Faded Star

"Why don't you give me the keys and let me drive you home," Malcolm said to Heath as he staggered in the parking lot of the bar.



Malcolm's co-stars had gone there to support Heath after the news broke about Heath's alleged affair with his co-star, Aaron Campbell.



"Fuck off," Heath said. "I'm perfectly capable of driving myself home."



"No, you're not," Malcolm argued. "You're drunk and upset about what Aaron has done."



"I am not," Heath argued back. He squinted, trying to make out Malcolm's face in the darkness. What time is it? Heath looked down at the watch on his left arm but couldn't see the time. He walked away from Malcolm, trying to find his truck. At night all dark colors looked the same to him, making his black one difficult to spot.



Malcolm followed him. "Don't be a fool, Heath. You're too drunk to get on the freeway," he said, still trying to get the keys away from him.



Heath pushed Malcolm down to the ground. "I don't need help," he said with a belch. His breath stank from the whiskey he'd consumed earlier.



Malcolm climbed back to his feet and continued to follow Heath around the parking lot.



Heath grumbled and then found his truck. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts, he managed to get the door open.



Malcolm tried to grab the keys away from Heath again, but Heath shoved Malcolm to the ground roughly and climbed into the truck before Malcolm could stop him.



After the exertion, Heath had to put his head down on the steering wheel until everything stopped swimming.



Malcolm pounded on the window.



Heath lowered the glass. "What the hell do you want?"



"Why don't you sleep it off in your truck," Malcolm suggested.



Heath put the key in the ignition and started up the engine. "No," he said, taking the shifter out of park. "I'm going home to sleep in my bed and besides, the truck knows the way home." He laughed at his own joke, which made his head hurt. "Now get the hell out my way." He shifted into reverse and backed out of the spot, barely missing Malcolm.



"You almost hit me, you damn fool," Malcolm shouted at him.



Heath ignored him, shifted into drive, and sped away. Who does Malcolm think he is anyway? I've been driving tractors since I was eight. Surely I can handle my own truck. He continued up the deserted street, fiddling with the knobs on the radio, trying to find something decent. He found nothing but rap and hip hop music. Damn, this crap makes my head hurt more.



A car horn sounded behind him.



Heath looked through the rearview mirror. The lights blinded him so he couldn't make out the other car or its driver. He chose to ignore the horn and continued driving, heading toward the Hollywood freeway.



The damn fool behind him continued to blow his horn and Heath continued to ignore him. He entered the ramp to the freeway, increasing speed so he could merge into the traffic. His head bobbed. Must stay awake. Heath yawned, trying to shake off the drowsiness. How many drinks did he have? He shook his head again and moved around in his seat. Why did Aaron have to go and open his big mouth? I thought he loved me.



His head bobbed again. Shit, maybe I should have listened to Malcolm. His eyes felt heavy, which didn't help.



A loud horn blasted from the left. Heath snapped awake just in time to get back into his lane. The driver who honked at him flew past in an eighteen wheeler.



Fuck you. Just because you're bigger don't make you better. Heath chuckled to himself. Those big rig drivers thought they owned the road. His eyes began to close and he stretched them opened again.



The truck swerved on the freeway.



Heath tightened his grip on the wheel and tried to correct as his exit approached. "Shit," he said as he over-corrected and lost control. The front of the truck careened into something solid and he felt himself lifted and snatched out of the driver's seat. For a moment he seemed to be flying, and then his body landed solidly and painfully onto something hard. What the fuck? He wondered as the need for sleep overtook him. Then everything went black.