Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
Miles
“Sorry I’m late,” I extended my hand to shake hers, but she looked confused, so I pulled it back.
“You’re Lucinda, right?”
“Yeah. You’re Miles?”
I nodded and shoved my hands into my pockets.
“My grandma didn’t tell me you’d be so cute,” she noted, her blue eyes shining up at me under the streetlamp.
“Umm, thanks.” I didn’t want to compliment her and make her think this was a date. I’m sure both of our grandmas insinuated it was, but I wasn’t about to continue the misconception.
“So, where did you want to go?” I asked, trying to fill the silence. It was just after ten, but there were plenty of places to go on a Saturday night in Seattle.
“I’m not really into the bar scene,” she said slowly, giving me a sexy smile. “We could always go to your place and hang out if you want.”
I shoved my hands even deeper into my pockets, avoiding hers as it hung low by her side, ready to touch me the moment she thought I gave her the okay.
“I actually know of a nice café that we can go to. It’s pretty mellow and has great pastries.”
“Okay,” she shrugged, seeming disappointed as she pulled her cell phone out and began typing.
We rounded the corner, and I nearly tripped over a pizza box left on the sidewalk by a man who appeared to be sleeping. I paused for a moment and peered at him, making sure he was okay.
“He’s out here all the time,” she muttered, eyes still glued to her phone.
I stopped and knelt beside him, gently tapping his shoe with my hand. It had holes and looked like it was about to fall apart, as did the other one.
“Mhhmhm,” he grumbled a jargon of words, but his eyes fluttered open. He pulled back instinctively, so I leaned back, giving him space so he knew I wasn’t a threat.
The man looked between us, a layer of dirt on his face and sadness in his eyes. Then he noticed the pizza box in the middle of the sidewalk and pulled it toward him.
“Sorry about that, I didn’t mean to cause you no trouble,” he said quietly.
“You didn’t. But I wanted to check and make sure you are okay.”
He glanced up at Lucinda, who still hadn’t bothered to take her eyes off her phone or pay him any attention.
“I’m okay, thank you.”
“How long have you been out here?”
He sighed and leaned back against the building. There was a torn-up trash bag next to him that I assumed contained all his belongings.
“I don’t even know what day it is anymore. They all start to blend together.”
I nodded and pressed my lips into a thin line.
“Can I help you get to a shelter?”
“There’s no room right now. I stayed there for a bit, but then they kicked me out, so I’ve been here ever since.”
“What did you do for a living before this?”
“A little bit of everything. I’ve had a hard time holding down a steady job for a few years.”
I took a deep breath and extended my hand to him.
“Come with me; I know somewhere you can go.”
He looked at me skeptically.
“It’s okay, I promise. Things are going to get better for you.”
He wiped a tear from the corner of his eye and accepted my hand as I helped him to his feet.
“What’s going on?” Lucinda asked, shoving her phone back into the pocket of her cut-off jean shorts.
“I’m helping a friend,” I answered without looking at her.
“You know him?”
“No, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to help him.”
“You don’t have to do this,” he interjected, noticing the tension coming from Lucinda.
“I know, I want to.”
“I’m going to go,” Lucinda threatened with her hands on her hips.
“Okay, be safe getting home.” I didn’t bother to watch as she turned and left, muttering whatever loud enough for us to hear. I helped him grab his belongings from the sidewalk and waited for him to get situated.
“Your girlfriend isn’t going to be too happy,” he commented, standing next to me on the sidewalk.
“She’s not my girlfriend, and I’m sure she’ll get over it.”
He nodded, and I could tell that he was still feeling uncertain.
“My grandma has a friend who runs a rehabilitation program and houses those who need it until they can get on their feet again. We’ll go see him and check if he has any open rooms.”
“That’s mighty kind of you, thank you.”
“No problem.” I smiled and started walking slowly so he could keep up with me.
“What’s your name?” I asked, turning to make eye contact with him.
“Darryl. You?”
“I’m Miles.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“You too,” I said warmly, meaning it.
“It’s been a long time since anyone’s paid any attention to me,” he commented sadly.
“I’m sorry about that. Not everyone you meet is a good person, and not everyone is a monster, either. Guess it’s just the luck of the draw.”
I reflected back on the years I’d spent trying to locate my dad.
At one point, he had joint custody, and I’d been living on the streets with him until my mother found out and went to court to file for full custody.
Once I was old enough to look for him, I did and didn’t stop until I’d found him under a bench at the bus stop.
He’d been dead for days, and not a single person had bothered to check on him.
Soon, we were standing outside, waiting for Erick to answer the door.
“Sorry it’s so late,” I apologized when he pulled the door open. “My friend, Darryl here needs a place to stay, and the shelter is full.”
“No problem, your grandma called a few minutes ago to let me know you were on your way. Come on in.”
We stepped inside, and I could tell that Darryl was feeling more comfortable than he was when we first met. I hated that he had to feel so guarded around people and wondered how many times he’d asked for help and had been turned away.
“I have one room right now, and it’s yours, but there are some conditions to you staying here,” Erick said sternly.
He was a large man, and I couldn’t imagine that he’d experienced much trouble with anyone, given how intimidating he looked.
My grandma had told me that he was a veteran who was focused on helping those who needed it.
“Yes, sir,” Darryl answered.
“First, I don’t tolerate any substance use, including alcohol, drugs, or even cigarettes. We are a clean house, and it will stay that way.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Second, we all help out around here. No one lives here for free. I understand you don’t have any money, which is fine. But you will work to earn your keep. We have a daily list of chores, and I’ll rearrange the chart to include you.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I understand that you’ve been living on the streets. I’m happy to offer you a safe place to stay and expect you’ll let me know if there’s anything you need until you can get back on your feet. What kind of work are you looking for?”
Darryl shrugged and looked away bashfully.
“Are you any good in the kitchen?” I asked gently.
“Oh yeah, I used to make a mean club sandwich. Piled that sucker so high, my mama could barely get it to fit in her mouth,” he laughed.
“I’ve never cooked professionally, but my mama taught me how and I used to take care of her before she passed.
After that, the bank took her house, and I didn’t have anywhere to go. ”
I smiled softly and patted him on the back.
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you.”
“Me too,” Erick added.
“Darryl, if you’d like, I have a food truck and could use some help.
It’d be in the evenings, which would give you time during the day to work on the items that Erick needs help with.
I can’t offer much but can start you at fifteen dollars an hour.
You’ll help with food prep before we open and then with taking orders throughout the night.
Occasionally, I might ask you to help with cooking, but we’ll play that by ear. What do you say?”
“I’d be honored to work for you, sir.”
We shook hands, then I left him with Erick to get settled in. I headed home, feeling on top of the world for being able to help someone in need.
As I got back to my house, I felt my phone buzz and pulled it out to see my grandmother calling. It was late, but obviously, she was still up and likely wanted to ask about what had happened with Lucinda.
“Hello, Grandma,” I answered and closed the door behind me.