The Rip by Mark Brandi

Author:Mark Brandi [Brandi, Mark]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

sixteen

I can’t be sure he hasn’t been doing it in secret, but I don’t think so. Still, couldn’t say for certain.

Anton has started injecting. At least, it’s the first time I’ve seen him do it. First time ever, actually.

You can never be sure with anyone about anything, but especially when you’re using. People are pretty good at hiding things when they want to. And when you’re using, you don’t tend to notice as much. It isn’t a good combination.

Once Steve has a hit, things calm down. We don’t listen to music, because the TV is on and I think everyone is a bit sleepy, and it’s kind of nice to sit there quiet and watch an old black-and-white movie. This one’s called The Devil and Daniel Webster and I’ve never seen it before, but it’s about a farmer who sells his soul.

When it’s over, Steve turns to me.

‘Why are you wearing that dress?’

I shrug.

‘Never seen you in a dress,’ he says.

‘Me either,’ Anton says. His eyes are almost closed. It’s hit him really hard.

‘Mary’s,’ I say.

‘Probably right,’ Steve says, like he’s never seen it before. I figure it’s a bit strange if Mary was his girlfriend, but I suppose men don’t notice things like that sometimes. Still, I decide to ask him straight up.

‘Is Mary your girlfriend?’

He just keeps looking at the TV like he hasn’t heard. The credits are rolling, but they don’t last long. Then he looks at me and says, ‘Something like that,’ which is pretty much the end of the conversation.

He has this way of showing he doesn’t want to talk about things by looking at you so sharply, and so quickly, that you’re not sure if he did it. But he looks, just for a split second, like he wants to cut your throat. He does it so quick that you almost think you’ve imagined it.

‘How come she didn’t take her stuff?’ I say.

‘What?’

‘Her toiletries and that. They’re all still here.’

That look again.

‘How should I know?’

Anton gets the nods something terrible. I think he isn’t used to anything so strong, so I decide I’ll have to stay awake to keep an eye on him. When people die of an overdose, it’s really quiet and subtle, so most times the people around them don’t even notice until the next day. Or the day after that. It isn’t like in the movies.

‘Anton,’ I say. ‘Where did you go tonight?’

I have to say his name a few times before he opens his eyes a little. He smiles this sleepy grin and points at Steve.

Steve says, ‘Does it matter?’

Anton closes his eyes again.

‘Just trying to keep him awake.’

Steve dismisses me with a wave. ‘He’ll be right.’

‘Should be more careful,’ I say. ‘He’ll end up back in jail.’

‘He won’t,’ Steve says. ‘We won’t.’

‘How can you be sure?’

The look. Again.

‘If you got more money begging, wouldn’t be a problem.’

‘You could try something else,’ I say.

‘Like what?’

‘Dunno. Window washing, maybe.’

He gets this smirk. ‘You’ve got to be fucking joking.’

It’s like the whole idea is completely beneath him.

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