Page 29 of Home With You

"That guy said your stuff was packed up, like you'd left."

"What guy?" I ask, my heart beating faster.

"This guy who was looking for you. He knew your name so I assumed you knew him."

"I do. I mean, kind of. We met the other night. So what did he want?"

"He had your backpack. He wanted to give it back. I told him I'd give it to you but he said he wanted to give it to you himself. I assume that means he'll be back, although he saw your stuff gone and thought maybe you'd moved on. He left me his number so I could call him if I saw you. Should I call him?"

"No! Just forget it. And if you see him again, don't tell him you saw me."

"Okay." She turns and wipes the table behind her. "Oh, he got you a brownie. It's behind the counter if you want it."

He bought me a brownie because he feels sorry for me. Because he pities me, the poor homeless girl. I don't want his pity.

Gladys sits down on the chair next to me, coughing.

"Is she sick?" the girl asks, stepping back like she's afraid it's contagious.

"She just has a bad cough. It gets worse when it's cold outside. That's actually why I came in here." I walk up to the girl and lower my voice. "Do you think she could stay here tonight? I know it's not allowed but it would only be for a night. It's supposed to get really cold tonight and I know if she just had one night where she's warm and could sleep, she'd get better."

The girl shakes her head, continuing to clean. "Sorry, but I can't. I just started this job and I don't want to get in trouble."

"You won't. I know Zoe. She's one of the managers. If you called her, she'd say it's okay. I know she would. But you don't have to call her. Nobody has to know about this. I won't tell anyone. I swear. And I'll make sure we're out of here before the morning manager gets here."

"I can't leave you the keys to lock up," she says. "I need them for next time I work."

"I'll give them back to you. Just tell me when you work next and I'll make sure I'm here."

She looks back at Gladys, who's still coughing, then back at me. "I'm really sorry but I can't. I barely know you, and like I said, I just got the job and can't risk losing it."

I nod. "Okay."

"But you can stay until close." The girl walks back to the counter, probably to get away from me before I ask for anything more. I understand she's worried about getting fired but now I don't know what to do. Gladys is going to freeze outside all night. We only have two thin blankets to share and our tent has holes in it and won't close because the zipper's broken.

Going back over to Gladys, I lean down to her. "I'm going to go set up the tent."

"Let me help," she says, getting up.

"No. You stay here where it's warm." I take the sandwich Levi gave me and set it down in front of her. "Eat that. It'll help you get better."

"Raine, that's yours." She hands it back to me. "You haven't eaten all day."

It's true. I should probably eat it since I don't know when I'll find food again.

"Would you eat a brownie?" I ask, remembering the one behind the counter.

She smiles. "You know I love my sweets."

"I'll be right back." I go to the counter and grab the brownie Miles bought and bring it to Gladys. "Stay here, okay? I'll come get you when the tent's ready."

Going outside, I shiver when I feel the cold wind hit my face. It's only September. Why is it so cold already?

When I reach the alley, I blink a few times to make sure what I'm seeing is real. Did I go too far and end up in the wrong alley? I walk back to the street. I look left and see the black awnings of the coffee shop. I'm definitely in the right alley so what's going on? Did someone else move into our spot?

I walk back down the alley and cautiously approach the dark green tent. It looks brand new with not a single tear, and it's big, made for at least two people, maybe three.

"Hello?" I ask, tapping the side of it.

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