to have and have not

Eric was so close to wanting to take a chill pill in the form of a little cigarette, but he didn't. No. He'd seriously be in trouble on so many levels. His Mom. Ellie.

"I thought you weren't doing that, anymore." Eric didn't get Kyle half the time. It was as if he was this sort of person for every season. These days, Kyle had a job helping out some old lady down the street from where he lived. He actually took walks with her. Along with other odd jobs in the afternoon. Eric supposed Kyle could find something so complicated and uncomplicated at the same time.

"shhhh...don't tell anyone." Kyle was high already. "Its an early birthday present." Kyle tossed him a baggie of prepared substance. All he had to do was light up and as Kyle put it...enjoy.

They were in Eric's room. They had lit up here before.

Eric just laughed.

"So what are you doing for your birthday?" Kyle managed to clear out his sinuses and then yawned.

"I'm spending it with my father, no less."

"Glad its not with mine," Kyle grinned.

"You've never mentioned yours before," Eric winced. "I didn't know if yours was even around."

"Oh, he's around," Kyle nodded. "Just don't see him, that's all. He's always drunk. Has too many DUIs. So he just stays home and he's a drunk."

"Well, we don't have to talk about it."

"I don't care," Kyle scowled. "I used to drink his stuff all the time and water it down with water. He never even knew. Kind of miss those days."

"You know, I never would have thought of you as the depressive sort, but you need therapy, my friend." Eric got up then and got the cd out he'd just burned for Kyle. It was a mix with Kyle's favorite band, Metalica. Old stuff and new.

"I'm not depressed." Kyle grinned like an idiot then. "Thanks bro." He took the cd then and dazzled it with streaks from a gold sharpie.

"Sure," Eric then decided something. "I think I'll apply at Hyvee."

"Woo, you are? When?"

"Soon. Maybe before my Dad gets here. I gotta get something in the works." Eric shrugged.

"But Ellie seems to think you're a great babysitter."

"Oh yeah, I'm thinking of being a manny. Ha. I could still do it. You know. The babysitting. Its just one night a week. Maybe." Eric knew he couldn't fall into something with Kyle. If he did, chances were he might never work again. But maybe if he had too, a few little cigarettes just might be something to have in case worse came to worse.