Having a Split Personality, chapter 4

He woke up to the phone ringing. He answered it, "Hello?"

"Hey, it's me, Tré."

"Oh, hi."

"I was wondering, did you come to the hospital yesterday? I think I might've had a dream that you did and that Billie was dieing, but I'm not sure."

Mike thought it was best to lie, "No, I just got home this morning. How is he?"

"He's fine; actually, he's perfectly alright. The doctors said it's some kind of miracle or something. They never saw anything like it. He just got out of the hospital today after they ran a few tests on him. Thank God."

"Wow, you're actually being serious for once in your lifetime." Mike said, impressed.

"Awww, you want me to be my usual hyper self?"

"Sure."

"Oh, but first, where were you?"

"I was just out doing stuff and I lost track of time and was too tired when I got home to check the messages on the phone."

"But how did you forget about band practice?"

"I don't know... just slipped my mind I guess."

"You're already getting old! That's what I like about being the youngest, you guy's'll die first."

"Just because we're a bit older than you don't mean that we'll die first."

"What makes you think that I think that?"

"You just said 'you guy's'll die first', which isn't even a word."

"You need your ears checked. You might be losing your hearing due to old age already!"

"Tré, I can hear perfectly fine and I'm not old!"

"Why do you keep talking about being old? Are you having your mid-life crisis?"

"Yes, Tré! My crisis is talking to you!"

"Ooo, burn."

"Yeah, I just dissed you."

"Quit trying to be cool, old senior citizen dude. You ain't foolin' no one."

"I'm only seven months older than you, Tré! I think I might hang up on you if you keep saying stupid things!"

"Temper, temper. You seemed to have turned into a grumpy, old grouch."

"Good-bye, Tré."

"Oh, right you don't want to waste what you still have left of your life on the phone. Smart. I guess old dudes really are wise... "

Mike shook his head as he hung up.

The phone started ringing again.

"Hello?"

"Hi, it's me Tré again. Just wanted to make sure you hadn't died yet since you just
kind of hung up on me."

Mike just hung up.

When the phone rang again he answered it yelling, "Tré, I'M NOT DEAD!"

"Whoa, dude. I'm not Tré."

"Oh, sorry about that Billie."

"What's up with the whole 'I'm not dead!' thingy?"

"Tré."

"Oh, okay. Well were you yesterday? You missed band practice!"

"I was out doing stuff and forgot about band practice. I didn't come home until it was late and just went to bed and didn't check my phone messages."

"How could you forget?"

"I don't know. It just slipped my mind."

"Okay... I don't see how you could've possibly forgotten... "

"I just did, okay. Everybody does that sometimes."

"What about your cell phone?"

"Left it at home since it needed to be charged."

"Okay, I guess I believe you."

"So are you doing okay?"

"Yeah, actually I'm feeling better than ever."

"That's good. Well, I guess I'll see you whenever."

"Yeah, bye."

"Bye."

Mike hung up when the phone rang. "Tré... " Mike said slowly, "I am NOT dead."

"I wasn't calling for that," Tré said.

"Then what were you calling for?" Mike asked.

"I was just making sure you remembered who I was."

"Bye, Tré. And no more calling me back!"

"Fine, sue me for worrying about my aging friend."

Mike fixed himself some coffee and enjoyed the quiet.