Bob made a break for it.
He had evaluated his options, looked for alternatives, and considered the risks, and in in that order. His overwhelming sense of need commanded him to take action. Phil was left behind, but Bob knew he’d be fine, and would catch up. There were moments where he wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do, but he went for it anyway. Now, he was taking a moment to see what Phil did, and wondering what to do next.
“DUDE! WHY DO YOU DO THAT?”
Bob shrugged his shoulders while Phil waited on the other side of 6th Avenue in Aberdeen. Phil kept to his side of the busy four-lane street, while Bob was already safely across and eying their destination. Bob walked up to a light post and leaned for a moment. While not a perfect metaphor for the two of them, it was mostly accurate. Bob took risks, and Phil didn’t. Bob knew what he wanted and how to get it, but Phil played it safe and got by with what he had. Now, Bob was ready for supper, while Phil was waiting to cross a busy street. A few minutes later, Phil was safely across. “What took you so long?”
“Hey, I know how South Dakotans drive. I wasn’t about to cross until I was good and ready. I can’t believe you darted across when you did.”
“Hey, if I’d known you would take so long I would have waited. So, what are you gonna have?” Bob looked back as he asked. The setting sun was shining bright, and Phil was squinting while he responded.
“I’m thinking pancakes.”
“Pancakes?”
“Sure, why not. Maybe they have a steak and eggs kind of meal.”
“Hey, whatever. I just want a burger. Remember, we can’t burn through all our cash just yet.”
Phil kept pace, but Bob’s pace was quickening. He was hungry, and he knew what he wanted. Phil usually didn’t know what he wanted until he saw a menu, which had Bob wondering about where Phil’s head was.
***
Black was the only color visible, but slowly it gave way to an dark, pale gray. Slowly and deliberately, the gray became lighter and lighter until it was white. The white became more defined with a bit of squinting. It was a fluorescent light, and some very ordinary ceiling tile. Tina’s ears started listening for sounds. She heard a beeping, then another kind of beeping, and then some other noises she couldn’t quite make out. She tried to move, but her body was numb almost all over. Her head could barely move, but she saw a fuzzy figure sitting next to her bed, which she was now sure was a hospital bed. She tried to speak, but her voice didn’t sound like her own, and her words didn’t make sense to her. The seated figure moved closer, and Tina squinted harder. “Will?” she croaked out at a barely audible tone. The figure scooted even closer, and she was able to make out Will Hetfield’s face with no problem. The sight of his face was a relief, but the look of concern it was showing troubled her.
