy: So what did you do for the last few months?

Gerry: "I played video games in a drunken haze." It was not healthy. 

Cathy: That's fine. As long as you don't do that now that we can go outside freely. 

Gerry: I kept thinking about this one time though. 

Cathy: What was that?

Gerry: "I was seventeen years young." I was mean. Aggressive. Not like the angel I am now. I'm sitting in my room, playing guitar, waiting to get to college. It was the first time I really wanted to get out and go. My right hand is wrapped in bandages. 

Cathy: What did you do?

Gerry: "Hurt my knuckles punching the machines." 

Cathy: Did that really happen?

Gerry: Unfortunately. Yes. Yes it did. Then my brother's older friend came in with a bottle of Cutty Sark. (pauses) "The taste of scotch" was "rich on my tongue." I'm surprised I didn't become an alcoholic. Anyway. while I was thinking about this shitty time as a kid I remembered something that happened in college that changed my life. 

Cathy: Our college days were great.

Gerry: Yep. Because this girl named "Cathy showed up and we hung out" and she changed my life.

Gerry and Cathy stare at each other, smiling.

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