in the middle of it

Alo was pleased to meet Dustin, but it was actually too late to get anything accomplished at the University when they left to go back to Omaha.

"I really wouldn't be here, if it wasn't for my girlfriend getting me involved in this foreign exchange student program." Alo told him.

Dustin was rather somber. He finally admitted he'd had the worst tea possible.

"You'll get that a lot around here." Alo shrugged.  He spotted a Zio's, so he bought a Meat Lover's pizza and they drank a dark ale. Alo thought that might hit the spot.

"I ..I want to get on with things, you know." Dustin told him he'd flown in with his girlfriend who was possibly his ex, by now. "I should let it go, and I will. Sooner or later."

"So, do you have a place to stay?" Alo thought that remained, the most importance.

Dustin shook his head, no.

Alo mentioned the boarding house. There was a room available.

"It has wifi. The people are good. You'll see. My brother and I stay there." Alo would help him out. "Things will be better tomorrow." But just as he said it, there was a crash of thunder and the rain started with a gust of wind. "Welcome to Nebraska."

Soon enough they were at the boarding house. Alo showed him to the room. Dustin dropped on the bed, immediately. He said he'd rest a bit, but he would shower. Maybe sleep in for the next three days.

Alo tried to chat him up, but not too much. Especially, according to Vada when he got around to calling her about Dustin. Finally, it felt as if the day was close to being done. He could hardly keep his eyes open.

"What's your brother doing?" She wanted to know.

"Bear?" He winced then. Did he really want to know what he was doing? He went to knock on his door. No one came. Alo opened the door. Turned on the light. Bear's bed was appropriately made.

Alo sighed. He wasn't sure anyone had been in that bed for days.