Home With You Read online

  "This treat is even better than butterscotch," I tell her.

  She winks at me. "Nothing's better than butterscotch."

  I smile. "Okay, but it's still a treat." I pull out the oversized candy bar and set it between us.

  "Goodness, it hasn't even been opened," she says, staring down at it.

  "I know. Brand new." I turn to face her. "And guess who gave it to me?"

  Her brows draw together. "Who?"

  "Levi. He showed up on my street, claiming he was going to set up shop there."

  "Levi's moving?"

  "No. He just said it to get a reaction out of me. There's no way he's giving up his spot. He makes too much money there."

  "Is that how he paid for that? Or did he..." She stops, not wanting to mention what Levi does when he disappears at night.

  "I don't know, but it doesn't matter. It's free and I was really craving chocolate." I pick it up and peel off the end of the wrapper. The chocolate melts on my tongue as I gently bite into the caramel. It's so good. I let that one bite linger in my mouth, trying to eat it as slowly as possible. Hardly anyone throws out chocolate so it could be awhile before I get to experience this again.

  I hear Gladys' soft laugh. "You're like me and my coffee."

  "You can have the coffee. I'll take chocolate any day over coffee." Opening my eyes, I see her smiling at me. "Have some." I hold the candy bar out to her.

  "You go ahead, dear. It's yours."

  "I don't need this whole thing. It's huge."

  "Then save some for tomorrow. Or the next day. We all need a little treat now and then." She sips her coffee. She drinks it so slow it'll be cold by the time she finishes it.

  "You sure?" I break off a piece of the candy bar. "Don't you even want to taste it?"

  "I've tasted plenty of chocolate in my day. And I know how much you enjoy it. You should have it."

  I break off another small bite, then wrap the rest up for another day. I need to make it last. It could be weeks before I get chocolate again.

  I used to eat chocolate all the time. Rob used to bring me home fancy chocolates from this store not too far from here. Each chocolate is handmade using the finest ingredients. People come from all over the city to get a box. If I had that chocolate now, I'd probably puke. It'd remind me of him, and that's the last thing I want to remember.

  "It's funny, isn't it?" Gladys asks as she leans back in her lawn chair, still gripping her cup with both hands.

  "What's funny?"

  "How the littlest things can make us smile." A wide grin spreads across her wrinkled cheeks as she looks up at the small slice of blue sky that's visible between the two tall narrow buildings that surround us.

  "Guess what?" I say, reaching into my backpack.

  "What?" She looks at me.

  "You won't believe it, but I found another one of those butterscotch candies today."

  "Raine, don't go making up stories," she says, playing along. We do this every day. I tell her I found a butterscotch and she pretends not to believe me.

  "It's true. Found this one by the bank." I set the candy down on the cardboard box, knowing she's not going to release the death grip she has on that cup until every last drop of coffee is gone.

  Her eyes widen as she gazes down at the candy. "The bank is a busy place. I'm surprised someone else didn’t get it.”

  "I know, right? It’s probably because it was hidden behind that big planter they have out front. You know the one they have by the door?"

  She looks down, not answering me. She doesn't remember. Damn. I shouldn't have asked her about it. She has some memory issues. She tends to forget things, but sometimes she DOES remember stuff so I never know what to say. To be fair, she probably hasn't walked past that bank in months, maybe longer. She rarely leaves this alley because she's afraid if she does she'll get lost and won't find her way back.

  "Anyway," I say, changing subjects. "It's a nice day today, don't you think?"

  "Very nice," she says, smiling as her eyes return to the sky. "I have my coffee and my Raine. Doesn't get any better than that."

  I was referring to the weather but her comment makes my heart hurt. She doesn't want me to leave. She wants me to be here with her forever. But I can't do it. This isn't the life I was supposed to have and it's not the life I want. I'm trying to make the best of it but I have a hard time finding the bright side of being homeless.

  2

  Miles

  "How was your first day as a hotshot lawyer?" Greg asks. He called as I was walking in my apartment. I toss my keys on the kitchen counter then go to the living room to sit down.

  "It might be a little early for the term 'hotshot' but work was okay. Mostly meetings with HR, filling out paperwork and shit."

  "What's the office like?"

  "Tall. Lots of windows. I can see the mountains from my desk."

  "Who needs mountains when you could have farm fields?" he kids.

  I laugh. "I'll take the mountains any day."

  Greg lives in Oklahoma in the house he grew up in. His parents retired in Arizona and are letting him live in the house until they're ready to sell it. I spent a lot of time at that house as a kid. Greg and I met in first grade and have been friends ever since. Living here, I'm going to miss hanging out with him but it was time to move on.

  Taking this job in Denver was the right decision. It's exactly what I wanted; a large city with beautiful scenery and lots to do. I'll admit I was a nervous when I packed up the moving truck, but now that I'm here I love it. It'll take time to get used to living downtown with all the noise but I like being close to work.

  "Guess that means you won't be coming back," Greg says, sounding disappointed. He's happy I got this opportunity but bummed that I left. But I didn't want to stay there. It's a small town with no good jobs and not much to do. Greg loves it there and will probably never leave. He's been working in sales since graduating high school. Right now he's selling cars.

  "You could always come here," I say, tossing out the idea. "It'd be easy to get a job in a city this size."

  "Not sure I could handle all that fresh mountain air," he jokes.

  I smile. "It'd be good for you. So anything new back home?"

  "Kristen's the new secretary at work."

  "Kristen from high school?"

  Greg had a huge crush on Kristen but they never went out. She dated one of the guys on the football team and ended up marrying him and moving to Texas.

  "She's divorced now," he says. "Moved back here last week. I knew that marriage wouldn't last."

  "Did she say what happened?"

  "No, but word is he cheated on her."

  "Is she living with her parents?"

  "For now, until she saves up some money. I want to ask her to dinner, just to catch up, but I'm afraid she'll turn me down. I don't think she's ready to date yet."

  "Doesn't have to be a date. It could just be two friends having dinner."

  "Yeah, we'll see. So any women at the law firm you got your eye on?"

  "I'm not even looking. I don't have time to date with this job. I get the feeling I'll be working a lot of hours."

  "C'mon, there's gotta be at least one woman you're interested in."

  "It's not a good idea to date at work. In fact they might even ban it. I think I heard that in the orientation today although I kind of dozed off halfway through it."

  "You can't make work your whole life. You're in a new city. With new people. New girls. Go out there and meet some of them."

  "I will if you ask Kristen to dinner," I say with a smile, knowing how much he wants to but won't unless I force him to.

  "Fine, but if I ask her, you have to ask someone out too."

  "Deal, but it may not be this week. I just got into town. I need to meet some people before asking someone out. As for Kristen, you shouldn't wait. If you do, someone else will ask her."

  "She's not going to date me. She'll only agree to this as a friend."

  "You neve
r know. You're both older now. Maybe she sees you differently than she did in high school."

  "Maybe. So how's the apartment?"

  "Great views of the city but the place is really small. It's a studio loft so just one big room. The bedroom's on a different level but it's still open to the main living area. I might hang a sheet to give it more privacy."

  "Why? It's just you living there."

  "Well, yeah, but I'm kind of hoping to make some friends. Have people over for drinks. Watch some football."

  "Already replacing me, huh?" he kids.

  "Never. You're always my number one friend but I need to make at least few more."

  "It's gotta be noisy living downtown like that."

  "It is, but it's something I have to get used to it. I also have to get used to all the homeless. We don't see that back home."

  "They hang out by your building?"

  "Not the apartment but they're by the office. I've been walking to work and there's homeless along my entire route. I don't mind them being there. It's just not something I'm used to seeing. Kinda bothers me, you know?"

  "Why? You think they'll pull a knife on you?"

  "No. It just bothers me that they're living that way. I don't know how people live on the street like that."

  "Hopefully that won't be me someday. My parents keep talking about kicking me out."

  "They never would. You know that. But it would be good if you got your own place. That house isn't exactly where you want to bring girls."

  Greg's mom collects knick-knacks and puts them all over the house. Dog statues. Ceramic teddy bears. Unicorn figurines. There's nothing wrong with the house itself. It's just not where you want to take a girl.

  "I've been looking around at apartments," he says. "But I'd rather get a new car."

  "You're never moving out of there, are you?"

  He laughs. "I just need to a find a girl who has the same taste in decorating as my mom. Or just never take her over here."

  "Hey, I gotta go. I have to read through the employee manual and take a quiz."

  "They're quizzing you on the manual?"

  "It's stupid, but whatever. I just have to do it."

  "Yeah, okay. Talk to you later."

  I set my phone down and go over to the floor-to-ceiling windows and look out at the city. It's just after six and traffic is backed up with people trying to go home. Living downtown may be noisy but it's worth it to avoid a long commute. My office is just a few blocks away and I like the walk. It gives me time to clear my head before starting my day, and after work, it gives me time to wind down.

  I'm still in my suit and tie so I go up the few steps that lead to my bedroom and change into jeans and a t-shirt. It's strange living alone. I went from living in my mom's place to living in the college dorms and then an apartment during law school, which I shared with a roommate. Now it's just me, and although I thought I'd love having a place to myself, it's kind of lonely.

  Feeling the need to go out, I grab my laptop and keys and go down to the street. I've been here a week but haven't explored much outside the route to my office. I turn down a side street and head down the street that's parallel to the one I live on. I spot a food truck selling tacos. I'm starving so I go up to the window and order three tacos with a side of chips. After I get my food, I walk over to the park that's just behind the food truck.

  "Spare some change?" a man asks. He's old, maybe around 70, with wiry gray hair and a long beard. His striped button-up shirt is wrinkled and stained and his pants are ripped at the knee. I notice a shopping cart just behind him full of blankets and plastic bags. Another homeless guy. And he wants money. I know people say not to give to beggars, but I feel like I can't turn him down.

  Digging in my pocket, I find the change I got back from my dinner. It's three dollars and forty-two cents. I give him all of it.

  "Thank you, kind sir." He smiles and I see his front teeth are missing.

  "You're welcome." I sit down at a picnic table and watch him leave with his shopping cart. Where does he go at night? Does he sleep in the park? A shelter? I've seen some guys sleeping on the street. I wonder if they sleep in the same spot every night or move around.

  When I'm done eating, I try to figure out where to go next. I need to work on this HR stuff but I really don't want to go to back my apartment. I'm sure I'll get used to being alone there but until I am, I'd rather be out, surrounded by other people, even if they're total strangers.

  Leaving the park, I continue along the street, noticing the small shops that are now closed. Most of the buildings around here are several stories high with retail on the street level and housing or businesses above. The retail shops close at five when the workers go home but I glance in the windows just to check them out. I pass a coffee shop and notice it's open.

  I go inside and a woman walks up to me and smiles. "Welcome."

  "Thanks." I smile back then focus on the menu board behind her.

  "Pumpkin lattes started today," she says, still smiling. "Or if you're more of a serious coffee guy, our French roast is fantastic. We roast our beans fresh every day."

  This woman is very enthusiastic about coffee. But I like her enthusiasm. I like people who are passionate about what they do.

  "Are you the owner?" I ask.

  She laughs. "No. Not even close. I'm the manager but I'm only here one day a week. The rest of the week I'm at our other location. I love being downtown but the other place is closer to my house. I can run home if my kids need me. They're six and four. I have a sitter but she doesn't always show up. I need to find a new one."

  I nod, not sure why she's telling me all this but I don't mind. It's nice to be around friendly people again.

  "I'm Zoe." She puts her hand out.

  I shake her hand. "Miles. I'm new to town. Moved here for a job."

  "Welcome, Miles. So where are you from?"

  "Oklahoma. Grew up in a small town nobody's ever heard of. It's about an hour from Oklahoma City."

  "And you said you moved here for a job?"

  "Yes. At a law firm about a block from here."

  "And how do you like it?"

  "I've only worked there a day but I think I'll like it."

  "Sorry, I meant the city. How do you like Denver?"

  "I love it, although I don't know anyone yet. I'm hoping to get out and meet some people." I glance up at the coffee board. "So you recommend the French roast?"

  "Yes. Definitely. Can I get you some?"

  "That'd be great. Thanks!"

  She hurries behind the counter and grabs a mug. She's short and thin with curly blond hair and glasses with bright pink plastic frames. She moves quickly and keeps that smile going the whole time.

  "Here you go!" She reaches across the counter and hands me the blue diner mug.

  "Thanks. What do you I owe you?"

  She waves away the money I just took from my wallet. "It's on the house. Welcome to Denver!"

  "At least let me buy something else." I grab one of the individually wrapped brownies from the basket next to the cash register. "I'll take one of these."

  "It's yours." She leans toward me and lowers her voice. "We close at nine and nobody buys them this late. I either toss whatever's left or give them to Gladys. You might as well take one."

  Why is she giving me all this free stuff? I'm sure the owner wouldn't be too happy about this.

  I stuff a couple dollar bills in the tip jar. "Sorry, but I have to pay something. At least the wait staff will benefit."

  "It's just me tonight. The girl who works with me wasn't feeling well so I sent her home."

  "Then it’s yours," I say, motioning to the jar.

  "As the manager I'm not supposed to get tips but I'll make sure it goes to a good cause." She grabs a rag from the counter. "I need to clean tables. You're welcome to have a seat wherever you like. Are you doing work?" She points to my laptop bag.

  "Just some orientation stuff for the new job."

  Looking a
round for a place to sit, I see a row of stools lined up along the window. Just as I'm about to sit there, some teenage girls walk in and head straight for the stools. Wanting some privacy so I can work, I go to a small table in the back.

  I like this place. The coffee is better than I've ever had, and I like the vibe here. It's hip and modern but also relaxed and comfortable with worn wood floors and mismatched chairs that give it character. Black and white photos of Denver back in the day line the walls and built-in bookshelves near the counter hold board games and old hardcover books.

  I'm dreading having to do this HR stuff but I really need to get it done so I open my laptop and start reviewing the material, most of which was covered in orientation. I skip ahead to the quiz and answer the questions, going back now and then to the manual to check that my answers are correct. It's an open book quiz that makes me feel like I'm back in college.

  I try not to think about college, law school specifically. It's not the classes I'm trying to forget but how it felt to have my heart broken. I met Corrine my second year there. We were friends first, then fell in love. A year later, we were talking about marriage and kids. I thought I'd found my forever girl. We were both headed for careers in law and seemed to want the same things. But then right before winter break, I stopped by my professor's office to ask a question and found him with a girl. MY girl. Corinne was making out with our professor, a married guy with three kids. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Corinne raced after me, wanting to talk, but what could she possibly say that would make me want her back? Turns out she didn't want me back. She was running after me to tell me it was over. That she loved someone else. The professor.

  Spring semester I saw her at class but we didn't speak. I don't know if she kept up her relationship with the professor. I didn't ask and didn't care. It was over between us, and although I've been on some dates since then, they haven't gone anywhere. Greg keeps pressuring me to go out with girls but I'm just not feeling like I want to right now. Since the break-up I've spent most of my free time at the gym, so that's something positive that came out of it. I got in good shape.