Requests

He gave me a paper bag, “Finish this.” I just looked at the bag and he looked over at me impatiently.
“What is it?” I asked, reluctantly taking the bag into my own hands.
“It’s already been crushed; just line it up on the dashboard and breathe in really fast through your nose. There’s not much left.”
“What?! No way am I doing pot!”
“Speed.”
“Whatever!” I crossed my arms.
“Lightweight,” he retorted.
“Yeah, well… Leave me alone…” I sunk down in my seat and pouted.
“Fine, know what?”
“What?”
“Either you dispose of it the way I told you or think of a better way.”
“You do it and I’ll drive,” I suggested right away.
“You’re not driving my car, Alan… You know how much I love this thing,” his eyes were deep and expressive. I wondered if he liked the car more than me.
“What if I just leave it somewhere?” I was thinking of throwing it away or just handing it off.
“We’ll either be spotted and reported or someone will pick it up and realize what it is. They’ll turn it in and the cops will have it tested for prints before you can say ‘peanut butter.’ So unless you like having to take a lot of sandpaper to your fingers on a daily basis, then I suggest you do as I said. I’m not moving the car until you do.”
I looked from the bag and then back to him. For a minute, I thought I hated him, but I really just couldn’t bear to turn down his request. I had to do this. I had to do it for his trust. I had to do it for his love.

Dedication

He draped his coat over m shoulders and opened the door, “Are you ready?”
“I really don’t care anymore, Colin!” clenching my teeth, I looked away. “I don’t care if we’re hiding away. I. Don’t. Care. I just want to be with you.”
“Oh, Alan, don’t cry… I’ll make sure we’re safe. Also, we won’t be hiding – we’ll be exploring.” He held me against his chest and squeezed me even closer with the hand on my lower back. “I love you. Now let’s go.”
He led me out the door, through the chilly air. I kept my head down to avoid the cold, but I could still see my breath turning to a cloud in front of me. Colin sat me down in the passenger seat, “Buckle up; you need to still be alive by the time we get there.” I could hear his voice catch. He hurried to the other side and plopped himself in the driver’s seat. After the engine roared to a start, he looked at me, “You need to do something for me.”
“Well, what is it? I would do anything for you, Colin. Anything,” I couldn’t help but gush this to him, and somehow, I felt like a slave. But I was his slave. And I was proud.

Curiosity

His hands raced across my back, “Please come.” His eyes stared directly into mine and I couldn’t help but stare back.

Some may say staring is rude, but this moment had to have been an exception; it felt so right, so right indeed.“So will you?” he kept gazing into my eyes as if he were screaming what he wanted me to say. I knew what he wanted me to say. I still wouldn’t say it. I knew it would just lead to trouble. I knew it would lead to searches and newspapers with my face on the front cover; I really wanted to avoid all that.
What if he’s right about all of this, though? I thought. Will it make things better or will it make everything worse? Will they find me? Will they hurt me? Will they hurt Colin? I can’t stand not seeing him for so long again… he’s my favorite – and only, for that matter – brother…!
“Alan!” he snapped. “Listen to me! Please…” his brow crunched together and his lips trembled a little, “Please. I’ve been gone for so long for you and this is how you repay me? I really think I deserve more respect than this.”
“No, Colin, it’s not that,” I had to say something sooner or later. “I have my doubts.” I regretted saying it from the second the words slipped from my mouth.
“Fine. Fine. Just stay here. Rot here. You aren’t going to grow and experience new things sitting her at home. Take a damn risk, Alan.” He picked up his coat and headed toward the door.
“Colin! Wait! Please, Colin,” I ran to him and held the forearm with the coat draped over it.
“Will you come?” his voice was shaky, as if he were about to cry.
“Yes, Colin. I’ll come."