The Best of Friends

by Lucinda Berry

Sawyer’s death was a terrible accident. Just like what happened to Jacob. Our boys were screwing around.

“You care more about what your damn girlfriends think than you do your own family. The boys used our gun, Dani—our gun. And the police know it.”

“Please, Caleb, just tell me what happened,” I whisper. It’s been seventeen days, and he still hasn’t spoken. Not one word.

Alcohol turns him into a special kind of monster—a perfectly articulate and well-poised monster. He doesn’t slur his words or stumble over his sentences. He walks straight and appears aware of himself and his surroundings. You’d never guess he was drunk. It’s why they’ll give him his keys tonight, because they won’t see the darkness that’s taken over his insides.

I always intended to go back and finish my degree, but fear stole my choices one at a time until I didn’t have any left.