There's A Body On The Floor

“There’s a body on the floor.”

“I know.” Naomi picked her teeth.

“There’s blood on the walls. I can’t let you do this if you don’t clean up after yourself.”

“What’s the point of it?”

“What’s the point of what?”

“Existence.”

“Are you on drugs?”

“I have better things.”

“So you are on drugs.”

“What difference does it make?”

“You tell me.”

“You’re the smarter one.”

“I made a few mistakes. So what? Everyone does”

“Did you meet him again?”

“He found someone else.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.”

“He’s a good guy.”

“No. Anyways, how's Mom?”

"Haven't talked to her in months."

"I thought you used to."

"They have cancer."

"Both?"

"Yeah."

"Since when?"

"It's been a year." 

"You didn't think to tell me?"

"I was sick."

"How serious is it?"

"They're dying this week."

"Did they pay off the debt?"

"No."

"Pass the salt."

"Why?"

"I want to put salt on his wounds."

"The body?"

"Yeah."

"Okay."

"Don't take drugs."

"I was kidding."

"Naomi. I'm serious.'

"Fine."

"Good."

"Call Mom."

"I lost my phone."

"You're irresponsible."

"Sorry."

"It's okay."

‘You’re a good brother.

“You pay rent?”

“I work at a pizzeria nearby.”

“Oh.”

“He’s getting married.”

“You okay?”

“I don’t know.”

“I love you.”

“Thanks.”

“Let’s watch Friends.”

“I don’t have a TV.”

We’ll watch it on the phone.”

“I’ll get chips.”

“I got a promotion. At work. You should come someday.”

“Overachiever.”

“You deserve better.”

‘We all do.”

***