Dustin's Turn

by June Kramin

  “That was still you!” Dusty said as he walked around and gave Katie a tight hug that pulled her off the chair.

  “I’m gonna be sick.”

  Dusty sat her back down. “No, you’re not, babe. See! This is some kind of twisted fate.” He held both cheeks and gave her a hard kiss on the lips.

  “That was you guys?” Katie asked, in a sort of shock.

  Dusty again took her hands. “You’re mine. You must submit to the fact.”

  “One of you want to tell me what’s going on? That was you, Katie?”

  “It was.”

  “What were you doing?”

  “I needed some space that day. I think my mom got pissed at my belly ring or something. I took out the snowmobile when I wasn’t supposed to. I remember having a hard time finding the keys. They were really pissed that I crashed it. I was grounded for a month.”

  “You drove like an animal across thin ice. I remember that much,” Alyson said.

  “I was really pissed.” She looked up at Dusty. “What did you mean, I saved Alyson?”

  “Yeah, Dust. What gives?”

  “Shit. I wasn’t going to go here. Eat up, sis. I don’t think you’ll want to after you hear what I have to tell you.”

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  By the time Dusty finished the story, both girls were in tears and a tight embrace. Being best friends since practically birth, Dusty could read every one of Alyson’s facial expressions. She had gone from the ‘biting her lower lip waiting for the punch line’ expression to the wide eyed ‘holy shit you’re not kidding around’ look.

  “So that check that I received from the Small Business Association to get me started with my business came from your mother?”

  “I guess so. I’m finding out some things are meant to be no matter what.”

  “Like what?” Katie asked.

  “Like you yacking your brains out over some cinnamon effect.”

  “Really?”

  “I can’t tell you how many times you’ve revisited a Chez Pauls meal.”

  “I can’t help it, Dust,” Alyson said. “I’m really creeped out here. To think I was dead in some other future of yours.” Alyson shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. “So this Courtney? Are you still going to go fix that?”

  “I thought I did. Honestly, I don’t know what I’m doing here now. It doesn’t make any sense other than that damn geezer messing with me.”

  “What’s with him anyway? You think he’s God? You know…I’m picturing a George Burns type character here. Holy crap. You really did get a cat.”

  Dusty’s new addition had just walked into the room and distracted Alyson. He picked her up. “This is George. I’m glad you finally decided to come out from under the bed.”

  “He adopted her to try to pick me up. You should hear some of the things he’s tried,” Katie said with a laugh.

  “Hey. I win you over every time, missy.”

  “George? The cat’s a female, asshole,” Alyson blurted out.

  “Am I the only one on the planet that doesn’t know that?”

  “Apparently,” the girls said together.

  “In all honesty,” Katie continued. “I have met two male calicoes in my practice days. They exist, they’re just rare and, of course, sterile.”

  “Of course,” Dusty said, mocking her. “Back to Frank. There’s no way that bastard is God.” He put the cat by her food bowl and joined the girls again.

  “Well, what then? An angel trying to get his wings?” Alyson asked.

  “That’s funny. Katie used to ask the same thing. That asshole ain’t no angel either.”

  “Ain’t? How’s that book coming, writer boy?”

  “In my day, done and published. Here— I bet it’s stuffed in a drawer.”

  “You wrote a book?” Katie asked.

  “You encouraged me to finish it. I guess that’s why I assume it’s not done. It’s not some great work of non-fiction that changes the world or anything, so that has nothing to do with these trips. It’s just a sci-fi novel.”

  “So we’re at square one with this Frank,” Alyson said.

  “He’s the key to this mess somehow. I love him to death for having Katie save you and if I can end up where I need to be and save Courtney, I’ll kiss his wrinkly old ass. But everything else is making me insane.”

  “So there’s nothing you can do now?”

  “I don’t think so. If I go back, then this ‘now’ won’t exist.” Again he focused his attention on Katie. “That’s what I was getting at earlier, babe. I don’t think I’ll be here tomorrow when I wake up.”

  “So where does that leave me?”

  “I honestly don’t know. I never studied these things. It’s not like there are facts to follow on the subject. We watched every movie ever made—humorous and otherwise. I thought we were done until I went to the coffee shop.”

  “Sunriders off campus?”

  “Yeah. That’s when he showed up again.”

  “So you went looking for him.”

  “I guess I did.”

  “Is that the only place he shows up?” Alyson asked.

  “No. He was outside not long ago and he’s been to the ice rink.”

  “So let’s go ice skating!” Alyson stood up, suddenly excited.

  “Why? You think he’ll show up?” Katie asked.

  “Maybe he will. Since we’re here doing nothing, we might as well go have a good time. I’d also like to ask him a question or two.” Alyson said.

  “About all of this?”

  “That and I’d like to know if Robbie is ever going to ask me to marry him.”

  Dusty became serious. “Do I like this Robbie?”

  “The you now does.”

  “Okay, then. I trust me.” He walked over to Katie. “You game for some skating, sweetness?”

  “I haven’t in years. Go easy on me, would you?”

  “Of course.”

  “Liar. Dusty used to be a hell of a hockey player.”

  “Used to? I pffft in your general direction.”

  “You haven’t been on the ice since college, law boy.”

  “Be prepared to bask in my awesomeness, sis.”

  The three of them clowned around at the outdoor ice rink for an hour. They skated in a line with Dusty in the middle for the most part. The girls weren’t too sure of themselves and Dusty would never admit he was a bit rusty. He never dreamed he’d be as unsteady as he was in the beginning. After several trips around, he was finally feeling like he needed to cut loose. He let go of the girls and picked up speed. After making it a few laps around alone, he pulled off a perfect hockey slide stop. The girls mock-cheered him on and he took his bows. He got going again and decided to go backwards. His second time around, a small child no more than four, came darting in front of him. Dusty tried to turn fast and put a skate down to slow himself, but instead it brought him to a screeching halt. The force of the stop sent him backwards into the wall and flipped him over the side. Katie and Alyson skated as fast as they could to him. Katie crawled over the half wall, Dusty was out cold.

  Dusty bolted awake and grabbed the back of his head. He was expecting a lump from his fall, but there was nothing. Confused as hell once again, he took in his surroundings. He was back in his cottage and on his couch. Jumping to his feet, he swore and again flipped a double bird to an elderly man who wasn’t there. He walked to his bedroom, finding Dean asleep on the bed.

  “I’m back to the night after some kegger? Perfect.”

  “Huh?” Dean asked, picking his head up.

  “Nothing. Go back to sleep. It’s only seven. Sorry.”

  “Dick.” Dean turned over and pulled a pillow over his head.

  Pleased he wasn’t feeling hung over, Dusty headed for the shower. “No consequences from what was probably an all-night bender. Score.”

  Dean picked his head up again. “What?”

  “Sorry.”

  “Shithead.”

  Dust
y chuckled and closed the bathroom door. A check in the mirror revealed a healing cut over his eye, confirming he was “when” he thought. After the shower, he made coffee and waited until eight to call Katie. She answered, sounding groggy.

  “Sorry, sugar bear. Did I wake you?”

  “Who is this?”

  For a moment Dusty was worried, but then he realized she was giving him grief over the new name he threw into the mix. “Your sex god. You were expecting someone else?”

  “No. Just hoping for someone with enough sense to stick to a decent term of endearment.”

  “Cookie face?”

  “I’m hanging up.”

  “No, don’t. I’ll quit. Why are you whispering?”

  “Court is still asleep.”

  “You guys pull a late nighter?”

  “Sort of. I’m sure it wasn’t the caliber of your kegger, though.”

  “I feel great this morning. Poor Dean looks like death. When can I see you today?”

  “When do you want me?”

  “I always want you. I’d rather have had you here last night in my bed instead of riding the couch and waking up, looking at Dean.”

  “You big baby. You lived. Have you heard from your mom?”

  “Not yet. She usually knows better than to call too early. I’ll give her a holler then come get you.”

  “Meet you downstairs in thirty minutes?”

  “Sounds good.”

  Katie got out of bed and crawled in with Courtney. She snuggled up close until her best friend stirred.

  “What?” Courtney moaned.

  “I wanted to say good morning before I take off with Dusty.”

  “Do you have to go lesbo to do it?”

  Katie giggled and hugged her tight. “I had fun last night. I just had to say I love you and see you later.” She climbed out of bed. Instead of going back to sleep, Courtney sat up.

  “What’s up with you?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “We’re close and all, but you’re really acting strange. Something is up. Don’t even tell me it’s not.”

  Katie opened her mouth to lie, but she couldn’t do it. “All right. Don’t freak out.”

  “About what?”

  “Ronald.”

  “I’m not returning his calls. What more do you want?”

  “It’s not that I want anything. Dusty kind of found him with another girl.”

  “So. We knew that.”

  “This was different.”

  “Just spit it out dammit, Barrow.”

  “She was a hooker.”

  “What?” she screamed, tossing her blanket aside. “What the hell, Katie?”

  “We found her just before she blacked out. There were a lot of drugs on her. They’re testing her for AIDS.”

  “Oh, my God.” Courtney fell back hard onto her bed. “Why didn’t you tell me this last night?”

  “I didn’t want to worry you. What if she’s negative? I didn’t want to worry you for nothing. Maybe this girl was a one-time thing. If that’s the case, you don’t have anything to worry about. You promised you never went without a condom with him.”

  “I swear I haven’t.”

  “Then you don’t have to worry at all.”

  “Then explain to me why I feel dirty as hell?”

  Katie sat next to her, pulling Courtney upright “We all freak out on the ‘what ifs.’ Shit, Court, I almost forgot with Dusty, we were so crazy for each other. You’re the doctor in the house. I know you know better. I’ll go with you if you want to get a test done. We’ll go together. Dusty and I want to, anyway.”

  “You’re that serious about this kid?”

  “Yes, I am. He’s really a lot more mature than his age. I really like him. Let me have this.”

  Courtney wrapped her arms around Katie. “I’m happy if you’re happy.” She leaned back, “But I’m pissed off you didn’t say anything last night. Let’s get dressed and go to the clinic. I can’t go back to bed now, you bitch.”

  Katie kissed her cheek. “You know, I actually prefer that to half of the names Dusty calls me. I’ll call him back and tell him we have a special date today. Do I have him drag Dean’s ass out of bed? Dusty said he was in bad shape.”

  “Hell, no. Not unless we have to. We’ve been safe, too. If there was reason to suspect, I’d make him come along.”

  “Maybe he wants to anyway.”

  “I said no, Katie. We’re not as serious as you two. We’re far from claiming the ‘one partner’ thing and going without a condom. I think you’re an idiot for thinking at this stage that you’re ready for it.”

  “I’m not going to argue with you about it.”

  “I’m sorry to snap, hon. I’m still edgy about this.”

  “That’s okay. Get dressed. I’ll let you borrow my cow scarf again.”

  Katie had a cow-print scarf with udders for fringes. Courtney loved to borrow it when she needed to piss off a vegan, or sometimes just be a goof. Today was a good day to try to get a smile where they could.

  The girls were waiting inside the glass doors downstairs when Dusty pulled up. It had started to snow lightly.

  “Good morning, beautiful women of mine.” He gave Katie a kiss and turned back to Courtney, playfully waiting for one. He was rewarded with a slap to the back of his head.

  “Thanks for letting me know about the hooker, dick.”

  “I didn’t want to worry you unnecessarily.”

  “Did you hear back from your mom about the results?”

  “She said she’d call as soon as she heard. They don’t usually get test results this fast, but she’s really hustling them.”

  “You sure the clinic is even open on Sunday?”

  “Yup. Mom told me it was.”

  “You told your mother what we were doing?” Katie shrieked.

  “I asked about it so I could get my friend in if need be.”

  “Oh.”

  Dusty grinned and touched her cheek. “You’re blushing, babe.”

  She smacked his hand away. “Let’s go tell my dad we’re having sex and see how well you fare.”

  “Pass.”

  Peeking into the rearview mirror, Dusty saw Courtney staring in a daze out the window. “You okay back there?”

  “Hardly. Six years of medical school down the drain for a few romps with a cheating jerk.”

  “You don’t know that.”

  “Really? You think they’ll let a doctor with AIDS practice medicine? Would you want me treating your bleeding wound?”

  “You already did.”

  “Shit!” Courtney leaned her head against the window. “Is that why you’re going in?”

  “Didn’t even occur to me. Katie and I already decided this.” He reached back and placed his hand on her knee. “I know you’re fine. Even if this hooker is positive, that doesn’t mean you are. Maybe Ronald was never with her before. You said you used condoms anyway. You’re fine.”

  Courtney remained quiet for the rest of the drive. Dusty’s mind went to what Katie had said. It was after she moved out that Courtney slipped up. He knew she had to be fine and wished he could take her worry away. He whispered to Katie, “I thought you weren’t going to say anything and worry her.”

  “She knew something was up. I can’t keep secrets from her.”

  “Nope.” Courtney said from the back. “And you can’t whisper for shit either.”

  They had their blood drawn and were on their way back to the car when Dusty’s phone rang. He said he was going to pull the car up so he could answer it in privacy. It was his mother.

  “Hey, Mom. What’s the good news?”

  “I wish it were good news. The girl was positive, Dusty. It’s the clinic’s duty to try to get the names of all the partners of the person whose test results are positive. She’s not giving any names but since you suspect this Ronald was with her, they’ll want to notify him. I’ve already asked them to take blood from Gina at the shelter.”

 
“Shit. My friend is gonna freak.”

  “Did you get her to the clinic?”

  “We’re leaving now. Can you pull some weight here and get her results rushed?”

  “You feel comfortable giving me her name?”

  Dusty looked over at the girls as he unlocked the car. “I know you’ll be discreet. Stillman. Courtney Stillman. Would you call me as soon as you hear?”

  “I will. Same as before. This will cost you some volunteer hours, you know.”

  “You can throw Katie and me at the animal shelter some weekend. She’d probably enjoy that.”

  “Or four.”

  “Whatever you want, Mom. I owe you.”

  “Yes, you do.”

  “You going to send someone over to talk to Ronald?”

  “They usually call. The clinic can only warn them and strongly suggest they come in. We can’t force them. It’s your word against his and he’ll probably deny it.”

  “Can’t you send Dad over with a cop with some bullshit paper saying he’ll be charged with attempted murder for spreading it if he doesn’t get checked out?”

  “I don’t think that would fly. You know your father doesn’t like to get involved in my charities, except from his wallet.”

  “Then I’ll handle this.”

  “How are you going to handle it?”

  “I’ll get him to the clinic.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Just strongly suggest he goes.”

  “I don’t like this, but you do what you have to. You have one day to give me a status, otherwise they’re going to call him.”

  “I’ll get him in, Mom. Thanks for everything—again.”

  “I hate the situation, but I love the spark and compassion you have for your friends. I really like that Katie. You bringing her over again soon?”

  “In a couple weeks I will. I have to run, though.”

  “Bye, Dusty. I love you.”

  “Love you, too. Thanks again, Mom.” Dusty pulled up to the curb and the girls climbed in as he hung up.

  “Was that your mom?”

  “Yeah, but she doesn’t know anything yet.” He didn’t want to break the news to them. Knowing Courtney was okay, he figured it was best to stall and give her good news later. “I have something I remembered I have to do. You guys want me to pick up some food before I drop you back off?”