The next day Brent got ready to go home. It felt strange to be up and around. His suitcase was packed with his pajamas and toothbrush, his books and paints. The room had become so permanent, Brent sometimes had the thought that the world outside had ceased to exist, that the view from the window was just painted on. He was in his back brace and moving around pretty well.
When everything was packed, he turned to Kirk and said, "I'm almost sorry to be leaving. I hope you get out soon."
"Someday, I guess. I don't give a damn," Kirk said.
"Listen, you got my address and telephone number?" Brent asked.
"Yeah."
"We'll keep in touch, huh? I mean, I'll be by to visit in a day or so."
"Good."
"It's sure nice to be thinking about getting a decent meal and all."
"Yeah, I envy you."
"Say good-bye to Jewel for me, will you?"
"Sure."
"Listen, don't lose any wheelchair races. Make sure I get the address of the school you're going to this fall."
"Don't worry, I will."
"Stay out of trouble while I'm gone," Brent said.
"Don't worry about old Kirk here. He's just fine. Never better."
"Maybe you'll get a new roommate soon."
"I don't care much about that. I'll probably get another Toad who watches soap operas all day. I don't mind being alone. I guess I learned something from you after all."
We're so far apart already, Brent thought, and it made him even sadder.
"It looks like it's really hot outside. Thank God for air conditioning, huh?" Brent said.
"Yeah, can you imagine what this place would be like without it?"
"It'd be hotter than the food, I'll say that for it."
They both laughed.
"The brace uncomfortable?" Kirk asked.
"You guessed it. I've almost torn it off and burned it already. At least I don't have to sleep in it. I guess I can put up with it. Anything I can bring you when I come to visit?"
"Nah, I don't think so. I'll be fine. Really."
"Yeah, well. I guess you're looking forward to getting away to school and out of this place."
"Right. I tell you, Brent, old buddy, you look pretty good in that brace. You may just start a new fad."
"That's funny," Brent said, but he wasn't laughing. "If anyone wants it, he can have it for free."
"And give that handsome piece of machinery away for nothing? Brent McAllister, you'd be a fool."
Say it, Brent thought to himself. Open up and say it. You can't leave it like this.
"We had a good time, didn't we?" Brent said.
"Yeah, we did."
"We were good friends, huh?"
"Yeah, we sure were. All of us."
They smiled at each other.
"I've got something I'd like to leave with you," Brent said. He crossed to the bedside cabinet and took out the almost-finished painting of the three of them. The background was finished in detail, but all three faces were not quite done. It was a good painting. Brent had caught Amy's sweep of hair and her wide, honest eyes, had caught Kirk's half-smile without it looking like a smirk.
Brent handed the painting over to Kirk, who took it and stared at it for a long time.
"I wanted to leave something with you," Brent said.
"You have," Kirk said. "Thanks."
Brent looked at his feet in the silence that followed.
"Well, listen, Kirk. I got to be going. My mother's waiting for me."
"Yeah, sure."
"I'll be back down to see how you're doing in another day or so. Okay?"
"Yeah, sure. Anytime. It looks like I'm not going anywhere. It's great to see you up and around."
"Oh, thanks. Be seeing you."
"Right. Take care now. Don't knock up any chick at the swimming club, now."
"Don't sweat it. I couldn't get out of the back brace fast enough."
Brent's mother appeared in the doorway. She lifted Brent's suitcase.
"I'll be waiting in the hall when you're ready," she said.
"I mean it now, Kirk. I'll be seeing you in a few days."
"You be careful of that old back now, you hear? I don't want to hear about you falling through any more trapdoors. Grace you ain't got," Kirk said and lit a cigarette.
"Yeah. Right. See you, Kirk."
"See you, Brent."
Brent left. He felt like crying, but he waited until he got home.
1974