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We turn to see an older lady dressed very hippie-chick smiling at us. Her long gray braid lies over her shoulder.
“It’s really cool,” Declan says sincerely.
My phone rings in my pocket and I pull it out. The screen readsUnknown Number.
“I swear to God, Richelle, if you are trying to get me this way...” I mutter under my breath before I answer, “Carter Lockwood.”
A robotic voice comes on the line. “This is a call from an inmate at the Colorado State Correctional Institution. Would you like to accept? Pressone. If not presstwoto decline. Pressthreeto permanently block.”
I quickly scramble to push1, as the sunlight is making it hard to see my phone screen.
“Hello?”
“Carter? Hey, it’s Eric.”
I smile to myself. Who else would it be?
“How you been, man?” I ask, then cringe.
“As well as can be expected,” he responds. There’s a lot of background noise, along with me being outside, and I can barely hear him.
“Hang on a sec, Eric.” I look at Declan, point to the phone, then to a shop nearby, an art gallery.
He nods in understanding as he continues to talk to the hippie lady.
I step into the quiet gallery and find a corner where I won’t disturb anyone.
“Sorry, I was outside and could barely hear you. Too many people around.”
“Oh, cool. You out to lunch or something? I can call you back.”
I shake my head. “No, just the Memorial Day street fair thing.”
“Okay, well, I won’t keep you. First, I wanted to say sorry for that email I sent you. It’s cool if you couldn’t make it to Mom’s funeral. I know you’re a busy guy.”
“Listen, Eric. I was there. Taryn didn’t see me, and I wanted it that way. I hung back in the shadows to pay my respects quietly. I realized later I should have been there. For her. For you. To stand in for you, and for that I really am sorry.”
“No, no. It’s all good. But I’m glad you were there. It does make me feel better, man.”
I sigh in relief. I shouldn’t need his approval, but he’s been a lifelong friend and I don’t want any shit hanging between us when he gets out. “I’m glad, too.”
“Listen, I do have another reason for calling. Taryn told me she got a job at your company, and I think that’s super cool. She was so bummed when the law firm laid her off, so thank you for that.”
“Yeah, yeah. She’s a great asset, I wish I would have hired her right out of college,” I say honestly.
“Well, she must have told you I’m getting out in a little over ten months from now, right?”
I’m surprised. “No, she didn’t tell me. That’s great. And a long time coming. Do you need anything?”
“Yeah, man. I need a job. It’ll speed along the release process if I have a job to go to. My caseworker needs it for my release plan.”
“Are you asking me for a job?” I ask, stunned.
“Well, yeah. I mean, even just temporarily. Something I can do to get back on my feet until I find something more permanent.”
“Okay, but your degree is in sports medicine. Do you know anything about computers?” I ask.
He laughs and sounds nervous. “No, not really, man. But I’ll do anything. Empty trash, clean bathrooms, sweep floors, answer phones. I don’t care.”
