Dionysia

9

Encumbered from the slog of Swampwater in his system, Denny was slow to get up from the torn, blue couch outside of Zeta Psi. He first checked for his phone, wallet, and tugboat keys, grateful that they were still in his pocket after last night. The time was around 8:00 AM, as many songbirds hummed and students slept. It was good for Denny, that no Zeta Psi frat guys had to drive him out of the house themselves.

He shut his phone off, seeing that the battery was low, after calling his mom and telling her that he was alright. Denny made sure to apologize for being irresponsible again, and he was truthfully dismayed that he returned to his foolish drinking habits. While en route to the marina, Aurelia's voice wasn't as disappointed as he thought it would be. Still, she'd always been the more apologetic parent of the two.

After hanging up and telling Aurelia that he'd be home soon, Denny let out a sigh of relief once he saw the tugboat was still stationed beside the dock. Sure, he'd put a cable lock on the bowline as well as locking the cabin door, but you could never tell with New Orleans nights.

At least pa won't kill me again, Denny thought, trekking slowly into the tugboat and the cabin.

A half-hour passed since Denny was riding the Mississippi back to Westwego, feeling the warm air renew his sluggishness. Even his sailing was fine, with the wind remorseful for his sorry night by easing its fervor. He also wanted to conserve fuel in the engine, so that it was handy for Martin & Sons. Hopefully, all of these small things would calm Louis's mind for the coming week.

But that soon fell through, as Denny's phone beeped just moments before he saw Martin & Sons on land.

We got a problem, said Freddie in the anonymous group chat. Somebody wants ta meet.

Whadda we do, Denny? Caroline added with a frowning face emoji. I'm so worried!

What Denny got from that was that someone knew about the suppliers of the special mixed drink, other than the guys at Zeta Psi. He could tell by Freddie's vague but wary tone, informing Caroline about the matter too. Denny stopped the tugboat for a moment, pondering what he should say next.

If anything, he needed more out of Freddie before Denny could decide.

How do ya know dis? Denny replied in the chat, aimed at Freddie.

Some weird Tulane kid, Freddie responded, was at our party last night. Says to Charlie he wants to talk to the guy in dis photo...

Following that text, Freddie sent a picture of none other than Denny himself, snoozing away on Zeta Psi's couch.

Any idea what idiot is in dis photo, Denny? Freddie added, bringing more salt to the wound that formed in Denny's skin.

Silent, Denny cursed at himself, thinking he may have told this kid something that he couldn't remember last night. If he did, and the kid knew about the business, Denny was thoroughly screwed. But there was no way he could've done something that stupid, even if he was drunk! Still, the photo served as no reliable evidence against Denny, as the kegs were hidden in Zeta Psi where no outsider could find them.

What then, was this kid's motive for talking to Denny?

I made a mistake, Denny tried to say in the chat, knowing that Freddie and Caroline would be disappointed. I'll meet this kid as soon as I can to clear things up.

It's better if all three of us do! Caroline objected. We'll make sure to intimidate the little guy so that he never bothers us again!

That was it; Denny watched as the fangs came out of this girl, who for some reason seemed more concerned than Freddie. After all, Freddie was the one who brought it up, yet his other texts after that weren't as serious as the one Caroline sent. Denny wondered if Freddie's goal was to show Denny that he screwed up and that working underneath him and following his orders was the better idea. While spiting Freddie, Denny realized he underestimated his guile all this time.