Page 34 of Truth or Spare

Dewey’s eyes swung to the door and he wished he had the nerve to close it and pull down the blinds. “Here? Someone could find out.”

There was an amused snort from Theo. “I guess I’d have to marry you, then,” he said with a casual shrug before taking another bite.

Dewey didn’t know if the joke was wearing off or if Theo had rewired something in his brain with the “souls to slivers” speech. But instead of rolling his eyes, Dewey pushed out a tired snort. “Who said I’m the marrying type?”

Chapter Fifteen

Theo’s sign had worked like a charm. He was able to take it down after less than twenty-four hours and Dewey was holding his head higher. Neither had mentioned Theo’s workshop confession since he threatened to climb Dewey like a tree and a peaceful calm had descended over the bowling alley. Dewey had yet to describe himself as boring or undesirable, and Theo was counting that as a victory as well.

“Do you think Cassie will be by with lunch today?” Theo asked after they had finished disinfecting the prior day’s shoes.

“No. Didn’t I tell you? Bryce is coming home for spring break tonight. He called Cassie yesterday evening and said his only class had been canceled so he’s coming home a day early.”

“You didn’t but that’s wonderful. I can’t wait to meet him.”

“Cassie’s running like her hair’s on fire, buying all his favorite foods and she’ll be cooking all day.”

“My mother used to do the same thing whenever we’d come home from school. She was always grateful when they could afford to send us because she wanted us to have every advantage. But she would complain and complain!” Theo said with a soft laugh. There was a catch in his throat, though, as Theo missedher. “Now, I cherish the holidays and years before boarding school, when we were all together.”

Dewey coughed and patted Theo’s hand on the counter, attempting to comfort him. “I’m sorry. I get moments like that too. I’ll wish I still had my dad and Roddy here and I miss my mom every time I walk through my kitchen door or pass by her piano.”

“Do you play?”

“Not much. I’m here most of the time and it’s out of tune now,” Dewey said and Theo frowned.

“I’ve never seen your house. You’ve mentioned it several times, but I have no idea where you live.” He had no idea if Dewey had a freezer full of roadkill or a tremendous doll collection either. Theo suddenly wondered at the wisdom of fake proposing to Dewey. They spent just about every day together at the bowling alley, but how well did Theo actuallyknowDewey. What if there were horrors in his house?

“It’s just at the end of Brooks Avenue.” Dewey hitched a thumb in the direction of the street on the west side of the bowling alley’s parking lot.

“Oh! I assumed they named the street after the bowling alley.”

“They did,” Dewey confirmed. “My grandparents used to have a house over on 2nd Street. They built the house at the end of the road after they opened Brooks Family Bowling, before my dad was born. Dad left the house and the bowling alley to me and Roddy but Roddy ‘signed it all over to me’ before he took off,” he explained with a sarcastic curl of his fingers.

“What does that mean?” Theo asked and Dewey rolled his eyes.

“Roddy downloaded some bullshit form from some legal website in the middle of the night. He had Keith notarize it, but it’s still sitting in the kitchen drawer. I don’t know if it was anygood back then, but it’s worthless now because everything goes to Cassie and Bryce if anything happens to me.”

“Huh.” Theo’s lips pursed thoughtfully.

What did he have to leave to his brothers, aside from a terrific wardrobe and a few properties they wouldn’t care about? Matteo was a communist and had already donated most of the property he had inherited and Elio had a habit of setting things on fire and blowing out windows. Theo wished he had something more meaningful to leave them.

“They would be thrilled with a bowling alley,” he said, but Dewey wasn’t listening.

“Is that…” Dewey rose and leaned over the counter. “It is!” he said as he ran around and opened his arms wide as a young man threw the front doors open and ran to him. “I thought you weren’t getting in until tonight,” Dewey said as he lifted the younger man off his feet and spun him.

“Easy, Doob!” he laughed and leaned back, searching Dewey’s face. “I wanted to surprise everyone. How are you?”

“Stop! I’m great!” Dewey said as he turned them and waved for Theo to come over. “That’s Theo. He’s new here,” he explained tersely. “Theo, this is my pride and joy, Bryce Brooks!” he said, beaming and patting Bryce on the chest.

“Of course, you are!” Theo said as he held out a hand and rushed over. There was no doubt that the young man was a Brooks. He was tall and broad-shouldered like Dewey and had his uncle’s reddish brown hair, soft hazel eyes, and sly grin. “Brooks has told me so much about you.”

“Has he? Mom’s had a lot to say about you too, but it’s nice to finally put a face to the name, Theo.” His grip was firm and Theo could tell that he was being assessed.

He straightened and clasped his hands behind his back, hoping Bryce approved. “You’ve left large shoes to fill here, but I’m doing my best to learn and be helpful.”

Bryce blinked for a moment, then smiled brightly. “That’s great. Can’t wait to see what’s changed around here. I’ll be keeping an eye on you,” he said, then turned and pulled Dewey into another loud, laughing hug. “It’s so good to be back!”

“Missed the shit out of you, kid.” Dewey said as he rocked them, making Theo smile and bringing tears to his eyes. He knew how good that hug felt and longed to grab Eli or Teo and hold them tight.

---