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From across the oblong dining floor, I see they've cleared their plates. They seem to be waiting for the check, too. But I don't want them to go, yet. Making a quick detour, I stop at the soups station and fill two bowls with the soup of the day-its vegetable beef. No one orders it-and fill a ramekin with packets of crackers.
When I return to the table, Marcus' eyes go wide. "What are you doin'?"
I set a bowl of steaming soup in front of Evan first, and then Marcus, explaining as I go. "Look. I've been where you are. I had no one to help me, either. I know what that feels like."
Evan breaks away from sprinkling the crackers into his soup. "What makes you think we don't? Have help or family, or something?"
This time I am anxious to meet his eyes. "You wouldn't be staying in a shelter if you did. And it's no big deal. Everybody needs help sometimes."
Marcus hesitates, staring down at a spoon. "Thank you, once again for the charity, Sheri."
While the two young men dig in, a sense of satisfaction builds inside. With a deep breath of courage, I square my shoulders. "You know . . . I might be able to help you find a place to stay. You need help finding your way around, too. Los Angeles is . . . fickle. It's tough to navigate when you don't know anyone."
Evans' hazel eyes widen. He sets his spoon down and wipes his mouth. "You would do that? For strangers?"
I shrug, because it feels so awkward to stand here and have something to offer. But it feels amazingly right, too. Like my homage to Jake. I could make him proud. "Absolutely."
Marcus brushes a long lock of curls away from his forehead. "We haven't got any money."
"I figured that. You can use my address for booking jobs. Or if you need a place to crash . . ."
Evan seems to gasp. Blinking up at me, he almost whispers, "How do you know we won't rob you?"
I'm holding up both hands, palms out. "I think you're smart enough to know that I'd find you if you did. Besides, all my stuff is shit."
Marcus chuckles. "We could be psychopaths."
I'm looking Marcus straight in his eyes now. "No, you couldn't. You're just two people who need guidance. Besides, you'll find a way to pay me back. I'll make sure of it."
I lean in, addressing the doubt in their faces. "Come by my place around six. I'll make you dinner and we can talk about it. My apartment is just above this place."
Pointing to the side entrance of the restaurant I continue explaining. "Outside that door is a flight of stairs. My front door's at the top. I'm off at two."
I can do this.
I can help and not hurt.
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