SCOUT
“What’s that?”Deanna asked me as she rounded the corner and saw me pinning up a flyer to the corkboard that sat just inside the doors of the diner.
“I need a new roommate.” I had tried to figure out a way to financially cover the house myself, but I’d have to live at the diner to even attempt it.
“Did you paint the walls?”
“The room for rent? Yeah.”
“What about the rest of the house?”
“Are you applying?” I asked.
“In that neighborhood? No thanks.” She rolled her eyes. “No offense, but didn’t your bike get stolen a few weeks back?”
It had.
“Are you looking for anyone specific?” she asked as we walked back into the restaurant. “I might know someone.”
“Someone with a job, preferably. A legal job,” I clarified, thinking about all of my former crew and the stuff they did to earn money. I didn’t need my house raided while I was at work. Or worse, robbed.
“Man, woman, kids, no kids, pets, no pets?”
“It’s one room, so no kids.” I grimaced. “Dogs are fine.”
“No cats?”
I shook my head.
“Perfect, I’ll call my friend, Luis, he’s been looking for a place, but he has a Rottweiler.”
“A Rott?” Those things were huge.
“Brucey is super sweet. Gentle giant. He lets me cuddle him all the time. You’ll love him more than Luis.”
We went to the back and began tying our aprons on and putting our hair up. “I’ll call him if I get a break tonight and see if he can come up here. You’ll love him.”
“Thanks,” I said and hoped she was right. Having a roommate would be such a load off my plate. I could afford to eat again.
“So, tell me about your date. How did it go with Desiderio?” she asked as we walked to the hostess podium.
“It was amazing. He took me to an art gallery.” My entire mood soared just thinking about him.
“An art gallery?” She cocked an eyebrow. “Fancy. Which one?”
“Greco’s,” I revealed.
“I know that place. Wait.” She squinted. “What did you say he did again?”
“He works at the dirty movie theater. I know, it’s an expensive place but he seemed to know the owner.” I shrugged and looked at the hostess’s chart. “We’ll talk later,” I told Deanna and started waitressing tables.
The monotony of taking people’s orders and bringing them their food helped me forget about my financial worries for a little bit. Soon, three hours had passed in a blink. I was taking a quick water break in the kitchen when Deanna rushed in.
“Hey, Luis, your potential new roommate came to have dinner and talk to you. I’ll cover you for fifteen if you want to go meet him.”
“Already?” I gulped down my glass.
“Come on, I’ll introduce you two.” She led me out to the restaurant and to a table where a tall, bald, dark-skinned man sat. He looked up when we came by, smiled politely, and extended his hand.
