Nick? What are you doing? Coby says.
I got this, you say.
Not sure if you really do, but
realizing there’s no turning back now.
Dean’s doggy paddle
(apparently he can’t swim)
sends everyone
into a fit of raucous laughter.
Everyone except his brother,
who is now walking
your way,
looking murderous.
He’s a few feet away
when you realize that
no dance move or soccer trick
is gonna stop his death blow.
You glance down at the table
that separates you
from his wrath.
There’s a book on it:
The Heroes of Olympus.
Ironic, you think.
(Fight the fear, Nick.)
(You got this, Nick.)
Don, wait a minute. Don’t you want
one more day with a chance? you ask,
quoting Michonne
from The Walking Dead, but
without the samurai sword.
He looks confused,
maybe even a little scared.
He kicks the table out of the way.
You want some of these paws? he says.
Do I want some straws? you mock.
You want my draws? What!?
Hey, DJ, you scream, wild and crazy-like,
DROP THAT BEAT!
And now Don looks really confused.
The crowd starts laughing, and
he throws a right punch
and you suddenly remember
how to block a punch
from tae kwon do.
It works and
you feel good,
and for once
you’re above water.
And that feels great
till a left
uppercut
pops up
outta nowhere
and your jaw feels
like it is in
your brain
and wait,
who shut off
All. The. Lights.