Use by CD Reiss

Author:CD Reiss [Reiss, CD]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-06-22T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 21.

FIONA

Jonathan seemed obsessed with physical activity. He wasn’t at the ping-pong table when I went looking for him after dinner, but he was on the basketball court under the lights. His motions were much the same as they’d been with the paddle: dribble twice, then a whoosh into the net. He caught the ball and started over. The grounds were populated with all kinds of psychos huddling in little groups under the lights and in the dark corners of night. None went near Jonathan. He was a red menace all his own. Mister Joker. Mister Tons-of-Buds.

I leaned on the pole that held the hoop. “Making friends, I see.”

“I have you, Fee.” Swoosh. “I don’t need friends.” He smiled.

I hadn’t expected any kind of cheer from him. “Who removed the stick from your ass?”

“Guy can’t catch a break. What am I supposed to do? Have another heart attack?” He took his shot. “And how are you doing? Try to attack your therapist lately?”

“Not lately, fucktard.”

He passed me the ball, hard. It took the wind out of me, but I caught it.

“Twenty-four hours of self-control,” he said. “A personal best for you.”

Jonathan was back. The guy who couldn’t stand me, who ribbed, chided, and pushed my buttons until I either stormed off or slapped him.

“And you?” I said, passing it back as hard as I could.

He caught it without a problem and dribbled.

“You aren’t some great example of self-control. If I want that, I’m looking at Theresa.”

“She’s gonna bust one day.” Swoosh. “Leave a bunch of lace and pearls all over the place.” He made an exploding gesture with his hands. “Boom.”

I caught the ball on its way down. “She said she’s sorry she got mad at you, by the way.” I tossed it to him. “She called you names, apparently.”

“I don’t blame her. But yeah, she lost it. From now on, I’ll be a model of having my shit together. Anything I can control, I will. Done. And sorry, Fee, but I’m staying away from you. You’re a bad influence. Staying away from Dad too. He’s worse. He makes me want to break his face.” He took his shot and missed. Retrieving the ball, he said, “Control. Everything in my line of sight.”

“You think it’s so easy?”

“Yeah, I do. It’s a choice. I can see crazy coming now. You. Then Rachel. Then me. I know the signs now. I got it.” Bang. The ball went off the rim. “I’m watching Theresa next. Margie’s on her way. We’ll all be here at some point until we learn.”

I caught his ball mid-bounce. “You’re delusional.”

“You know who my girlfriend was obsessed with before she died?”

“Jesus?” I took a shot and, bang, missed. I was never much of an athlete.

“You.” He snapped the ball out of the air. “Talk about delusional. She thought you were the shit. Thought you had the life.”

“Why?” That knowledge poked me in a weird place. I was many things, but admirable wasn’t even on the list. Yet, a swell

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