2 Chapter 2
“If we’re going to do this,” Kev said as the waitress set the bottles in front of them.
Neil chuckled. “Keep drinking?”
“No, smartass. If I’m going with you to the reunion, I’ll need to get the night off. So will you.”
“That’s not a problem for me. The new show opens the weekend before, so I’m footloose and fancy free in the evenings until the tech rehearsals for the next one.”
“Wanna trade?” Kev laughed. “Not that I would. I’m quite happy where I am. Good people, great tips.” He took out his phone, bringing up the calendar. “The weekend of the twenty-second, you said. That’s two weeks from tomorrow. I’ve got some time coming. I’ll let the boss know not to schedule me for then.”
“You’re really serious about doing this.”
“You bet. I’ve never been to a college reunion. Probably because I never went to college.”
“That is sort of a necessity,” Neil agreed, chuckling.
“You think? It could be interesting, seeing how all the intelligentsia have done since they graduated. Besides, I want to see this Zeke guy so I can figure out what the attraction was.” Kev grinned. “Twenty-to-one he’s already going bald and has a small paunch. That should kill any lingering romantic thoughts you have of him.”
“I think seeing him with his wife will do that,” Neil replied sourly.
“Whatever it takes.” Kev lifted his beer. “To the beginning of a new life.”
Neil clinked his bottle with Kev’s. “Sounds good to me.”
“I never asked. Does he live here in the city?”
Neil nodded. “Both of us grew up here, although we didn’t meet until we ended up in college. After he graduated, he went to law school in Chicago and came back to join his uncle’s law firm.”
“Talk about nepotism,” Kev muttered.
“I’m sure it happens more often than most people want to believe.”
Kev eyed Neil. “You haven’t seen him since he got back?”
“Nope.” Neil smiled wryly. “I’ve made it a point not to despite my, as you put it ‘lingering romantic thoughts’ about him. This is a reasonably large city, and we don’t run in the same social circles.”
“He could have come to see one of your shows,” Kev pointed out.
“The Beacon is a small theater, not a prestigious one where people go to be seen by their peers as supporting the arts. You know that. Even if it was, I design the sets so I’m not out there where people can see me. I work during the day and by the time one show opens, I’ve moved on to designing the next one, sequestered in my tiny office or in the scene shop.”
“Slaving over a hot drawing board.”
Neil grinned. “That would be me.”
Kev checked the time. “Damn, how did it get so late?”
“I’ve been talking your ear off. Thanks for listening.”
“That’s what friends do. Next time it’ll be me.”
“Kev, you never have problems. You’re the calmest, most laidback person I know.”
“I’ll admit I lead a very unexciting life when I’m not contemplating killing a snobby, demanding customer at the restaurant.”
Neil laughed. “Take the next step, do away with them, and then go on the run. That should liven things up.”
“I think I’ll pass, thanks.” Kev finished his beer. “Ready to go?”
“Yep.” Neil tossed back the last of his, as well. When they were leaving the bar he said, “Call me so we can plan our strategy for the reunion.”
“We need one? I thought it was just show up, eat if there’s food, drink too much, and rekindle old friendships.”
“Yeah, probably. This is my first one, too.”
“We’ll sink or swim together and show your lawyer you’ve survived quite well without him.”
Neil smiled dryly. “That is the idea.”
* * * *
Kev watched him as Neil walked away. Why did I talk him into letting me come with him? Yeah, with luck it’ll get him over Zeke once and for all, but still…Damn it, it’s not going to solve myproblem.
Kev had met Neil two years previously at a barbecue thrown by a mutual friend. He had been there with the woman he was dating at the time. Neil had been on his own. They had talked casually but that had been it. The same thing happened when they ran into each at another gathering, when Kev was also with a date. The third time, however, Kev had come to the party alone, giving them a chance to get to know each other. They had hit it off and became good friends who made it a point to go out for a few beers or to a movie when both of them were free.
