The Surprise Visit

"I promise. Next month, Mom. Next month."

Greg pulled his phone down, threw it on the glass table, and sat on the couch behind him. He faced his best friend, Elmer, who's sitting with him, and asked if he could sleep on the couch just for the night.

"You know what, Greg, you're just as crazy as my grandma," Elmer said. He reached for the phone on the table, and seeing Greg's tall body filled the whole couch, he just sat on the wooden floor. "What if you get into an accident? Wait, I'm gonna call your mother so that---"

Greg sprang up and stole the phone in Elmer’s hand. “Dude, you’re being a baby.”

Elmer walked to the foot of the stairs and said, “If something bad happens to you, don’t call me. I’m out of it.”

“Nothing bad will happen,” Greg jumped back to the couch. ”I promise. By the way, good night.” He looked back and Elmer was gone.

He stared at the circular fluorescent light above him, trying to forget all the negative but full-of-sense advice his best friend said. The light was visually satisfying to watch, and he would like to keep it on the whole night.

“Greg, you forgot again,” Elmer shouted from his room. “Turn off the light. You never pay for the bill.”

(to be continued)