I wasn’t planning on being here all night. Hanging out with Rob at the bowling alley.
His treat.
Supposed to be bowling not sitting around drinking.
We’ve run into a couple of his friends.
Drinking. Why am I drinking with him? I’m dead broke;
I should be quitting. Oh well.
My beer’s almost done. I hope he buys me another one or we go soon.
Another one would be good.
Who the hell are these guys anyways?
I think he knows the skinny guy from that apartment in Angus. He’s loaded.
He “loves my sister,” – well good for you; get over it buddy. What’s he talking about now? What’s wrong with him? Is he crying? He is. What’s he crying about?
“Rob, I’m dying.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m dying, Rob.
I’ve got bladder cancer.
I’m dying.”
Why’s this guy drinking if he’s got bladder cancer? Quit the booze, man, don’t give up.
Now where’s Rob going?
“Rob, Rob, wait up!”
Great, now it’s just me and this big guy. He’s been pretty quiet. Guess I should say something. I can’t believe that guy’s dying, that’s nuts, I think he said he was 29.
“Does your friend really have bladder cancer?”
“Yeah.”
“Shouldn’t he quit drinking then?”
“Yeah, but he doesn’t want to.”
“Oh.”
Jeeze. I wonder how well Rob knows that guy. The apartment in Angus was what, three years ago?
“I only have half a brain.”
“Oh, really.”
Okay, what’s this guy talking about?
“I’m serious.
I was in a car accident ten years ago
and I lost half my brain.
I have a plate in my head,
– you can hear it; listen.”
Why is this guy telling me this – and tapping his head? What the fuck?!?
“Can you hear it?”
“Yeah – that sucks. I would never have known.”
Oh my God. What the hell am I supposed to say to that. Half a brain? Sure he seemed a little slow but…sure sounds like there’s a plate in there. Where does Rob meet these guys?
“Well you’ve certainly come a long way then.”
“Yep.”
“Because you didn’t give up, right, and good for you. Cheers to that.”
“Right. Cheers!”
“You should always have hope, right? I mean, just look at you, – you never gave up hope and here you are, ten years later. Doing great, right?”
“Yep!”
“That’s why your buddy’s got to quit drinking. He shouldn’t just give up hope. He should be strong like you were, right?”
“Right!”
“Alright then. I’m gonna go and check on Rob and your buddy – see what’s going on.
Well, that was weird. Now where did they go. Not over there – must be in the washroom. I could really go for another beer. There’s his friend; by the washroom like I thought. Guess Rob’s inside.
“Hey man, what’s going on?”
“Rob’s upset.”