On March 15, Mason began his day like every other day he had lived since his twenty-fifth birthday, exactly thirteen years before.
6:04 AM
The alarm clock rang out at a volume that could've woken Medusa's victims back from their stony deaths. The beeping didn't wake Mason though. Red-eyed and indifferent, he rolled over. Again. He hadn't slept since he woke up two days before, on Monday morning.
6:56 AM
The smell of exhaust fumes overpowered his new car's smell, filling the typical two-car garage, bordered by shelving units too full of "once-a-year" decorations and toys. His finger applied pressure to the button in his car, opening the only barrier he had to hide behind from the cold morning in suburban New Jersey.
7:35 AM
Scrambling to find the projections he had worked so earnestly on for the company's next semester, he slammed his office door.
"Mr. Davis? I have your cof-" called out the intern as Mason rushed past, almost knocking the double shot, extra black expresso coffee from the quaint coffee shop three blocks away from his skyscraper, all over the twenty two year old's jacket.
7:45 AM
Mason rolled his head back, thinking of anything but this infinite meeting.
"Davis, the projections?" demanded Gideon, Mason's slightly overweight powerhouse of a boss.
"Davis. Where's your folder?"
Mason snapped back to reality, "Wha- I have it right here," he stated handing the folder to Gideon.
Gideon continued, "Now looking into the next couple of months..." Mason's mind drifted again. "Davis, what in the living hell is this?" Mason looked up confused. "This looks like a third grade "computer's class" project. What have you been doing for the past 5 weeks? I can't use this shit." Gideon threw the folder across the table in disgust, allowing some sheets to spread apart.
Mason stood up with the same sort of sad look of indifference he wore so often, looked over the boardroom table, picked up his folder, and said, "You know, Gideon, I think I'll take a break now." And Mason walked out of the boardroom.
8:23 AM
I should get Janie and we can go for a fun trip... We haven't in so long... Yes, that's what we'll do. Mason drove into his driveway, opened the garage door, and pulled in. But Janie's car wasn't there, and he remembered that she had gone away on a trip of her own with some ladies from the store next door to hers on main street. I can't just leave her without telling her anything. Can I? I'd feel terrible. Should I call? No, those ladies get grumpy around men... them being single 45 year old women. A note. That'll do it. On his kitchen counter, Mason left the note:
Dearest Janie,
Don't worry, my darling. I'm just going on a quick trip for a couple of days. I might even beat you home. I can't find my cell phone, so it will be useless to call me. If I don't beat you back, I hope your trip was the most fun you've had in awhile and that your new friends won't take you from me too much. You know I love you more than anything, hence my note. You're the only woman for me, I'll love you always.
Mason
And with that, Mason picked up his keys and left the house.
Coasting down the highway, Mason passed into Pennsylvania in what seemed like a record time. Oh poor Janie, she'll be worried sick. I should have waited and brought her. My love. He fretted over her day and night, not meaning to be overbearing, but out of compassion. He really didn't have anyone else that he loved as much as he loved her anymore. Although Mason was sure she was okay and knew that she'd be okay even if he wasn't there, he couldn't bear the thought of not seeing her again.
He pulled over, glancing at the clock, 12:35 PM. Four hours away from home, he figured, was too far to go back, as he might as well just keep on his adventure. He drove and drove and drove.
He drove for so long, that the sun began to set. Because he had nowhere to sleep, he found himself wandering into a little gas station some ways outside of Pittsburgh to purchase a cup of coffee or two to keep him going.
The little station had a counter in the back, with two coffee machines on it, up against the wall. "Caffeinated" "Decaffeinated". Mason almost leapt towards the machine on the right labeled "Caffeinated". Pressing the button, in hopes of releasing the black flow of coffee, the machine sputtered and spat out about one fourth cup.
Walking to the clerk at the register, on the other side of the store, Mason requested, "Hey... So you're out of coffee, and I would really love to buy a cup, is there a way you could make more?" The clerk was probably nineteen, with what looked like a week's worth of awkward, patchy facial hair coating his lower face. His dull blonde hair was curly and messy, hanging just below his chin. He smelled of a funky cologne and yet despite his awkward appearance, had bright blue eyes which sparkled when his voice rang out in a distinct tenor, "Oyyyyeeeee! My bad! I had no idea that even ever needed refilling, it's always full when I get here!" He hopped over the counter separating the two. "Just follow me, I'm a pro at this kind of stuff!" Mason was surprised by his enthusiasm, but was also mostly just relieved to be getting some energy in his near lifeless body. "So I was hanging out with my friend today, and he was telling me about his weekend, and he met some guy who was really quite a strange guy but he was cool because he was chilling with his friend Dylan..." Mason's mind wandered again, whilst the cashier started the coffee machine, "... my buddy some cool stuff- oh hey, this is gonna take a little while, want to chill in the back with me?"
"Uhm, sure, if the coffee'll take a bit, I might as well." Mason replied.
The two made their way into the dingy backroom, where it was obvious that the boy had attempted to entertain himself by the sprawled nature of all his belongings.
"So like I was telling you, Dylan gave my buddy this cool stuff, that you smoke I guess? He said it was a real fun thing! Want to try it with me?" He asked innocently. Despite the kid's appearance, it was obvious he hadn't much life experience. Despite Mason's own intelligent thought processes, he agreed to try it.
"What's your name, anyway?" Mason asked as the boy stumbled with whatever substance he was trying to understand.
"I'm Wyatt!" He said, pulling at the name tag pinned to his shirt, "What's yours?"
"Mason."
"YEEE, that's chill bra...."
What in the living hell is this? Mason's head was spinning and he couldn't figure out what exactly was going on. I guess I was wrong... Weed isn't so hallucinogenic... man. Both he and Wyatt had yet to move out of their chairs, even though the drug must've taken its effect close to an hour before. Mason all of a sudden saw Jake, his intern, in the corner. Or at least he could've sworn he was there.
"Jake, why are you so far from home?"
"I'm not."
"Jake, I drove for HOURS to get here! Did you follow me? It's okay if you did, don't get me wrong! I'm just curious, your parents are going to get worried and call me asking about you! I can't let you get injured or anything!"
"Mason? What are you doing, man? That's a lemon." Wyatt contributed.
"Jake. Seriously now, let me take you home!"
"Nah, I'm good, I can't move anyway..." Mason all of a sudden noticed the cement which had formed around Jake's feet.
"Wyatt, what is this?" Mason asked out.
Wyatt simply answered, "Lemons."
"Okay, man, I'm going to head on out of here," Mason stated, standing up.
But when Mason stood, he felt the ground below him slip away, and he fell quickly and hard. And he was out for the remainder of the night.
The next morning, it had to have been at the earliest, 9 AM. Mason sat up and realized his location and got up and left. Got in his car, and drove away, Of course leaving Wyatt about twenty dollars to make up for any mishaps which may have occurred. Driving home, Mason began to think, What am I doing? Really. Running away from my home, my Janie? I'm too fragile for this, and so is Jake. God, why did I ever think I was worse off at home, around those I know and love. Look at poor Wyatt, his friend just gave him such a sketchy thing with no warning. The poor naiive kid. I just miss Janie, though. More than all that.
Mason drove and drove.
7:54 PM
Mason pulled up into his driveway, and opening the garage, he saw Janie's little blue car. All of a sudden, he felt no need to shower, or eat, or sleep. He hopped out of that car and ran inside.
He pulled over, glancing at the clock, 12:35 PM. Four hours away from home, he figured, was too far to go back, as he might as well just keep on his adventure. He drove and drove and drove.
He drove for so long, that the sun began to set. Because he had nowhere to sleep, he found himself wandering into a little gas station some ways outside of Pittsburgh to purchase a cup of coffee or two to keep him going.
The little station had a counter in the back, with two coffee machines on it, up against the wall. "Caffeinated" "Decaffeinated". Mason almost leapt towards the machine on the right labeled "Caffeinated". Pressing the button, in hopes of releasing the black flow of coffee, the machine sputtered and spat out about one fourth cup.
Walking to the clerk at the register, on the other side of the store, Mason requested, "Hey... So you're out of coffee, and I would really love to buy a cup, is there a way you could make more?" The clerk was probably nineteen, with what looked like a week's worth of awkward, patchy facial hair coating his lower face. His dull blonde hair was curly and messy, hanging just below his chin. He smelled of a funky cologne and yet despite his awkward appearance, had bright blue eyes which sparkled when his voice rang out in a distinct tenor, "Oyyyyeeeee! My bad! I had no idea that even ever needed refilling, it's always full when I get here!" He hopped over the counter separating the two. "Just follow me, I'm a pro at this kind of stuff!" Mason was surprised by his enthusiasm, but was also mostly just relieved to be getting some energy in his near lifeless body. "So I was hanging out with my friend today, and he was telling me about his weekend, and he met some guy who was really quite a strange guy but he was cool because he was chilling with his friend Dylan..." Mason's mind wandered again, whilst the cashier started the coffee machine, "... my buddy some cool stuff- oh hey, this is gonna take a little while, want to chill in the back with me?"
"Uhm, sure, if the coffee'll take a bit, I might as well." Mason replied.
The two made their way into the dingy backroom, where it was obvious that the boy had attempted to entertain himself by the sprawled nature of all his belongings.
"So like I was telling you, Dylan gave my buddy this cool stuff, that you smoke I guess? He said it was a real fun thing! Want to try it with me?" He asked innocently. Despite the kid's appearance, it was obvious he hadn't much life experience. Despite Mason's own intelligent thought processes, he agreed to try it.
"What's your name, anyway?" Mason asked as the boy stumbled with whatever substance he was trying to understand.
"I'm Wyatt!" He said, pulling at the name tag pinned to his shirt, "What's yours?"
"Mason."
"YEEE, that's chill bra...."
What in the living hell is this? Mason's head was spinning and he couldn't figure out what exactly was going on. I guess I was wrong... Weed isn't so hallucinogenic... man. Both he and Wyatt had yet to move out of their chairs, even though the drug must've taken its effect close to an hour before. Mason all of a sudden saw Jake, his intern, in the corner. Or at least he could've sworn he was there.
"Jake, why are you so far from home?"
"I'm not."
"Jake, I drove for HOURS to get here! Did you follow me? It's okay if you did, don't get me wrong! I'm just curious, your parents are going to get worried and call me asking about you! I can't let you get injured or anything!"
"Mason? What are you doing, man? That's a lemon." Wyatt contributed.
"Jake. Seriously now, let me take you home!"
"Nah, I'm good, I can't move anyway..." Mason all of a sudden noticed the cement which had formed around Jake's feet.
"Wyatt, what is this?" Mason asked out.
Wyatt simply answered, "Lemons."
"Okay, man, I'm going to head on out of here," Mason stated, standing up.
But when Mason stood, he felt the ground below him slip away, and he fell quickly and hard. And he was out for the remainder of the night.
The next morning, it had to have been at the earliest, 9 AM. Mason sat up and realized his location and got up and left. Got in his car, and drove away, Of course leaving Wyatt about twenty dollars to make up for any mishaps which may have occurred. Driving home, Mason began to think, What am I doing? Really. Running away from my home, my Janie? I'm too fragile for this, and so is Jake. God, why did I ever think I was worse off at home, around those I know and love. Look at poor Wyatt, his friend just gave him such a sketchy thing with no warning. The poor naiive kid. I just miss Janie, though. More than all that.
Mason drove and drove.
7:54 PM
Mason pulled up into his driveway, and opening the garage, he saw Janie's little blue car. All of a sudden, he felt no need to shower, or eat, or sleep. He hopped out of that car and ran inside.
