Ch. 4: Part 1

Ted was the guy who owned the convenience store, I found out. Of course he knew Abel. Everybody knew Abel. Abel went in and got the beers as I sat in the car slapping myself over what a pushover I was. I briefly contemplated ditching him while he was inside. But how could I do that to Abel? Geez, I was pathetic.
"Hey. Here ya go." Abel handed me the alcohol. "Park okay? It's such a nice day." He asked but he didn't seem to wait for an answer. Abel babbled on about work and some rumor we were getting raises on the ride there. "Of course, Hank is skeptical. You know he's not such a bad guy. He's just a little rough around the edges. You know he was in the war?"
I just sat there tense and nodded every so often.
When we arrived at the park which was really just a shelter scattered cigarette buds and a rusty swing set with one seat missing. I followed him to the shelter. We both settled on the top of the picnic table, feet perched on the seat, side by side. I stared out at the two hanging chains void of the seat. I handed him his beer without breaking my gaze.
"Thanks."
I nodded.
It really was a nice day. There was a light breeze that cleared the head and a subtle fog that misted in and gave a sort of magical shimmer to the deserted park. The mist carried the minty pine scent of the forest. I suddenly noticed that Abel hadn't been talking this whole time. Which was weird for him. I glanced at him from the corner of my eye. He was starring out at the fog just like me. I went back to looking out at the rusty swing and I heard him take a swig of his bottle.
"So, what's with you Leo?" he asked.
My head whipped sideways. He was still looking straight ahead. I just kind of stared at him. His eyes glanced at me and he turned his head to me slightly when he saw me staring. He raised one eyebrow expectantly. I diverted my attention back out at the swing.
"Nothing." I shrugged, trying to act all nonchalant. Like I didn't know what he was talking about.
"Uh huh." He mused, drawing it out like I had given him a vital piece of information. He bobbed his head slowly.
I let out a long sigh. I fidgeted with the leg of my jeans and stared out, still trying to look chill.
He pursed his lips. "So, what's really going on with you?" This time he turned his head to stare at me pointedly, fully expecting some kind of answer to whatever the hell he was asking. What the hell was he asking? What did he expect me to say? Like I was going to spill my guts to him over one beer. What did he want from me? I just started to just get really freaking pissed.
My face went from uncomfortable to confused. And then I let my face show just how pissed I was. "What the hell does that mean?" I don't really know why I was so mad. It's just, I never did anything to anybody. I just kept to myself and minded my own business. I didn't talk to anybody. And still. Still people couldn't just leave me the fuck alone. I lived in the woods for Pete's sake!
I expected Abel to look all taken aback or hurt or something. And I just really couldn't bring myself to give a shit.
But he didn't look hurt. He didn't even look the least bit phased.
And he just freaking shrugged.
"It means, what's going on with you"
Oh, okay. That clears everything up.
He sighed a little.
"Look, I know something's going on. I just thought you might need to talk about it to someone."
He raise his hands, palms out in front of him.
"No strings attached."
And I was still sort of mad, but when he put it that way...
I briefly thought about how much it would be completely helpful to talk to someone about just everything. I could think it through and it would be so nice to have someone else know. It sucked to keep everything bottled up.
But I wasn't about to tell anyone anything. Cause as much as it sucked to keep everything bottled up, it was safe. And safe was all I had now.
"Sorry." I relaxed my features. "Thanks." I let out a long sigh and leaned forward, leaning my elbows on my knees and intertwined my fingers together. "But, I really am fine."
And he just dropped it. He pursed his lips and bobbed his head for a little bit, then he raised his bottle to his lips and took a long sip. "Okay."
And that was the end of it. We both resumed our gaze out at the fog and he started babbling about something trivial.
I realized I liked Abel more in that moment then I ever had. If I was actually ever gonna have friends again, Abel would be it and I was actually glad I had come.
I let a small smile spread my lips and took another sip of my beer.