Page 16 of Hidden Chance

“But you can waltz down here and open the back door and let me in? Doesn’t seem very secure to me.”

“Yeah, well, you’re lucky I have high clearance throughout the building, and this isn’t the most secure area. We take deliveries in the back way, but the internal door from here has a specialized system. There are guards on the other side.”

“You afraid I’ll try to raid the place?”

“No, but you asked. So I’m telling you.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll take the consequences I have to face, but I would never throw you under the bus. Not after you’ve done so much to help.”

“I’d prefer it if you didn’t get arrested for trespassing, so make sure you follow my instructions.”

“The police station is warm too, you know.”

“Don’t say that. That’s the last place you need to be. If you get a record, it will be that much harder for you to get a job. And I told you, I’ve got contacts who may be able to get you work if you can’t find anything.”

“And I told you, I can do it on my own.”

“It’s okay to accept help now and then.”

“What do you call this?”

She frowned. “I forgot to get you dinner.”

“I don’t need dinner. I’ve already had something to eat.”

“Liar.”

He smiled. “I’ll be fine.”

She pulled a couple of fifties out of her wallet. “Promise me you’ll spend it on food and that’s all.”

He looked at her hand. “I can’t take your money too.”

“Yes, you can. I have a good job. I can afford to feed you a little.”

“You’re too good to me.” He took the bills and stuffed them in his pocket.

“Remember. Food only.”

“I haven’t had a drink all week, I’ll have you know.”

“Have you been going to the AA meetings?”

His face fell. “I go when I can.”

“Have you been to any?”

“I went to the first one, but it’s so depressing. Those guys have serious problems.”

Arguing with Sal was pointless. He didn’t do well when pushed. It was part of the reason he found himself living on the street. But she’d known him when he had his life together, when he’d been a big part of raising money for her family at the local church. That was before he’d lost everything.

Sal settled himself on the floor, then looked up at her. “You don’t have to hang around,” he finally said when she didn’t move. “I’ll be comfortable.”

She nodded, feeling a tightness in her chest at the unfairness of life. Sal had given so much, and this was where he’d ended up.

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.”

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