Page 1 of Last Call Lindy Hop
Chapter 1 - Lance
Iflipped through the channels aimlessly, hoping that something would catch my eye. But it was just like the day before, and the day before that, and the day before that—something to provide background ambiance.
I couldn’t pinpoint the day when the television had gone from being a viable distraction, to nothing more than a series of colorful images and sound, but it had been at least a year.
The scrolling stopped when I realized I’d gone through all my hundred-plus channels. For a brief second I thought about switching to a streaming service, but knew there would be nothing there either.
Finally I left it on what appeared to be a police procedural. At least they were predictable, unlike life. A crime was committed, cops were called, there were a couple of false-leads. Eventually they’d pinpoint the real culprit and leave it in the hands of a jury. Sometimes the criminal would go to jail, others they’d be released. Either way, there were answers. All wrapped-up with a tidy bow.
Too bad life wasn’t like that.
Background noise sorted, I trudged to the kitchen and opened the fridge. Unfortunately it only took one look to know that it was as barren as the rest of my life—a wasteland of missed opportunity.
I sighed and closed the fridge, then grimaced as I caught a glimpse of myself in a small magnetic mirror that was on the door. It had been several days since I’d last showered, and I looked like it with my short brown hair unkempt and a scruffy beard.
At least my brown eyes weren’t red from crying… for once.
Still hungry, I grabbed a to-go menu at random from my junk drawer. It didn’t matter what I ordered, it was all tasteless anyway. C-twelve ended up being the choice of the day, which I discovered was lo mein once it arrived.
I ate, realizing that the show had changed to a ‘reality’ show while I’d waited for my food. But I changed the channel once I heard the theme music.
It was one of his favorite shows, and I wasn’t ready.
That one song though, that was all it took. Suddenly I could taste the food again, and it brought back memories of dinners with him. Laughing over to-go while discussing who would be cut first. Kissing as the judges droned on in the background.
I’d barely touched my food, but my appetite was gone. I closed the containers and carried them to the fridge.
At least I’d have leftovers when I was ready to eat again.
∞∞∞
Pounding on the door. “Lance!”
I cringed and pulled a blanket over my head. I didn't have the energy to deal with my best friend.
“Come on Lance, I know you’re in there. Your car is in the lot.”
I sighed. “Go away Kenzie!”
The sound of a key in the lock, and I tried to hide under the blanket.
She walked in, then the sound of footsteps stopped. “What the fuck Lance! It stinks in here!”
The blanket couldn’t filter out the light as she opened the curtains, then the windows to let in some fresh air.
“Ah-ha!” she declared right before ripping the blanket off me. “There you are.”
“I thought I told you to go away.”
“Nuh-uh. Not happening. You’re delusional if you think that I’m going to let you wallow in your misery.”
“I like wallowing. I know what to expect from wallowing.”
“Suck it up, buttercup. We’re getting you cleaned up, then we’re going to go do something fun.”
I hissed at her and covered myself with another of the blankets piled on the couch.
“Oh no you don’t!” she declared as she ripped it off me just like the first. “You moved here for a reason, remember?”
