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Chapter Seventeen
It had been a long time since Jason had enjoyed a night like this.The easy banter, teasing one another, both in perfect sync as they had been when they were young.
Steph’s smile, the laughter in her eyes, the way she'd crawled under that bed and dug out a treasure had made him love her all the more.She was gutsy, determined, and okay with doing the dirty work if that's what it took.
Kissing her had awakened his desires.She'd been the one and only love in his life and they were being given a second chance.
He didn't want to screw this up.
Bundled in his heavy coat, hands in pockets, he watched his step as the metal stairs could get slippery.He was almost at ground level when he saw someone standing there, a male shape who darted in the shadows as if afraid to be seen.
Was this the homeless man Stephanie had told him about?His neck prickled, not with fear for himself, but apprehension."Carl?Is that you?"
No answer.
"Are you Stephanie's friend?"The skinny man in ragged clothes shifted further into the shadows, silently making his way to the corner of the building.
Jason had no wish to harm him, just to tell him to stay away."Stop.Don't move."
Carl turned and faced him, head bowed."What do you want?"His voice was raspy as if he didn't use it much."I only want a few hours to sleep."
Jason took stock of him.The man’s face was thin and wrinkled with a gray straggly beard.His eyes were dark and shifted around as if he was looking for an escape.
"You know Stephanie, right?"Jason stepped closer to the man.
He nodded."She's nice."
"Yes, she is, and I want to keep her that way."Jason put his hand in his back pocket and pulled out his money clip."That's my girl up there.She's kindhearted and innocent in so many ways.She wants to help you, but I can't allow that because I don't know that you won't harm her.You understand?"
Carl bobbed his head."I....I wouldn't do nothing.She treats me like I'm better than I am."
"I'm sorry.I really am.But here's a hundred dollars, and I want you to take that money and leave her alone.All right?"
The man didn’t accept the cash.
"You want more?"
"I don’t want nothing, just to sleep."
"Here's two hundred.Have we got a deal?"
Carl looked at the money and then into Jason’s face."Wouldn't hurt her.Have a daughter somewhere 'bout the same age."
Jason swallowed, wondering if he was doing the right thing.Maybe not, but it seemed the safest course of action.
He shoved the cash at Carl."Go to a soup kitchen for your meals.Find a shelter.Buy some clean clothes and a cheap room for the night.With a shower and shave, and food in your belly, you'll feel like a different man."
Carl finally took the money, appearing ashamed to do so."I'm fine as I am."
"Look, you seem decent enough," Jason said gently."I hope you can piece your life together and when you do, here's my card.Call me, and we'll be happy to see you."
Head down, the fellow wandered off.
Jason almost called him back.Poor man had no home, no one to care, and no hope for the future.He knew darn well that Stephanie would not approve of what he'd done.Matter of fact, she'd be plenty angry.
He scratched the top of his head, pondering his choices.Run up and explain to her what had just happened, or wait until the right moment to tell her what he'd done, how he'd sent the man away.Homeless people came and went.She might assume Carl had moved on.
He shook off his guilt as his reasons were solid.There was nothing he wouldn't do to keep Steph safe and see her happy.This was their second chance, and he didn't want anything messing it up.
