Page 17 of Diluted Truths

I very unsubtly and very much in the view of Will flipped Oliver off before the door closed.

“I apologize for Oliver’s behavior. I would say he’s usually not that odd but that would be a total lie. Take a seat.” I motioned to Oliver’s abandoned chair.

“Thanks! Oliver, is he umm… your boyfriend?”

Why did Will sound disappointed by that possibility?

“No. But he is my best friend. So stay on his good side if you want to be on mine. You said you needed to talk to me?”

Will cleared his throat as he leaned forward placing his elbows on his thighs. “Yes, I need to apologize for how I reacted earlier. It was uncalled for and rude. I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. At least he could admit to his screw up. “It’s okay, seriously. I know that it comes as a shock to many to hear that I’m an alcoholic.”

“Can I ask a personal question?” He inquired as he looked deeper into my eyes while dripping onto my floor.

Did he run in the storm to get here or something?

Maybe it was his genuine expression of curiosity or the hope that maybe my story could scare off him and the weird feelings I had brewing for this man, but I answered in a way I would have never guessed.

“Yes.”

“Is that how you met Fai? In AA or something?”

“Kind of… I did go to an AA meeting but left early. Fai was there.” I leaned back in my chair and looked at the photo of the two of us on my desk. “When he was driving home he saw me asleep on a bus bench. I had taken a bus and hitchhiked from San Francisco.” Will seemed concerned by that fact. “Stupid, I know. He stopped and told me to get in. Once again I made a potentially stupid decision and got in.” I chuckled thinking about how he tried to hide how badly I smelled and introduced me to Sarah. She was less than thrilled about me. Who wouldn’t be? “I was a homeless twenty-three year old college dropout and an alcoholic. But Fai picked me up that day and has been helping me put myself back together since then.”

I was expecting pity or judgment from Will, but when my eyes went back to his, I only saw pride. “Did he help you get sober?”

“I had my last drink right before he showed up in his car. Fai saved me.”

“That’s incredible, Jackie. Thank you for telling me that.”

“I am a pretty open book about most things. Just ask and I’ll most likely answer.”

I was lying.

I knew it. I was open about mostly everything, but there were parts of me I never wanted to share.

“I don’t believe that, but I won’t press you any farther.”

“You are brave for showing up here,” I stated as I looked at Will. He seemed taken aback by my comment.

“Why do you say that?”

“I know you and Fai are not and have never been the closest of friends.”

Will chuckled to himself at that. “You aren’t wrong, but I’m not scared of him.”

“Why doesn’t he like you?” I had always wondered, but had gotten a different answer from Fai each time I asked.

“I don’t know. He’s never actually told me.”

“Wow. Really? So this now, what? Decade long feud doesn’t have a specific reason or a dramatic event that took place to cause it?”

He just chuckled at me. “Nope. Nothing. Honestly, your guess would be as good as mine.” He cleared his throat as he stood up straighter. “I did come here to apologize, but I also came to you with a request.”

I tilted my head urging him to continue on.

“Let me work this case with you. Is that the proper verbiage to use for an investigative journalist?” he began. “Nevermind, that isn’t important. I want to learn about the Cult of Creatio and see if this case is as linked to it as you believe it is. I have a break from teaching coming up soon. I was planning on doing research but truthfully this seems much more interesting.” Will continued on, becoming more and more flustered. “I know Fai may not be happy with it, but I really think I could help and offer a lot of insight that will assist you.”