2019-06-01 - Fallback crutch

The row of empty beer bottle sits just behind the laptop on the coffee table in the sparse modern apartment. It's relatively early in the night to be in so deep but it's Monday night and that means it's time for a video chat. Easton takes a few deep breaths as if to steady himself before he clicks on the link and starts up the webcam.

"UNCLE EASTER!"

Easton's face breaks into a grin, as wide as he can make it and calls back with as much enthusiasm as he can muster "D-Rizzle!"

The young face on the other end moves out of the way to reveal his mother behind who says a much more subdued hello.

"Hey Jenny, good to see you." Easton's concentration on smiling, on forcing himself to not look up from the screen lends a palpable tense undertone to the atmosphere of the apartment. It doesn't help that on the other side of the laptop, in front of flat screen tv, literally the only thing adorning any wall in the apartment, the ghost of his dead best friend paces. "Did you get the check this month?" It's always his first question.

"Yes, thank you, and you can stop worrying, we're doing fine." Here Doug, or as Easton calls his 'nephew' D-Rizzle chimes back in "And thanks for the mitt! My birthday isn't until next month though!"

The conversation continues apace with Easton forcing himself to smile and maintain eye contact and not let awkward silences hang for a few minutes, catching up with how their week has been and what Doug's most excited about doing this summer. It's only when Jenny gets a small hitch in her voice talking about their fourth of July plans that he tenses up. He knows what a big deal this was for them. He tries to brace himself for it, but when she has to wipe away a tear as she says, "And Tom fuc- .. sorry, he really loved the fourth." Easton finally has to look away, jaw clenching just slightly.

Unfortunately looking away means that Banks, the ghost of Tom, can catch his eye and start gesticulating wildly. He points at Easton and then the laptop, making both walking, and driving "signs" back and forth. It's clear even without formalized ASL that he wants Easton to go visit, to be there for the fourth. Easton trying not to get distracted first tries to wave him off, which looks weird so that turns into a super awkward putting his hand through his hair and then finally a cough as he rallies.

"You'll get through it. I know it won't be the same Jen. And I would come out, but the bar here is doing a big event thing and it looks like I'm stuck here this year. But I'll come out soon." He allows his eyes to flick up once, though seeing Tom's face it's clear that at least he doesn't believe him, so he tries to reassure the living spouse, "I will."

"But I gotta go. I'm working tonight" Again Easton tries to ignore Tom mouthing LIAR at him, as he says his goodbyes and closes out the call.

"Fuck you! You think that's shit's easy?! I am doing my goddamn best here Banks, and I don't need you fucking around in background while I try to keep my shit together and put on damn happy face for your wife and kid. I said I would look after them and this is me, looking after them. So fuck off!" Easton is standing now yelling at a ghost, or at the wall depending on your point of view. He points angrily with one hand, looking for all the world like he might throw a punch with the other, as if that weren't a completely fruitless endeavor.

Banks for his part is not taking this quietly. Well, as much as a ghost who doesn't seem able to speak can do anything loudly. His mouth rapidly moves obviously telling Easton off, probably very colorfully with the full arsenal of military grade cussing at his disposal. It goes on for quite some time, he also approaches Easton, fists clenched and raging. They both know they can't hit one another which makes these fights so much worse than before. A little bust up usually cleared the air, maybe broke a nose or sprained a wrist but usually ended in them laughing and getting along. But that release is gone and now it's just two people yelling at each other, only one's on mute and dead.

But then suddenly an empty bottle shakes off the table and launches itself at Easton catching him right about the eye as Tom's voice breaks over the room calling Easton a ".. limp-dicked, sack of used assholes, mother-fu.."

The voice fades and the two men just stop. Easton looks at the empty bottle that is now spinning harmlessly on the wood floors. He touches the little trickle of blood above his eye and looks at Banks. "What the fuck was that?"

Tom tries his new found voice only to find that he's been placed on mute once more. He mouths that he doesn't know and punctuates it with a shrug and starts to stifle some silent laughter.

Easton too breaks into a grin and then a laugh and then he's laughing so hard he has to sit down. He grabs an unopened beer and pops it. He takes a sip and continues to laugh though it's taken on a bit of a ragged edge to it. He leans his head back against the couch and looks off to the side as he states, "I'm .. actually going crazy. Super."

Tom continues to laugh silently, with the look of someone who probably shouldn't be laughing, but it's pretty damn funny.