Chapter 4
4
DONNIE
ONE YEAR AGO
“Can I get some ice? And maybe borrow some chairs? And maybe a towel? Or a bandage?”
The rapid-fire questions coming from the boy in front of me make my brain hurt. Is this kid even old enough to be enrolled here? Before I can answer any of them, an older student I somewhat recognize comes through the door, carrying a smaller unconscious man in his arms.
My mind goes back to that night at the Streaker house, when I failed to help another person in help.
“Do you have somewhere I can lay him down for a few minutes?” the guy asks me. I recognize him as one of the pumpkin spice hating regulars now. “Lucky has this thing with blood where he passes out. Toby here practically ran him over outside, and as you can see, he got a bit scraped up. He’ll be fine in a few minutes as long as I can get him cleaned up before he wakes up.”
The first man, Toby I’m guessing, stomps his foot like a toddler throwing a tantrum before turning to me with a radiant smile.
“Whatdya say, hot stuff? Got a place to lie down in the back?” he says with an exaggerated wiggle of his eyebrows.
Rolling my eyes, I stifle the snort that wants to come out. The last thing I need is for a barely legal freshie hitting on me. I wave them behind the counter and down the hallway to my office. Shortly after Walt handed the place over to me, I put in the futon. More often than not, I end up needing to sleep in there while doing the books. Bookkeeping is not my forte.
“Thanks for this, Hastings,” the taller guy says after settling Lucky on the couch. “He doesn’t do well with being a spectacle.”
Does this guy know me? I make sure I only go by my first name in the shop because of the notoriety of my full name in this area, especially among the universities. I guess my confusion shows on my face because the guy straightens up and pulls me aside.
“I was at the Streaker House party,” he says as I feel like the ground has disappeared from under me. “I’m good friends with Eric. I know what you tried to do for him, man. If you ever need anything…”
I wave away his offers and head back toward the front of the shop, nearly knocking over Toby who is doing a shit job of eavesdropping. Turning away, I head for the back door instead. Maybe I should just throw myself in the dumpster and save everyone the trouble.
The past is catching up to me, and I’m not too sure I’m ready for it.