Page 28 of Puck Daddies

Rocco ties his shoes and says nothing. He knows better.

Travis comes by and says, “Good reps.”

I grunt.

He moves on. He’s not stupid. He doesn’t gloat. That helps.

I shower fast. When I’m dressed, I pull my phone and text Meg:You free to ride along my route? I’m headed to the pick-up.

She replies before I can lock the screen.Yes. Meet you there.

I breathe easier.

I drive to the Meals on Wheels kitchen. The loading dock smells like steam and coffee. Volunteers roll hot bags to the tables. I check my list. Same route as last Thursday. Ms. Delaney first, then Mr. Pitts, then the twins. I sign for the cooler and the hot bag. I’m tying the strap when Meg walks in, hair twisted up.

“You’re mad,” she says, reading me in one second.

“Practice wasn’t great.”

“Want to be mad on the route, or you want me to talk you out of it?”

“Ride and see.”

She nods. “Okay.”

We load the car. I put the hot bag in the back seat, and she climbs in with the clipboard. “You drive. I’ll announce.”

Traffic is what it is. I breathe and let the light cycles do what they do. She reads the first name. “Ms. Delaney. Lobby buzzer’s broken. She’ll yell. Don’t flinch.”

“I never flinch.”

She smirks but doesn’t comment. The smirk is enough.

We park half on the curb because there’s nowhere else. Divide and conquer—I get the heavy bags, she gets the doors.

Ms. Delaney is her usual charming self. “You’re late.”

“It’s eleven on the dot.”

“You’re late, and my espresso machine is broken. It’s a bad day.” Her eyes go to Meg. “You brought help.”

“Temporary.” Meg smiles. “I’m learning from the best.”

“Hah,” Ms. Delaney says, and opens the door wider. “Bring it in. Put it on the counter. Don’t scuff the floor.”

I don’t scuff the floor. I set the tray down, open the lid, announce the contents. “Chicken, collards, roll, fruit cup.”

She sniffs. “Last week’s chicken was dry.”

“Tell me if this is too. I’ll make a note. See you next Tuesday.”

Back in the hall, Meg bumps my shoulder with hers. “You didn’t flinch.”

“I’m learning.”

“Was that a ‘See-You-Next-Tuesday’ reference you threw at her?”

I snort a laugh. “Caught that, did you?”