Dustin's Turn

by June Kramin

  Perkins probably wasn’t even his real last name. Now he was really back to square one.

  Dusty wasn’t usually one to wallow, but he was getting increasingly upset and really starting to miss his kids. He wanted this over with. With everything that happened last night, he never got around to making dinner for Katie. He wasn’t in the mood for cooking and didn’t want to do cheap take out or Chez Pauls again. Picking up his phone, he called the one place he could go where he knew he’d get a great meal. If he was when he thought he was, it was time to pay the piper anyway. Might as well get it over with so he could concentrate on his task.

  “May? What’s for dinner tonight?”

  His parent’s cook practically squealed at the sound of his voice. “Roast beast if you’re coming home, child.”

  He laughed. Hearing her call it that after all these years still warmed his heart. “Then I’ll be there will a date. You guys still eat at six?”

  “You know it.”

  “See you then. Thanks, May.”

  He couldn’t hug his kids, but he’d get some family loving from May and his mother anyway.

  “You spoiled baby,” Katie teased Dusty on the way to his parents’ house. “You call up your old housekeeper and tell her what to make you for dinner?”

  “No. I told her I wanted to show up for dinner. She just always makes what I like when I tell her I’m going to show up.”

  “What’s with the change? You said you weren’t going to submit me to your parents so soon.”

  “I needed a change of pace. School has really been bumming me out lately.”

  “What’s the matter? Is it me? Am I keeping you from your studies?”

  “Oh, hell no, babe. You are the one thing that makes sense right now.” Dusty commended himself inside for that one. He sure remembered a lot of details about their past, even though they seldom talked about it. “It’s just…I told you I don’t want to be a lawyer anymore. I never did, actually. I need to talk to my dad someday. I was kind of hoping you’d be my wing man.”

  She giggled. “Your what?”

  “You know. Have my back. My dad is going to shit an eggroll. Maybe he’ll go easy on me if you’re there. Normally I’d bring Dean, but my dad has no problem yelling at me in front of him. I understand if you don’t want me to say anything tonight. It can try to wait, but he and Mom sort of have this radar. They’ll know something is up.”

  “I’m not sure what I can do, but I’m with you no matter what you decide to do.”

  “Thanks.”

  This time she took his hand and kissed it. “I have never seen you nervous before.”

  “It shows?”

  “More than a little.”

  “Mind if I get drunk tonight?”

  She grinned. “Do what you want. I’ll drive home.”

  Dusty was hoping he planned this right. With a little luck they’d get snowed in and have pretty damn great sex in one of the spare rooms. Even though he had passed out afterward, Katie often teased him about his “rare form” on the 100 proof Captain Morgan that night. They had a bottle of it at their house, but it wasn’t touched. It was more of a trophy or a fun reminder for both of them.

  Dusty had been so hung up on not getting more information about Ronald from his Katie that it hadn’t even occurred to ask this Katie, okay— equally his—about him. He had to figure out a good way to do it, so he didn’t come across as if he was doing background work for Dean. Having all night to bring it up, he had time to think on how to carefully word things. For now, he had to warn Katie about his upbringing.

  “Don’t let the house freak you out, babe.”

  “Why would it freak me out?”

  “It’s a little on the big side.”

  “Our house was no rambler either. My parents did okay for themselves. I assume if your dad is a lawyer, they are doing well for themselves, too.”

  “That’s an understatement.” As he said that, Dusty pulled into a driveway and stopped at a large wrought iron gate. He leaned over to an electronic keypad and entered a code.

  “You’re shitting me.”

  “Wish I was. Don’t let Dad intimidate you. He’s sort of rough around the edges. Just be yourself.”

  “Thanks for giving me warning on this. You could have said something before we made it through the gate.”

  “You would have only jumped out.” He gave her thigh a squeeze before pulling into the last stall of the garage, the one always left available for him and his other sister, Dana. Although Dana and Dusty grew up together with the same parents, he was much closer to and had more in common with Alyson. Alyson had been the result of his father’s affair. They were best friends until they discovered at the age of eight that they were siblings. That fact only brought them closer.

  When Dusty and Dana were here at the same time, there was a small garage further down the driveway with another empty stall that he used. If he recalled correctly, she was off in Paris with her current fiancé—her third. She would be on number five before she actually married one of them. That would last eight months. Little Alyson loved her and the gifts she brought from all over the world. Alex was still too young to appreciate the collectible cars she brought for him. It was the one thing his sister had in common with her dad. Their love of fine cars. Dusty guessed she was trying to bond with Alex in that same way. Dusty’s writing would never get him the lifestyle of a garage full of cars like his father’s, nor did he want it. He hoped Alex would be happy with models.

  Dana and Katie got along better than he would have expected, but they weren’t as close as she and Alyson were. The bond they shared over what Katie had done for her was beyond measure. Dusty found himself jealous over times when Alyson called wanting to talk to Katie and not him.

  Dusty loved Dana a lot, they were just total opposites. She reveled in the glory of the family money, where he had pushed it away his entire life. She thrived on going to different schools, but never did decide on any one major. They never pushed her to get a degree the way they had with him. School and a job were no longer necessities when you had to be “the belle of the ball”, perfect hostess, and wife.

  The conversation about Alyson being their sister never happened between Dana and Dusty. His father most certainly never brought it up and Dusty wasn’t an idiot. Dana would have had one of her award-winning fits, and his dad would have spent a fortune to buy her love back. She liked playing the role of spoiled “only” daughter. Dusty would keep that secret from her for the greater good: peace in the household. Alyson was his and his alone. He liked it that way.

  He often wished Dana took more interest in their father’s company. Dusty had no desire to take it over in any shape or form. He always hoped Dana would decide she wanted to take it over or at least choose a husband who would do it and remove the burden from him. Things worked out in the end but for now, him taking over the family business was always at the top of his father’s priorities; these days still rode hard in his memory.

  Even though he had been down this road before, he was not looking forward to a repeat performance of breaking the news to his dad about leaving school.

  “Earth to Dusty.” Katie waved her hand in front of Dusty’s face. They had been parked for over a full minute and he just stared ahead.

  “I’m sorry. Coming here always gets my mind wandering. Stay put.” Dusty raced around to her side of the car and helped her out.

  “I love it when you go gentleman on me.”

  “This place brings out the worst in me. What can I say?”

  Katie scanned the garage, taking in all the amazing vehicles. “Wow. This is some car collection.”

  Dusty let out a whistle. He had forgotten about the smash on the Aston Martin. “Dad must be pissed about this.”

  “Holy hell,” Katie almost shouted. “That Delorean is impressive.”

  “Got it up to one-twenty.”

  “Dusty! You didn’t.”

  “Ticket was three times that. Dad shit a
brick.”

  “I’ll bet.”

  He spun Katie into him and leaned down for a kiss. “I’d rather kiss you than look at cars.” She wrapped her arms around his neck; they shared a lingering kiss until someone cleared their throat behind them. They quickly broke apart. Dusty walked Katie over to his mother.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Hi, Mom.” Dusty gave his mother a kiss on the cheek. “You remember Katie, right?”

  “Of course. Nice to see you again.”

  “You, too, Norma,” Katie said with a genuine smile.

  “Come in. The garage is no place to be hanging out.”

  They walked in and found Dustin Sr. sitting in a recliner, reading a newspaper. “Nice to see you again, Katie.” He stood and walked over to join them. “I don’t remember you saying what you’re going to school for. Is it law school as well?”

  “No. Veterinary medicine.”

  Norma squealed. “Can you do Princess Sophia’s nails for me?”

  “That dog ain’t dead yet? Isn’t she like a hundred?”

  “Eighteen. Deaf and blind and still a better child than you.” Dusty grinned. Some things were just always meant to be said.

  “Sounds like a Cocker Spaniel,” Katie said.

  “She is! Could I trouble you?”

  “I’d be happy to.”

  After they left, Dusty went to the bar and removed a beer from the refrigerator. He didn’t bother looking at the label this time. He could do without the hundred dollars a bottle conversation again. His dad joined him.

  “Dean Hallard called me today.”

  Shit. It was starting already. Dusty hadn’t quit yet, but he knew what it was about. “So he told you I missed the past two days?”

  “You mind explaining yourself?”

  “Can’t this wait until after dinner? I don’t think we need to do this right away. Katie doesn’t need to see us fighting.”

  “Are we going to fight? What is so damn detailed about a straight answer that you can’t just spill it?”

  “Dad, please.” Dusty put the beer aside and reached for the 100 proof. Hell. It worked the first time. Funny how he still felt he needed the drink to get him through this, even though he had already survived this talk.

  Norma walked in declaring Katie was a nail clipping genius and stopped when she found the men were in a serious discussion. “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m not sure. You try to get out of your son what he’s not telling me.”

  “Oh dear. Can this wait until after dinner?”

  Katie went to Dusty’s side and watched as he added a dash of coke to his drink. “That bad?” she whispered. Dusty raised the glass to take a drink, but she took the glass from him and poured some out. She added more coke to it. “It’ll be okay. I got your back, remember.”

  May came out of the kitchen and went straight to Katie. “I’m May, dear. Don’t you believe a thing this rotten child has told you about me.”

  “He said you’re a wonderful cook.”

  “Well, you can believe that one. Everyone ready to eat?”

  This time they made it through dinner first before the fight broke out. May was serving them drinks when Dusty’s father said, “Spill it, Junior.”

  “I told you to not call me Junior, Dad.”

  “I’ll call you dead meat in a minute if you don’t tell me what’s going on.”

  Dusty downed a good portion of his drink. “I’m leaving school.”

  “You did not just say that.”

  “I did and I mean it. I’m not cut out to be a lawyer and I never will be. I can give you my reasons, but it won’t matter. You’ll never see my side of it anyway.” He took Katie’s hand. “I’d rather not do this now in front of Katie. I wanted you to get to know her, I didn’t want to fight.”

  “Well, we’re doing this now, young man.”

  “No, Dad. We’re not.” Dusty tried to escape. They were at the door, but this time Katie didn’t let him get his coat on before she stopped him.

  “We’re not going, Dusty. You need to face this. It’s better now than later.”

  “I’m sorry I brought you here.”

  “I’m not.” Katie pointed behind Dusty. His father was standing there. “Let’s sit down and try to be civil. I’m willing to listen, son.”

  “Holy shit, Dusty. I’m buying a bottle of that stuff if this is what it does to you.” Katie was breathing hard, a completely satisfied puddle in Dusty’s arms. He rubbed at his chest where she had bit him, trying to muffle her moans.

  The night had played out as it had a few years ago. His father got over it, was giving him his support and paying his rent until the semester was through. Dusty agreed to finish that much. A car for Katie was a part of the deal he managed this time around as well. The BMW was never Dusty’s style. He’d traded it in for a VW Beetle for Katie and a simple small model truck for himself. Katie hadn’t wanted a car, but she quickly grew used to having one. As soon as she graduated, she picked up the Mini Cooper. After a time travel trek where Dusty broke a leg driving in a snow storm, she’d insisted on the SUVs they currently had. The accident wasn’t prevented, but the injury was. Score one for time travel.

  A storm kept them overnight at his parents’ house, as it had before, and once again he snuck into Katie’s room after being told he wasn’t allowed to share a room under their roof. Dusty hadn’t said they were soon to be engaged this time. He thought it might scare this Katie, since they hadn’t been dating that long.

  “Babe?”

  “Hmmm?”

  “You know what that Ronald guy that Courtney was dating does? What kind of classes he takes?” Dusty knew he wasn’t in school, but Katie didn’t know he knew.

  “Why?”

  “Just curious.”

  “Is Dean jealous or something?”

  “He hasn’t mentioned him at all. I don’t know what made me think of it.” He kissed her, trying to help change the subject. He was sorry he ruined such a perfect moment. “Forget I said anything. Must just be the alcohol talking.”

  “I don’t mind. I hope he’s out of the picture now. I really like Dean. It’s a bonus that he’s your friend. Ronald’s not in school. I told you he has a few years on her. You actually probably have seen Ronald around. He works at a sports bar.”

  “Really? You know which one?”

  “I don’t know. Court and I usually go to Dicky’s. We don’t do the sports bar thing and she has said something about him not being allowed visitors when he works. It’s some hockey bar, I think.”

  Dusty tried to keep his excitement down. “Well, I guess it’s good to know. Sounds like something Dean and I would do. I guess it’s best if we steer away from those bars. You know. Just in case.”

  “Good idea.” Katie yawned and fell asleep. Dusty dropped to his back to think of a game plan, but the booze hit, he was asleep shortly after her.

  The next day was once again peaceful in the Andrews household. Dusty played a few songs on the piano when Katie asked him to. He didn’t have to be scolded by May this time for never playing for Katie since he had played for her at Chez Pauls. He played some cards with his parents, as well as napping with Katie while they waited for the storm to pass. If he had to re-live a few days, these were not bad ones to repeat.

  As they drove home, Katie rested her head on Dusty’s shoulder. “I’m really glad I was able to spend some time with your parents and May. I don’t know why you were so worried about it.”

  “I can’t believe you’re saying that. My dad intimidated a lot of my friends. Alyson was about the only one that would come over. He was nicer to her. I learned why later.”

  “You said that was a long story. You told me she was your sister, but your mom only talked about Dana.”

  “I’m glad you had the sense not to say anything. My mind was so wrapped up in breaking the news about school, I didn’t think to explain it to you and ask you not to mention it.”

  “I can be a fast thinker when
I’m not drinking 100 proof Captain Morgan.”

  “Yeah, but you did put a dent in that bottle of wine with Mom.”

  “Don’t remind me. I still have a lingering headache. So…you going to tell me?”

  Dusty told her again about his father’s affair with Alyson’s mother and about them moving away years later. He left out the part about her saving Alyson from drowning. Somehow in this mixed up pretzel of a life of theirs, she’d already done it.

  “You think your mother doesn’t know?”

  “I’m pretty sure she does, but it’s never been mentioned. Mom has to have her pride and really love Dad to have stayed with him after that.”

  “She’s a bigger woman than I am.”

  “How so?”

  “I wouldn’t stay with a guy if he cheated on me. I don’t care how much I think I love him. Once trust is gone, there isn’t much.”

  Dusty took her hand. “I’ll never give you reason to doubt me. If you ever see me hugging a girl again, you’ll know it’s a friend. I promise you that much.”

  “I think I know that now and believe you.”

  “In fact, the only way I would cheat on you is if I could go back in time and have sex with you all over again.” Dusty grinned.

  Katie laughed hard. “Would I be aware of this time traveling?”

  “I’m not sure. Would it matter?”

  “Well, call me stupid, but I think I’d still be jealous of me having to share you with myself.”

  “Ha!” Dusty blurted out.

  “What?”

  “Uh…I just think that’s funny. I felt the same way once and someone got mad at me.”

  “You had a conversation with someone about sleeping with them while time traveling?”

  “Sort of. Book research, you know. I was talking about throwing in a time traveling girl and some of the things that could happen in my book. The discussion became pretty heated.”

  Katie shook her head. “I really need to introduce you to Adam the Hugger. You writers and your brains sure go to some strange places.”

  Dusty had no reply to that. He simply blurted out what he wanted to say. “Move in with me, Katie.”