Chapter X - Call from King, Still Packing

Thought of Anthony had led, as inevitably as death, to places that just weren't worth going.  I realized I was standing still in the middle of the floor with a handful of bras and tossed them in my still empty suitcase disgustedly.

F**k this, I told myself.  This isn't worth the pain.

But I continued to pack, folding jeans and t-shirts in with a few dressy things I had had to buy that day.  

I was trying to remember the last time I had invited my brothers up to visit when the phone rang.  I considered not answering, but in the end trudged over to the couch, flopped down, and picked it up before it stopped ringing.

"H'lo?"

"Hey girl..."

"Hey King..."  I closed my eyes, wondering if eyeballs could actually fall out from too much crying.

"I don't even wanna talk about it, I just want to know if you're coming."

"Oh thank you, I don't think I can have the conversation again today.  And, ah, yes.  I'm coming."

"You don't sound too sure."

"I'm not, but I'm packing right now."

"Hm.  Well, s**t.  I called you expecting to have to fight it out, I'm kind of let down now."

I laughed.  "Sorry to disappoint, King.  Want to fight about something else?"

"Nah, nah, I'm good.  I should have figured you wouldn't want that old lady haunting you for not showing up to at least make sure her good wig was on straight."

"Yeah, no s**t.  She'd never give me any peace.  How's Casey?"

"Good.  You'll finally meet her, I guess."

"I know!  At least something good will come out of this."

We chatted for a few minutes more but didn't say much of anything.  That was how King's and my calls always went, we danced around a few things but never really talked.  

After we hung up I sat with head cradling the phone long after it had gone dead.