Harm Reduction Part Ten: Pete and Andy

INT: Café.
Pete and Andy and are sitting across from each other at a table. They are both looking remarkably uncomfortable.

Pete:

So why am I here.

Andy:

I told you I wanted to ask you something.

Pete:

I can't imagine what that would be considering you don't really know me.

The two of them sit in uncomfortable silence until Andy breaks the ice.

Andy:

Your friend Justin seems really nice.

Pete:

Look Andy if you're going to try and butter me up with compliments at least make them about me.



Andy:
Why are you always so mean to me?


Pete:
I don't know Andy. You just make it so easy. And is that the question you had to ask me? Cause if it is this is a huge waste of my time.


Andy:
I mean really. I have spent days and nights trying to figure out what it is I did or said to cause this dislike you have for me. And you know what? I can't find anything. Nothing. So what is it?


Pete:
My discomfort is so real right now it's like another person sitting at the table.

Andy:
So what is it?

Pete:
Well I hate to break it to you my dear brother but there isn't a reason. You didn't do anything and you didn't say anything. I just don't like you. I don't care about you and I don't think about you. You are just there.


Andy:
Do you know how that makes me feel?


Pete:
I don't care. Now what's this question you had to ask me?


Andy:
Did my Dad sexually molest you?

Pete:
Wow. And may I ask why you think that may be a possibility?

Andy:
I was thinking about some stuff and it fits. Makes sense.

Pete:
Really. Enlighten me. Better yet, let's analyze this. So if I say no he didn't that's pretty embarrassing for you, right?

Andy:
I guess.

Pete:
And what if I say yes Andy. What if I say ya your Dad not only molested me but he also raped me.

Andy:
Well that would be terrible.

PETE:
And what if I told that he started off trying to make friends with me and earn my trust.

Pause.

PETE:
And what if I told you that over time he started touching me in places he shouldn't have,

Pause

PETE:

And what if I told you that he said if I told anyone he would kill you boys.

ANDY:

His sons?

PETE:
Yes Andy. You and Sam and Robbie.

PETE:

Look Andy, you are the last person on earth I thought I would tell this too. So don't think you have have a coup of information of something just forget it.

ANDY is sobbing.

ANDY:

I didn't want to hear any of this.

PETE:

But you asked.

And you know what dumb ass now maybe you'll sit back and think wow my big bro offered up his ass to save my life. 

Strange but true, eh?

So maybe now I should stop trying to figure him out and just leave him alone.

ANDY:
You don't seem so mad at Sam and Robbie.

PETE:
Well Andy. That would be because you look like your Dad. You sound like your Dad. You even have the same stupid walk.

ANDY:
But I'm not him. That doesn't make sense.

PETE:
Andy, I'm a a gay drug addict multiple rape victim. Every once in a while I might not make sense.

ANDY:

So what do I do to fix this.

PETE:

You can't fix it Andy. It just is. Look I've been nicer than I've ever wanted to be to you by giving you enough crap to explain why I'm mean to you. Go home and think about it and then forget it. OK. We're done.

ANDY:
Maybe we should talk this out.

PETE:
You know what Andy? The discomfort I feel sitting here with you is so strong it's like another person sitting at the table.

ANDY:
Well I feel like I owe you something for protecting me.

PETE:
Well, ya, Andy. You do. And do you what pisses me off. He never had any intention of hurting you. When I realized that I just lost my mind. Do you know that when you were two I kidnapped you?

ANDY:
Ya, I kind of heard about that.

PETE:
Did you ever wonder why?

ANDY:
I just thought it was a story. I didn't know for sure.

PETE:
Well, dear brother, one day I took it upon myself to pull you out of your crib and run away with you.

ANDY:
Why?

PETE:
Because I thought that your Dad would do to you what he did to me.

ANDY:
Where were going to take me?

PETE:
Forgive me. I was nine. The plan went as far as hiding us both in a lump of grass by the creek. Some details were missing.

ANDY:
So what happened?

PETE:
We got found. You went back to your crib and I went to a mental institution.

ANDY:
Didn't you do that again?