Man of Constant Sorrow
“FITZ!” The house practically exploded when he walked in. Between the flashing lights and the impressive bass, Peter could hardly think through the pain. ‘And that’s what tequila’s for,’ he thought. ‘Bottom’s up.’ Peter grabbed one of the cups someone handed him and threw it back. Another appeared almost instantly. Just like magic. Magic. Peter giggled. Drunk Peter was funny. He shook his head and locked eyes with Cody who waved him over.
“FITZ! Dude, you came. I was starting to think you were going to bail.”
“Just had to get ready.” Peter shook a bottle of pills he had in his pocket and smirked.
“Fuck yeah. Listen, I want you to meet some people—what were your names---that’s right, Amanda and Shaylyn, this is my roommate, Ben Fitzpatrick. He’s like the smartest person here and…” Cody got distracted and wandered over to a group doing shots. Peter rolled his eyes and leaned in,
“Annnnd, we lost him for the night. Good evenings, ladies, I will be your captain for tonight. Lean back, relax, and enjoy the ride.” He kissed the back of their hands as they laughed. He tossed back another drink—seriously, where do they keep coming from—as they were pushed towards the middle of the crowd.
“FITZ! Show us some moves!”
‘Petey, please, please, please, please! Show me again! I promise I won’t ask for anything else ever again.’
‘Mo, you’ve seen me do this a million times.’
‘But it’s so coooooool. Just one more time.’
‘Morgan, stop bugging your brother. Get it. Bugging. Heh, anyway, he’s trying to figure out how to ask his scary girlfriend to the big dance.”
‘Tonnnyyy.’
‘I kid, my kid. We all know you have cool moves.’
‘PE-TER. I want to see a flip, PUHLEASE.’
‘Ok, Morgs.’
The night bled together. Shots. Drinks. Bodies. Peter didn’t think about it—he never thinks about it, thinking is for losers—he eventually found himself back home (how he got there he wasn’t sure), missing a shoe and throwing up in the sink. His aim had gotten impeccable, really. There were stains on the carpet he still couldn’t get out from his first few months at college.
He collapsed into bed, his neck tingling uncomfortably, but that wasn’t new, it never stopped, not since…
Anyway, best not to unravel that, unraveling’s for losers. Peter looked at the time, groaned, and figured he’d get a couple hours in before going to class. Tossing back half the bottle of Tylenol, he sank into his mattress and hoped for no dreams. But he should have known hoping was for losers.
“So, Miss Thing. You can either stay here at the pool with Uncle Happy or come with Uncle Rhodey and me to campus. Pick your poison.”
“Well, Uncle Happy does look funny in floaties.”
“Hey!”
“I want to come with you!”
“Ok, Morguna, but it might be boring. Dr. Prentiss put me to sleep several times when I took his class.”
“Yeah, Tones, and that totally wasn’t because of the 36-hour marathons you enjoyed every weekend.”
“Shut up, honeybear.”
“You ran, Dad?”
“Uh, yup. You know me. A veritable track star. Anyway, let’s get this show on the road.”
“Benjamin. Nice of you to join us.”
“What’s up, Dr. P? Looking dapper as always, man. Did you have a good weekend? Make any friends? Discover any elements?”
The class laughed. Peter saluted and slid into the back. He put on his sunglasses and leaned in his chair against the wall. His professor rolled his eyes, but looked distracted. He kept glancing at the door as he started up again.
“As I was saying, this week we are supremely lucky to welcome two guest lecturers. I asked them to come help with some research I’m working on, and took a chance to see if they’d be willing to speak with you. Since you are my favorite class, some people precluded,”—Peter saluted again—"and most advanced section, I thought you’d most appreciate the honor. So don’t embarrass me.”
“Aw, Albert! I thought we were your favorite class!”
“Anthony, James! Just on time. You know what they say, the youth are the hope of the future. Anyway, welcome to Ph 125, Dr. Stark and Col. Rhodes. We look forward to hosting you. I trust everyone will be on their best behavior.”
The class tittered and turned again to look at Peter.
Who was no longer there.