Page 3 of Broken Halos
Afterward, we drove over to Janine’s for the best burgers I’d ever had. Andy liked to argue and claimed a place called Gemini’s was better, but I thought it was more to do with the sentimental value the place held for him and Milo. Gemini’s didn’t have the 1950s diner feel or serve hand-dipped milkshakes and fresh-cut fries, so I wasn’t interested in giving it a try. We all ordered our usual and settled in for conversation while we waited for our food.
It wasn’t customary practice for an NA chapter leader to show favoritism toward certain members of the group, or form deeper, personal relationships with them, but I was drawn to these five men, or maybe they were drawn to me. Whatever the reason, there was a spark and bond between us that went deeper than my sponsorship. We ate together on Wednesday nights and caught an occasional movie together or bowled against one another for fun.
The Frat Boys, as Milo dubbed Adam, Tyler, and Brent because they dressed like it, rarely spoke about their jobs, which was understandable since they all had confidentiality agreements. Instead, they talked about hobbies or what was happening with their families. Some were blessed with involved, loving families and others were in various phases of discord with theirs. I hadn’t spoken to my parents or sibling since I was fifteen, and on occasion, I’d feel a twinge of pain because of it, but mostly, I was grateful for my chosen family. I smiled because I realized it would make a great subject for a future sermon.
I realized the conversation around me had stopped, and everyone was staring at me with various expressions stamped on their faces. Adam, Tyler, and Brent looked smug as if they assumed I was thinking about Archie which was fair because I thought about him a lot. More than I should. Keeton looked annoyed like I’d let him down somehow. Andy looked content and maybe hopeful I’d find the same for myself.
“How’s the house coming along?” I asked Andy. He was a master carpenter who specialized in rehabilitating and renovating older homes. It was the perfect job for a gentle giant with a caring nature.
“It won’t be much longer now. The walls downstairs are painted and the floors are sanded and ready for stain.”
“You work fast,” Keeton said.
“I wouldn’t say fast, but I take a methodical approach. For instance, it’s extra work if you sand the floors first then try to paint. Floor sanders make a mess, even though they have bags attached to collect the sawdust. You can wipe down the walls a dozen times before you paint, but I promise you the roller will still manage to pick up dust from somewhere you missed with the naked eye, and you end up with textured walls no one planned for. What about you, Kee,” Andy asked. “I bet your job never slows down.”
“Nope,” he said, shaking his head. I was sure confidentiality was a requirement for a fire medic, but I suspected his unwillingness to talk about his job came from a deeper issue. The young man revealed next to nothing about himself except a sharp mind and an even sharper tongue.
“What are the odds Archie finally acknowledges Ollie’s existence tonight?” Tyler asked.
“Fifty to one in favor of fuck no,” Adam replied.
“It’s better than one hundred to one,” I said, trying to stay positive.
“Does that mean you’re feeling lucky?” Brent asked.
“Can we not hear about the padre getting his love jones on?” Keeton asked, looking and sounding extremely uncomfortable.
“He’s still a man,” Adam said to Keeton.
“A man with needs,” Tyler added.
“I said ‘feeling lucky’ not getting lucky, brat,” Brent said, hooking Keeton around the neck and pulling him closer so he could rub his knuckles over Keeton’s head.
“Knock it off,” Keeton said, elbowing Brent in the ribs so he could get away. I noticed his face was a nice shade of pink, but it didn’t appear to be from displeasure, fear, or exertion.
“You sure didn’t blush like that when you took your clothes off for the annual fireman’s calendar,” Adam said to Keeton. “Or did they photoshop it out.”
“I had clothes on,” Keeton protested.
“You had on a pair of work pants, and they were unzipped at the top,” Tyler countered.
“Someone manscapes,” Brent said, trying to pull Keeton close again.
“Knock it off, B,” Keeton said.B?When did that happen?
“Since when did you give one of us a cutesy nickname?” Adam asked with a pout.
“Just now, I guess,” Keeton said with a shrug. “Normally, I think of you as Saint, Bruiser, Nerd 1, Nerd 2, and Nerd 3.”
“Oh, which one of us is Bruiser?” Tyler asked with wide, innocent eyes. “How do you know what we’re packing anyway? None of us stripped down to become spank bait.”
“Speak for yourself,” Brent said, waggling his brows. “You have no idea what I get up to when you guys aren’t around.”
“Oh, I bet he goes live cam when he jerks off. How many subscribers do you have, Bruiser?” Adam asked.
It never failed to surprise me just how fast things could get out of control. “Knock it off, guys,” I said firmly. “It’s obvious as hellI’mBruiser.” That got a laugh out of all of them.
I noticed Brent had removed his arm off Keeton’s shoulder but propped it on the back of Keeton’s chair instead of dropping it back in his lap. Keeton was aware even if he didn’t let on. I was glad no one else pointed it out either, and by the time our food arrived, we were too hungry to do any more talking.