Devon paced back and forth in his living room, staring blankly at the posters on his wall depicting various video games and movies including Aliens, Predator, and Grand Theft Auto V.
How did things get this bad?
he wondered to himself in a semi state of self defeat.
He had just turned 25 the week prior, a fact he kept hidden from anyone who didn't already know. 25, right? He figured it's pretty much over at that point, in terms of "good birthdays." His birthday didn't fall far behind him getting laid off of his job at a local FedEx in their accounting office. Getting lucky and getting a decent job out of high school, he never bothered with college or the like, and threw all of his chips into the new job that allowed him to move out of his parents house.
Devon let himself sink onto his battered couch. There in front of him (amid a few empty bottles of vodka and his trust shotglass) was a pile of bills unpaid - rent, power, cell phone, car payment, car insurance, you name it. The last thing in the world he would do was even consider for a moment asking his parents for help - who had told him this would happen if he didn't get into college and get serious about thing, of course. There was one person who might be able to help him, but he certainly didn't want to be a burden.
Jason. Jason had been his best friend for many years, since first grade up until the end of middle school. They remained in touch after that, but his parents moved to another city and he was thrust into a different high school. It was never the same after that, of course.
Suddenly, Jason's cell phone lit up. He was getting a call. It was Shannon, his girlfriend. He winced a bit as he picked it up. Their last "dinner date" had pretty much ended up in an ultimatum - get it together or she was gone. He decided to answer.
"Shannon! How are you, baby?"
"Don't you 'baby' me," she said. Through clenched teeth, he imagined. "Did you get a job today or not?"
Devon faltered a little. "Ehm... no. I did get a second interview scheduled for next Monday. But hey, how about we go out tomorrow? We can hit the beach, or see a movie. You know, Alien: Romulus is actually getting really good earl -"
"Yeah, yeah, same old shit. I'm sorry, Devon. I'm really sorry. Nope! I think we're done here. For real this time. You can tell your mother."
Devon furrowed his brow and rubbed it a little. "Just like that?"
"Yeah. Just like that. Loser." She hung up.
Devon just sat there a while, the phone in his hand. He wasn't lost in his thoughts, as he didn't have any. He was totally blank. The universe had seemingly up and pulled the rug out from under him. He'd considered himself a pretty good employee at the FedEx, and overall a pretty good boyfriend to Shannon. He'd never cheated, never even batted an eye at another woman.
He walked to the bathroom and stared at his reflection in the mirror. He kept himself in moderately good shape. Exercised on the regular. His shortly cropped brown hair was kept in good condition. His hazel eyes may need contact lenses, but he was often told they were his best attribute. He leaned forward a bit, as if looking into himself.
"Jason, huh. After all this time. I guess there's no way around this?" With that, he peed and then returned to the living room. He poured himself one more shot of vodka - Tito's, of course - and collapsed back into the couch. He grabbed the phone again and dug up Jason's contact. He just sat there for a while, with his finger dancing above the "CALL" button. Finally he pulled the trigger.
It rang. And it rang. And then...
"Hello? Devon? Wow, really, it's you?"
Devon paused a moment. Smiled. "Yeah, it's me. How are you?"
"I'm good! Very good, man. It's good to hear from you!"
The idea of someone happy to hear from him kind of warmed Devon a bit. Broke him a little out of his reverie. "You too! Hey, uh... can we meet up tomorrow? I'm kind of in a pickle. I hate to even ask, but maybe I need a little help?"
"Hey, bro, say no more. Come on over tomorrow! How about like 4?"
"Thanks, man. I'll be there. We'll catch up."
"Sounds good! Hit me when you're on the way."
"I will! Take care."
Devon hung up. A smile started to grow on his face. It was so nice to talk to a friendly voice, particularly one that had been so special to him growing up.
---
The next day came all to fast. Devon had parked on the street and walked up the driveway to Jason's apartment. Climbed the stairs to the second floor. Apartment 2B, his text had said. He wasn't sure why he was so hesitant to knock, but for some reason he found himself totally awkward. If he had to say it was like something, it was like he was about to see someone for a first date. It was weird. He shook his head, slapped his cheeks lightly, and got a grip.
He knocked. Within 10 seconds, Jason answered the door.
"Devon! Wow! So great to see you again, bro!"
Jason was standing there in a tanktop (it was summer and it was rather hot, after all) and loose shorts. He had blond hair, a little bit longer than Devon's hair, and a little bit more than a 5 o'clock shadow as far as stubble went. He was a bit taller than Devon, probably at about 5'10" above Devon's height of 5'8". Devon had actually forgotten about Jason's rather piercing blue eyes. He was even more fit than Devon and even seemed like he'd put on a good deal of muscle over the years.
"Hi there, Jason!"
"Bring it in!"
The two hugged and clapped each other on the back, good-naturedly. Brotherly, even.
"Hey, come on in," Jason invited, welcoming him inside his apartment.
