Jason sat next to his friend on the floor of the cottage porch, enjoying the breeze of the early morning air.
They each held a bottle of beer, drinking it with each other as they talked.
“You always had the best taste, Jason.” Alex said, taking a long drink of the bitter stout.
“Fucking unreasonable ABV though.” Jason chuckled as he slipped, “9% will show you the men from the boys, Alex.” Alex slapped his shoulder.
“Jason, you’ve got some problems, man.” Alex said, half joking, half serious.
“Forest people is one thing, waking up in the middle of things is another.
That’s dangerous man.” “I know, brother.” Jason said.
“But I am not sure how to fix that.” “Maybe you just need to unwind.
You’ve been holding onto so much shit over the years.
Let it all out.
Go drink, break shit, tell me about it, don’t, whatever helps.” Jason agreed, talking to Alex has significantly eased his mind, “One thing keeps sticking with me though, Alex.” “One thing?” Alex joked.
Jason laughed, “Well, one thing and then some, but this one thing, it’s just weird.
I saw Marie in the coffee shop, Jonathan too, then I woke up killing those guys, then I woke up convinced you were drugging me with Fenris and Marie, and now Fenris is dead, Marie and Jonathan exist, but they’re married and have a kid.
So, I dreamed or hallucinate people that exist, but not how they exist.
I don’t understand that.” Alex took a drink, “Yeah, that is pretty odd.
Maybe you saw his name in Ramirez’s office?
I don’t know.” Jason took a drink, “Yeah, that makes sense.
I don’t remember taking anything for a while man, I checked the cottage, and I have nothing to take, so I can’t explain it.” “You’ve been holding onto shit that makes grown men crumble, Jason, but you just push it down.
I talk to Lydia, she helps me a lot.
Who do you talk to?
Really talk.” Alex made a good point.
“You always were the smart one.” Alex grinned, “Yeah, one of us had to be, or you’d have bitten through an electrical cord and fried your own ass long ago.” “Fuck off!” Jason laughed.
“Seriously though, man, you should talk.” Jason sighed, “Working on it, brother.” Alex thought for a bit.
“You know, Jason, it’s against my better judgement for sure, I mean, you did drag me into a triple homicide, but I think you should move back in with me and Lydia.” Jason appreciated the offer, “I don’t think that’s a good idea yet man.” Alex chuckled, “Fuck, I don’t either, but if we can keep an eye on you, make sure you arent5doing anything stupid, you can start making some progress.” Jason thought about it for a second, “I don’t know, Alex.
I’ve already caused enough problems.” “The problems you caused when you lived with us were far less than the ones you caused when I kicked you out.
At least before I didn’t have to help you cover up murder.” Alex chuckled.
“Fair point.” Jason admitted.
“Alright.
I’ll do it, but don’t expect me to act like we’re on Oprah every day.” Alex laughed and hugged the rest of his beer.
“Not at all.
Wake me up at 3am again and I’ll kick your ass.” Alex chuckled as he slapped Jasons arm again.
“Yeah, if you still can.” Jason teased.
Alex started toward his car.
“Where’d you get the Cobalt?” “No idea man.” Jason admitted.
Alex paused, looked at Jason, and shook his head.
“You’re a handful man.
Ditch it.” Jason left the keys in the driver side door, getting into Alex’s car and they drove off toward Alex’s house.
As they drove, Jason felt something in his waistband.
He grabbed it, a pistol.
“Is this yours?” Jason asked.
Alex studied it, “Nope, got mine.” He patted his holster.
Jason set it on Alex’s dashboard.
“Yours if you want it.”