VIDEO

[killtime]

[ The camera angle is. Bad. This is a person who does not know how to use their communicator well. They probably can't even take a proper selfie. All that's showing is a pair of combat boots moving around in the grass — someone's backyard? — and in the distance, much farther out, a tree that (oddly enough) has a single board nailed to it for a reason only the gods know. It's not even nailed on straight.

The boots stop wandering. It's quiet for a moment.

Then there's a thwip, almost like the sound of a rubber band, and a thunk moments later, as an arrow hits the crooked board, dead center.

Unceremoniously then, a woman's voice: ]

Any of you know shit about teenagers?

[ Another thunk. A second arrow, its head practically kissing the first where it strikes. ]

What do normal fifteen-year-olds do these days?

[ Thunk. A third arrow. Three for three.

A mutter then, half to herself: ]

Fuck. Probably better get around to the whole "birds and bees" thing.

Comments

[killtime]

[ She pauses.

That's actually a good question. ]

...He's good. Earnest. Nervous as all hell. Still learning how to be his own person.

[catlady]

So, chances are he doesn't know what he's into, either. That or he's really into something specific, which just makes your job even easier.

And if he isn't so sure of what he's into, you try the usual outlets: film, music, art, video games, pets...

[killtime]

[ All reasonable suggestions. She sounds a little disgruntled when she responds, but that's just because she's a cranky old woman. ]

I haven't tried a video game since the 1950 Canadian National Exhibition.

[catlady]

Let's just say they've come a long way since then, but hey, just means it's something that the two of you can get into together, you just gotta find something the both of you would like.

[killtime]

Gods. It's probably all touchscreens and shit now, isn't it.

[ This is a woman that can barely use an iPhone. ]

You have a lot of experience with kids or something?

[catlady]

Touch screens, virtual reality headsets, and all. They're not all like that, though. There are still plenty of beat 'em up arcade games.

Something like that? I had a couple -- not mine, mind you, but girls I took in off the streets that needed a safe place to stay while they got on their feet.

[ She was almost step-mom to, like, a dozen Batkids, too but that's not important. ]

[killtime]

Martin's not mine either. Not by blood. [ That's the first time she's used the kid's name this entire post. ] Picked him up off the street too. Scared, lost little thing.

[catlady]

But he is yours, if you're claiming him. In all the ways that matter. And it sounds like he was lucky you found him, too, because not a lot of kids are. Not a lot of people out there are the kind of people you want finding you.

[killtime]

I don't know about lucky. But it is what it is. We're doing our best.

[catlady]

Harder to recognize when you're standing so close, I guess. I'd wager it goes both ways too.

[ They're lucky to have each other, or whatever. It's nice to have people. ]

[killtime]

[ It is nice. Even if she'd be hard-pressed to admit that. Andy just makes a noise of acknowledgement in response. ]

You have anyone here?

[catlady]

Made an acquaintance or two, but, nah. It's just me.

[ Which is, honestly, just a whole lot easier than explaining boggled timelines and people she knows but doesn't really know. Easier than talking about him and, after all, those are his people. ]

Suits me just fine, really. I've never been a great people-person.

[killtime]

[ Sounds lonely. But Andy doesn't say that outloud. ]

Me either. [ Liar: She is. She just doesn't want to be — a people-person. ] People are always temporary anyway.

[catlady]

[ Here's the thing: if you've been alone long enough, it doesn't feel so lonely. It's easier not to have to schedule your life around someone, easier to do the things that you want to do. Little by little you even find you begin to like it.

She's been a person who needs other people and all it's ever gotten her was heartache -- for her, for them. Attachment is a cancer and it's better to cut it right out. ]

Especially in a place like this.

[killtime]

I've been saying that for centuries. Did my damnedest to make everyone fuck off when I got here. Wouldn't even tell people my name.

[ She exhales audibly. ]

Still ended up like this.

[ Funny though — how she sounds a little tired, but not especially regretful. ]