Page 34 of Polly

Chapter 8

Flynn

Polly and Flynn clasped hands and walked to the bowling alley. The outside of the building looked old and tired. A bulb flickered in the sign outside.

Inside the front door, it was like they’d stepped back into the 80s. The patterns, colors, and dim bowling floor with flashing lights all seemed retro. Classic rock played over the speakers. A few people bowled, and it looked like a party gathered in a side room, but the place seemed mostly empty.

They checked in at the front desk and got shoes and a lane. Rather than listing their names on the electronic scorecards that showed on the TVs suspended over each lane, Flynn simply entered “Him” and “Her.”

Polly turned out to be a master bowler, bowling strike after strike on her turns.

“I used to be in a league,” she admitted shyly.

“That’s awesome. Did you have a uniform?” Flynn teasingly wiggled his eyebrows at her.

Polly cracked up laughing, then turned to bowl her next set.

Flynn grinned and sang along to the Bon Jovi song playing on the loudspeaker as he waited for Polly to take her turn. Another strike.

A teen approached Flynn hesitantly. Flynn figured he was maybe 15. The kid had black hair, a lip ring, and wore a t-shirt and jeans.

“H - hey, sir,” he said.

“Hey, what’s up?” Flynn replied.

“I’m sorry to bother you. Are you Flynn from Late Nyght Smoke?”

“Maybe. If I am, I have to swear you to secrecy.”

The boy laughed nervously. “The thing is, my sister—” he gestured to the private party room, “—is such a big fan. Today is her 17th birthday. It would really make her day to meet you.”

Polly approached and looked between Flynn and the teen curiously.

The boy’s eyes grew wide. “You’re Polly from Lovely Oblivion.”

“Maybe. If I am, promise you won’t tell.”

Flynn barked a laugh. He loved that they’d reacted the same way.

Flynn waved off Polly’s questioning look and said, “I’ll tell you later.” He turned back to the kid. “What’s your name?”

“Josh.”

“Josh. If we drop into her party, will she be all right or will she be upset that it’s supposed to be ‘her’ day?”

“She’d love it. There wouldn’t be any problem.”

Flynn looked at Polly. “What do you say? Want to crash a birthday party?”

Polly smiled. “Sure.”

“All right, let’s do this. Lead the way,” Flynn said.

They followed Josh through the side door to the party room, which had closed after the attendees arrived.

The room was fairly wide and ran the entire length of the bowling alley, it seemed. A small stage sat at one end with a dance floor in front of it, couches and soft chairs throughout the room lent the feeling of comfort. Tables and folding chairs lined the middle, and a pool table sat at the back. A band, which looked to be comprised of teens, played onstage. Party attendees milled around, drinking from solo cups and listening to the music.

Josh led them across the room to a curly haired blond, whose makeup looked perfect and was dressed to kill in a sharp blouse and jeans.

---