The Void by Bryan Healey Read Free Book Online Page A

little?" I confess.
    "You were. Have you been drinking?"
    He's looking right at me...
    "No, officer," I lie, "I just had a bit of a fight with my
father and am not thinking clearly."
    A good lie...
    He stares at me, looks into my backseat, into my passenger seat, and
then back to me. Then back to my documents. Then back to me.
    "I'll be right back," he says and disappears.
    I'm breathing heavily now, anxious; he's going to ask me to do a
field sobriety test, I am certain of it. Will I be able to pass it? I
feel alright, but it suddenly occurs to me that I
have
had
more than my usual fare of drinks. But I was watching football!
    Everyone enjoys themselves during the game!
    "Here," the officer suddenly appears and hands me my paperwork,
looking stern but comfortable. "Do me a favor and drive carefully
the rest of the way home, will you?"
    "Yes, sir!" I nearly shout.
    And then he turns, walks back to his car, gets in, puts his left
blinker on, pulls into traffic and disappears down the road and out
of sight. And I sit there, still breathing heavily, trying to
comprehend how I managed to escape without so much as a ticket?
    I must be a lucky man...
    "Good morning," Jenny's voice pulls me from the car and into her
sweet grace. "How is he doing? Is he okay?" She asks.
    "Mrs. Aaron-"
    "Just tell me he is okay..."
    "Uh," and a heavy sigh. "He is okay."
    "Thank you," Jenny mumbles.
    I'm so happy you're here!
    "I love you, Max!"
    I love you, too, Jenny!
    "Brian is coming by again later today."
    Good! I need to hear more from him, before the end comes. Whenever
that is...
    I'm hungry...
    "He's actually going to come and stay with me for a little while.
A few months maybe."
    He's moving back home?
    "We talked about it last night, and he agreed to help me...
arrange... everything..." And she trails away, voice cracking; then
she coughs and laughs. "I never expected this. Life is a strange
thing, isn't it?"
    Strange... That's a way to put it...
    "I think he's going to take the Camaro."
    Good! Don't sell my car!
    Keep it in the family!
    "He's always wanted it, and I have no need for it. He freaked when
I told him I was thinking of selling it." And she laughs.
    I remember buying that car; it was a beautiful, sunny Saturday,
driving to the address that I found in the newspaper, boasting a
cheap sports car for sale.
    I needed a new car.
    "Good afternoon!" I smile at the man.
    "Howdy!"
    "I hear you have a car for sale?"
    "Indeed, I do," he beams and motions for me to follow him into
his garage. Briefly, I consider that maybe he is going to kill me,
and I wonder if I would be able to defend myself...
    But then his garage door opens, and before me is the most gorgeous
hunk of metal and leather that I have ever seen, glistening with the
little sunlight suddenly available from the outside opening.
    It was black, convertible.
    It smelled magnificent.
    I would have paid him whatever he asked...
    "He always loved that car."
    I'm glad he'll have something from me...
    "Remember when he stole it to go to that after game party with his
friends?"
    Oh, Jesus...
    "I don't think I've ever seen you so angry."
    He reminded me of myself.
    I both loved and hated that.
    "You know, people must think I'm crazy, talking to you like this.
I may as well be talking to a pillow, you know? You may as well not
be here."
    But I can hear you!
    "I can't help myself, Max. This is all I have left of you. This...
shell... this... body... it's all there is. And I only have it for a
little while longer with it. Only a few weeks... to see you... like
you are..." Her voice cracks, a sudden sob. "I... I..." she
mumbles, starting to cry. "I don't know what I'll do without you,
Max!"
    I hear sheets ruffle, but I do not hear any further crying. Is she
stifling her crying, or has she composed herself? Is she laying on
me?
    Is she touching my face?
    Of all my senses, I miss touch the most...
    "I really hope you're somewhere, anywhere, waiting for me. I
really hope I can see you again."
    I