devil's advocate

I can tell I’ve spent too long at work. I can’t get out of this peppy, happy, I love everyone mood. Help me. 

“Just ask nicely and I could bring your mood to a settling rest. But it has to be nice to equal out the sour parts.”

“Just a bit, yeah. I think they forgot who they took on vacation. I’ve lived in NYC my whole life and one solid truth I’ve learned is that the rich kids party harder than the modest folk. Probably because they know they can get the easy bailout but I’m not complaining if it lands me some free liquor.”

“There’s another reason: rich kids at times, and I do emphasize that last part, are given and expected to be responsible at an early age. They see themselves as young adults and expect the privileges it. Acting out is a part of the nature of wanting something you think you deserve. But that’s only musing. I think we all need to kick back a few. How else are we to have a true vacation?”

“What sort of rotten thing are you up to now cousin?” Twisting her hair into a long tail, Lux tossed it behind her shoulder and sneered at Malachi, “Entertain me as to why.”

“Still makes sense. I hate that we got these responsibilities but when doesn’t Akamai throw these bullshit curves at us. Last summer they made us work. I’m just grateful all I have to take care of is two friends of mine. I am looking forward to that. New York has had me on edge since way before senior year and I need to either unwind or I’m going to die from being so fucking uptight.”

“Is that all you’re going to insist on me? How happy and grateful you are that you’re with friends? You have yet to not mention it so perhaps that’s what you should waste your time doing. Careful, you might have a stroke soon. Otherwise, it will be nice to fall into some semblance of home life New York doesn’t provide. It’s a long needed vacation for the both of us.”

I’m…. I just… I’m not ready, you know? … I don’t know about that… I feel that some pains are here to stay… But umm, I guess I’ll wait and see… Anyway umm, I need to go. Nice talking to you.

“That’s what I meant by scars but this will be a discussion for another day. Enjoy your time at the beach.”

I….I just…..it was just… I don’t really want to umm, talk about it…. I’m sorry…. Some wounds are still to fresh… and well, umm, some wounds never really heal. At least not properly….you know?… Umm, I am sorry for wasting your time.

“Don’t apologize, it was your story to tell and I wasn’t promised anything. But I have to disagree. Wounds heal with time, it depends on how deep they are for them to seal. You’ll always have a scar no one else can see, proof it affected you in some way and you’ll never escape it, but they’ll heal.”

I…Well, I just mean, it’s personal, it’s private… and it wasn’t at all my fault… It wouldn’t really be comforting at all… some things will never be comforting…and well, I don’t deserve your judgement. Nor do I, umm, want pity.

"If it wasn’t your fault then it’s nothing to judge and I assure you, I don’t know you well enough to pity you. It was my experience I was speaking from, that telling strangers is a way to relieve my mind because they don’t know me and their thoughts have no effect on me. Whatever you choose.”

I….Why should I tell you? … I mean, I hardly know you…

"Whether you tell me or not is your decision and I merely a listener of woes. I’ve always found telling strangers is more comforting because then they have no preconceived notions to judge you. All the same, you don’t have to. I’m curious and an open ear.”