I spend most of my summer either in the desert with Alton or lifting weights. I surprise myself with how little I'm in my room. Last summer I spent almost all my time couped up in the dark, now I only go in there to sleep.
Halfway through the summer, something very strange happens. Larson shows up at my doorstep. Mom calls me out of the spare room and I pause my music to see what’s up. It’s pretty rare she calls me out in the middle of the day.
I walk into the entryway and I’m a little put off, Larson looks different than he usually does. His hair has frosted tips, and he isn’t wearing flamboyant clothing. In fact, he’s wearing a grey tank top and basketball shorts.
I’m embarrassed to say I’m wearing the exact same thing.
Mom leaves us alone. He scratches the back of his head. “Hey, Leonard.”
“It’s Leo.” I say. “What do you want.”
He drops his hand and looks dejected. “Sorry, nothing.” He says.
Then I feel bad because I’m a giant tool. I sigh. “Do want to come in?”
He smiles. I resist the urge to roll my eyes and hold the door open for him. “Thanks.” He still sounds uncomfortable. That’s good, I don’t want him coming back.
“Do you want something to drink?” I ask.
“No thanks.”
We sit on my couch and, when Alton sniffs him, he looks terrified.
“Don’t like dogs?” I ask, sounding pissy. I know I shouldn’t, but it’s hard to control myself around him, he’s so annoying.
He shakes his head. “Not really, not big dogs.” I get up and haul Alton away by his collar.
“So, why did you come over here?” I try not to sound like a jerk.
“Benjamin told me you liked the desert.”
“Yeah.”
He squirms a little and I'm ashamed to admit that I revel in it. His uncomfortability makes me happy, in a sick, sadistic sort of way.
“Well, I like the desert too.”
“You do live in it.”
He sighs. “Listen, all of my friends left for the summer too and I’m not like you. I hate being alone! I don’t know how you deal with it.”
“Exercise. Start working out, you’ll forget about it.”
“I want you to take me to the desert.”
I laugh. “Tough shit. Take yourself.”
“I can’t drive.”
“Then walk.”
He turns and looks me in the eye. “I don’t know what your problem is with me but the least you could do is give me chance! I’m not a bad guy. Why can’t you just be nice for once?”
I know Mom can hear him shouting and it pisses me off that he’s standing here yelling at me in my own house. “Listen, you fucking punk. This is my house, you showed up on my doorstep—knowing I don’t like you—and you think I should consider liking you because you’re a pathetic little bitch with nobody to stroke your ego.” I get in his face and stare him down. “Get out.”
His eyes are big and he looks like he might piss himself. But he doesn’t leave, instead he squeaks out a tiny, “No.” This dude annoys the shit out of me but something about his persistence makes me gain a little respect for him. He’s not going to pussy out like I expected. Benjamin must’ve told him I’m all talk.
I step back, defeated by his power of will and his big, sad puppy dog eyes. “Fine, get in my truck we’ll go.” I hesitate. “And Alton is coming, so you better learn to like big dogs.”
I tell Mom where I’m going and get Alton in the truck, Larson sits next to me, still looking like he might piss himself. “Is this thing really safe?” He’s holding the oh-shit handle like his life depends on it and we’re not even going forty.
I just roll my eyes and turn onto the bumpy dirt road. I’m not taking him to our spot, to mine and Benjamin’s. That spot is special. Instead I take him farther into the desert, trying to think of a place Benjamin didn’t like to go. He never did enjoy rock climbing as much as I do so I take Larson to a really great cliff.
“Benjamin always talked about a canyon.” He says and it pisses me off that Benjamin told him about our spot.
“We’re not going there.” Is my response.
I step onto a large boulder and nearly knock Larson over jumping off when I hear a very distinct and familiar rattling. Alton hears it too, he wants to explore. I hold him back by his collar and hook a leash on him. Larson is taken aback. “Hold this.” I say, handing him Alton’s leash, he immediately panics.
“Leo, I don’t want this!” But he doesn’t let go, I suspect he’s heard this rattle before too. I look over the boulder where a rather small rattler is glaring up at me. I wish more than anything I had Oscar’s camera. I don’t see rattlers that often but when I do they let me know. It’s hard to forget that sound. As kids, we’re taught it means certain death.
I laugh and smile as it shakes its two tiny bulbs at me. “Hey, little guy.” I say in a soft voice, if it were a garter snake or a whip snake I’d try to catch it but this guy could kill me so I keep my distance.
Larson doesn’t say anything while I look at the snake, I finally get off the rock and take Alton from him. “You like snakes?” He asks.
“I love snakes.”
“You liked Benjamin’s snakes?”
“His snakes are awesome.” I say. “Especially Chelsea, she’s my favorite.”
“Mine too.” I smile at him, tight lipped in my best attempt to be polite. He smiles too but his seems much warmer.
I take us to different spot that’s good for hiking, we wander for a couple of hours. I don’t want to stargaze with him so when we get back to the truck I take us home. I drop him off at his house which isn’t far from mine. About a five minute drive.
He wasn’t as bad as I expected but his voice still ticks me off. I think I could handle him in small doses. Maybe I am just an asshole. I never give people a chance, the moment somebody annoys me I shoot them down.
I’m really glad I met Benjamin. I don’t even like to think about what my life would be like if I’d never met him. I think a lot of things would have been easier, I’d never have to deal with Larson, I wouldn’t be stuck with this loneliness that accompanies his absence, my parents wouldn’t pester me about my new friend.
But I also never would have learned that hognoses are venomous, and I never would have gotten to see his father’s amazing polaroid collection or learned the divinity of earl grey tea. I never would have learned that he loves rock music as much as I do, or that he thinks cell phones are overrated, or that, not only, is he completely fascinated by snakes but also by birds and rodents.
Jesus Chirst, I miss him.
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