4; voice; instantly regrettable post

[harriedosborn]

So.

[ He's speaking a little slowly, the bitterness properly enunciated in the slight tipsy slur to his voice. ]

… You know. I wasn't going to think anything of it, I have way better things to be working on and thinking about, but the more I think about it the more it's really burning me up. I mean, I really wasn't going to think anything of it but then--

[ He clicks his tongue and pauses to take another sip of whatever he's drinking. ]

I think that's really great. Really. My dad never remembered my birthday and he always blamed it on the leap year, but -- but my birthday's the twenty-eighth, that's just bullshit, right? I -- I, um -- it's so stupid, I don't even know if they remember either because I'm pretty sure I'm supposed to be dead--

[ There's a clink as something breaks, and apparently spills as well. ]

Oopsie. What was I saying? Oh -- no, the worst part is I forgot about my birthday too! [ He laughs a little, quiet and forced and slightly whimpery. ] Usually Liz says it to me in the morning, but…

'm not sure what I'm trying to say actually. I'm just giving myself a headache.

Comments

[harriedosborn]

No. [ Lying a little. ] No way.

[jackpots]

You sound drunk.

[harriedosborn]

Maybe I'm a little drunk.

[jackpots]

You should stop drinking.

[harriedosborn]

I did stop. The bottle broke.

[jackpots]

Like. No more at all, okay?

[harriedosborn]

Ever? Mary Jane.

[ Pauses. ]

No, I know...

[jackpots]

Please? For now, at least.

[harriedosborn]

It's not going to become a thing. It's really not.

[jackpots]

Okay.

[ a slightly uncomfortable pause ]

I didn't know it was your birthday.

[harriedosborn]

Neither did Peter. Maybe as my late birthday present to myself I'll get the date tattooed on my forehead.

[jackpots]

I would have gotten you something if I knew.

[harriedosborn]

Don't worry about it, MJ.

[jackpots]

No, I'm going to do something. I should have known.

[harriedosborn]

No, don't worry about it.

[jackpots]

You're clearly upset about it. So I'm going to do something.

[harriedosborn]

What are you going to do?

[jackpots]

I'll figure something out. You just drink some water, okay?

[harriedosborn]

Got it covered. Seriously, don't sweat it.

[jackpots]

I won't.

[ another long silence ]

What did you mean by... being "dead"?

[harriedosborn]

I don't know.

[jackpots]

Mi -- mindless babbling?

[harriedosborn]

Yeah. That must be it.

[jackpots]

[ a beat ]

Are you sure?

[harriedosborn]

[ Silence. ]