Page 64 of True Sight
“Mostly one game. You ever heard of Dungeons and Dragons?”
His eyebrows stretch and his mouth falls open before he bursts into a fit of laughs. “You’re joking.”
“I’m really not,” I relent, shaking my head at him.
“Dungeons and Dragons? Isn’t that a role playing game, with the dice and the storytelling?”
“The very same. We get together every Wednesday at my friend Kolbi’s place and play. Our current campaign has been going on for over two years.”
He pauses for a moment and smiles at me before lowering himself back down onto my chest. The way he’s positioned is almost like he’s hugging me with his arms stretched around my torso and his cheek resting right around my heart.
“I think that’s really nice,” he finally says.
“You do? Most people think it’s nerdy or stupid.”
“I don’t think anything you do is stupid, but you are a nerd. A pretty hot one, too, if I may add.” My laughing causes him to bounce a few times before he falls quiet. I look towards his face and realize his eyes are closed. Then, his index finger starts to tap on my chest in a rhythmic beat. I watch as he continues to tap and wonder what he’s doing. He seems to sense my confusion and speaks before I have to ask.
“It’s your heartbeat.” His finger taps a few more times. “I’m not sure what the science is behind it but listening to it relaxes me. It helps me calm down, breathe easier. Does a much better job than the monthly refills I get at the pharmacy.”
“Monthly refills?” I ask and hope I haven’t crossed a boundary.
“Anti-anxiety and antidepressants. Been on them for a few years now—they help my brain steady out.”
“Oh…” I feel my heart sink in my chest.
“Some of us go to therapy, some of us use medication. All of it is good.” He squeezes my hand before pressing it to his lips.
“No, of course. It’s all good. I’m still sorry, though, that you have to take them.”
“I’m not,” he says bluntly. “It does what I need it to do, which is keep me healthy. I’m grateful everyday for my medicine.”
“That’s a really good way to think about it,” I say. He looks up at me and presses himself up to kiss me. When he does, the sound of a key being inserted into my front door cuts through the apartment.
“Miller, you home? I’ve texted you like five times and you haven’t answered. I’m coming in to make sure you’re notdead and Annie isn’t eating your rotting corpse,” Margaret calls out and pushes the door open. Henry and I scramble to our feet and jump away from one another. When she sees I’m with someone her eyes go wide and bounce between the two of us.
“Oh! I’m sorry, I didn’t realize you had company.” She sounds surprised and I can see her trying to put the pieces together.
“Margaret, hey. Can I talk to you outside for a minute?” I hurry towards her and grab her arm, dragging her back into the hallway. She spins around quickly to look at me once my door is closed.
“What the hell did I just walk in on?” she nearly shrieks.
“Would you keep your voice down, the neighbors will hear you,” I bark at her. “What the hell are you doing here? How did you get a key to my place?”
“You gave it to me, remember? After you got Annie you gave me a key in case you ever needed someone to come and let her out. Your turn.” She pushes her index finger into my shoulder so hard I have to take a step back to catch myself.
“He’s just a friend—” I start but she cuts me off.
“Oh yeah? Do you do those things with your other friends? Have you ever cuddled up with Malcolm or Hank like that?” Her hands are on her hips as she looks at me sternly.
“Margaret, stop,please,” I beg, gritting my teeth.
“Is he your boyfriend? Are you?—”
“I don’t know,” I cut her off before she can say the word I’ve been avoiding.
“It’s okay if you are, Mills. I’ll still love you if you…have male friends,” she hesitates as she speaks.
“God, don’t put it like that.” I groan.
