Tegan shook his head. “No. I’m done with that kind of haphazard, ridiculous life of crime.”
“Good. So, why did you parents have it out for ya?”
“Oh…that.” Tegan looked down. That answer was a bit complicated.
“Aw, you don’t need to tell me.”
“I will. But I have a feeling that you might want me to go after I tell you.”
Moe looked at him confused. “Huh? Tegan, I doubt it. I’m not a judgmental person.”
Tegan took in a deep breath. “I used to believe that life had no intrinsic value. That we were all here for no reason other than to just exist. To pretend that anything meaning more than that was living in denial. But, going to jail and having all that time to think…”
Moe sighed. “Got ya thinking differently?”
Tegan shook his head. “Not really. But I wished that I could’ve believed that. I think…I’m starting to think that things can have meaning. If you truly believe it. The problem is, I never really had much to truly, passionately believe in.”
“Like God?”
Tegan nodded. “God is a concept I had trouble wrapping my mind around. Like…I understand it is faith and you don’t have to have proof…but it’s like that scene inPulp Fiction. You know the one where Jules and Vincent almost get shot. But all the bullets miss them, hitting the wall behind them instead.” Tegan shrugged a little. “Vincent didn’t think anything of it. Jules however, thought it was a miracle. Something directly from God. So…it’s like, you can’t go up to one and definitely say one is wrong and one is right. They both believe theiropposing perspectives equally. With the same strength and fierce intensity. So, what is meaning but what we hold in our hearts and our guts? Something we believe down to thebone.”
Moe felt a bit of out of depth with the philosophical conversation. He got out another glass, pouring Tegan a fresh beer.
He handed it to Tegan. “Thanks.”
Moe nodded. “Welcome.”
There was a minute of silence between the two. But it didn’t feel awkward. It felt okay to have that silence for a moment.
“I never watched that movie,” Moe said finally. Tegan laughed.
“Sorry, buddy. I ain’t ever been the type to discuss theology. Religion and stuff. But I like talking about you,” Moe blurted out. His eyes widened at the admission. “I mean…I liked hearing what you had to say on the matter. Real interesting.”
Tegan smiled. “Youare interesting too.” He thought for a moment, and decided to tell him why his parents kicked him out. But nothere. “Moe, do you want to go by the ocean with me? When you get off?”
Moe nodded. “Yes.”
Tegan felt a twist in his stomach. He wasn’t expecting such a direct yes to his request.
“I’m…uh…well,” Tegan said nervously.
Moe nodded. “Yeah? What’s up?”
Suddenly, a man came in, hands in his pockets. He was wearing a large overcoat and looked flustered, walking over to the bar swiftly.
“Hey, you two,shut up. Everyone get under their tables, right now! I got a gun!” the man yelled at everyone. Everyone immediately got under their tables.
“Hey, you!” He pointed to Moe. “Get the owner. I got agun. Give me all your money. Don’t try anything.”
Moe looked at him with a disgruntled frown. “Fine. I’m the owner. I’ll get your money.”
He looked at everyone in the bar, and turned back to Moe. Tegan was looking at Moe, and felt his heart leap in his chest. They had a silent understanding all of a sudden, and Tegan made a decision.
He decided to play dumb and more drunk than he was, “H-hey,barkeep, get me something stronger—I’m not going home till I’m plastered!” He leaned over the bar, stumbling a bit.
The man looked over at Tegan in disgust. “Shut the fuck up!” he whispered loudly.
Moe looked at Tegan questioningly. Tegan winked at him when the robber looked away.
