American Idiot: The Story, chapter 12
Every Friday I got paid. I kept paying the people at the motel for another week. Eventually about a month passed and I decided I should go and check in on my old home.I decided it was then that I should go and check in my old home. I walked into the hangout and smiled. It didn't change. Well, I doubt anything much could change in a month. I walked around a bit and then I saw my old friends. Just then they seemed to notice me. They all ran up to me.
"Jesus! Hey! Where the Hell have you been?" asked Kaibe
"I got a job. And I've been living in a motel" I answered
"What? Come over here in 'The Corner' and tell us about it" said Nige. I walked over to "The Corner" and sat down. I lit up a cigarette and they all stared intently at me.
"So, why did you leave?" asked Tice
"Remember when I said we should go out and get jobs and lives? Well I decided it was time I should try it"
"I thought you were just kidding" said Kaibe
"Of course I wasn't! You all know we can't live here forever! I found this job on East 12th Street. It's a facility. I fill out paperwork all day long. I get a pretty good pay."
"Isn't it borin' workin' there all day? Wouldn't you much rather hang out with us, mate?" asked Jaze
"Of course! It's boring as Hell, but I'm starting the life I've always wanted. Fine, I never thought I would work over there either, but it's a start." I explained
"Jesus, come one! Come and live with us again! It's not the same without you! We're all missing you and we all took care of each other here! There's no one to watch your back when your all alone!" said Nige
"Guys, I gotta do this! It's my desicion!"
"Jesus, come on!" said Tice
"Look, I'll visit you guys. This place will be like my second home! I've had so many good memories, I can't leave it forever! This place saved my life, so I won't abandon it! I'll come back, I promise!"
"Well, stay with us for the weekend. You left all your junk in your room, you can still sleep there" said Kaibe
"Yeah, maybe I'll come every weekend. Or anydays I don't have work!"
"At least we'll see you then, mate" said Jaze
"Now, 'ow about we go back to old times and smoke a couple joints? What do you say mates?" I said imitating Jaze's accent
They all laughed and agreed. We drank, smoked and laughed the night away. I loved this and I wished I could go back to it, but I kept telling myself I couldn't. At around 1:00 am, we all decided to go to bed. I looked around my room and smiled. I opened my drawer and saw the picture of Whatsername. I looked at it for a few minutes and stuffed it away in my pocket. I saw another picture of me and all the other guys. I looked at it and then put it away. I lay down and closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning I woke up at 9:00. I was glad I could get up later now. I washed up and went downstairs. All my friends were there, so I went over. We started talking about different stuff until I had to go to my motel for a bit. I promised them I would come back. When I got there I took a shower and washed my hair. After that I sat on my bed and felt something in pocket. I realized it was the picture and took it out. I looked at it. I missed Whatsername so much. I just kept wondering where she could've went. I turned on the TV and changed it to "Spike TV". They weren't playing anything interesting, and even if they were, I wasn't paying attention. my mind was on Whatsername. I poured myself a cup of coffee and drank it in one gulp. Eventually, I eneded up drinking almost 10 cups, and I became restless and agitated. Whatsername's words kept pounding in my head...
I fell asleep while watching "Spike TV"
After 10 cups of coffee
And your still not here
Dreaming of a song,
But something went wrong
And you can't tell anyone,
'Cuz no one's here
Left me here alone,
When I should've stayed home
After 10 cups of coffee
I'm thinking....
Where'd you go?
"Nobody likes you, everyone left you
They're all out without you, havin' fun
Everyone left you, Nobody likes you
They're all out without you, havin' fun"
Where'd you go?
I decided to leave the motel and go back to the hangout. Everyone was in the corner, laughing their asses off. I asked them what was going on and they said Dizz spilled some beer. They were definitly stoned. I sat down and smoked a joint too. I looked around and I felt something was missing. Nige, Kaibe, Jaze, Tice and Dizz were there....so who was missing? How could I forget? Tunny! I looked around the hangout and I didn't see him. I thought he went out, but then I realized I didn't see him yesterday either.
"Hey guys, where's Tunny?" I asked slowly
"Uhh....I dunno. Where is he?" said Nige, He sounded stoned
"Umm....not here" said Kaibe. He was stoned.
"Guys, I'm serious. Where is he?" I said
"I think he left" said Dizz
"Where did he go?" I asked
"No, mate. 'E's gone. 'E didn't say a word, just left. I don't know where 'e went. But it's been almost a month now." said Jaze
"What? What does that mean? Where would he go?" I said
"No idea" said Tice
"Have you tried looking for him?" I asked
"Hell, yeah, we tried! Tunny's like our best friend! We went all over the place. Even to other hangouts like these, to see if maybe he was trading some drugs and was in trouble, but no. He wasn't there" said Kaibe
"I don't get it. Why would Tunny leave? He said he loves it here. It doesn't make sense." I said. I was getting angry. Tunny was our best friend, but all of a sudden he decides to leave without a word? Why would he leave? Would he ever come back? Maybe he was in trouble. All these thoughts kept popping up into my head. Tunny was one of the people who helped me get away from my old life and start a much better one. I owed him my life. I felt like I had to do something. I got up and looked around. The guys looked at me and I looked back at them. They didn't seem to care as much as I did. And they knew Tunny longer than me. Maybe they really didn't care or maybe they were just to stoned to realize what was going on.
"Jaze, give him the letter." said Dizz
"Oh, yeah." Jaze took a letter out of his pocket "I forgot to give it you, Jesus. Sorry 'bout that. But I promise, no one 'ere read it." I grabbed the letter he was holding out for me. I looked at it and realized, it was a postcard. And for some reason it was adressed to St. Jimmy, but it said "Room #12" on it. I quickly read it and saw that it didn't make much sense, until I saw who it was from.
Dear J,
I got a rock and roll band
I got a rock and roll life
I got a rocka nd roll girlfriend
And another ex-wife
I got a rock and roll house
I got a rock and roll car
I play the shit out of the drums
And I can play the guitar
I got a kid in New York
I got a kid in the Bay
I haven't drank or smoked nothin'
In over 22 days
So get off of my case
-Tunny
My eyes opened wide. Tunny sent it. Why did he adress it to St. Jimmy? I saw the guys trying to see the postcard. I looked up at them and back at the letter. I understood it. Tunny must've thought about what I said. About going to college, going to get a real job, about getting a good life. Tunny wrote that he had kids, an ex-wife, a girlfriend, and he stopped drinking and smoking. I smiled, I guess I inspired him. I looked back at the guys.
"He started a new life" I said, simply
"What do you mean?" asked Nige
"Remember before I left? We talked about our lives. I said we should get real jobs and stuff. I guess Tunny was the only one who listened to me"
"But, Tunny thought you were crazy! He said he would stay here!" said Kaibe
"Well, maybe he had some time to think about it and decided I was right" I said
"No! Tunny didn't! I bet he just went away for a bit! He'll come back!" said Nige
"It says in the postcard. Here, read it" I handed them the postcard. Kaibe grabbed it and they all read it. He slowly put it down on the table in front of us and looked at me.
"He is gone." said Kaibe "Tunny is our best friend. He started this place. He helped me. He took me in when I was cold, dirty, hungry and alone. He took me in when no one else did. And now he's gone" Kaibe said and he fell on the floor. He punched it until his knuckles got red and a trickle of blood fell from one.
"Kaibe, get a hold of yourself! Tunny might come back!" said Nige
"And he might not!" said Kaibe
"Kaibe, your acting like he's God or something! Even if he is gone, we can still live without him!" said Dizz
"No we can't! This place will fall apart! Tunny took care of everything here! And he left! And you know what? It's all Jesus's fault! Why did you have to say all that bullshit? If you wanna go and get a better life, then go do it! But don't drag other people into it too! Maybe we all like it here!" shouted Kaibe
"Kaibe, I was just saying what I thought! I wasn't trying to force anyone into doing it!" I said
"Jesus is right! It's not his fault Kaibe! Tunny's the one who made the decision!" said Nige
"But if Jesus never brought it up, Tunny would be here!" said Kaibe. Just then he got up and lunged towards me. I fell on the floor and Kaibe punched me really hard in the face at least five times before Nige, Jaze and Dizz could pull him off. Tice came over to me and put his arm around my back to help me sit up. My nose and lip were bleeding and my whole face hurt like Hell.
"Kaibe! I don't know why your getting so upset! If Tunny was gone for a whole month, you should've done something then! I don't know why you're beating me up! It's not gonna bring Tunny back!" I said wiping my mouth. Kaibe tried to come at me again, but the guys had a strong hold on him. Finally he stropped struggling and the guys slowly let go of him. He looked at me for a long time.
"Jesus, I'm so sorry. Your right, it's not your fault. I'm just so mad." Said Kaibe
"He probably knew you guys could live without him. And he never said goodbye, because he knew you guys wouldn't let him leave. But it's okay, you guys can still make it. I'm sure he would want you guys to continue with this place" I said
"Yeah..."
"I'm just gonna go to the bathroom and clean up. Talk to Kaibe for a bit" I whispered to Nige. I gave Tice a nod and he let go of me. Igot up, went upstairs and in the bathroom. I looked in the mirror and my face was covered in blood. It was going down my face and onto my shirt. I spat in the sink and a whole bunch of blood came out. I washed my face and felt a sharp pain on my cheek. I knew it was going to make a bruise. I went back down and saw the guys sitting. I walked over to them and sat down too.
"Why are you guys so miserable? You're going to have to move on, you know" I told them
"We know. It's just, we don't feel like 'The Underbelly' anymore. We can't call ourselves that." said Nige. I sighed. I would have to make get over Tunny.
"If Tunny were here, I know exactly what he would sayabout you guys" I said
"What?" asked Dizz
"You pathetic little Fucks" They just looked at me. "He would say that. You people are acting stupid. Tunny might come back and if he does, would you want him to see you like that? He expects you to continue on, like nothing changed. Now it's just that you guys are gonna have to take care of the things Tunny used to"
"Do you care? Do you care that 'e's? gone?" asked Jaze
"Of course I do! But I'm gonna be strong! Now come on people. Let's smoke some joints" I sat down with them. Slowly the guys started to forget about Tunny, which was great. Eventually it got late, so we went to bed. I put the postcard in my drawer and slumped onto my bed. I closed my eyes and soon fell asleep.
I woke up early the next morning because I had to go to work. I put a jacket on and I left. When I got there I passed Jessica, who smiled at me. I went into my office and sat down at my desk. I waited for Mr. Miller to bring me some work. While I waited, I listened to some music. A song called "Longview" came on. I smiled, that used to be my favorite song when I was younger. I quietly sang along to it until it ended and then Mr. Miller came in.
"Hi, Jesus! Hey, what happened to your eye?" he asked me. I had gotten a black eye and a bruise on my cheek.
"Oh it's nothing."I said
"Okay then. Here's the work" He put the stack of papers on my desk and left. I kept working until the break. I went outside and saw Michael and Jake there talking,
"Hey Jesus! What happened to your face?" asked Jake
"I got into a fight" I said
"Really? With who?" asked Michael
"My friend"
"If he's your friend, then why did he do that to you?" Michael asked
"Dunno. He was mad"
"Okay..." he said
"Anyway, I'm going back in. See you later" I went back in and took a newspaper. I looked at some vacant apartments. Now that I had been working at the facility for a little over a month, I could afford a small, cheap one. But it would have to be somewhere near the suburbs. Sort of where I used to live. Finally lunch hour came and I bought a cheeseburger and went back to my office. Just then I heard a knock on my door.
"Uh....come in" I said. Just then, kaibe walked in.
"Kaibe? What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to talk to you"
"Um...okay, sit down" He sat in the chair across from me. "So, what's up?"
"Jesus, I never really got to say sorry. I didn't mean to punch you like that. I was just so upset. I know it's not your fault, I know you didn't force Tunny..."
"Kaibe, it's okay"
"It's not okay, Jesus. I don't knnow what I'm going to do now. I don't wanna leave 'The Hangout' behind, but I do want to start a new life too. I still wanna live there with you guys and smoke and have fun, but I want to get serious too. You did it okay, but I dunno if I can."
"Well, Kaibe, I have no idea why you came to me for help, but I'll try and give you the best advice I can. Get a job. Figure out what you wanna do. Get enough money for college and then get an even better job."
"But I don't wanna leave my home!"
"You don't have to right away! You can still live there! But you're gonna have to leave eventually. I mean, if you ever get married and have kids, your not gonna smoke joints are you? Go out and find a job. Then move on from there. But don't make the same mistake me and Tunny did. Tell everyone what you plan on doing first."
"Thanks Jesus. You really helped out."
"Anytime Kaibe, anytime". He got up, thanked me again and left. Just then Michael walked in.
"Who was that?"
"My friend. He's the one who punched me"
"Oh. Well what did he want?"
"Why do you care?"
"This is a place of business, not for socializing. I'd advise your friends to stop coming here, if I were you, or I might have to tell Mr. Miller."
"Really? Well, you stupid little hypocrite, you better stop making those thirty-minute phone calls to you girlfriend four times a day, because I already told the boss about it."
"You...I...ugh!" he said and left. I smiled. What an asshole that guy was. Always acting so arrogant. Well, I was gonna show him what a real asshole is like. Finally, work finished and I went back to the hotel.
Eventually I found a perfect apartment. I could afford it and at least two people could live in it. Months passed and I bought it. I really felt like my life was starting to turn.
"Jesus! Hey! Where the Hell have you been?" asked Kaibe
"I got a job. And I've been living in a motel" I answered
"What? Come over here in 'The Corner' and tell us about it" said Nige. I walked over to "The Corner" and sat down. I lit up a cigarette and they all stared intently at me.
"So, why did you leave?" asked Tice
"Remember when I said we should go out and get jobs and lives? Well I decided it was time I should try it"
"I thought you were just kidding" said Kaibe
"Of course I wasn't! You all know we can't live here forever! I found this job on East 12th Street. It's a facility. I fill out paperwork all day long. I get a pretty good pay."
"Isn't it borin' workin' there all day? Wouldn't you much rather hang out with us, mate?" asked Jaze
"Of course! It's boring as Hell, but I'm starting the life I've always wanted. Fine, I never thought I would work over there either, but it's a start." I explained
"Jesus, come one! Come and live with us again! It's not the same without you! We're all missing you and we all took care of each other here! There's no one to watch your back when your all alone!" said Nige
"Guys, I gotta do this! It's my desicion!"
"Jesus, come on!" said Tice
"Look, I'll visit you guys. This place will be like my second home! I've had so many good memories, I can't leave it forever! This place saved my life, so I won't abandon it! I'll come back, I promise!"
"Well, stay with us for the weekend. You left all your junk in your room, you can still sleep there" said Kaibe
"Yeah, maybe I'll come every weekend. Or anydays I don't have work!"
"At least we'll see you then, mate" said Jaze
"Now, 'ow about we go back to old times and smoke a couple joints? What do you say mates?" I said imitating Jaze's accent
They all laughed and agreed. We drank, smoked and laughed the night away. I loved this and I wished I could go back to it, but I kept telling myself I couldn't. At around 1:00 am, we all decided to go to bed. I looked around my room and smiled. I opened my drawer and saw the picture of Whatsername. I looked at it for a few minutes and stuffed it away in my pocket. I saw another picture of me and all the other guys. I looked at it and then put it away. I lay down and closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning I woke up at 9:00. I was glad I could get up later now. I washed up and went downstairs. All my friends were there, so I went over. We started talking about different stuff until I had to go to my motel for a bit. I promised them I would come back. When I got there I took a shower and washed my hair. After that I sat on my bed and felt something in pocket. I realized it was the picture and took it out. I looked at it. I missed Whatsername so much. I just kept wondering where she could've went. I turned on the TV and changed it to "Spike TV". They weren't playing anything interesting, and even if they were, I wasn't paying attention. my mind was on Whatsername. I poured myself a cup of coffee and drank it in one gulp. Eventually, I eneded up drinking almost 10 cups, and I became restless and agitated. Whatsername's words kept pounding in my head...
I fell asleep while watching "Spike TV"
After 10 cups of coffee
And your still not here
Dreaming of a song,
But something went wrong
And you can't tell anyone,
'Cuz no one's here
Left me here alone,
When I should've stayed home
After 10 cups of coffee
I'm thinking....
Where'd you go?
"Nobody likes you, everyone left you
They're all out without you, havin' fun
Everyone left you, Nobody likes you
They're all out without you, havin' fun"
Where'd you go?
I decided to leave the motel and go back to the hangout. Everyone was in the corner, laughing their asses off. I asked them what was going on and they said Dizz spilled some beer. They were definitly stoned. I sat down and smoked a joint too. I looked around and I felt something was missing. Nige, Kaibe, Jaze, Tice and Dizz were there....so who was missing? How could I forget? Tunny! I looked around the hangout and I didn't see him. I thought he went out, but then I realized I didn't see him yesterday either.
"Hey guys, where's Tunny?" I asked slowly
"Uhh....I dunno. Where is he?" said Nige, He sounded stoned
"Umm....not here" said Kaibe. He was stoned.
"Guys, I'm serious. Where is he?" I said
"I think he left" said Dizz
"Where did he go?" I asked
"No, mate. 'E's gone. 'E didn't say a word, just left. I don't know where 'e went. But it's been almost a month now." said Jaze
"What? What does that mean? Where would he go?" I said
"No idea" said Tice
"Have you tried looking for him?" I asked
"Hell, yeah, we tried! Tunny's like our best friend! We went all over the place. Even to other hangouts like these, to see if maybe he was trading some drugs and was in trouble, but no. He wasn't there" said Kaibe
"I don't get it. Why would Tunny leave? He said he loves it here. It doesn't make sense." I said. I was getting angry. Tunny was our best friend, but all of a sudden he decides to leave without a word? Why would he leave? Would he ever come back? Maybe he was in trouble. All these thoughts kept popping up into my head. Tunny was one of the people who helped me get away from my old life and start a much better one. I owed him my life. I felt like I had to do something. I got up and looked around. The guys looked at me and I looked back at them. They didn't seem to care as much as I did. And they knew Tunny longer than me. Maybe they really didn't care or maybe they were just to stoned to realize what was going on.
"Jaze, give him the letter." said Dizz
"Oh, yeah." Jaze took a letter out of his pocket "I forgot to give it you, Jesus. Sorry 'bout that. But I promise, no one 'ere read it." I grabbed the letter he was holding out for me. I looked at it and realized, it was a postcard. And for some reason it was adressed to St. Jimmy, but it said "Room #12" on it. I quickly read it and saw that it didn't make much sense, until I saw who it was from.
Dear J,
I got a rock and roll band
I got a rock and roll life
I got a rocka nd roll girlfriend
And another ex-wife
I got a rock and roll house
I got a rock and roll car
I play the shit out of the drums
And I can play the guitar
I got a kid in New York
I got a kid in the Bay
I haven't drank or smoked nothin'
In over 22 days
So get off of my case
-Tunny
My eyes opened wide. Tunny sent it. Why did he adress it to St. Jimmy? I saw the guys trying to see the postcard. I looked up at them and back at the letter. I understood it. Tunny must've thought about what I said. About going to college, going to get a real job, about getting a good life. Tunny wrote that he had kids, an ex-wife, a girlfriend, and he stopped drinking and smoking. I smiled, I guess I inspired him. I looked back at the guys.
"He started a new life" I said, simply
"What do you mean?" asked Nige
"Remember before I left? We talked about our lives. I said we should get real jobs and stuff. I guess Tunny was the only one who listened to me"
"But, Tunny thought you were crazy! He said he would stay here!" said Kaibe
"Well, maybe he had some time to think about it and decided I was right" I said
"No! Tunny didn't! I bet he just went away for a bit! He'll come back!" said Nige
"It says in the postcard. Here, read it" I handed them the postcard. Kaibe grabbed it and they all read it. He slowly put it down on the table in front of us and looked at me.
"He is gone." said Kaibe "Tunny is our best friend. He started this place. He helped me. He took me in when I was cold, dirty, hungry and alone. He took me in when no one else did. And now he's gone" Kaibe said and he fell on the floor. He punched it until his knuckles got red and a trickle of blood fell from one.
"Kaibe, get a hold of yourself! Tunny might come back!" said Nige
"And he might not!" said Kaibe
"Kaibe, your acting like he's God or something! Even if he is gone, we can still live without him!" said Dizz
"No we can't! This place will fall apart! Tunny took care of everything here! And he left! And you know what? It's all Jesus's fault! Why did you have to say all that bullshit? If you wanna go and get a better life, then go do it! But don't drag other people into it too! Maybe we all like it here!" shouted Kaibe
"Kaibe, I was just saying what I thought! I wasn't trying to force anyone into doing it!" I said
"Jesus is right! It's not his fault Kaibe! Tunny's the one who made the decision!" said Nige
"But if Jesus never brought it up, Tunny would be here!" said Kaibe. Just then he got up and lunged towards me. I fell on the floor and Kaibe punched me really hard in the face at least five times before Nige, Jaze and Dizz could pull him off. Tice came over to me and put his arm around my back to help me sit up. My nose and lip were bleeding and my whole face hurt like Hell.
"Kaibe! I don't know why your getting so upset! If Tunny was gone for a whole month, you should've done something then! I don't know why you're beating me up! It's not gonna bring Tunny back!" I said wiping my mouth. Kaibe tried to come at me again, but the guys had a strong hold on him. Finally he stropped struggling and the guys slowly let go of him. He looked at me for a long time.
"Jesus, I'm so sorry. Your right, it's not your fault. I'm just so mad." Said Kaibe
"He probably knew you guys could live without him. And he never said goodbye, because he knew you guys wouldn't let him leave. But it's okay, you guys can still make it. I'm sure he would want you guys to continue with this place" I said
"Yeah..."
"I'm just gonna go to the bathroom and clean up. Talk to Kaibe for a bit" I whispered to Nige. I gave Tice a nod and he let go of me. Igot up, went upstairs and in the bathroom. I looked in the mirror and my face was covered in blood. It was going down my face and onto my shirt. I spat in the sink and a whole bunch of blood came out. I washed my face and felt a sharp pain on my cheek. I knew it was going to make a bruise. I went back down and saw the guys sitting. I walked over to them and sat down too.
"Why are you guys so miserable? You're going to have to move on, you know" I told them
"We know. It's just, we don't feel like 'The Underbelly' anymore. We can't call ourselves that." said Nige. I sighed. I would have to make get over Tunny.
"If Tunny were here, I know exactly what he would sayabout you guys" I said
"What?" asked Dizz
"You pathetic little Fucks" They just looked at me. "He would say that. You people are acting stupid. Tunny might come back and if he does, would you want him to see you like that? He expects you to continue on, like nothing changed. Now it's just that you guys are gonna have to take care of the things Tunny used to"
"Do you care? Do you care that 'e's? gone?" asked Jaze
"Of course I do! But I'm gonna be strong! Now come on people. Let's smoke some joints" I sat down with them. Slowly the guys started to forget about Tunny, which was great. Eventually it got late, so we went to bed. I put the postcard in my drawer and slumped onto my bed. I closed my eyes and soon fell asleep.
I woke up early the next morning because I had to go to work. I put a jacket on and I left. When I got there I passed Jessica, who smiled at me. I went into my office and sat down at my desk. I waited for Mr. Miller to bring me some work. While I waited, I listened to some music. A song called "Longview" came on. I smiled, that used to be my favorite song when I was younger. I quietly sang along to it until it ended and then Mr. Miller came in.
"Hi, Jesus! Hey, what happened to your eye?" he asked me. I had gotten a black eye and a bruise on my cheek.
"Oh it's nothing."I said
"Okay then. Here's the work" He put the stack of papers on my desk and left. I kept working until the break. I went outside and saw Michael and Jake there talking,
"Hey Jesus! What happened to your face?" asked Jake
"I got into a fight" I said
"Really? With who?" asked Michael
"My friend"
"If he's your friend, then why did he do that to you?" Michael asked
"Dunno. He was mad"
"Okay..." he said
"Anyway, I'm going back in. See you later" I went back in and took a newspaper. I looked at some vacant apartments. Now that I had been working at the facility for a little over a month, I could afford a small, cheap one. But it would have to be somewhere near the suburbs. Sort of where I used to live. Finally lunch hour came and I bought a cheeseburger and went back to my office. Just then I heard a knock on my door.
"Uh....come in" I said. Just then, kaibe walked in.
"Kaibe? What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to talk to you"
"Um...okay, sit down" He sat in the chair across from me. "So, what's up?"
"Jesus, I never really got to say sorry. I didn't mean to punch you like that. I was just so upset. I know it's not your fault, I know you didn't force Tunny..."
"Kaibe, it's okay"
"It's not okay, Jesus. I don't knnow what I'm going to do now. I don't wanna leave 'The Hangout' behind, but I do want to start a new life too. I still wanna live there with you guys and smoke and have fun, but I want to get serious too. You did it okay, but I dunno if I can."
"Well, Kaibe, I have no idea why you came to me for help, but I'll try and give you the best advice I can. Get a job. Figure out what you wanna do. Get enough money for college and then get an even better job."
"But I don't wanna leave my home!"
"You don't have to right away! You can still live there! But you're gonna have to leave eventually. I mean, if you ever get married and have kids, your not gonna smoke joints are you? Go out and find a job. Then move on from there. But don't make the same mistake me and Tunny did. Tell everyone what you plan on doing first."
"Thanks Jesus. You really helped out."
"Anytime Kaibe, anytime". He got up, thanked me again and left. Just then Michael walked in.
"Who was that?"
"My friend. He's the one who punched me"
"Oh. Well what did he want?"
"Why do you care?"
"This is a place of business, not for socializing. I'd advise your friends to stop coming here, if I were you, or I might have to tell Mr. Miller."
"Really? Well, you stupid little hypocrite, you better stop making those thirty-minute phone calls to you girlfriend four times a day, because I already told the boss about it."
"You...I...ugh!" he said and left. I smiled. What an asshole that guy was. Always acting so arrogant. Well, I was gonna show him what a real asshole is like. Finally, work finished and I went back to the hotel.
Eventually I found a perfect apartment. I could afford it and at least two people could live in it. Months passed and I bought it. I really felt like my life was starting to turn.
