>>5780362Chuckling to himself for another minute or so, Raj steadies himself with a deep breath before turning your way again. “So uh… yea. Getting mad’s fine an’ all, but life goes on, right? Like this whole <span class="mu-s">ISLAND ADVENTURE</span> thing.”
Sure, you respond with a frown, but people… people <span class="mu-i">died</span>, Raj-
“But if we didn’t do our thing, a <span class="mu-i">lot</span> more people would have, right?” He counters with a raised eyebrow! “Like… I know, man–I was there when Ronnie got bit. And it still hurts…” The skater adds as he wraps his arms around his chest, “But… but because of us we get to hang out on the golf course right now… and enjoy the sun. And laugh. And… and a bunch of other crap.”
Your friend’s face grows serious as you feel his gaze intensify.
“Life’s always gonna crap on us, man… you’re always gonna fall off your board. But Linda taught me that there’s really only one thing to do when you fall:”
‘<span class="mu-i">Get back on</span>’, right?
Raj blinks. “Shiiit, that’s what she meant! I always thought Linda was sayin’, like, ‘<span class="mu-i">Don’t fall at all</span>’! Damn, you’re smart!”
Giving your shoulder a playful punch, Raj takes in another big gulp of morning air and smiles! “Future’s lookin’ bright, man–there’ll be clouds, sure, but there’s gonna be sun too…”
He frowns a bit as he glances skyward. “... maybe some humidity. Hail. I dunno, man, I ain’t a weather guy.”
Staring upwards for a few more minutes, Raj breaks from his trance and looks at you excitedly! “So! You an’ Pep want some privacy or something? I can tell the old man I gotta whizz or something if you need privacy!”
Shit, dude, you stammer, no, you-wait… how would that lure Chuck away?
“Trust in the process, my duuuude…” Replies the skater in a knowing, and somewhat scary, tone as he taps the side of his head. “Or wait… are we leavin’ now?”
Never change, Raj… never change.
What do?
>WHAT WILL YOU DO AFTER THIS?>YOU WANT HELP SEARCHING FOR LINDA?>ANYONE YOU WANNA CHECK IN ON WHEN WE GET TO THE MANSION?>RIVKA’S STILL OUT THERE, Y’KNOW…>WERE YOU AND LINDA, UH… CLOSE? LIKE CLOSE-CLOSE?>THANKS AGAIN, RAJ–SIT TIGHT. (LEAVE CONVO)>WRITE-IN! 