Tale of Myself (Extension)

The first part of this short story about losing an imaginary childhood friend can be found here.

Photo by Alexander Grey on Unsplash

I shook my head but it only resulted in me rolling farther from Rodrick’s grasp, “It’s okay. I understand. I would be embarrassed to talk to someone not real, too. I think you’ve known all along I’m not like your other friends.”

Rodrick denied it, “No. You’re wrong. You’re my best friend.” He became angry now, his brow furrowed and his legendary vein popped out of his neck. “You are not going to disappear. We are going to find you a doctor and they are going to put you back together. You can even have one of my legs.”

“Rodrick.” He didn’t look at me. I repeated his name until he looked at me, “Rodrick, I know this is hard for you right now but I need you to listen to me. I love you so much, you were the best friend I have ever had and I’m so happy I could accompany you for so long. You are going to be just fine without me, okay? You have your real friends now, they’ll take care of you.”

Tears were running down Rodrick’s face, one after another now. He didn’t wipe them away. “I love you, too, Carter.” A snot bubble burst from his nose and we shared one last little giggle.

I felt the pain again where my stub of a neck remained and I knew it was time to go, “Goodbye, Rodrick. Tell your mom I loved her…