Chapter 12

“I’m not big on root beer,” Leo said as he opened the menu, but not before looking out the window and seeing the magnificent grove of birches that grew around the place.

“Fuck, Leo!” Ollie snapped, jerking his menu open. “Stop being such a downer, just enjoy the experience,”

Ollie let out an exasperated sound that made Leo wish he’d kept his mouth shut. The familiar tension in his shoulders and neck was coming back. Why couldn’t he just relax?

The waitress returned with two large glasses of clear, sparkling birch beer. The smell was sweet and interesting. “You boys know what you want to eat?”

Ollie ordered the club salad and Leo, on Ollie’s urging, ordered the grilled cheese and tomato sandwich, which came with tomato soup. Since it was hot out, Leo was about to ask if he could have something other than soup, but seeing the look of certainty on Ollie’s face, decided against it

“Here’s to you lightening the fuck up, eh?” Ollie said as he held up his glass mug.