The Guy from the Insane Asylum

Chapter 15

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"Listen, Morty, I hate to break it to you, but what people call "love" is just a chemical reaction that compels animals to breed. It hits hard, Morty, then it slowly fades, leaving you stranded in a failing marriage. I did it. Your parents are gonna do it. Break the cycle, Morty. Rise above. Focus on science." —Rick, from Rick and Morty.

Chapter 15

When Bethany asked Joey for a ride to the Asylum, despite her owning a car, she thought he would argue more. He didn't.

"I'll be back, mom." Joey said, as he took a strawberry yogurt out of the refrigerator. "ADELAIDE, I CALL DIPS ON THE LAST PIZZA SLICE." He screamed, hoping his sister would hear even though she was in the backyard swimming pool.

She heard, and angry she stormed back inside the house. "That's not fair you always get the last slice." She argued as Bethany patiently waited for them to finish.

"Well I always beat you to dips." He shrugged, then flicked her on the shoulder and turned around to walk away.

"Jerk!" Adelaide muttered under her breath.

"I heard that!" Joey replied without looking back. "Come on, Beth. Let's go."

"Is it right for a twenty year old guy to argue over the last pizza slice with a sixteen year old girl?" Bethany asked once she was buckled in. She was trying to distract herself from the fact that she was taking her own brother to Zach who would erase some part of his knowledge. Not that he had much of it, but still.

"It is when they're related and one is clearly more attractive." He pointed at himself as he was leaving their driveway.

"Hey, are you okay? You're acting a bit delusional." Beth joked. "Did you forget to take your daily tea, grandpa?" She laughed.

"Tea isn't made for old people only," he rolled his eyes. "And besides, our grandpa doesn't even like tea."

Bethany laughed at his defensiveness. "Whatever you say." She just thought it was funny he drank tea every morning and night.

~

"Joe, I need you to do something for me," Bethany was beginning to get nervous. They had arrived at Dared and miraculously she had convinced Joey that she was supposed to give someone a tour of the Asylum as part of a volunteer service requirement. "To get more publicity and not run out of business," she had said. He had believed it.

And so, after walking past the empty front desk—Zach and Beth had planned before hand that Bristol needed to be elsewhere from 3:15 to 3:30 P.M.—they made their way around to the garden. One of the few places without cameras at every corner.

"And this is the garden!" Bethany said with fake excitement that was layered with tremendous nerves.

Before Joe had time to reply, a figure appeared from behind the cherry trees. "Hey, Joey." Zachary said.

Taken aback, J turned to face his sister. Then he turned to his best friend, because yes, he still considered him that. "Z? Holy shit!" He walked over to him and gave him a hug with a few intense pats on the back. Zachary chuckled and Bethany hoped he would change his mind and not do what was planned but she knew he had to. He was doing it because he cared.

"What the hell is going on here?" Joe laughed, and waited for an answer. When he didn't get one, he frowned. "What is this?" He questioned more seriously.

"I'm sorry." Bethany whispered. Zach reflexively turned at her voice, but he couldn't stay looking at her because he knew how much she hated this. And all he wanted to do was make it happen faster, for it to be over.