Excerpt: The Road to Nowhere

I'm enjoying this beer – it's the middle of the afternoon and I'm alone, so I know this is probably a sign of incipient alcoholism, but I've had a great meeting with my supervisor, a submittable draft of my thesis on new American religious movements, and a brand new Jack Kerouac novel to read. This guy knew how to really live – drink when he wants, hits the road when he wants, and fuck when he wants, only girls if you believe his novels but not so fussy if you read the biographies – it would really be something to be like Jack. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, like waiting for my boyfriend Wyatt to meet me here. As usually, he's late.
“Jiggens, whatta ya at.”
I look up and see Simon Roussell, a guy I went to high school with in Labrador City. I hung out with him mostly because he had his fathers truck so we could drive to Fermont, Quebec, to hang out in the mall and get cigarettes and underage beers.
“Nothing much, Simon me b'y. I'm one step closer to finishing my Masters.”
“Good on you. How long's it been now? Four years? Five?”
“Five and a half. Long enough to get most of another degree.”
“Hey, are you still married to Deborah?”
“Last time I checked. Why? What have you heard?”
“Oh, nothing. I was just wondering, it's been so long since I've seen you, Jenkins, and the divorce rate being what it is. Anyway I should get going. I've got papers to mark for this lazy prof I'm TA for. Nice seeing you.”
With that, he scuttles off awkwardly.