Left 4 Dead 2

I cheered as Keith chugged another bottle of beer. Dave was laughin’ and Keith looked like he was about ready to take his clothes off.

We were in the shed behind his house- his brother’s made him drink here since he acted such a fool when under the influence. Dave was usually a pretty funny dude when he was drunk but he was nothin’ like Keith.

Keith offered me another bottle and I quickly chugged down the liquid. We drank up until three in the morning, laughin’ and carryin’ on.

Eventually, Dave slurred out that he was gonna go home. Keith insisted that he stay; we were gonna have a sleepover. Little did we know Keith was gonna get on the roof.

We cheered him on as he climbed to the top, takin’ off his shirt and poundin’ on his chest. Keith was older than me by two years, older than Dave by one.

Dave was a good guy; he was nice to everyone he met even when they pissed him off. I wished I could be cool like them, but they see me as a little brother since I’m only 23.

We were drinkin’ to celebrate the end of college and we had gotten approved to begin our newest auto shop. I was excited to finally start my own shop- I had wanted to since I was five.

Keith laid down, starin’ at the sky and hootin’ like an owl. Dave and I burst out laughin’, sharin’ a glance before finally layin’ down ourselves.

Dave pointed out the moon; it looked pretty tonight. Savannah was a good place; I enjoyed stayin’ up late to admire the sky- drunk or not.

I hadn’t had much so I would be over my hangover sooner than Keith. I think Dave had about the same as me but he could’ve snuck a few here and there. Eventually I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

I woke up shortly to the rain peltin’ my skin and Keith was still up on the roof, arm over his eyes and sleepin’. Dave was sittin’ up next to me, squintin’ his eyes as he looked around.

“Wanna go inside?” I ask, and he nods. We make our way inside, leavin’ Keith outside in the rain. He’ll come down when he’s ready. He once was on a roof shootin’ crows, he was gonna camp up there and the police were called. They were teargassin’ him and when they finally got him down, he screamed for a year every time he opened his eyes.

Dave and I laughed at him but then it got annoyin’, then it got sad, but then it was funny again. Keith had to see a therapist to get over it, which made it funnier. This time he was on the roof of his own home, so nobody could make him get off of it.

Dave and I crashed on the couch and he snored quite loud. We were all single, waitin’ on the right women to come save us from our antics. I had a few flings but none of those went well.

Dave would probably find a girl last. He was a heavyset man and that snore- man! If I want to strangle him, what would a woman want to do?

In the mornin’ Keith came in with huge bags under his eyes and his beard and hair soaked from layin’ out in the rain. I was eatin’ a bowl of cereal.

We had welcomed each other into our houses so many times it was like we had three houses. We knew where everything was and we knew every crack and corner like the back of our hands.

It was nice havin’ buddies like that to rely on and they really came in handy when people were rearin’ to fight.

Keith looked mad that we left him outside but then he smiled when he saw me. “Last night was great.”

I nod, the cereal not settlin’ on my stomach properly. I knew I shouldn’t eat with a hangover but my stomach was rumblin’.

Keith sat next to me, watchin’ Dave sleep. Keith was like my older brother. Well, not in a behavior-like way. My older brother Josh wasn’t really in my life all that much anymore since he ran off to start a restaurant.

Josh never really liked Keith- he said he was a bad influence, but he wasn’t. I remember Keith not lettin’ me drink with them since I was underage although my mom was there so that could be why.

Dave woke up around noon, rubbin’ his eyes and lookin’ around. “Ah, we’re here.”

Keith nods. “I’ll take you guys home if you want.”

“Nah, man, you’re still hungover. I’ll take Ellis home.”

“I don’t wanna go!” I protest. “I wanna hang out here.”

“Ellis,” Dave pleads. “If you don’t get home, your mom will begin to worry.”

“She knew I was partyin’ with y’all.” I frown. “Why do I gotta go home early?”

“I’m heading to bed after I drop you off and get home.” Dave stands up, stretchin’ before offerin’ me his hand. “Let’s go, dude.”

I sigh, settin’ my bowl down and standin’ up, too. I wave to Keith and follow Dave outside, climbin’ into his truck as he starts it.

Neither of us bother to wear our seat belts; I could tell Dave was tired. If anyone in our friend group was gonna go somewhere in their life, it’d be him. He was smart and he worked hard.

He dropped me off at home; I was still livin’ with my mom ‘till I finished packin’. I would visit often.

My sister, Skyler, sat on the porch readin’ a book and she looked up when I approached the deck. She sighed, closin’ her book and raisin’ an eyebrow as I got closer.

“You’re back? How did it go?”

I laugh. “You act like I had an interview or somethin’.”

“Are you hungover?”

I stop at the screen door, turnin’ to face her. She was young but she wasn’t dumb. “Not really.” I settle for that answer- it’s as good as any- before I open the door and go inside.

Mom was in the kitchen makin’ breakfast, the smell of pancakes waftin’ to my nose as I walked into the kitchen.

“Mornin’, Mom.” I kiss her cheek and give her a hug before openin’ the fridge and selectin’ orange juice.

“Good morning, Ellis. Did you sleep well?”

I nod. It wasn’t a lie, I actually did sleep pretty well. “I had a lot of fun last night. You’re never gonna believe what Keith did!”

Mom laughs. “I bet I will, but let’s hear it.”

“He climbed up on his roof, then he took his shirt off and started beatin’ his chest. It was pretty funny. Then we all fell asleep an’ it rained an’ Dave an’ I went inside an’ Keith stayed outside, an’ he came in this mornin’ all wet!”

Mom smiled and I sat down, waitin’ for her to serve plates. I love her; she’s nice and she’s smart and she’s pretty. She definitely raised us kids right.

Skyler came in, settin’ her book down and takin’ her seat. She smiled at me and I narrowed my eyes at her. “I bet you’ve been stalkin’ that boy across the street.”

Her eyes widen and she shakes her head. “No, I haven’t! He’s not even cute! I just wanted to read outside on the porch. What’s wrong with that?”

I cough. “Nerd.”

Mom turns around. “Ellis, stop it.”

“Heard anythin’ from Josh?” I ask. I hope she has; I secretly look up to my big brother.

“Actually, I have some good news. I’ll tell you over breakfast. I just have to go wake your father.”

Skyler and I share a look. Dad wasn’t God-awful, but he wasn’t sweet like our mom. He was harsh on us, makin’ us do most of the yard work and yellin’ at us for bickerin’ over who did what.

Once it got so bad he had to write up a list for each of us. He said we each had to do our list respectively and couldn’t ask the others for help.

It taught us teamwork was essential. I remember havin’ to mow the yard- it was endless. Which is why we eventually just agreed to take turns when mowin’, since it took so long and the sun was always scaldin’ hot.

Dad came down with Mom, immediately makin’ a cup of coffee while Mom put a plate together for him. I looked like him with brown hair and blue eyes. Mine was kind of curly but I managed to get away with keepin’ it lookin’ more messy than anythin’.

I also covered it in a ball cap, though I don’t have any favorite baseball teams. Dave was big on baseball though. When everyone was seated with everything they’d need- like butter and syrup and open fruit containers- Mom smiled at us.

“Josh called me yesterday. It was kind of late but he’s my son so obviously I answered. He’s got a building close to home that’s going to accept his restaurant design and menu, which will change its name and everything. He’ll also be coming to visit- so make sure his room is left alone, Skyler.”

I glanced at my sister, who sighed. Josh was smart, so he kept a bunch of books on his shelf. Skyler wasn’t like those normal girls who read romance, she was into the nonfiction things. It was weird but who am I to judge?

She forced a smile, promisin’ to stay out of there and return all the books she had borrowed without the intention of givin’ back. Dad seemed happy to have Josh come back and I was excited to see my brother again.

When I finished my breakfast, I called Keith and Dave over. Yeah I just saw them a little while ago but by now it was time to really start the day.

When I saw their trucks pull in the drive, I ran outside to greet them. “Josh will be comin’ home soon!” I exclaim and Dave smiles.

“Hey, kid, that’s great.”

Keith nods. I knew they hadn’t gotten along but couldn’t he be excited for me?

“Keith, you okay?” He nods again.

“Yeah, I’m cool. Just thinking about how long it’ll be before I can come over here again.”

“Aw come on, man. It’s Josh, you don’t have to hide from him! He don’t own the place. You can come over. You too, Dave.”

The guys nod and I feel bad. Keith is the same age as Josh but he graduated with me. He was held back twice in kindergarten ’cause he didn’t want to learn the alphabet.

Dave was held back in kindergarten, too, but it was ’cause he struggled with colors and shapes. Either way, they were always welcome here- with or without Josh.

I led them up to my room and we took our unofficial assigned seats: me on my bed, Dave on my bean bag, and Keith at the desk. “We can work on our store design.” I suggest.

Keith nods. “I think we should keep the name simple.”

Dave nods in agreement. “Y’all should name it after yourselves.”

“Why not you, too?” I ask. “Are you gonna leave us when we get famous?”

Dave shakes his head. “I have such a basic name. Imagine going to an auto shop and it’s called Dave’s Auto Repairs.”

We laugh. “I suppose you’re right. Ellis and Keith’s does have a nice ring to it.”

Dave nods. “Sounds good. We need a slogan.”

“Something good.” Keith says, staring at my bed. “Something catchy, too.”

We sit in silence and Skyler comes in and sits on my bed. “What are y’all doing?” She asks, glancin’ at each of us. We probably looked dumb- we were thinkin’ though.

“We’re tryna come up with a slogan.” I explain.

“Well,” Skyler crosses her legs, lookin’ at us again. “Ain’t nothing y’all can’t fix, right? Don’t you always say that whenever one of your trucks breaks?”

Realization dawns on me. “Oh my God, Skyler, you’re a genius!”

“Thanks for the reminder.” She says sarcastically, slidin’ off my bed and leavin’. Keith, Dave, and I stare at each other. We couldn’t skip this opportunity- it was too great!

“I like it.” I say and they agree.

We would need a logo, advertisement, and we’d need to move into the store and whatnot but that could wait.

Mom called from downstairs. Josh was here! It was early so he was probably up all night on a plane or drivin’ or somethin’. I ran downstairs to see him.

Keith lingered but Dave followed soon after. I wish they had gotten along better- it’s not like Keith had ever done anythin’ to Josh.

Dad didn’t like Keith much either, he said he was too old to be hangin’ around kids my age, but he was always respectful when Keith came here.

I wasn’t gonna dwell on that, though, I wanted to see Josh- it had been way too long!