Page 33 of Home With You

"I'll get a new one. They're cheap. In fact they're on sale now that the stores are clearing out the back-to-school stuff. Should I get one for your friend too?"

The fact that he's considering Gladys makes me like him more. Maybe he really is just trying to help us without any ulterior motives. I wish I could believe that but I can't. Everyone has a motive.

"One is enough," I tell him. "Gladys and I can share."

The wind blows into the small opening I left in the tent and I shiver.

"Want me to close it?" Miles asks.

"You really trust me enough to do that?" I tease.

"I think I could escape if I really needed to." He zips it all the way closed. "Oh, I have something for you."

"What is it?"

"Found it in your backpack," he says, reaching in the pocket of his coat. "Actually, you should be the one to take it out."

He takes off his black puffer jacket and hands it to me. "It's in the right side pocket."

I reach in and pull out my knife. "Oh. Thanks."

"I thought you might need it. I didn't want to take it out myself and have you think I'm pulling a knife on you."

"Good idea." I smile. "You're not scared I'll use it on you, are you?"

"I wasn't, but just to be sure, I'll buy you an apple fritter in exchange for my safety."

I laugh. "Deal."

"And this time I won't eat half." He gets serious. "I wish I hadn't done that. If I’d known—"

"Don't," I say, interrupting him. "Don't treat me differently because I'm homeless. If you do, we're done. I won't talk to you anymore."

"Are you saying you'll talk to me after tonight?"

"Maybe. I haven't decided yet."

"How do I make it a yes?"

"You don't. I make my own decisions."

"Doesn't mean I can't try to persuade you. I'm a lawyer. Persuasion is what I do."

"Lying is what you do. Everyone knows lawyers lie to get what they want."

"I'm not that kind of lawyer."

"Who was that woman you were with? Is she a lawyer?"

"Yeah. Lisa. She's making me do research on a case she's assigned to. We were out talking about it when we saw you. I'm really sorry for the way she treated you. If it helps, she's like that with everyone. You should see how she treated the girl at the coffee shop we went to."

"Do you like working there?"

"I thought I would, but I'm starting to regret taking the job."

"Why?"

"I think they do whatever it takes to make the most money instead of doing what's right."

---