Highly Illogical Behavior(30)

“Sure,” Solomon said.

“Do you ever stand in here with that garage door open?”

“No I do not.”

“Interesting,” Clark said.

When they were back in the living room, seated exactly how they’d been before, the awkward silence set in. It was inevitable, Lisa figured, but she was determined not to let any moment of this day be soured, so she immediately hopped up, walked over to the cabinet where they kept the board games, and opened it wide, turning to look their way.

“Let’s teach Clark how to play Munchkin so we can destroy him.”

“I’m in,” Clark said.

“She’s very good,” Solomon added, standing up. “It’s disturbing, actually.”

“No mercy,” Lisa said.

When they were all set up at the dining room table, Lisa knew she’d made the right decision. Already, Solomon seemed more relaxed as he shuffled the cards and started explaining the rules. She did notice a difference, though, between the way he’d taught her and the way he was teaching Clark. The first time, he’d haphazardly given her the basics of the game and, ultimately, decided to just start playing and teach her as they went along. But with Clark, he was taking the time to go over every little rule and circumstance possible. And even though it stretched out longer than it should have, Lisa knew why. He finally had something to say to Clark and he didn’t want it to end.





FIFTEEN


    SOLOMON REED


Solomon couldn’t believe this guy. He knew five phrases in Klingon and Dothraki. And he showed off these skills with a confidence that normally would’ve annoyed Solomon. But, from Clark, it was endearing and innocent. It felt like he’d always been around. And just after Lisa beat them both at the first game, Solomon realized they’d been practically ignoring her the entire time.

“Sorry,” he said, looking her way. “I bet we’re boring you to death.”

“I’m past death,” she said, smiling. “Hell was great. Less Star Trek references.”

They ended up playing two more rounds, with a break for pizza in between. Lisa won the first and Clark won the second. It was weird, having friends like this, at his house, playing a game like it was no big deal. It wasn’t to them, he thought. Which was so perfect—nothing was forced. They were just there to have fun.

Mostly, though, he watched Clark. Every single turn he would silently inspect his hand, looking back and forth from the table to his cards before making a move. When he drew a good card, he’d raise his right eyebrow just slightly enough to be noticed and when he drew a bad card, he’d frown a little. And even despite noticing these things, Solomon was still too distracted to beat him.

“Beginner’s luck,” he said after the second game. “Your time will come. Rest assured.”

“Oh yeah?” Clark asked. “You care to make it interesting?”

“I do,” he replied. “I wager the hand of your lady.”

“Wait . . . what?” Lisa said, helping put away the cards.

“Oh, you can have her,” Clark joked. “What else you got?”

“Very funny,” Lisa said. “It’s getting kind of late.”

“Yeah,” Clark agreed. “Where are your parents?”

“They went to dinner and a movie,” he said.

“Now that is something I bet you miss,” Clark said. “Going to the movies, I mean.”

“I do. But, I have Wi-Fi and TV, so it’s not a big deal.”

“But the popcorn,” Clark added.

“Sometimes they bring some home.”

“Dude, we could bring you stuff from the outside, too, you know.”

“He’s not in prison, Clark.”

“Sorry . . . I didn’t mean it like that.”

“No, it’s cool,” Solomon said. “I don’t miss much. It’s easier than you guys think it is.”

“I saw this movie called Copycat once,” Clark said out of nowhere.

“I know that movie,” Lisa interrupted. “With the chick from Alien.”

“Yeah. Sigourney Weaver. Anyway, she played this criminal psychologist who couldn’t leave her apartment. But then she gets all wrapped up in helping this detective find a serial killer.”

“Oh no. Do you guys need help finding a serial killer, too?” Solomon asked. “This explains everything.”

“Or maybe someone else needed your help finding us,” Clark said.

“That makes sense,” Solomon said. “Now you’re going to kill me?”

“Serial kill you,” Clark said.

“Now you’re just being ridiculous, dude.”

“Why does, like, every show on TV have a serial killer now?” Lisa asked. “There are five in the world and a thousand on TV. Every week, it’s a new sociopath making sculptures with human body parts.”

“You have such a way with words, Lisa,” Clark said.

“She’s right, though,” Solomon added. “If there were that many serial killers in real life, we’d all be scared shitless.”

“Have you ever been scared shitless, though?” Clark asked. “Like, so scared that you can’t even think about ever taking a shit again. You’re just done. For life.”