Page 4 of True Sight

Conrad, sweetie, you really need to relax.

Malcolm:

Why are you so tense Conrad? Do you need someone to help you with that? I know LOTS of pretty girls who would maybe love you!

Kolbi:

Sorry for upsetting you Conrad. We’ll go to our own chat.

Let’s go ladies!!

Again, the chat is silent. Once the flurry of texts subsides, I take a breath and pour myself some coffee. As I take the first sip, the bitter taste of the dark black liquid slowly filling me with new life, my phone buzzes again. I close my eyes before looking and take a breath.

Hank:

You go to take a shower for ten minutes and your girl swipes your phone and unintentionally ruffles some feathers. Sorry about that Conrad.

Kolbi:

Flower says sorry too man, she’s worried you’re mad at her.

Malcolm:

Don’t worry, I already spanked Ophie for her part in it all. I don’t think she saw it as a punishment though

I roll my eyes at his text and send a reply.

I’m not mad at anyone, I just don’t want this space to become the metaphorical water cooler at the office. This is our space, our chat. I’d like to keep it that way.

Kolbi:

I think that’s a fair ask. Are we all still good for tonight?

With it being Wednesday, it’s our night to get together and play through another round of our campaign. We’ve carried the same storyline for nearly two years but with Kolbi at the helm, acting as our Dungeon Master, we could go on for another two years without pause. His storytelling abilities are unmatched which is why we leave it to him.

Hank:

My wife and I will be there.

Hank’s propensity to say ‘my wife’ when referring to Bailey could be seen as a slight or some sort of toxic masculinity thing. But if you know him, you know he uses the term proudly as he loves Bailey more than he loves himself and nothing makes him happier than having her as his wife.

Malcolm:

Yup, me and Ophelia too.

We meet every week at Kolbi’s house and since he and Magnolia live together, she will be there by default. All ofmy friends with their significant others and then there’s me. The last lone wolf.

I’ll be there. Does anyone need me to bring anything?

I attempt to joke, trying to make light of the earlier conversation that happened within our chat. I don’t want my friends to think I’m upset with anyone because deep down, I’m not.

Kolbi:

Not from you brother, but Hank could you ask Bailey to ‘bring the book about the cowboy and the flight attendant’ tonight? Apparently she’ll know what that means?

Hank:

Can do, buddy.