KAM
I wait impatiently on our front porch for Kam to pick me up. He is usually on time. I wonder why he is running late. It is always a good time whenever Kam and I meet up. According to my iPhone’s weather app, it might rain today. We will have to do an indoor activity. Kam and I have not seen each other for over two weeks. I get anxious planning for activities with anyone I have not been around for quite some time. The movie Sonic is out. We can go to the movies and watch that, but Kam does not like watching movies. Things at the movie usually end up with him sleeping in front of the screen. Maybe we should go to the arcade at Dave and Buster’s, actually, let’s see what he Has in mind.
I move to the front of the gate after hearing an engine sound. A silver sedan pulls up. It looks rustic, and a bit washed out. The engine sounds like an old man’s cough. It definitely needs a wash. Wait, it is his mother’s car. He has never been street smart, so I can hardly imagine how he manages to get the car from his mom. He flings the co-driver’s door open and gestures for me to enter. Despite the way it looks on the outside, it is as comfortable as I remember it. The seats are perfectly inclined. A rosary hangs above the dashboard.
“How are you doing, Bero?” he has sunglasses on, and I can barely see his slit eyes. He leans in for a hug. He looks exactly like he did last week. Black sweats, blue sliders, unkempt hair, and a stench begins to terrorize my nostrils.
“Bero don’t make it gay now,” I slither away, smiling. We can barely catch up over Eminem rapping on the car’s speakers.
“3rd year students do not shower these days?” I inquire.
“Come on, man. I was in a rush. Plus, I have just come from conditioning practice.”
“How is basketball? Are you finally Kam Curry?” I laugh.
“Haha, really funny, man. I have an injury on my shoulder. But don’t worry, I am always Kam Curry when it gets to me beating your ass”. We both laugh uncontrollably.
“So, where are we going?” I ask.
“I cannot stay out for too long. Mom wants me to drop her car off for servicing after we finish.” He replies
“It is your birthday, man. You get to choose where we go,” I reply, bringing my hand forward for a shake. The least I can do is pay for the activities today.
“I can make a collection out of all the gifts you give me on my birthdays,” I tease.
“How about we go to the museum?”
“Are you sure you can handle all that knowledge in a day?” I ask with a semi-serious look on my face.
“How about I buy a pack of beers, and we take it back to your place in Mississauga?” he replies.
“You know that is far from here, and you won’t make it in time to give the car back to your mom. She will not lend you the car again.”
“Shit, I forgot about my mom, you’re right the last thing I want is her yelling at me.”
“I do not want to annoy her, especially not today.”
“What has today got anything to do with it, man. You are always afraid of getting into trouble.”
“We can go to the arcade then. I really like the games there, and there is mortal Kombat: Armageddon, your favorite,” he smiles.
“Alright, man. Whatever you say today is your day after all.”
“Just promise me you will not get on any ponies.”
“Go to hell, Bero. I enjoy child-like games, but I am not a teenage girl. Go ahead, make fun of me.”
I could tell him off some more like I usually do or tease him for being a baby in a man’s body, but I decide not to, well, at least not today. I honestly do not know how he and I are friends. We are quite different, but I think that is why it works. Our friendship is as reliable as any other.
“Oh! No! I can never make fun of your old chap,” I add sarcastically as he makes a U-turn heading for the plaza.