Page 101 of Irons

“She was eighteen? Isn’t that illegal?” I asked.

“Nope, sixteen is the age of consent and there wasn’t a huge enough age difference to get her in trouble. Oh well, it doesn’t matter now. I lost my girl, and no other decent girls would want anything to do with a guy who has a record.”

I sat back in my seat and crossed my arms over my chest. “That’s bullshit, Brock. It was sixty days, and it couldn’t have been that bad. What were you selling?”

He shrugged. “Pot and some pills. The cops said they were oxy. I didn’t even know, and it was pretty damn dumb. I was locked up for sixty days for a small bag of weed and a few pills. The cop I sold it to only paid me twenty bucks, so yeah, I’m a dumbass. I was driving so they drug tested me and I was clean, much to their surprise. Like I said, never did a drug in my life. Can’t really blame them, though. I was guilty, accepted a plea, and did my time. The fucked up part, is that I hate drugs. Always have, always hated liquor too, but that didn’t stop me last night.” He shook his head in shame. “I knew better, and I let my anger get the best of me.”

“Tell me about this girl who had you twisted in knots last night.”

He sat back and ran his hand down his face, then rubbed his neck.

“Oh my God, I’m such an idiot.” Stacy appeared and set two glasses of water on the table. “I forgot to ask what you wanted, so I brought water with lemon. Can I get you some coffee or juice?” She asked.

“I’ll take a coffee.” I answered.

“Me too, thanks.” Brock said.

Stacy fucking tapped my nose. “Coming right up, cutie.” She once again sashayed away, and I looked at Brock. “Unbelievable. Anyway, the girl?”

He took in a deep breath. “She’s great and my life is too fucked up for her. Abby is smart, she’s actually in college but came home for my birthday and that’s where I fucked up. We started dating freshman year, we broke up for a few months our sophomore year. I told you how I fucked up with that other girl, well that was when we were broke up for a few months. She found out about the other girl, but that’s a completely different story. Anyway, we got back together the summer between our sophomore and junior year. She hated my parents, only met them a few times since I sure as hell wasn’t bringing friends home, especially not a girlfriend. My free time has always been an issue. I screwed up last night because I was offered double time if I stayed late. I needed the money, and I did text her, but she was still pissed. She comes from a different world than me and doesn’t understand how bad I need the money. Her family isn’t rich, but she’s never had to worry about finances. She’s off in college, her parents are covering it, and she needs for nothing. The only reason I took off today is because I have personal time off, so I’ll still get paid. Other than her inability to understand why I have to make as much money as possible, she’s a pretty awesome girlfriend. I love her, but I love my mom too.”

“Have you told her about your mom?”

He shook his head. “I’ve not told anyone but you.”

“You know, Brock. Honesty will get you a long way in life. Trust is vital when it comes to love. I have a suspicion she knows something else is happening and you’re not opening up to her.”

He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “She has known for years there’s more to my story, but it’s AIDS, Travis. It’s a scary thing, even these days with so many advances. Plus, my mom is very guarded and would be devastated if she found out I told you, let alone my girlfriend. If this ever got out…I guess it would destroy what’s left of my mom.”

I sat up straight, I guess as a warning to Brock that Stacy was coming. She placed our coffee in front of us then leaned against the booth I was sitting on. “So, what have you been up to?”

I looked up at her. “Working, the same as everyone else.”

She blinked her eyes with a blank expression. “As?” She prompted me to talk.

“A worker.” I blinked up at her with the same expression.

She reached up to twirl a piece of hair, but her hair was in a bun. “Cool, me too. What kind of work?”

I blinked up at her. “The kind that pays me, you?”

She blinked a few times. “I’m a waitress…here. Where do you work?”

“On the ground mostly. You?”

She was still blinking. “Here.” She was confused. “Do you use tools? I mean like work with your hands or are you in business?”

“I’m in a business right now, and yeah, I know how to use some tools. Why do you ask?”

I glanced at Brock and his lips were in a straight line, but his face was a little red. Honestly he looked like he was holding back a fart, not a laugh.

Stacy was growing uncomfortable. “Well, umm…what state do you live in now?”

I nodded like I understood her question. “Right now, the state of bliss, but you know, we all have bad days.”

She blinked a few more times. “Are you still on the market?”

I smiled. “I’ve been known to dabble, and I’ve invested well. Not to brag or anything, you know how it is.”

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