The District Manager by Matt Minor Page B

bleachers, one of the rotten slats gave way. I fell through up to my knees.”
    “Lucky it wasn’t up to your pecker,” he says, laughing.
    “I’m lucky I didn’t need stitches,” I respond, clearly irritated.
    “Send me a bill whenever you need to, no matter what it is,” he says, coldly.
    “So what should we do? This is fucked up.”
    “No doubt about that. I say let the county sheriff ’s department handle it.”
    “You serious? Those guys are incompetent creeps.”
    “This is out of our league, Mason. Besides, we’ve got bigger things on the radar at this point.”
    “Like what?”
    “The Congressional seat, that’s what.”
    At that point I didn’t feel like telling him about the files I stole. Besides, how could I? I stole them!
    And by the way, I have yet to look at their contents. I’ve got other things on my mind.
     
     
     
     

C HAPTER E IGHT
D ATE N IGHT
     
     
     
    That night at the power plant, before Brenna and I parted, our discussion meandered into areas I was not prepared to go. After getting up the nerve to ask her out on a formal date, Brenna dropped a bomb on me:
    “…that sounds like fun. I’ve never been to that venue. Who is this band again?”
    “X. They were an L.A. punk band back in the heyday. My buddy Keith told me about them. They’ve got a rockabilly twist to their music. They’re older now, but I watched a few clips online and they still sound kick ass! I’ve never been to that venue either, but I’ve heard the place sounds great and apparently it’s small enough so there’s not a bad seat in the house.”
    “Okay, next Saturday. I should be able to get my mom to babysit Will.”
    “Will?”
    “Yes, Will. You didn’t know I had a son?”
    “Uh, no, I didn’t.” I was sure she could see I was stunned, even while I was trying not to look like an asshole.
    “That’s okay isn’t it?” she asked with an air of concerned finality.
    “What? Of course! That’s awesome! How old is he?”
    “He turned seven in June. He’s so smart it’s scary—totally into science.”
    “Really?”
    “Oh yeah. It started with his interest in Star Wars—like all his friends—but it just suddenly started blossoming into a life all its own. He watched a documentary on the Big Bang the other day!”
    “Wow!”
    I tried to remain…well not stunned. This revelation is a blow to any man not expecting it, particularly if that respective man has no children of his own.
    But for me, at the time, it had a deeper, more painful meaning.
     

     
    I bought tickets for both Keith and me more than a month ago. He has no idea about Brenna and I’m at a loss as to how to tell him. All week my mind has fidgeted with this question: Should I lie or should I just level with him? If I lie I’ll find myself in the trap that so many politicians find themselves in: the spawning of more lies. Lies beget lies. No, I’m of the opinion that I should just tell him straight up. But because of the news about Ann and his devotion to her (I’ve always thought he was secretly in love with her) he might take this truth very harshly. And I must confess that I have been experiencing thoughts and feelings of guilt myself. How does one move on after what I’ve endured?
    But I’m human and I need love. I miss the touch of a woman’s fingers on my skin. I went so long without it before Ann. I’m worried that I might never know it again. Keith will have to deal with it. Time’s running out.
    We’re both eating dinner in the den, burgers from a local choke and puke.
    “So, dude, about this weekend? X! I can’t wait!” he says with a mouthful of beef and bread.
    “Well…, there’s something I need to tell you.”
    “What’s wrong?” He swallows hard. Mustard is in a broken ring around his mouth.
    “Keith, I’m going to have to cancel on you, man. And not just cancel but kick you off the itinerary altogether. You see, I’ve got a date that night and I’m going with her to the show...not