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time: tuesday afternoon day: march twenty-fifth place: bailey's bay, bermuda; engel residence. (My brother Warren and I are sharing a six-pack of Landshark Lager and some sentimental conversation. Warren's still in his workout clothing, I've put on some cargo shorts and a dark brown shirt. The waves rise and fall, crashing down on the beach. Rise and fall. It couldn't be any more obvious to me.)(Warren is on the rise...and I'm truly on the fall. People are right. But, that doesn't mean I have to give in, that doesn't mean I have to disappear and let them win. I can still fight, I can still see this through. It won't end well for me, but I'm going to finish what I've started. Warren says something to me, and I turn my eyes to him. I ask him to repeat.) WARREN: I'm moving out. VIRUS: Where to? WARREN: Back to the states. I've still got friends in Pittsburgh, and I found a nice condo there in a good neighborhood. Sommers might not be paying me what they pay you or Joe, but it's enough to live on my own. I don't want to be a burden to you, Mia, and the kid. VIRUS: You're not a burden, Warren. You...wait, did you already sign? WARREN: Yesterday. VIRUS: You said you were just going to visit old friends. WARREN: I did. (I inhale deeply, and then slowly exhale. I take a rather large drink of my beer.) VIRUS: Wh--when are you moving out? WARREN: I can move in this weekend. VIRUS: Do you need any help? WARREN: Ha...not really. I came here with nothing but a bag of clothes and a few personal items. That's all I really have, so furnishing the place will be my only problem when I'm moved in. VIRUS: Well, if you need anything... just let me know. Why didn't you tell me about this? WARREN: I didn't want you to flip out or anything. VIRUS: I'm not flipping out right now, am I? WARREN: Guess not. (He looks at me with concerned eyes, but I don't respond. I simply have another drink.) VIRUS: Well..that's good, man. Good for you. (I finish my beer, and crack open another. I'm obviously irritated he didn't consult with me about this, but I try to hide it behind a bottle of beer. I don't think it's working.) |