Episode 9

Denny was definitely in serious trouble, and now, I was him. So I had no other choice but to accept the kind friend's help and maintain my identity.

||

I responded, stepping away from him to avoid an awkward atmosphere.

Theo Urione: Thank you so much for your help, Owen. I don't know why I never asked for help before, maybe I thought I could get out of this by myself.

Owen Norel: You know, that's what people always say. "I'm not addicted, I'll quit whenever I want". But every day, these things cling to the body like the roots of a tree, and it becomes almost impossible to remove them afterward. I had a cousin who died of an overdose. That's why I'm very worried about you.

Theo Urione: I understand now. I'm sorry.

Owen Norel: Let's find a doctor to help you get your memory back. That's the first step. Get ready, let's go.

Theo Urione: A doctor for my memory, no!

Owen Norel: Denny?

Theo Urione: Look, I'll recover my memory over time. I prefer to treat myself for the crap I used first. Besides, do you think the doctor will believe me if he knows about it?

Owen Norel: Oh, right. Okay then, let's go. The first step is to get rid of everything you have and not buy any more.

Theo Urione: Okay. Seems easy.

Owen Norel: You're saying that now. When you feel like it, you'll do it anyway. Maybe I can ask my parents to stay here with you for a few days, what do you think?

Theo Urione: No need.

Owen Norel: And how will I know if you haven't used it on the sly?

Theo Urione: Geez Owen! You don't trust me!? What kind of friend are you?

Owen Norel: I trust you, but these things alter your behavior. You can omit, hide. You understand?

Theo Urione: Right, but then let me try it alone first. If I fall, then you come. Okay?

Owen Norel: Yes. I hope you can do it alone. But I will come see you every day and call you too. And if one day it's too difficult, call me.

Theo Urione: Deal!

My stomach growled.

Owen Norel: Haven't eaten anything yet?

Theo Urione: No. There's nothing to eat in this house. This ridiculous guy must be on a hunger strike.

Owen Norel: This ridiculous guy?

Theo Urione: Yeah... That's right. I'm referring to myself, as the guy from the past. From today on, I'm a different Denny.

Owen Norel: Shall we go to the market? I'll help you.

Theo Urione: Is the market too far?

Owen Norel: A couple of blocks away. Don't you remember where the market is either?

Theo Urione: I remember, I just wanted to calculate if my hunger would hold up until then.

Owen Norel: Look, I have two cereal bars here. You can have them, I think you'll survive until the market. There's a diner in the parking lot. We can grab something to eat there, what do you think?

Theo Urione: Great! I'm really liking you!

Owen looked at me and smiled.

When we arrived at the diner, I preferred to do the shopping first and then sit down. When we finished picking up the items and went to the cashier, I handed over Denny's credit card, certain that he would have a balance, since he was a famous athlete. What I didn't think about was that every card has a PIN.

Cashier: You can enter your PIN.

Theo Urione: Yes.

I pressed the numbers without hesitation, however, they were from my credit card.

Cashier: Invalid password.

Theo Urione: Invalid password!? Oh... {Of course, this is Denny's card, not Theo's}

Cashier: Would you like to try again, sir? Just a reminder that if you fail three times, the card will be automatically blocked.

Owen Norel: Here ma'am, use mine.

Theo Urione: No! Owen doesn't need to do that.

Owen Norel: It's okay Denny, I want to pay.

Theo Urione: {Actually, this is great. I didn't want to leave this food for nothing. I need to keep Denny's friend very close to me}

We left with the bags in our hands, and when we were passing in front of the diner, Owen stopped.

Owen Norel: Aren't we going to eat?

Theo Urione: Oh, no. It's okay, I'll make a decent lunch when I get home.

Owen Norel: Right.

||

I spent a few very pleasant hours with Owen, and after I got home, I decided to do some cleaning. I took the broom, bucket, and rags and started cleaning everything. When I got to the bedroom, I ended up finding something that frustrated me.

Theo Urione: What's this? What kind of drugs are these? Everything goes in the trash. I hate it! I wish I could find Denny and hit him. Is that why I feel so hungry in this body? Does he just use this crap and not eat anything else?

There was a small bag inside the vase beside the bed. When I realized it, I pulled it and there were some pills and a rolled up brown thing. I took three garbage bags out of the house, and finally, after two and a half hours, I was done.

Theo Urione: Oh my God! I'm so tired. But at least everything is sparkling, and that crap went in the trash!

I heard a knock on the door.

Theo Urione: Who is it now? Every time it's a different surprise, and I haven't had much time to study Denny.

I opened the door a little defensively. And I recognized the person instantly. It was Bartholomew, the neighborhood mailman.

Bartholomew: Hello Denny! One of your fans asked me to deliver this.

It was a basket wrapped in clear paper and red bows. Inside were several items.

Theo Urione: Wow! Did you say... a present from my fans? How nice. Please thank them for me.

Bartholomew: Oh, good thing you're going to accept it this time, the boys pooled their money and worked so hard... I know I shouldn't say, but they live here in the neighborhood. I know they're not very well off, and it would be very sad for them if you asked me to return it.

Theo Urione: And why would I do that?

Bartholomew: You always ask me to return gifts from fans.

Theo Urione: Oh, right. But I've changed. I'll accept it now, because otherwise I'll lose my good image, won't I?

I gave a forced chuckle, hoping he would believe me without doubting me, because I wasn't the least bit willing to return that beautiful gift. If I'm Denny Camara, this is all mine.

Bartholomew: That's right. I hope you're successful in this change, young man.

Theo Urione: Thank you Bartholomew! Have a good day.

I closed the door, anxious to open my gift.

♥ To be continued ...

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