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“Actually, it’s anthropology, the study of humans and how they developed over time. Archaeology is the study of material artefacts.”
    “Oh, okay.” Bobby nodded. “I’m working towards a degree in social work. Some people say it’s an easy degree, but I like the courses. I figure if I can help people and enjoy doing it, I’m ahead of the game.”
    Dane looked at Bobby over his glasses for a moment. “Yeah, I can see you doing that.” He marked his place then shut his book and set it carefully in the leather messenger bag beside his chair. “As you can tell, I’m not real comfortable with people. When I was eight my mom signed me up for soccer. I guess she thought I’d come out of my shell if I was part of a team, but it didn’t really work. I like to play, and I guess I’m pretty good at it, but I do it more for physical exercise than anything else. ‘Course now I have a pool, so I just stick to swimming most days.” Dane blushed. “Sorry. I guess you didn’t ask me about soccer, did you?”
    Although Dane was obviously intelligent, Bobby got the idea he was more than a little socially awkward. “That’s okay. It’s all part of getting to know someone.”
    “Yeah.” Dane looked around before leaning in to whisper, “Not many people take the time to get to know me. It seems I’m not smart enough to hang with the intellectuals and not tough enough to hang with the jocks.” He shrugged. “But that’s okay. I learned at an early age to entertain myself.” He reached down and tapped the messenger bag. “That’s why I bring books everywhere I go.”
    Bobby rubbed his jaw. Dane was a puzzle he might enjoy figuring out. “So are you looking for a roommate?”
    “Looking? No. But I wouldn’t mind sharing the house with someone. It’s way too big for one person anyway.” Dane pushed up his glasses again. “Oh, unless you’re afraid of dogs. My parents bought me a German shepherd for a graduation present. Ares is supposed to be a guard dog, but he’s a big softy.”
    “I like dogs.” Bobby also found he quite liked Dane, despite his quirks. He almost hated to bring up how much living at Dane’s house was going to cost him, but it would be the deciding factor.
    “Then we’re good,” Dane said.
    “Well, we still need to talk about the money. I get a small housing allowance from my scholarship and my mom tries to send me what she can each month, but I have to be honest, it isn’t much.”
    Dane waved his hand. “The money’s not important, so whatever your scholarship pays is fine with me.”
    Satisfied he could afford the change in housing, Bobby stuck out his hand. “Then if you’ll have me, I’d love to be your new roomy.”
    “Don’t you want to look at the house first?”
    “Nope. As long as I’ll be warm in the winter and cool in the summer, I’m good.”
     
    * * * *
     
    From his position on the deck, Chet watched Bobby and Dane. “I need you to do me a favour.”
    “Sure,” Julian answered, taking a drink of his iced tea.
    “I think something’s going on with Bobby Ray’s conditioning routine. I noticed this morning that he seems thinner than he was three years ago.” Chet turned his attention away from Bobby to look at Julian. “He said he’d been slacking lately, but I think it’s more than that.”
    Julian rubbed the back of his neck. By the expression on his face it was obvious he was uncomfortable about something. “Not sure if you noticed, but he’s favouring his left leg.”
    Chet nodded. “I noticed. He said it was just sore from riding in the truck for so many hours.”
    “Doesn’t make sense. When you’re driving it’s the right leg that takes the workout.”
    “See if he’ll talk to you about it. He practically snapped my head off earlier when I asked.”
    “I figured with him transferring you’d get that stick out of your ass and tell him how you feel.”
    Julian was the closest friend Chet had at NCIU and the only one he’d told about