Addicted to Plush Brian Haner JR

The water was our music. It rushed down its path. Creating a calm perfect feel. Nothing to block the mind and its thoughts. Melly stood about ten feet from me. Happily fishing as I was. Matt had joined us. He was on her other side. The others on a hike. I would have preferred if it were just me and Melly. I wanted to talk with her. Jenn was right. She needed me but I just didn't know how. Its alright though. Matt didn't bother me. He was quiet when he fished. Something seemed to be on his mind.

Melly: you guys hungry? I brought stuff to make sandwiches.

Brian: yeah I'll take one.

Melly: Matt?

Matt: yes please.

She reeled in her line and started on our food. Still in silence. Jenn. What could she be up to? Not thinking of me. And if she was, it wasn't anything positive. More along the lines of swine. Asshole. It was too soon. I should have waited. But she's still thinking of me. How demented am I? Glad that she is even thinking of me. In a bad way. And I'm ok with that. I shook my head. Clearly I've got issues.

Melly: you alright?

That seems to be an all to common question. You alright? You ok? Some phrase along those lines.

Brian: yes I'm fine.

With an all to common answer. She held a napkin wrapped sandwich.

Brian: thank you.

She smiled and went back to the small cooler. Matt stared into nothing. I wondered what went on in his mind. Lost? Like I feel so many days. He's never been a lost man. He's always known what he wanted. The way the two interacted just...made me frown. There's something I can't see or perhaps I am and I just don't understand. Because seeing them just makes me smile. He snapped out of his staring and smiled at her. Her hand rested on his back. Much like it had on mine.

Melly: Its Rude To Stare!

I flipped her off and she laughed.

Brian: The Fish Are Going To Get Spooked! Shut Up!

Our laughter echoed around us.

Melly: Do Fish Even Have Ears?!

Brian: Yes! Now Shut Up! I Wasn't Staring Either! Merely Just Observing!

More of our laughter filled the silence.

Melly: I Think You're Full Of Shit!

Brian: You're Ruining The Chances Of Catching Fish!!

She flipped me off. I reeled my line in and ate my sandwich.

Melly: this is relaxing.

Brian: way better than fucking hiking that for sure.

Melly: how do you think Zacky is doing?

Matt: huffing and puffing like always.

Me and Matt chuckled.

Melly: you guys tease that boy to much.

Brian: not enough. He's still as annoying as always.

Melly: you two aren't much better.

She rested her head on my shoulder.

Brian: I'm way better. Better at guitar. Better at surfing. Better looking.

Melly: better looking?

She laughed hysterically.

Melly: only you would think that nonsense.

I huffed.

Matt: its nice to have you out here with us.

Brian: it is Melly. Its nice to see you be you.

Melly: what do you mean?

Brian: you're not yourself.

Melly: you aren't either.

To serious to fast. I felt myself get defensive.

Brian: you're the one who's always crying and then denying it.

She pursed her lips and looked at the water. Matt shifted uncomfortably.

Brian: that's what I mean.

She glared at the water now.

Matt: we're just concerned is all.

Melly: shut up Matt!

She snapped. It caught us both off guard.

Melly: its hard enough...without you.

I frowned. She sniffed. She fought hard to hold her tears back. So I did what I thought best. My arms wrapped around her and we sat there. I kissed her head.

Brian: what's hard?

Melly: no.

Brian: no?

Melly: no. That's it no.

Matt: if you tell us-

Melly: Matt!

She snapped again. The tears struggled but she wasn't going to cry. Not infront of us.

Matt: sorry.

I shook my head at him. A warning so she wouldn't snap at him. Once again he looked lost.

Brian: we should head back. We can always come tomorrow.

She nodded and started cleaning up. Me and Matt took a few steps away from her.

Matt: I didn't do anything.

Brian: I never-

Matt: you're giving me a look.

I held my hands up.

Brian: no man.

Melly: I'm heading back you two catch up when you're ready.

She stalked off quickly.

Brian: I've never seen her like that. Its bothering me.

Matt: I know. I can tell. I'm not sure what I did to piss her off.

Brian: I don't think its you.

We cleaned up our gear and headed back.

Brian: you don't know anything? She hasn't told you anything?

Matt: no. I'm more lost than you.

The cabin was quiet when we got there.

Brian: the others aren't back yet.

Matt: waiting on Zack.

We smiled.

Brian: Melly?

I set the fishing gear down and walked in. Matt followed.

Brian: Melly?

She came walking into the living room. A what look on her face.

Brian: just letting you know we're here.

She nodded and went back into the kitchen.

Matt: you should talk to her.

Brian: that didn't work last time.

Matt: I can't do it. She'll yell at me.

I went into the kitchen. She stood at the sink. Staring out the window.

Melly: I dread when they come back.

I turned towards her. She looked at me.

Melly: I am dreading when they come back.

She stressed. I didn't understand. She shook her head. What do I say to that?

Melly: that's so sad.

A sigh left her mouth.

Brian: why? I dread seeing Zack again.

Melly: I don't mean it the same way.

Brian: I wish you'd explain it to me.

She shook her head and walked out. This is not the weekend get away I wanted. I've got my own battles to work out in my mind. I grabbed a couple beers and went into the living room. Empty.

Brian: Matt?

No response.

Brian: Melly?

Great Matt is probley trying to make her feel better. She's probley not listening. Outside they stood. Together. His hands on her arms. His eyes on her face. Comforting her. I leaned in the door frame. Watching. He spoke to her. She wouldn't answer. Her head shook and she walked away. Matt rubbed the back of his neck.

Brian: here...

I held the beer to him.

Matt: thanks.

I could hear the others starting to get close. Loud. Disruptive. My eyes waited to see them.

Jimmy: dudes! You missed out!

Brian: I'm sure we did.

Jimmy: you did!

Brian: let me guess Zacky almost had a stroke. Fuckin' fat ass.

Jimmy: no Johnny fell and smashed his face.

My eyes widened as the rest of the guys came into view.

Matt: awww poor Johnny got a boo boo.

He flipped him off.

Johnny: I just tripped and whatever.

Brian: you got blood on your shirt.

Johnny: I know. I used it to clean my nose.

James: where's Melly?

Melly: I'm right here. Oh...Johnny!

Johnny: Melly I'm fine.

Melly: you're covered in blood! This is like old times. Can't we ever come up here and have one of you not get hurt?

We all chuckled a little. She's good at hiding herself.

Zacky: it just wouldn't be Big Bear if we didn't.

Melly: come on Johnny let's get you cleaned up.

Brian: how did he fall?

Jimmy: tripped.

Brian: on a rock?

Zacky: none of us actually saw what he tripped on.

Matt: right.

Jimmy: but it was funny. Yo dude I fuckin' fell.

He laughed at his own impression. James walked off into the cabin. We all watched him quietly.

Zacky: something is not right.

Jimmy: not at all. He was so...

Zacky: on the defense or some shit.

I looked back at the cabin. I'm supposed to be clearing my mind. Refreshing my thoughts. Coming up with a way to convince Jenn I'm not a vulture. Picking at her loneliness.

Melly: NO!

She screamed as she stormed out of the cabin. The guys went mute. James followed. His face in an angry frown. She went still as she looked over at us. The sound of outdoors was all that was heard for that moment. Her face was flustered. She looked back at her husband. They exchanged some words then she walked off down one of the many trails. He stood there. Motionless. My feet carried me to his side.

Brian: is everything ok?

James: everything is fine.

Brian: ofcourse it is.