by June Kramin
“Like who?”
Dusty had to think fast. “Freeman.”
“Freeman? He’s on a scholarship.”
“Yeah, but he’s a good guy.”
She scoffed. “Nice try.”
“He got it on his grades; he has some money. And rumor has it he’s hung like a horse.”
“Really?”
Dusty shook his head in disgust at her reaction to his made up comment. “I have to split. I’m really sorry. You deserve better than me.”
“Ain’t that the truth.”
Dusty hurried out, realizing he had no idea if he drove here or what. After a brief walk down a few side streets, he found his car. It wasn’t locked and his keys were in the visor. Gotta love having a piece of shit that no one would even steal. He started it up and took off without waiting for the heat to kick on. What would be the point?
He dug his watch out of the glove box as he drove. It was almost exactly two months earlier than his previous visit. Why the switch? He knew he had time to save Courtney, yet he was sent back to the present. Was that to show him what happened if he failed? “Nice of you to wrench my heart, asshole.”
“Anytime, puddin’.”
Dusty stomped on the brakes and spun around to the voice in the back of the seat. “I ought to beat the shit out of you!”
“I’d like to see you try.”
Dusty stormed out of the car and slammed the door. Frank followed. Dusty caught him by the shirt and pressed him to the car. He was pissed, but the guy was old. Going easier than he wanted to, he instantly regretted the light hold he had on him.
Frank now had Dusty by the shirt and spun him around so he was now pinned at the vehicle. “You’re farting around and it ain’t helping.”
“I didn’t put me in bed with an ex-girlfriend. What if Katie finds out about it? She’ll have my dick in a jar.”
“Ms. A cups? Please. I have to say that psycho was about the lowest you ever sunk. And F—Y—I, you didn’t cheat on Katie. You haven’t technically met her yet.”
“Yeah, right. Like that’s going to matter.”
“So you saw another woman naked. You didn’t do anything. Hmm… you’re right. You’re screwed, Andrews.” Frank let go of his hold and straightened Dusty’s shirt. “You have a lot of balls grabbin’ a helpless old man like that.”
“Helpless my ass. What gym do you go to?”
“The gym of the love of a good woman.”
Dusty winced at the thought of the geezer having sex. “Too much info, pal.”
“I’m through screwing around with you. Get your shit together. I just gave you a head start.”
“You mean you just screwed up everything I had going.”
“Really? You want me to punch you in the face so you can get caught up with Ronald?”
“I meant Katie. I’m before I ever met her. I finally won her ass over and spilled the beans, now she has no clue who I am or what I’m doing.”
“Do you remember how many times she had to go back to your sorry ass?”
“That was different.”
“Hardly. I think it’s payback time.”
“You’re doing this to punish me?”
“No. I think we needed the clock rewound a smidge. You saw how well your interfering thus far got you.”
He lowered his head to his chest. “Yeah. It made her die even sooner.”
“Right. Try again, numb nuts.”
“You know, I have half a mind to tell Katie how you treated me when this is over.”
“You wouldn’t do that.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
“’Cause that would leave you with nothing.” Frank walked away and Dusty flipped him the bird with both hands. “I know what you’re doing,” Frank said without even turning around.
Dusty decided not to send another retort his way. He got back in his car and headed for home.
As he showered, he cursed for being sent this far back. He hoped he wouldn’t have to deal with his father a third time on the same subject. For now, he had two choices. Skip classes again and either approach the Dean of Students in advance or wait for the wrath of being busted after skipping a few days. He decided to skip a few first. Maybe he could wrap this up quickly, now that he was ahead of the game. He knew where Ronald worked and he knew he had a nice left hook. Dusty needed to come up with another tactic.
His mind roamed to Katie’s stories of all the times she’d met him and had to convince him that she was leaping through time. He was a hard sell, but she eventually convinced him. She had the unfair advantage of being a female. Men generally listened to anything if they had a goal in mind. Listen now, act on the information, sort out the details later. If he blurted out the things she had, there’s no way he would be allowed within fifty feet from her. He wished she had a hidden birthmark to use as leverage, like the one she had used on him, but she didn’t. He could only try a few quirks and facts when the time came. For now, he wanted to try the old fashioned way and “woo” her for a date. As always, wanting to see Katie was on the top of his list in any date and time. He headed over to the coffee shop, hoping to get lucky.
His thoughts went to what Frank had said. He quickly convinced himself that he wasn’t wasting time. With Ronald’s schedule, he had to wait until at least ten to catch him. That was if he had the early shift. Depending on the day, he may not show up till four. “Can’t just sit around with my dick in my hands,” he said, quoting his father. Wise man indeed.
Dusty couldn’t believe his luck in finding Katie and Courtney sitting in the coffee shop. In his and Katie’s original present, they hadn’t met until they were older. It was funny how through all her time leaps and now his, they always ran into each other. Someone or something was really determined to get them together.
After pouring Dusty’s coffee, Art once again gave him hell about his tab. “After this, you’re not getting another damn thing until you pay up, Andrews.”
“I told you, I’d pay you Friday.” He kept his voice low, hoping to lower Art’s. That was his usual line; he hoped it was fitting now. He turned around and saw Katie and Courtney look his way. Crap.
“Today is Friday, butt munch.”
“Oh. Gimme a second.” Dusty walked over to the ATM and checked his balance. He saw that a check had been deposited from his father, so he pulled out enough cash to cover the bill and a nice tip.
“You know,” Art said when he placed his drink in front of him. “You’re the poster child for why I don’t like to run tabs.”
“You love me.” Dusty blew Art a kiss then sat in a chair across from where Katie and Courtney were on the couch. The girls looked his way, he raised his large coffee up in a greeting. They smiled a pleasant hello, but didn’t say anything. He pretended to be interested in his phone. Out of the corner of his eye he caught Katie glance back over at him. She whispered something to Courtney and they laughed. When Courtney walked to the bathroom, Dusty stole the chance to go over and sit next to Katie.
“Good morning. Come here often?”
She at least smiled pleasantly at him. It wasn’t a crash and burn yet.
“Is that really the best you can do?”
“Sorry. I get tongue-tied when I see a strikingly gorgeous woman.”
She shook her head then blew on her coffee before sipping it. He had to hold back from commenting on it. Katie tucked her hair behind her ears. “Look, you’re positively adorable, but I don’t really want to be picked up.”
“I wouldn’t just pick you up. I’d carry you all the way back to my place.” She laughed with a snort then covered her mouth. “I’ll give you points for originality there.”
“Can I trade in those points for a date?”
“Sorry. No.”
“Why not?”
“Honestly, you’re a little younger than anyone I’ve ever dated. I’m pretty sure that includes when I was in high school.”
“I’m not as young as I look.”
“How old are
you?”
“Just a few years younger than you.”
“And how do you know how old I am?”
“I’m good as guessing these things.”
“Really? Well, you are aware that you’ll piss off a woman if you guess older than she is, right?”
“Yup. She’s even more pissed if you guess her weight wrong.”
“You’re not stupid enough to try and guess someone’s weight, are you?”
“How about this. I guess your age, height, and weight and you go out with me.”
“Are you crazy?”
“About you, the second I saw you.”
Katie held her face in a serious stare before she took a sip of her coffee. “I overheard your conversation with Art. We go on a date and I have to buy?”
“Hell no. I’ll take you to Chez Pauls. I have money. It’s just a game I like to play with Art. He loves the banter as much as I do. Honest.”
Dusty glanced up. Courtney had returned and was standing behind the couch. Her arms were crossed. “What do we have here?” she asked.
“I’m trying to get a little wager out of your friend.” He turned back to Katie. “I’ll up the stakes. I’m right and you bring your friend along, too. We’ll make it a double date with my best friend.”
“What are you getting me into, Katie?”
“A dinner at Chez Pauls if he guesses my height, age and weight.”
“What? Is he with the traveling circus? I didn’t know there was one in town.”
“Tell you what,” Dusty said. “You both get a shot at my age first. If you aren’t within two years, the deal’s off.”
“You’re on,” Katie said, finally getting interested. “If you are a day over seventeen, I’ll eat escargot while we’re there.”
Courtney let out a chuckle. “That was my vote but since you stole it, I’ll go eighteen.”
Dusty stood up, pretending to be defeated. He turned to walk away then quickly spun back around and pointed at Katie. “You’re one hundred and eight pounds, five foot three, and twenty-five. I’d say you were a Scorpio, even though you probably don’t get into the whole Zodiac thing. And for the record,” he pulled out his wallet and held it up. “I’m twenty-one.”
Katie snatched the license from his hand. “And a half. Shit.”
He took his license back, then bent down and kissed Katie on the cheek. “I’ll pick you two up at six. I assume you’re roommates. What dorm are you at?”
Katie’s mouth was wide open so Courtney answered. “Gunther Hall.”
“It’s cold. Don’t worry about fancy dresses. Wear something comfortable.” He walked over to the bar and picked up a to-go cup then walked out before they had a chance to come up with a reason to cancel.
“Just what the hell was that?” Courtney asked Katie. “I thought you were dating Rex.”
“Well… I sort of am. It’s not a big deal. We’re not even sleeping together. It’s only been a few dates.”
“I’ve never seen you so smitten. What’s with this kid?”
“Honesty? I don’t know. I was curious about him from the second he sat down.”
“Do you know what he does? Is he in school?”
“I don’t have a clue.”
“Way to go, hon. You set me up with a friend of his that’s probably a troll.”
“Oh, come on. He wouldn’t do that. It’s probably someone his age or younger. You’ll be in luck. You’ll be with a boy hitting his sexual peak and actually be able to keep up with you.”
Courtney mussed Katie’s hair.
“Witch,” Katie said with a giggle.
“Dog poop analyzer.”
“Human wiz sniffer.”
Courtney flopped over the back of the couch, laughing hard. Katie plopped her with the pillow in the stomach. “So you’ll go with me?”
“Sure. I guess I can tell Ronald I made other plans if he calls. It’s not like we do anything but boink, anyway. I’ll ride bitch for you and your date.”
“Love you.”
“You’d better.”
Chapter Eighteen
From the coffee shop, Dusty went to Dean’s dorm. They both had late Friday morning classes in college. Once again, Dusty removed a sock that wasn’t necessary and woke him up. “I don’t want a dinner date, Dust. There’s that kegger at ‘I Eta Epsilon’. I thought you were going with me.”
“We can do a kegger any time. These look like some nice girls. Come on…I need my wing-man, man.”
“What do they do?”
Dusty thought for a second. He technically didn’t know yet. “Do you care? They’re breathing and they have legs.”
“Chez Pauls?”
“Yup.”
Dean finally gave in. “All right. But only if you get the good looking one and I get the basket case.”
Dusty laughed. “I swear yours is all right, too. I know you’ll hit it off.”
“You’re buyin’, and use the Beemer, not that piece of shit you call a car.”
“Deal. Dress nice. Try not to look like a lawyer.”
From there, Dusty went to Puck You to look for Ronald. He hated to admit he was actually getting sick of beer. He ordered an appetizer and a coke from the bartender, who now had no recollection of him. After almost an hour, Dusty knew Ronald must have the later afternoon shift. Thinking he was in the clear, he asked the bartender about him.
“Ronald doesn’t come in till later today, huh?”
“He’s on at four today. Can I help you with something?”
“I was supposed to get something from him. Must have gotten the days mixed up. I’ll swing by his place. He still over on Grant?”
“Not unless he moved. He’s on Roosevelt, I’m pretty sure. Had that yellow Victorian in a need of a paint job.”
“Shit,” Dusty laughed. “All these damn president streets around here. I’m sure I would have ended up in the right place. Just got the street name wrong. That sounds like the house.”
The bartender leaned on the bar in front of Dusty. “Look. If you’re trying to score weed, I have a buddy with a lot better shit than he’s got.”
“Weed?” Dusty sat upright then quickly tried to cover his shock. “No. it’s not that at all.”
“Owes you money for the horses, doesn’t he? Aren’t you a little young to be a bookie?”
Dusty wasn’t sure whether to look upset or not. He opted for a forced chuckle. “I’m not after him for anything. He’s an old friend.” Dusty reached for his wallet and paid his tab. “Thanks.”
“Any time.”
As Dusty left the bar, he was again amazed at the willingness of a stranger to blurt out info like that. He could have been a cop for all the bartender knew. Dusty caught his reflection in the window. “Cop my ass.” He decided to cruise down Roosevelt and look for Ronald’s house. He knew it was a long street and had an East and West to it. From what Dusty learned about him, he aimed for the west section, since that was the poorer section of the area. He found the house after two blocks.
Just to be sure, he drove down the whole length of the street. There was only one other Victorian and it was nicely painted in a neutral tone and trimmed in blues, oranges, and greens. He went back to the yellow Victorian and paid more attention to details. There was an old red Ford F-250 in the driveway. Dusty was sure he saw it in the parking lot behind the bar one of the times he was there.
He still didn’t have a game plan, especially one that involved approaching Ronald in his own home. Feeling a little worthless right now, he continued to cruise past, hoping Frank didn’t show up any time soon and get on his case. He decided to go home and call Alyson. He needed a little female advice.
“Hey, bro,” Alyson answered. “What are you calling for out of the blue?”
“Is this a good time?” Again he was relieved she was around. He couldn’t handle knowing a time when she wasn’t. He was grateful he didn’t have any memories of living through her accident and death.
“Hell, yeah.
I’m at Mom’s. We’re snowed in.”
“You guys are in a storm?”
“Didn’t you hear about the fifty car pile-up?”
“You’re shitting me.”
“Nope. Glad I didn’t try to go out today. I would have probably been in it. You guys don’t have anything?”
“Nope. I don’t think we’re due anything for a couple of weeks.”
“Shitty. I should move back.”
“You say that every winter.”
“Well, I’m still planning on opening a business there when I’m done with school. What’s up? You didn’t call to talk weather.”
“Can’t I just want to tell you how much I love you?”
“I love you, too, but nice try. Your dad up your ass again?”
“No. Things are fine with him,” for now, Dusty thought to himself. “I have a question about a woman’s perspective.”
“Fire away.”
“Say you’re married—”
“I’m married.”
“No. Suppose you were married—”
“Is he good looking and rich?”
“Alyson!”
“Okay. I’m sorry. Fire away.”
“If you found out your husband was sleeping around, how would you take it?”
“Easy,” she said with no hesitation. “I’d leave him.”
“But you have a small child.”
“Can I have twins?”
“Stop it!”
She laughed again. “Sorry. I’m getting cabin fever and I have the willies. I’d leave, Dusty. I don’t care if I’d be on my own with a kid. I don’t tolerate that crap. He’d probably not be much of a father, anyway. Remember Bobbie Schelten? I caught wind of him cheating and—”
“Can we focus on me again?”
“Sorry. You screwing around with a married woman?”
“Hell, no. I know a guy.”
“Oh. The old ‘I know a guy.’ Dammit, Dusty. What are you in the middle of?”
“I swear! It’s not me. I actually know one of the girls he’s messing with. I found out he’s married and there are a few others he messing with, too.”
