Of course, Odin was a bit troubled having Stu tag along for dinner. But then again, it balanced out everything so evenly at the table, like they might really be a good circle of friends. Naturally, Stu made himself at home with the bottle of red wine.
"What's up with you, mate?" Odin didn't mean to fester his anxieties, but what was Stu up to?
Stu's smile was open as he gave his old friend a tried laugh. Odin obliged with a tense smile. It was as if he was playing along too, but didn't mean it. Not really. He was just here for Shelly. Honestly, he didn't know Mia at all, but evidently, she was a good friend to Shelly.
Odin winced. Was Stu nervous about something?
"Not a lot." He looked a bit blue as he sighed and drank his wine.
"Hold on." Odin put his hand over his glass before he could have another. "Dinner is coming."
Stu busted a laugh.
"Are you sloshed, already?" Odin tensed. Shelly gave him the eye. The next thing he knew was to hurry Stu to the loo.
"What's got into you, Mate?" Odin looked at him practically sideways as Stu propped himself against the sink. He stared at the three stalls.
"I remember when it was all so quaint?" He shrugged a good laugh. "Remember when it was that pub and we thought we could be in a band?" He was so giggly it practically made Odin gasp.
"What is it with you, old boy?" Odin practically sneered as if he couldn't believe Stu was on a binder before he got here.
"Nothing." He was practically mute with his fingers in his jean's pockets, slouching like he could be someone famous. Stu winced a tear then. "Those days are gone, you know."
Odin nodded. He really did need to use the loo so he excused himself. That's when Stu told him he was back at the bakery. "Can you believe it, man?"
Odin only flushed the toilet for an answer. Really, he had nothing to say to Stu. It felt as if they were on to a bad night after all.