“Scout, this is Luis. Luis, this is Scout.”
“Nice to meet you.” Luis spoke with a thick accent that I thought could be African.
“Luis is from Ghana,” Deanna explained. “He came for college and just stayed.” She grinned.
“College? What did you go to school for?” I asked, sliding into the booth.
“English. I’m a playwright.”
My eyebrows shot up.
An artist?
I glanced at Deanna, who was grinning wildly.
“Do you want a Coke, Luis?” she asked.
“Yes, please.”
She left us to talk.
“A playwright. That’s impressive. Deanna said you’re looking for a place?”
He nodded and folded his hands over the table. “I am. I haven’t had much luck because of my dog, Brucey.”
“I heard about that. Is he mean?”
His eyes lit up with almost a look of shock. “Oh no. Just large.” He motioned with his hands. “Very large. But once he knows you, he will not harm you.”
“What made you pick that breed?” I had met a Rottweiler or two, and they were always scary. Barking and drooling so much their bodies shook. But those dogs had always been owned by people who wanted them to act that way.
“I wanted something to protect myself. You see, I’m…” He paused and leaned into the table. I did the same, curious as to what the seemingly kind man had to say. “I prefer the company of gentlemen.” He watched for my reaction carefully.
“Oh. Okay.” I smiled warmly. I didn’t care, but I also understood why he’d want a little extra security.
“I’ve found that my dog keeps people away from me when I walk at night.”
I knew exactly what he was referring to. There was so much hate in this world, and people were ruthless. He was right to have something to protect himself, but it didn’t make it any less sad. Deanna came back with a pop and told me I had ten more minutes. I cleared my throat and returned to the interview.
“Do you have a job?”
“I do. I currently work at Catalina Private School across the town. I teach Great Literature.”
Catalina was where Desi went to school. I remembered.
“You like it there?”
“It has its benefits. It is helping to pay my bills and save for my citizenship. I’m this close to becoming a United States citizen,” he boasted proudly.
“That’s great, Luis.” I was sincerely happy for him. Something about him just radiated positive energy, and I was already loving it. To imagine it at my house all the time? Yes, please.
“I have a one bedroom for rent. We share all the bills, right down the middle. Food can be negotiated. If you want to go half or separate. I like to draw, and my art is all over the walls. Except your room, of course.” I paused to smile.
He was nodding eagerly, so I continued.
“Take care of your dog's mess naturally. I’ll try to keep it down so you can sleep at night. I work the night shift.” I raised my arms and motioned around me. “I’ll be quiet coming in.”
“And I will be at work while you sleep!” he added excitedly.
“Yes!” I slapped the table. “Exactly! Why don’t you come over on my next day off and you can tour the place?”
We made plans to do so. I shook his hand just as Deanna returned to take his food order. When she returned to the kitchen, she was dancing.
“I told you I knew someone. What do you think?”
“He’s incredible. Perfect. Thanks so much, Deanna.”
“Anytime, girlie. Plus, you’ll need Luis and Brucey there now that you’ve got a boyfriend in the mafia.”
“The what?”
