Page 13 of Truth or Spare

Instead of dwelling on how pathetic it was, being that worn out after a handful of simple jobs, Dewey was grateful. He was caught up on tasks he’d put off for weeks and had an extra set of eyes on the alley, at last, so he could take a break and catch his breath.

He nodded off quickly and Dewey found himself back on lane 2 with Theo. Instead of chickening out, Dewey took Theo up on his offer and was rewarded with a kiss in exchange for a bowling lesson. One kiss turned into two and then they were making out on the bench.

Dewey wouldneverhave the nerve to kiss anybody in public, but he pulled Theo on top of him and their flies were open.

“Brooks…” Theo patted Dewey’s cheek gently. “Keith’s here,” he said softly and Dewey’s eyes snapped open.

“He might see us!” he said, grabbing Theo’s wrist and reaching for his belt with his other hand.

Theo laughed as he straightened and looked around the office. “See us?” His trousers were zipped and he looked amusedas he rubbed his chin. “Were we committing a crime or were we up to somethingnaughty?”

“What?” Dewey rasped and cleared his throat. He gave himself a shake and waved it off. “Sorry. Got a headache so I closed my eyes for a minute.”

Theo offered him a hand. “No worries!” he said as he easily pulled Dewey up and to his feet. “Except, I forgot what I’m supposed to do when the pins won’t come down and Keith is waiting on 6.”

“On it!” Dewey clapped Theo on the back and quickly fled the office before he said something else incriminating. He waited until Keith was settled and Dewey was alone in the workshop to mutter “This is all Cassie’s fault.”

She had to go poking around and asking questions. Andshewas the one who said Dewey had a chance with Theo. Which was even more ridiculous than watching Theo handle a wrench or a bowling ball. Dewey knew his chances were just as slim as Theo needing a job at a bowling alley.

Which brought Dewey back to the question that had plagued him since Theo had first walked through the front door: What the hell is he doing here?

Why would someone who wore handmade shoes take a job for $20 an hour and agree to live in a Minnie Winnie? Dewey didn’t sense that Theo was in any real trouble and couldn’t imagine why he would be, but why the hell was he in Oslo? Dewey could easily believe that Theo was spontaneous enough to pick Oslo off a map because he was a fan of its namesake. But a sane man would have jumped right back on that Greyhound after getting a good look atthisOslo.

All of Dewey’s neighbors were decent and hardworking, but there was nothing to do once the sun went down and the town’s meager selection of shops and businesses closed. The bowling alley was the closest thing Oslo had to a nightlife, and asidefrom Dewey, Cassie, and a few folks in the next town over, there weren’t any other single people. They didn’t even have a theater and the closest Walmart was fifteen miles away.

Dewey suspected that Theo had never seen the inside of a Walmart either and couldn’t help but smile as he imagined how much of an adventure that would be. Of course, Theo would charm the whole store before he had left and would insist that the entire experience had been fascinating and magical. It would be obnoxious if Theo wasn’t utterly sincere and genuinely curious. And secretly, Dewey enjoyed the way Theo’s eyes grew wider and lit up every time he encountered something new.

As if he’d heard Dewey’s thoughts, Theo’s head popped around the setting machine on lane 1. “Hey, Brooks? Keith says thatweput the syrups and the fizzy water into the soda machine,” he said as he pointed over his shoulder toward the snack counter and laughed.

“That’s right,” Dewey confirmed.

“Oh. Well, it would appear that the Coca-Cola is out of syrup. Keith says it tastes ‘likeass.’” His mangled American pronunciation of ‘ass’ never failed to tickle Theo. He giggled and fanned his eyes as he bit down on his lips. “I’m not going to be the one to tell him, but it definitely doesn’t taste like arse.”

“Don’t,” Dewey sighed as he gestured for Theo to lead the way back. “I’ll show you how to fix the soda machine, but let's let Keith live in ignorance, okay? He’d end up asking how you’d know and a hundred other awful questions,” he predicted, causing Theo to double over with laughter.

He laughed about that for the rest of the day while Dewey was left wondering what ass actually tasted like. Specifically, Theo’s ass. Which was definitely Cassie’s fault too.

Chapter Seven

Avery concerning picture was beginning to emerge as Theo acquainted himself with the workings of the bowling alley, its owner, and its patrons. After witnessing friends struggle with various addictions, Theo began to suspect that Dewey’s crankiness, occasional slurred words and clumsiness, and secret naps were signs of a far more serious problem.

His suspicions were confirmed when Theo heard a tap at the Winnie’s door, after returning from his second day of work at the bowling alley.

“What’s this?” Theo asked as he leaned out.

Dewey held up a six pack of beer. “A belated housewarming gift?” he attempted with a wide smile. “I thought it might be nice to have a little company, instead of heading straight home and drinking alone.”

“Company is always better,” Theo agreed and Dewey set up two folding chairs that had been resting against the wall by the bowling alley’s exit. The six-pack was placed between them and Theo was handed a bottle. He watched and mimicked as Dewey twisted off the top and took a sip. Theo coughed and scowled at the bottle, offended at it. Beer was supposed to have body andbite and flavors like malt and spice. This was piss. “Räudig,” he said, giving the white and red label a skeptical glance ‘Genesee?’”

“That’s pretty much all Jim carries across the street. And Bud Light. Räudig?” Dewey asked.

“Delightful!” Theo held up his bottle before taking another drink. “Thank you for sharing,” he said, remembering his manners.

They both reclined with their beers and were content to enjoy the stars and the peaceful night in silence until Dewey cleared his throat. “Is it Interpol? Or something political? Are you hiding because you can’t get on a plane or cross the border?” he asked in a hushed whisper, making Theo laugh.

“Nee! I swear, I am not evading arrest, running from my debts, hiding from the mafia, or any government. And I’m not a spy, Brooks. I’m just a bored, over-indulged aristocrat. Instead of backpacking around Europe and staying in hostels like a university student, I’m wandering around Upstate New York and doing my best to be useful along the way.”

Dewey nodded thoughtfully. “I guess I can see that. But I still don’t get why you’d pick Upstate New York and Oslo.”

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