Project Hero

by Briar Prescott

sixteen years old when I realized something life changing about myself—I was the sidekick.

“Sure,” I say. “I’ll just eat that chicken alfredo myself then.” Andy glowers at me. “You evil bastard.” I grin as I watch him pull his sneakers on. “It’s my grandma’s recipe with extra cheese.” Andy shakes his head. “Keep talking. But just remember, people have gone to hell for less, and God is always listening.”

“I think it makes perfect sense. First of all, exercise is good for you.” He gasps. “You take that back.”

“Oh, okay. See, I should have told you before, in my religion it’s only acceptable to run when somebody’s chasing you.” Law looks me up and down. “I mean, I guess I could run behind you if that’s what you need.”

Law tells me that under no circumstance am I allowed to shave your head.”

You’re a good person, Andy Carter, and as far as I’m concerned, that makes you a hero in my book.”

I must admit there’s something to this whole waking up to somebody in the morning thing. It’s endearing to see another person early in the morning when the matter-of-factness that encompasses people’s everyday lives hasn’t settled in yet. It’s like I get to peek at something sacred. Something most people don’t get to see.

“Are you gonna come up?” Law asks, and now his tone is decidedly more serious. I whirl around. “You can see me?” I ask like the moron that I am. “I have windows, you know?” he says, and the smile is back in his voice.

Usually, I dislike stairs. People have gone through a lot of trouble to come up with the concept of an elevator, so I’m a firm believer that we should honor their work and let ourselves be whisked through the air in metal boxes, where the only physical activity involved is lifting our fingers and pressing a button.

Andy points to the table with the spatula. “Sit. Let me take care of you.” I blink, suddenly overcome with emotion because I don’t think anybody has ever said something like that to me.

He doesn’t make me feel like I’m a hero either, but the thing is, with Law, I don’t really care about being a hero at all. With Law, I’m just me. Just Andy. And with Law, it’s enough.

“So, this is me,” I say. Silence follows. So much silence. “I remember,” Law says with a barely held back smile. “I was here four hours ago.” “Ah.” I feel my cheeks heat. “That’s good. That was a test, and you passed. No early signs of Alzheimer’s for you, mister.”

Well, shit. I’m in love with Andy Carter.