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I huffed. “I thought we were happy. But then I found out that she was just happy with my bank account, not me. We aren’t together anymore.”
“Tragic,” Rick said.
“What about you guys?” I asked. “Women? Children? Prospects?”
Theo nodded. “I’m seeing this girl. I’ll probably marry her when I can get used to the idea, one of these days.”
“Don’t wait too long,” I warned. “Some women will get impatient on you.”
“I know,” he said. “But I think we can hold off for a little while. She wants to finish graduate school first, so I’ve got time.”
“Nice.” I turned my gaze to Rick. “How about you?”
“Last chick I had slashed my tires, so I’m on strike for a little while,” he said with a bitter laugh.
“Hey, you can at least tell the whole story,” Theo said, smirking. “Tell him why she slashed your tires.”
“Uh oh,” I said.
Rick shook his head. “That is a tale for another time, not for a joyful reunion.”
Theo laughed.
I shook my head. “That’s all right. I think I can already imagine what would lead to those antics.”
“And you’d probably be right,” Rick said, throwing back the rest of his beer. “Anyway, I think that’s enough of that kind of talk for the night. No need to dampen the mood. You never told us what you’re here for, Toby. What brings you over to our neck of the woods, man?”
“I’ve been invited back to Hullen. They want me to speak to the business and entrepreneurs class.”
“Wow,” Theo said.
Rick chuckled. “Good ol’ Hullen Prep. Never misses an opportunity to flaunt about alumni worth bragging about, do they?”
“Well, who else are they supposed to brag about?” Theo said.
Rick shrugged his shoulders. “I’m just teasing. I remember how they used to have all the superstar alumni come back to talk to us too. Always felt like they were trying to say, ‘Now let’s see if you dumbasses can follow in these footsteps!’”
I laughed. “I don’t think that’s quite the message they were aiming for, at least I hope not. They did used to bring back a lot of guest speakers though, didn’t they? Never thought I’d be one of them.”
“Look at him, trying to be modest,” Theo teased. “You’ve obviously done pretty good for them to invite you back. You’re not nervous about visiting our old stomping grounds, are you?”
“Of course I’m nervous! I gotta stand up in front of a group of teens who more than likely won’t give a damn about what I have to say. I feel a little sick just thinking about it. Kids these days aren’t like we were. And let’s face it, we were a bit of a mess ourselves.”
“I guess you’re right about that,” Theo said. “They’re a completely different breed from when we were growing up, that’s for sure.”
“Oh, you’ll be fine,” Rick said. “Just talk over their heads! Use some big words and fancy diction so they won’t understand what you’re saying. Then they won’t ask too many questions.”
I laughed and shook my head. “That’s terrible, man.”
“But it’s a good idea though, right?”
“You need help, Rick,” Theo said, although laughing all the same.
“No—Tobias needs the help. Now, when it is that you’re speaking?” Rick asked.
“Tomorrow,” I said, the thought sobering me. “Damn.”
“Man, you have to speak tomorrow, and you’re out here drinking tonight?” Theo said, his eyebrows raised. “Now, I’m no professional speaker or anything, but I’m not sure how all these beers are going to help your cause.”
