Up until this point, it was assumed that it was a normal day, but when that moment arrived in which Adam Duritz was most certainly present, like, right there in the flesh, he couldn't recall how it had happened.
No matter. He was there, and they were hanging out, and it was great.
Violet and Evan took an instant liking to the guy. It was almost as though they had been listening to his music for as long as Mack had, and he was really quite impressed with that. What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday he thought to himself.
"So what sort of fun is there to do in this sleepy town??" questioned Duritz.
All three of the friends looked at one another, and no one had to say a thing. And somehow, someway, Adam also understood what was going on. He knew where they were going simply by reading the facial expressions. He smirked a light smirk and nodded his head. "Alright" he said. "Let's blow this popsicle stand".
Everyone exited the basement. Mack made it half way up the carpeted stairs before he realized exactly what he was wearing. A T-Shirt was not appropriate for where he was headed. He couldn't possibly wear that to this most spectacular event that he was about to partake in. So, with apologies for needing a minute, he sprung back down the stairs and began searching for any sort of clothing material that he may have left in Evan's basement at some point in the past. He tore the room apart, certain that there was something of his in this little haven. He flew through closets, and checked under the beds and desks. There was this feeling that he had, that the longer he looked, the more likely a sweater or jacket that belonged to him would appear.
After what had to have been 20 minutes of searching, and numerous blows of the car horn from the crew outside, Mack in clear desperation, through off the sheets of Evan's bed. As he clawed at the duvet, he felt something catch in his hands and as he let go of the giant cover, he saw his old hockey jersey, number 14 on the back, fly along with it until they hit the ground silently. That would do fine, he thought to himself, and he grabbed the maroon garment before booking it out to join the rest. It was going to be an alright time after all.
The car ride over to Becca's house seemed non-existent. From the second that Mack stepped foot in the car, he felt as though they had already arrived out in front of the huge mansion where the fun was going to take place.
They all got out of the car, and followed Evan up the driveway to the humongous, arching front entrance. Despite lingering thoughts that Evan and Violet didn't know Becca as well as Mack did, he still was excited that they felt comfortable enough to attend an event like this one. And with Adam in tow, it was going to be even better.
The small Motley ensemble let themselves into the house as per the usual, where they were met by the somber "hellos" of everyone else sitting in the massive living room. Becca was there on the couch seated right next to Richard and the others who Mack wasn't as familiar with. Introductions were made for Adam and he was welcomed kindly with open arms. Becca and Richard didn't really show any particular signs that they were interested in him as a musician, but that did not stop Adam from still taking kindly to them.
Everyone relaxed for the time being, awaiting for the game to start. They all took seats on the giant leather couches, while Becca's many siblings and cousins took the opportunity to bounce on and around the newcomers to the room. It was mountains of confusion all around, but the hectic atmosphere of it all was just part of the experience. Laughing at it all, Mack sat back and sighed a breath of relief.
Unfortunately, the excitement and euphoria was short lived. In a very swift and almost surreal moment, Becca pulled out what was unmistakably the remains of a rather large joint. She placed it out there for everyone to see.
"Anybody in?" she stated rather proudly.
"Is that Egyptian?" Adam queried.
A nod so slight confirmed Adam's suspicions.
Without any hesitation, Adam grabbed it and began puffing away. In this insignificant, if not disappointing exchange, something clicked between Becca and Adam. It was as though the puffing of a refined drug meant that they were now dating. The two could not stop looking into each others eyes throughout the whole ordeal. Stuck in the middle, Mack began to crave something else to happen so he didn't have to sit there in disgust of it all.
Instead of someone changing the subject or the even having the game start, Adam went and confirmed Mack's suspicions, by making his way into the other room, joint in hand, and introducing himself to Becca's parents. Then, as common as it was to introduce himself, he started to share the doob with Becca's father. Mack had had enough of this bizarre interlude and got up to move to another part of the giant house. Surely there was another area in which he could get away from the crazy he just witnessed. It would have been easier to just hang out with Evan and Violet, but alas, the two of them had already had the same idea and were hiding out amongst the house already. Damnit, he thought.
No sooner did Mack reach the massive staircase of the house did he hear the starting horn for the game. "Amazing" he whispered under his breath, and he began to run upstairs to the oversized projector.
Here, at the top of the landing, stood a massive screen where teams were being formed at random for the catastrophic game to begin. It was difficult for anyone to tell how the game was going to play out, as it changed every time they took part. But it was still a lot of fun every time, and that was all Mack was focusing on. The first set of teams were displayed on the board and it continued for several minutes to come. Mack wandered aimlessly around the house, checking back every once in a while to see if his name had come up yet. Everywhere he strolled, little children sped around his waist, attempting to catch one another since they had already been placed on a team.
The minutes turned to hanging moments. And the moments faded into a boring hour. Still, there was no team for Mack. He had taken up fort on the clothes hamper, feeling more statue than human, having the unfathomable amount of players dart by him without even an acknowledge meant. It had been an hour and Evan and Violet hadn't been seen. Mack thought to himself for a long while, considering just leaving and getting something down with his day, leaving the newly disturbing pot-smoking couple and his friends who had probably already left anyway.
He stood up and walked back out the way he came in. He passed by a very high Becca's father, his large beard and pot-belly flailing to the Madonna song that was blasting throughout the house at that exact moment.
The giant arches led Mack back outside where he had to remove his hockey jersey, as it was simply too hot to handle. he was back in a T-Shirt, and unfortunately, that still wasn't going to do. So, very swiftly he opened Becca's garage, and unsuspectingly, stole a rather nice dress shirt which he changed into right then and there. They would never be the wiser he thought. And besides, they could buy a new one no questions asked.
As he shut the garage, and began to walk down the driveway, he noticed her.
They had had class together for the last few years, but had never held any real conversation. Her bleached blonde haircut brushed her shoulders as she caught Mack's glance looking back at her. This was a girl whom he had simply thought was rather cute. But that was it really. Still, he figured it wouldn't hurt to start up a conversation anyway.
"Hey, I didn't know you played?"
"Yeah. First time. Was not all that impressed." she admitted.
Mack gave a small chuckle and agreed. "Definitely not as good as the last few times I've come, that is for sure."
She paused a moment, searching Mack's face for something he couldn't quite get. Then, she blurted almost abruptly, "We've had class together for a long time now, but haven't been introduced. I'm Taylor."
"Mack." he smiled and answered. He reached out his hand for a handshake, and was accepted with an open hand.
The small talk between the two began on good terms. She was proving his first impressions of her for sure though. She had said a couple of things that made him cringe a little inside, confirming his thoughts that this girl was indeed pretty but wouldn't suit him very well as a partner. Still, it was nice to chat with someone new.
They talked about movies and music and friends. They argued over building placement on campus and why Toronto was the perfect/imperfect city to live in. Having no place to go, Mack just kept walking with her until she finally told him that she had a class to get to.
"Yeah, it's just down by the plant." she said.
"That's alright. I'd be happy to walk you there if you wouldn't mind. I kind of have nothing else to do at the moment."
A questioned look and a nod was what Mack got back in return and they turned to keep walking. Very suddenly, Taylor turned back around and looked at Mack square in the face.
"Would you wanna go out some time?? On, like, a date-date??"
Mack was taken aback by this a little. He looked back at her, and kept his composure. He was trying to formulate the perfect answer to answer her with. After a few seconds, he opened his mouth.
"At this second, I am not sure that you and I are a great match for one another... That being said though, you never know. So, sure. I'd definitely like to go, but I hope there's no preconceived notions."
He was trying to read her face to see whether or not that little explanation hit home or not. Taylor was standing almost motionless, blank stare on her face. Finally, as if waking from the shortest coma in the history of man, she emerged with a very kind, "Yeah. That's fine with me."
"Alright." Mack stated, trying to fully process what just took place. "Tonight?? Pick you up at 8??"
"Sounds fine. Here's my info." And she started to state her digits.
In the blink of an eye, Mack had plans for the night, and it really did feel amazing.
The two finished their walk to Taylor's class, before peacing from one another, and leaving the prospect of that night up in the air was a great way for Mack to spend his walk back home. If only he knew where home was.
"Fuck." he thought. In all the distraction of the walk to Taylor's class, he hadn't paid enough attention on how to get back home. He told himself this would happen, and yet he didn't do anything about it.
After unsuccessfully wandering the streets for a couple minutes, Mack made his way to a subway station, hoping he could trace his way back to somewhere more familiar. He passed through the crowded entrance, but was left breathless when he witnessed the 4 story massive structure that stood before his eyes. It was the first subway station that he had ever seen that out-classed half the airports he had ever been into. It was gigantic inside. And he had absolutely no idea where he was supposed to head to.
So, even through the small children, and the biker hillbillies in dumb band T-Shirts with the sleeves cut off, Mack made his way from floor to floor, searching for a way to get out of this city maze that he had got himself in.
And yet, even in the hustle and bustle of this confounded travel central, Mack still was able to find salvation in his day. All he had to do now was find a way to make it out.
Crap.
1 comment:
i was getting really into that, i want to read more!
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