ihavebeenfloated

We launched ourselves out of bed laughing hysterically. I wasn’t quite sure what had come over us, the somber situation dawned on me as I took her hand and she performed a twirl on her heel to come at me and ended up in my arms. I leaned her backward with my arm across the small of her back and kissed her. She looked up at me and giggled, her eyes sparkling.

Joe and I had been friends in high school. We used to sit at a table with a group of friends surrounding us, talking about girls or the latest XTC album. We went around everywhere together, we fought to get ourselves in the same classes. If I dated a certain girl, he’d be with her sister, or vice versa. Most of the time, the women we’d date would get annoyed with the pair of us and break off elsewhere, but it was never a big deal.

I hadn’t heard from him in about ten years when he came around knocking on my door.

Holy shit, Joe, it’s been something akin to forever! I exclaimed.

Well, yes, it has been a long time.

Come in, come in. I motioned for him to come inside. I rallied him around the coffee table and sat him down on the sofa. Would you like something to drink, coffee? It’s rather early.

Yes, yes, coffee would do me fine.

So, why’ve you come around after so long?

Ah, well, see, I’ve come to ask you a favor.

Oh, yeah?

Mhm. See, I’m heading out of town for a week or so and my girl gets so restless while I’m away. I was just wondering if you could stop by every now and then and make sure she’s doing OK.

Oh, sure, it is a bit of a strange request, though?

Well, we were so close all those years ago, and you’ve never failed me in any thing. You’ve always been the one person I’d thought I’d be able to turn to if it came to serious matters. I could trust you with my life.

Of course, of course!

Well then it’s settled.

I arrived at her door some time after sunset. I knocked, so the door opened. Joe’s girl stood there smiling, looking perfectly content.

Ah, hi, I’m sure Joe told me I’d be coming around just to check up on you to make sure every thing’s fine here.

Yes, yes, I’m quite alright.

This is one hell of a house you’ve got here. I can understand why Joe wanted me to stop by, all alone out here and all.

I do quite fine on my own, Joe gets a little overprotective sometimes but it’s really no big deal.

Oh, well alright then, I guess I’ll be going then. I turned to leave, but she reached out from the doorway and took my arm.

Or… you could come in?

She lay next to me, sleeping comfortably. Her body is covered in a thin silk sheet that wraps the contours of her body almost perfectly. I turn my legs out of bed and they hit the freezing hardwood floor. I look down and spot a pair of slippers that must belong to Joe. I slip my feet into them, they fit all too well.

You would be the one I would trust with my life.

I get up and flick off Joe’s bedroom light, casting the room in moonlight.

Author’s Note: Based on the excellent XTC song Standing in for Joe. You should really listen to the song to feel the mood of it all.