Jeff blinked feeling awkward standing in Mike's spare bedroom while he was downstairs watching the game and waiting for him... The computer was chugging away at something which seemed out of place in the seldom-used space and the back of his mind told him to leave it and that it's supposed to be like that.
Jeff turned from the room, part of him thought the space was all wrong, part of him thought his friend had a perfectly suitable guest room for his visit. Jeff lumbered down the stairs feeling the weight bounce with every step, a small piece of him was delighted, a larger piece of him longed for his more muscular form from his college days.
Jeff, collapsed on the couch with his friend, helping himself to a beer and some of the appetizers. The game was exciting and the banter was everything he'd hoped for. Once the game was over Mike showed Jeff some projects around the house he'd been meaning to get to. As any true best friend would, Jeff replied "Aw, we could knock that out in no time. grab some tools, I'll get more beer."
Midday quickly wore on to afternoon, and then evening came and the two were still in high spirits. countless tasks had been done across the yard and throughout the garage. Ready for sitting they realized burning yard waste wasn't a chore when it was a bon fire with a friend and they found stuff to eat while trying to make the fire as hot as possible to get through the neglected yard waste pile as fast as possible... each time a stick would fall and sparks would fly they would cry out, "OHH!" it was a stupid game but it was better than being alone.
Night fell and the fire died down. The pair retreated inside unable to accomplish any more outside. "Hey, wanna watch a movie or tv show, I've got Netflix and Disney!" Mike offered.
"Sure" Jeff replied, catching a glimmer in Mike's eye...
"Look what I got!" Mike said pulling a handle of liquor from behind his back... "We don't have anywhere we have to be tomorrow. We can make a game of it."
Jeff chuckled "I always knew you were trouble. Sure, what'll one or two hurt?"
"Only two? I'd better make them count!" Mike said, completely taken by the reality where he is a single childless man.
The pair settled on a movie and picked their character to follow and an action that would make them drink... They watched each other's character and only had to drink when called out but could force a drink if they missed the trigger... By 11:30 neither could walk straight without aid and the drinks were more booze than mixer.
"I... Think we should call it." Jeff said looking at Mike who was about to pass out on the couch...
"Ehh, whatdaYOUknow?" Mike slurred with an antagonistic grin...
Jeff chuckled, Mike was always the one who wanted to keep going, even when he couldn't. "We will see how you feel about that tomorrow."
Jeff turned off the TV; getting up he carefully stumbled to the kitchen with the last bit of his drink and braced himself as he downed the last third. "That will hurt tomorrow..." Jeff filled his glass with water and drank it several times. He then grabbed a plastic glass filling it with water, and set it by Mike... He smiled at Mike before he turned off the lights.
"Ay man." came Mike's weak half-asleep voice. "You're the best and I really missed you. Love you man."
Jeff smiled, "Love you too Mike, but you're still wrong about..." Mike let out a snore, completely gone. Jeff slowly made his way up the stairs into the guest room and collapsed on the bed falling asleep as fast as Mike. A few moments later the computer flashed midnight and the preset timeframe of "Jeff the best friend" ended...