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In between loads of laundry, and even though the sun hadn’t set, she opened a bottle of wine and was just getting comfortable on the balcony when her phone beeped. It was Ryan.
I’m home and settling in as much as I can (smiley face). Can I call you?
Looking at the time, he’d left the apartment forty minutes before. Had he been entertainingTiffany?
“What the hell is wrong with you, Saint? Stop it!”
It was so unlike her to be jealous. But was she really jealous? Was she looking for an excuse not to ever see Ryan again?
Yes, call,she replied.
“I’m sorry about that today. I know it was weird. Actually what had happened is because I didn’t panhandle today, I didn’t even have money to take the bus home. Pathetic.”
He burst out laughing, but the disgust in his voice came through loud and clear.
“Oh, I’m so sorry,” Sofia said, forcing herself not to suggest he should have called her for a ride. “So what did you do?”
“I lied and said I had forgotten my wallet and was anyone headed to the beach. Tiffany offered to drive me, and I didn’t want to have to explain to her why my things were at your house, so I just said that we were working together, and I had left my computer there.”
“Oh, okay. That was smart. Did you eat lunch?”
“Fortunately, they had some kind of celebration in the lounge today, so I ate what they put out, like a beggar. I was getting a headache from being hungry.”
“You’re really living on the edge,” Sofia finally said gently. And then relenting, “If it happens again, don’t hesitate to call me.”
“I am truly living on the edge, and it’s not fair to take advantage of you. I could always hitchhike. My phone is paid up thru the end of July, so at least I’ll have it and internet if need be. This is probably the worst it’s been. I really don’t want to ask my parents for another loan.”
“Now that you have a job—”
“Right! Home Depot, remember. I’m sure that will go over big with Ed and Ruth.”
He laughed and she found that she was laughing with him. They talked about his day, how it wasn’t as bad as he thought it would be although his boss did sort of talk down to him, but he got over it.
“I’m a drug addict,” he said. “I can’t forget that. Which reminds me, I have my group meeting tonight. My standing Saturday night date. I have to go twice a week and prove it in order to get my license back. That and monthly drug testing.”
“You’re doing great, Ryan,” she said sincerely, hoping it didn’t sound condescending. “I think you’re amazing after what you’ve been through.”
“Well, this brings me to another topic. I’m a little nervous. Actually, a lot nervous about asking you.”
“Ask, ask,” she said.
“Can I move in with you?”
Chapter 5
Payday! Ryan finally got his first paycheck from Home Depot. After taxes there wasn’t much money left, but he was so happy to be able to hand some over to Sofia for room and board and to pay back the money she’d lent him for bus fare.
“I feel weird taking this after all you’ve done around here,” she said.
He’d fixed wiring, swapped out the gross toilet in the guest room, and was in the process of refinishing the doors in the townhouse. Having the discount at Home Depot came in handy.
“No, I insist. I know what rooms cost to rent, and I want to pay that at the very least.”
He’d also paid for another month of his phone.
“How did we live without cell phones?”
“I never did,” she said, laughing.
