by June Kramin
Dusty sat in the finance office while Katie browsed around the showroom floor. She didn’t want to be there for the “gory details” as she called it. The car and truck they looked at came in just over the trade in amount for the BMW, but the salesman assured Dusty they could ‘fudge’ the numbers. “Just for you,” the salesman said. Dusty smiled, but inside he was thinking the guy was pond scum. He knew the cars were overpriced. If the salesman didn’t drop the prices they’d walk out, but he already knew they didn’t have to do that.
While the paperwork was being filled out, Dusty turned around and saw Katie running for the bathroom. He quickly ran after her. He didn’t heed the sign on the door that said “women” and walked in. Katie was throwing up in the handicap stall.
“Shit, sweetie. What happened?”
“You mention one food name and I swear I’ll kill you.” She flushed the toilet and slid to the floor.
“Can I come in?”
“Yeah,” she said with a groan.
He opened the door and sat next to her. “What did you eat?”
“I didn’t eat anything. I drank some cider.”
“Cider? That shouldn’t set you off.”
“They were kind enough to add cinnamon to the mix. I was cold and it sounded good. I didn’t think to stop and smell it first.”
Dusty grinned. “You know, for as bad as your allergy is, you think you’d be more careful about this. You are a doctor.”
“Shut up. It shouldn’t have had it. Someone probably dropped a couple of cinnamon sticks in there, thinking they were doing everyone a favor. That’s all it takes to set me off.”
He pulled her head to his chest. “I’m so sorry. That didn’t happen last time or I would have warned you. Well, you did yak a lot when we first met, but those were my fault. You didn’t do it here. I guess a certain amount of history does have to repeat itself.”
“Don’t say repeat itself. That’s what the meal did and trust me, it isn’t as good the second time around.”
Her eyes remained closed, she felt clammy to his touch. “I don’t think you’re in any shape to drive home.” She shook her head no. “We’ll get the car tomorrow. You want me to take you back to the dorm or you want to come home with me?”
“I want to spoon with you,” she whispered.
He kissed her forehead. “I’ll be right back.” When Dusty walked out, there were two salesmen waiting outside of the door for him.
“Is she okay?” The one asked that had helped him.
“Yeah. Your cider made her sick.”
“I’m sorry. I assure you it was made fresh not too long ago.”
“It’s not that. She has an allergy to cinnamon and drank it before she gave it a sniff test, I suppose. She’s usually more careful. It’s not your fault.” Dusty shook their hands and returned to the finance office. He grinned while walking there. The expression on the salesmen’s faces showed they were worried there would be a lawsuit. If his mind weren’t so preoccupied with Katie, he would have played with them for a bit.
When the deal was done and he walked back to the bathroom to carry her out, the salesman came over to him.
“Here’s a year’s worth of free oil changes for both of the vehicles. It’s the least I can do. I also had our secretary print a sign to make sure no one adds the sticks again.”
Dusty shook his hand. “I appreciate it. Thanks.”
Katie was right where he’d left her. He put one hand behind her back and another under her legs. “You ready, babe?” She put her arms around his neck and nodded. His new truck was waiting out front. He slid her in, then walked around to the driver side. She scooted up until her head was on his lap. “The bench seat is the best bonus to this thing already.” He ran his fingers through her hair. “Thanks for letting me get you a car.”
“I should be thanking you, you nut job.”
He patted her shoulder. “When you feel better, snookums.”
“If I had the strength, I’d hit you.”
He laughed. “I’ll try not to jostle you too much.” After a pause he added, “I love you.” She opened her eyes. “I know. That’s still weird for you, but I have to say it.” Katie smiled and closed her eyes again.
Dusty carried her into his cottage and again helped her get changed into his pajamas. He wasn’t ready for bed, but Katie didn’t want to sleep alone. She joined him on the couch while he watched a football game. Dusty sprawled out while Katie cuddled up close to him, resting her head on his chest. She let out a final sigh before wrapping an arm tight around him and whispered, “I love you, too,” before falling asleep.
The next morning brought the usual hurried chaos to get to class. Dusty was grateful that she seemed to accept his explanations of their situation. She agreed to try to live life as normally as possible. Katie told Dusty that Courtney had an errand close to his neighborhood today after classes, so she would get dropped off and save him the drive to get her.
“Sounds good. We’ll go get your car when I get home.”
After he dropped her off at her dorm, Dusty went to talk to the Dean of Students to arrange a compromise.
“I have a lot of things on my plate right now. My father doesn’t understand. I promised him I’d finish this semester and I planned on it, but something came up.”
“A girl?”
“No. Of course not. It’s just…stuff. I promise I’ll take the finals and pass with flying colors. Give me this, please. I don’t want to disrespect him or you, but I know I can ace this without taking the time you’re asking me to in class.”
“You know you’re one of our finer students. I’ve never been unhappy with your work and honestly, I had high hopes for you. It pains me to no end that you are dropping out.”
“It’s hardly dropping out. I’m finishing with a decent amount of credits for any job. I just can’t do the lawyer thing. Dad understands. You have to, too.”
“You’re throwing away a terrific career.”
“I’m not throwing away anything. I need to do what is right for me.”
Dean Hallard toyed with the pen in his hand for a few moments. “But you’re asking me to lie to your father. His company is one of our biggest contributors. If I upset him—”
“He’s not going to find out. We’ve made an arrangement and I’ll be fulfilling my part. I’ll talk to him about that library fund and get him to kick in some more if that’ll help sweeten the deal.”
“Now you’re trying to bribe me.”
“Absolutely.”
Dean Hallard laughed. “All right. I’ll look the other way, but you have to show up for finals and get nothing less than eighty percent.”
“Piece of cake. Thanks.” Dusty stood and extended his hand. The man shook it firmly.
“You spread a word of this to anyone and the deal is off.”
“My lips are sealed,” Dusty said while pretending to lock his lips with a key. After he walked out of the office, Dusty commended himself. Although he didn’t like to think he and his father were anything alike, they both had their negotiating skills. Now he was free to concentrate on his task: Ronald.
Chapter Fifteen
Dusty lucked out that day, catching Ronald starting his shift at ten o’clock. He hung out, watched TV, drank a few beers, and had lunch while he killed his day observing Ronald. Having had the foresight to bring his laptop, at least he appeared to be a student hard at work. He chuckled to himself. Sans beers of course. His father hated when he used “sans.” Dusty, of course, used it whenever he could fit it in.
Before he realized the time, it was six o’clock. Ronald was walking to the bar and Dusty called him over to his table. “You’ve busted your ass all afternoon. Let me buy you a drink.”
“I appreciate it.” He outstretched his hand to Dusty. “Name’s Ronald.”
“I heard that a time or two. I’ve been here a while. They kind of run your ass ragged. Nice to officially meet you.”
Ronald hollered to the bar from the t
able, ordering a beer. “Come get it, asswipe,” the bartender shouted back. With nothing but men currently in there, Dusty guessed there wasn’t anyone to get offended.
“On my tab,” Dusty told the bartender.
Ronald returned with his beer and continued their conversation. “Yeah, I noticed you here since we opened. Must be nice being on the other end of this restaurant thing.”
“I try not to make it a habit, but I had to skip class today. I had a lot of catching up to do.”
“Thought I saw you the other night, too.”
“Yeah, well, my girl has been busy studying, so I guess I am guilty of coming down here to catch a game or two.”
“She’s not into sports, huh?”
“Not really. She’ll tolerate a Vikings game now and then, but she’d rather partake in sports of our own doing. If you know what I mean.” Dusty gave him a wink and Ronald chuckled.
“Hell, yeah. Best sport there is. Wish I could convince my wife of that.”
“Ouch. Sorry I said anything.”
“Naw. It’s all good. It’s not like I’m not getting it elsewhere.” Dusty was appalled that he was openly admitting his affairs to a total stranger. “She was an animal when we were dating, but she got pregnant. Now everything is about the baby.”
“I’m sure you just need to give her time.”
“Kid’s almost two.”
“Oh. Well… then I can’t really say. I know there’s all kinds of help out there.”
“The ‘give a shit’ boat left long ago. Like I said, I’m getting it elsewhere.”
“She know?”
“Don’t think she cares.”
“Not to keep prying here, but why do you stay with her if you don’t love her?”
“Never said I didn’t love her, I just have needs. I’m a guy after all. Besides, I can’t afford her and the house now. I certainly can’t afford a divorce, child support, and two house payments.”
It took everything Dusty had to continue to bite his tongue. Okay, he couldn’t for a second longer. “Look, I’m not just a nobody sparking a conversation.”
“You’re not? What gives?” Dusty could tell that made him nervous. Good.
“No. I know a little about you and I needed to talk to you.”
Ronald slid out of the booth. “You a goddamn bill collector?”
“No. I’m not after anything. You can sit back down.” Hesitantly, Ronald sat back down. “I’ve seen you around. You are seeing a friend of my girl’s.”
“What’s her name?”
“Courtney.”
“Brunette or redhead?”
“Jesus. What is it with you?”
He downed a long draw of his beer. “I have a way with the ladies.” He cupped his crotch and laughed. “They always come back for more.”
Dusty had to hold back his look of disgust. He hated to think of Courtney ever having been with this jerk. He had to have some kind of switch to turn his personality off when he was around women. “She’s a brunette.”
“Kinda heavy?”
“She’s a sweetheart. I don’t think I like this already.”
“What? You want a go at her? I’m sure she’d take a pretty boy like you. She’ll come back to me when you’re done.”
Dusty reached across the table and grabbed him by his shirt. “Knock the shit talk. She’s a friend.”
Ronald didn’t flinch at all. “I assume you’re going to make a point here sooner or later.” Letting go of his shirt, Dusty leaned back. “You obviously have enough on your plate. Leave that one alone.”
“Why should I?”
“Because I asked you to.”
Laughing hard, Ronald stood and picked up his beer. “I don’t think I know you well enough to go doing you any favors, kid.”
“How would you like it if word got to your wife about your extracurricular activities?”
Ronald leaned down, now nose to nose with Dusty. “You ain’t got the balls.” He turned away and took a step then spun back around and punched Dusty in the eye. “There’s more where that came from if you even think about upsetting my wife again.”
Katie was waiting for Dusty when he walked into his cottage, holding a bag of ice on his eye. She hurried over the back of the couch when she saw him. “What happened?”
“I’ll give you three guesses and the first two don’t count.”
“I guess the meeting went well.” She took the bag down and examined his eye. “It doesn’t look too bad.”
“Go ahead and say it.”
She grinned. “At least he didn’t get you in the chin.”
He returned the bag to his eye. “I meant ‘I told you so.’”
She covered her mouth with her hand, fighting laughter. “I’m sorry.”
She tiptoed up and gave him a kiss as close as she could to his hurt eye, then she took his hand and walked him over to the couch. He slid down the back and flopped into it. “Can I get you anything?”
“No. I’m just going to pout here for a while.”
“I would have taken you for more of a fighter, seeing as how you were a hockey player and all.”
“The dude sucker punched me. It wasn’t much of a fight. Hockey wasn’t that bad in school. Things aren’t always what they look like on TV. I liked the skating more than the game. I used to score the most points because I was faster than everyone else. I didn’t stand there and shove ’em to start a fight.”
“You think we can go skating someday? I’d love to see your moves.”
He perked right up. “You want to go now?”
“Really? You feel up to it?”
“I’m always up to it. You have skates at your dorm, right?”
“Yup.”
“Let’s go, muffin top.”
“Muffin top? You do realize that’s what they call the fat that hangs over your jeans, don’t you?”
“You’re shitting me? Never heard that. It’s the best part of a muffin. Ewww… thanks for putting that into my head.”
“It’s your fault.”
“You need to get something to eat first?”
“Not now, after that comment.”
“Stop it. You’re a twig.”
She laughed. “No. I actually had a late lunch. I’m fine.”
Katie and Dusty spent a lot of time together on the ice. As much as Dusty liked to goof off and get fancy, he wanted to be close to Katie. Shortly before the rink’s closing time, Katie said she was “done for” and said she’d be waiting on the bench.
“I know you’re dying to go play with those boys, Dusty.”
“Not at all. I’m enjoying my time with you.”
“I like that you can’t lie to me. Go have fun.” She kissed him and patted his behind, sending him on his way.
After a half hour of hockey slides and slap shots, Dusty noticed an elderly man approach Katie. He moaned a “crap” under his breath, said goodbye to the boys, and hurried over. He slid to a stop at the wall by the bench.
“Hey, old timer. You trying to make time with my girl?” Dusty didn’t want to let on that he knew Frank. He hoped Frank had planned on playing along.
“Wouldn’t dream of it. Just out for a stroll and couldn’t leave this beauty here alone.” He extended his hand. “Frank. Frank Collins. Pleased to meet you both. You sure know your stuff out there.”
Dusty shrugged. “It’s all in fun.”
“You look familiar,” Katie said to Frank. “Have I seen you around somewhere?”
“Don’t think so.”
“Hmm… I’m pretty sure I’ve seen you. Where do you work? Or are you retired?”
“Wish I could say I was. I do clean up duty at the pickle factory these days.”
Dusty covered up his laugh with a cough and looked away. Katie returned her attention to Frank. “I didn’t know there was a pickle factory around here.”
“Just a little west of town. Keeps me busy.”
“I guess that beats being a greeter at WalMart.”
“I plan on it,” Dusty said with a wide smile. He slowly skated to the opening while Frank walked along the wall with him. “So what gives? Why are you here?”
“Nothing. I miss talking to the pretty little thing. You don’t deserve her, you know.”
“Yeah, I know. But thanks for making me feel special, you old coot.”
Frank laughed. “A man died and was taken to his place of eternal torment by the devil. As he passed sulfurous pits and shrieking sinners, he saw a man he recognized as a lawyer snuggling up to a beautiful woman. ‘That’s unfair!’ he cried. ‘I have to roast for eternity, and that lawyer gets to spend it with a gorgeous woman.’ ‘Shut up!’ barked the devil, jabbing him with his pitchfork. ‘Who are you to question that woman’s punishment?’”
“So now you’re telling me I’m her punishment?”
“No punishment for the self-inflicted. She loves you, boy. She practically went through hell for you once and would do it again. I stopped by to say watch yourself. That shiner there isn’t very becoming. On the bright side, at least he didn’t get you in the chin.” Frank chuckled and strolled out of sight. Dusty walked over to the bench and sat down to take his skates off.
“What was he saying to you?” Katie asked.
“Just told me you were a beauty and I’d better treat you right.”
“That seems awfully ‘off’ conversation for a stranger. Don’t you think?”
“I don’t know. Most of the old people in my family always speak their mind. Maybe I look like trouble.”
“Hardly, Dusty.”
“Well, he’s a guy and he was young once.” Dusty’s skates were off and his shoes now in their place. He stood, took a hold of the bench, and leaned Katie backward until it lay on the ground. Katie squealed as she wrapped her hands around his neck. Leaning in close he said, “And he knows the only thing that is on our minds at all times.”
