Page 93 of Ewan

“No, no. Just working. You know me. I never drink.”He pauses for a moment before he continues. “The food is also great in this neighborhood. They have the best Dominican food.”

“Why this area?”

“The prices are better.”

“What about your lady friend? What does she say about all this? Is she moving in with you?”

“No. And she doesn’t have a say in this. I told her I wouldn’t live at her place. I did that once, and it turned out to be a mistake.”

I peel my eyes away from him and look around the space. I commend him for doing this.

“I thought about what you said at the hospital,” he murmurs, propping himself against the kitchen counter. “You were right. I can’t be some girl’s problem. I need to take care of myself and not depend on them.”

“Mm-hmm… Good thinking, son. What about we do this? You’ll start a new job when you get a clean bill of health. In the meantime, I’ll buy furniture for your place and cover the first couple of months of rent, the agent’s fee, and the deposit. What say you?”

He looks at me, pondering.

“I played Santa for your little cousin,” I say, and he laughs, his chuckle reminding me of his mother’s. “You made me embarrass myself,” I joke, and he shakes his head.

“No,” he says, resolute. “I said I’d do it alone.”

“Don’t worry. You’ll do it alone. You’ll cover your everyday expenses and all that, but keep the rest of your money for now. Trust me. It’s better that way. You never know when you need it. Plus, you’re already on your own,” I say, tilting my chin toward the living room. “No one will bother you. I’ll feel better if I can help you out.”

He thinks about it for a moment.

“Can you give me a loan?”

“No. It’s a gift. Christmas is around the corner, and you won’t get anything else from me. So take it or leave it,” I say with humor, and he finally comes around.

“Okay.”

“Good,” I say, extending my hand out.

He straightens, and we shake hands before I pat him on his back.

“I’ll send someone with a truck, and you pick the things that you want delivered. The money will be in your bank account tomorrow morning. The rent is a little over two thousand per month? Less than three thousand?”

“Twenty-five hundred dollars.”

“I thought so. Good. I’m glad you’re in good spirits, and you made such a bold move. Things will get better once you start living on your own.”

My eyes go down before moving to his face.

“Do you want me to drop you off someplace?’

“No. Amanda will be here soon. She hasn’t seen it yet.”

“All right. Call me if you need me,” I say, heading to the door.

He opens it and speaks again.

“How was the party?”

I stop and turn to him.

“The Christmas party?” he says. “The one where I played Santa?”

“Yeah… How was it?” I laugh. “I didn’t quite screw it, and things worked out in the end. It wasn’t all bad,” I say, Scarlett coming to mind again.

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