Page 20 of Goodbye Note

“No. Do you think that?” Fox wore a horrified expression.

Val made a sound. “No comment.”

“You really never walked behind someone down the stairs or by a balcony and just thought. ‘I could push them’?” Varian asked.

“What the fuck is wrong with all of you?” Fox scooted the three inches away from Varian.

I laughed, which was the worst reaction I could have, but I couldn’t help it. “How did you find the only emo drummer on the fucking planet who’s never had a fucking intrusive thought? Jesus fucking Christ.”

“He’s got to be lying,” Val muttered. “Everyone has them. They are normal.”

“I’m starting to think I’ve made a mistake getting into the car with you guys.” Fox pretended like he was going to open the van door. “If you want to pull over, I’ll just get out.”

“TELL ME YOU DIDN’T THINK OF THROWING YOURSELF OUT OF THE VAN RIGHT NOW,” Bronx screamed from the front seat.

“No! Why the fuck would I do that?” Fox’s eyes got huge.

“He really might be the only musician ever who’s never had an intrusive thought.” Val sounded amazed.

“I don’t know how to feel, but it kinda makes me want to kill him,” Varian said, wrapping his arms around himself.

I laughed harder as Fox tried to get farther away.

“There is something wrong with all of you.”Fox shuddered like his body was trying to ward off evil.

“So wait, are you just happy all the time?” I asked, not sure I understand.

“I think so. Unless I have a really bad day or something. Are you not?”

“I’m not going to comment.” I folded my hands in my lap.

“The rest of you?” Fox glanced around.

“There’s always some kind of impending dread hanging over my head,” Val said.

“I’m happy until I’m not,” Bronx adds.

“I’m not even getting into it. I feel like we already have Fox on the edge of quitting.”Val shook his head.

It wasn’t a long drive from the venue, and we pulled up outside of a red row-house where Varian opened the door. Val hopped out, and Fox jumped into the driver’s seat.

“He’ll take the van to Jersey,” Varian explained. “Bronx lives a few blocks away.”

“He’s got to drive to Jersey now?” I glanced around because from the little I knew, this was a nice neighborhood.

“It’s not far.” Varian nodded at the building. “You gotta be quiet. My grandparents will be asleep.”

We walked down the stairs to the basement apartment.

Vallen unlocked it but didn’t step inside. “I’m going to go have a drink. I’ll catch you two later.”

“Are you sure? Want us to come with you?” I asked, glancing between the two of them.

“Naw.” Val waved me off. “Go chat. I’m meeting up with some friends.”

The brothers exchanged a look, but I couldn’t make heads nor tails of it. “If you insist.”

“If you’d rather go…” Varian started to say, but I shook my head.

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