A New Stream

507


"But why is the rum gone," JD inquired like a child wondering why the candy had disappeared. We went through this routine at least once a week.

"Because you drank it all at the party last night."

"All of it?"

"Pretty much though you did have some help." Oh was all JD said in reply but I'm sure he had no recollection of anything and was just taking my word for it. JD isn't someone you could call very bright. In all actuality he had the mentality of a child, guess it was due to this that I felt it was my duty to take care of him. I considered him my little brother and the commune was truly the best place for him.

I shook my head and walked away to see if there was anything to eat. The kitchen was empty as everyone was probably still asleep after last nights festivities. It wasn't even noon yet. Finding nothing appetizing I decided to go hang out on the roof and ponder the great ponderables. River put a bit of a damper in those plans.

"Surprise to see you up this early," I said while carefully climbing out of the second story window. "Took a chaser did you." She seemed deep in thought and didn't react to my comment.

"I didn't drink much." Sitting next to her I attempted to follow River's line of sight and ended up finding a squirrel to quell my visual ADD.

"What's up Riv?"

"Nothing, just enjoying the view." Looking at the nearly identical houses I couldn't find satisfaction with this answer.

"Right. What's really going on in that mind of yours?"

"Why are you here Mags?"

"Because there was nothing good to eat in the kitchen."

"No. What made you come to the commune?"

"Well I never really got use to the whole college thing and I didn't like the idea of becoming a corporate yuppie. This seemed like the best place." River still wasn't looking at me.

"Do you really see yourself being here for the rest of your life?" I really didn't want to think about the rest of my life.

"Riv, what's the mouse turning in there?"

"Sometimes it just seems that we're running away from the world, that I'm running away."

"Running away? I just see it as a big 'fuck you' to the mainstream." River lowered her head so I got serious. "Hey, no one's keeping you here Riv. You can go whenever you like and if the world isn't to your liking, the commune will still be here." I paused a moment before adding, "if you want me to go with you, I will." River turned to me smiling.

"What about JD?" I laughed.

"As long as he has rum he'll be fine."

"You're the best Mags."

"I know," I boasted resulting in River hitting me. We both laughed though in the back of my mind I hoped I wouldn't have to leave this place.