Page 27 of Home With You

"They're not going to allow that. I'm lucky they let us use the bathroom."

"Just tell them it's for a night. One night inside she'll be better. It's the cold making her cough. Tomorrow's supposed to be warmer."

I glance back at her. The cold does make her cough worse. Maybe that's why it was so bad today.

"Okay, I'll ask," I say. "But if they say no, do you have an extra blanket you could give us?"

"Hell, no. You think I want to freeze to death?"

"You have more blankets than we do and it's just you. Gladys and I have to share."

He doesn't respond, his eyes trolling the street as more businessmen leave their buildings to go home.

"What about food?" I ask. "We haven't eaten all day. I lost my backpack and all the food that was in it so Gladys and I haven't had anything since yesterday. And they emptied the garbage so I can't—"

"Damn, girl, you don't give up." He walks over to a box next to the building. He takes something out and hands it to Gladys.

She smiles up at him. "Bless you, son."

He returns to the box and tosses something at me.

I catch it right before it hits the ground. It's a sandwich. A full sandwich wrapped in plastic that doesn't even have a bite out of it.

"Where'd you get this?" I ask, holding it up.

"Lunch cart." He points to the office building behind him. "Carl gives me the leftovers."

"Every day?" I ask, shocked I didn't know this.

"Hey, don't be getting any ideas," Levi says, walking over to me. "Took me years to build up what I got here and I ain't letting you or anyone else take what's mine."

"I'm not taking it but you could at least share now and then."

"Who gave you that candy bar the other day?"

"And I thanked you for that."

"Thanks ain't enough. You better start offering me something or you're not getting any more from me."

If he wasn't gay, I'd assume he meant sex but since he doesn't, I don't know what he thinks I can give him.

"Fine," I say. "I'll share what I find."

"I don't want no food from the trash. Give me something good, like them brownies from the coffee place. Or money."

"If I had money, I'd be buying my own food. I wouldn't be coming to you for it."

He leans against the building. "Bet that guy'd give you some."

"What guy?"

"The one I saw talking to you today." He smiles. "Mr. Tall Dark and Handsome?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," I say, turning away from him.

Levi grabs my arm. "Who was he?"

"How should I know? I didn't talk to anyone." I yank my arm back and walk toward Gladys, who's devouring her sandwich. "We have to get going. Thanks for the food."

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