The old steps creaked on the back stairs of the building that Ronnie led him to, a dry goods store on Main Street that had an apartment above it that had been converted from part of the storage loft. They came out of the stairwell and she led Casey down the murky hallway, stopped and knocked on the door at the end.   

From inside: “Yeah?” 

From Casey: “It’s your son.” 

There was a pause and then the rattle of the lock unlatching, the creak of the door swinging open. Nat Janz stood there – two black eyes, a balloon nose, toilet paper stuck in each nostril – taking a good look at his son with the dreads.   

“I was calling your cell but I couldn’t get through. How’d you know to come here?” 

“I had help.” 

Nat looked over Casey’s shoulder, saw a familiar face. “Hey, Ronnie.” 

“Nat.” 

Casey looked over Nat’s shoulder. “Can we come in?” 

“Sure – sorry.” He pulled the door back and stood aside. 

Casey started to go in, but Ronnie stayed put. “I’m sure you’ve got catching up to do, and I have to get back.” She handed Casey a paper bag with Peak Pharmacy on it. Glanced at Nat’s face and shook her head, turned and walked back down the hallway. 

Casey called after her. “Thanks for your help.”  

“No problem. I’ll probably see you at school.” 

He watched her go, turned and stepped into Nat’s cramped loft and made a quick survey. Not a lot to take in – battered sofa in front of the TV, galley kitchen with dishes piled in the sink, skis leaning in the corner… A window with faded curtains looked down on Main Street. 

Casey glanced at the door opened to the one bedroom. “We alone?” 

Nat nodded. “They went back to Denver.” 

“But not for good.” 

Nat let this pass. “I found your duffle, put it on the bed there.” 

“Thank you, that’s where my cell was, I’d turned it off.” Casey held up the pharmacy paper bag. “We picked up some bandages and stuff.” 

“Don’t worry, I’m fine.” 

“Yeah, you look it.” 

“Where’d you find Ronnie?” 

“Up at the ski place when I was ditching your friends. She seems like an OK lady.” 

“You could do worse.” Nat looked at the skateboard Casey was still carrying. “You any good on that thing?” 

“People keep asking that.” 

“Well?” 

Casey held his father’s blackened eyes. “Yeah, I’m good.” 

“Good. Lemme touch myself up and we’ll go get some chow.” 

                                                #          #          # 

After some rudimentary work on Nat’s nose, they went down the back stairs and outside into an alley, cutting through it to Copper Crest’s Main Street. Nat, wearing sunglasses even though the sun was well behind the mountains, lead Casey across the street to the Copper Pot Café. 

Inside, the place was bustling, Casey glancing at the antlers and antelope horns on the walls, reading some of the signs with the funny sayings. Nat kept his sunglasses on, got a couple of looks as he led Casey to a table for two where they each took a seat. Casey picked up a menu.  

“Burger comes with fries and slaw,” Nat said. 

“Fine,” Casey said and put down the menu.  

Nat caught the eye of a heavyset older waitress who’d just left the check for another table. She came over and looked at Nat’s dark glasses and ballooned nose. “You forget which way the door swung?” 

“Hello, Vera. Meet my son, Casey.” 

“Pleased, I’m sure.” 

“Likewise,” said Casey. 

“At least there’s one decent looker in the family.” 

“He’ll be here for a while,” Nat said, “if he behaves himself.” 

“He’s not the one I’m worried about. You know what you want?” 

“Two burger plates, medium.” 

“Drinks?” 

Nat looked at Casey. 

“Coke, please.” 

Nat handed the menus to Vera. “Coke and a Coors.” 

“You got it.” She took the menus and headed for the kitchen. 

Casey looked around, giving a curious look to what he guessed was an elk’s head hanging over the table.  

Nat leaned in to talk above the din. “So – you got a plan?” 

Casey blinked. “What plan?” 

“That’s what I’m asking. You’re here now, we need to have a plan.” 

“It’s not like I wanted to be here.” 

“Yeah, well you are, so get over it.” 

“Jesus.” 

“There’s worse places to be,” Nat said. 

He watched his son through the dark glasses, leaned back when Vera came by with the drinks, leaned back in after she’s set them down and left. 

“Your mother said there were issues with the cops.” 

“Everybody’s got issues. Like some people get their noses bopped.” 

“Don’t get smart. And by the way, thank you.” 

“For what?” 

“Stepping in like you did, even if it’ll cost me.” 

“No problem.” 

“That board of yours could’ve killed him.” 

Casey shook his head. “Not likely.” 

“Yeah, well, lemme ask you something.” 

“What’s that?” 

“Were you on something?” 

“What?” 

Nat shrugged. “You know...” 

“Oh, man, this isn’t gonna work.” 

Casey started to get up. Nat caught his arm and settled him back down. 

“Relax,” Nat said, “it’s a reasonable question.” 

“You mean since we been keeping in such close touch?” 

“Forget it, then.” 

Casey gave him a hard look, shook his head. “I’m not into drugs, if that’s what you’re asking.” 

“Good.” 

“What about you?” 

Nat gave him a look. 

 “I mean while we’re on the subject,” Casey said. 

Nat held the look – then shook his head. ”Shitfaced now and then, yeah. But drugs? No.” 

“Glad to hear it.” 

Nat poured himself some beer, raised his glass. “Cheers.” 

Casey raised his glass, was taking a sip of Coke when he got a hip from someone passing by, his drink spilling all over him.” 

“Hey, my man,” a voice said, “I’m sorry.” 

Casey looked up into the Colgate smile of snowboarder Carson Quiller – a smile he could see some smirk in.    

“Here,” Quiller said, “let me wipe that off.” 

He picked up Casey’s napkin and clumsily started wiping at Casey’s shirt, patting his blond dreadlocks. Casey sat still for a few seconds – and then tossed what was left of his Coke in Quiller’s face. He leapt at him, got in a couple of quick shots before three big young guys with Quiller grabbed Casey and slammed him to the floor, pounding him with their fists and kicking him. 

Nat Janz jumped into the fight, yanking the young guys off Casey, pulling Casey to his feet, shoving Quiller and his friends away when they tried to get back into it. 

The Café’s owner ran out from the kitchen, yelling at everybody in a language nobody understood. Nat pushed Casey across the room and out the front door. 

Outside, they quick-stepped across the street to the alley. 

“What the hell was that about?” Nat said. 

“Guy’s an asshole.” 

“You don’t even know him.” 

“I met him with Ronnie.” 

Nat glanced back at the café, slowed down and nodded. “At least that explains it.” 

“What?” 

“Him and Ronnie had a thing.” 

“Whatever.” 

“You’re here, what, couple hours, and we got skirmishes on two fronts.” 

“We’re even at least,” Casey said, “you stepping in like that.” 

Nat tried to give him a stern look, saw that his son had a black eye blooming, reached over and carefully touched it. “So now there’s two of us.” 

When they got upstairs to the loft, Nat swept his hand toward the bedroom. “You sleep in there, I’ll sack on the couch.” Casey started to protest but Nat waved it off. “I usually fall asleep watching a movie there anyway.” 

He went over to the galley kitchen. “We still gotta eat.” He opened the refrigerator and poked around. “There’s cheese shouldn’t be too bad. And beer if you don’t tell your mother.” 

“I’m old enough, beer’s fine.” A little stretch, but hey. 

Nat took out the cheese and a six-pack and set them on the counter. He reached up to the cupboard and took down a box of crackers and a can of soup. Took off his sunglasses and squinted at the can’s label. “What’s today’s date?” 

“Cheese and crackers are fine.” 

Nat started to open the package of cheese, looked up when he heard a knock at the door. Looked over at Casey. Casey shrugged. 

Nat crossed to the door and stood there, didn’t open it. “Yeah?” 

A woman’s voice came from the other side. “It’s Vera.” 

Nat frowned and opened the door. There was Vera from the café holding out a paper sack. 

“You forgot these,” she said. 

Nat took the sack, grinning. “You’re beautiful.” Reached into his pocket. 

Vera turned and walked away. “I put it on your tab.” 

Nat called after her. “Your reward is forthcoming.” 

“Save it,” she said. 

Nat blew her a kiss and shut the door. Peeked in the sack and turned to Casey. 

“Let’s eat.”