Don't Judge (Nothing Special 4)

He’d almost finished the bottle of red and thought about going to the liquor cabinet for something stronger but changed his mind. He had to stop getting rip-roaring drunk just to sleep. It was only a temporary solution, which would make things worse in the long run. He cleaned up in silence and turned out all the lights, retreating to his bedroom. He hated how quiet it was without his parents in the living room arguing over a game of Monopoly or laughing ridiculously to whatever they could find on Comedy Central. His dad could be a real prick to him, but he never was to his wife. He went out of his way to make her smile.

Austin was beginning to accept that he wouldn’t have that, but at least he still had work. He had to be grateful for something or else he’d never leave the cabin. He sat on the side of his bed and listened to the darkness. When he got tired of that, he stretched out across the mattress and closed his eyes. Sleep came a long time later.

Judge straightened his spine and walked back to where God’s office was. The looks on their faces told Judge what he’d been contemplating the whole way there. They knew. God didn’t stand to greet him this time, but his partner sure did. He knew he’d have a standoff with one of them, but he was kind of hoping for God. Day’s mouth was too damn slick.

“I oughta kick you in your ass and give you brain damage,” Day said, by way of greeting.

Ouch. There was that slick mouth he’d be defending himself against. How does someone reply to that? He chewed the cane harder and sat down in front of God’s desk, boldly meeting his sharp green eyes with his own gaze. He tried to relay his apologies without actually voicing them, but it didn’t look like that would fly. Michaels’ team stood around, some just watching him, others waiting to pounce, he wasn’t sure who was in what camp. All he wanted was Michaels first, then he’d deal with them.

He’d gone by Michaels’ apartment first. There were at least a week’s worth of newspapers in front of his door and his neighbor said she hadn’t seen him in days. He found Michaels’ parents’ address easily enough; it was what he did, after all. But after watching their house for a day, he realized Michaels wasn’t there. That meant seeing his team. He had to have been staying with one of them, so instead of Judge wasting time and scoping out each one of their houses, he bit the bullet and went in to ask.

“Day,” God said, but Day didn’t stop glaring.

“Where is he?” Was Judge’s only response.

“Why?” Day snapped. “Did you finally realize there’s not a better fish in the sea?”

Judge gritted his teeth. “Look Day. I realize you don’t like me very much right now but—”

Day barked a humorless laugh. “Like… did you just say like? Judge you are way beyond me not liking you. You’re not even standing close to the word like. You’re standing two blocks from the corner of despise and hate.”

Judge snorted. “I don’t give a rat’s ass if you hate me or not.”

“You should. But, regardless of your piss-poor opinion about my feelings toward you. I wouldn’t tell you where Michaels is: even if your life depended on it.”

Judge broke eye contact with Day and growled at God, “Tell me what type of man butts his nose into another man’s love life?”

“A best friend, a good boss, a hero. I could keep going,” Day retorted, quickly.

“Don’t.”

“A conqueror,” Day added, for good measure.

Judge gripped the armrests of the chair. He wanted to pop the smug Lieutenant in his forehead but that wouldn’t go over so well. It also wouldn’t help his cause.

“Let me ask you something.” Day propped himself up on the corner of God’s desk, leaning in when he spoke. “Did you suck the heart and soul out of my best friend for sport, or did you receive some kind of nourishment from it?”

Judge gritted his teeth. He wasn’t sure how much more he was going to take.

“Day. Settle down.” This time it was the dark man that spoke. The Sergeant. Syn was his name, he believed. He stood and came closer, his corded forearms on display since his dress shirt’s sleeves were rolled up. “I’d like to hear what he has to say.”

No one else spoke after Syn. Judge respected the hell out of the guy, so he faced him and spoke. “I can’t apologize to him if I can’t find him. I was wrong for pushing him away the way I did, but… I was… I was confused.”

Day exaggeratedly threw his hands up in the air. “Someone please get me Guinness World Records on the line and let them know we have the most pitiful fuckin’ excuse of all time for them. Confused! Oh that’s original. When do the rights to your goddamn book come out?!”