Page 124 of Something Like Hail

“Someone needs to keep tabson him. Just in case.”

A flicker of amusement was quicklysuppressed as Marcello resumed organizing his desk. “I see. Thenit’s business as usual for you and me.”

That sounded good! Noahwasn’t fired, and he would be free to do what he felt was right.Might as well cash in completely on the goodwill between them. “Icould use the night off. I have a date. Arealone.”

“With a certain waiter?”Marcello inquired.

Noah grinned. He couldn’t help it.“Yeah.”

“Then I wish you the mostpleasant of evenings.” Marcello was reaching for his phone to endthe call, but before a chubby finger poked the screen he added,“Well done, Mr. Westwood. Well done indeed.”

The image froze and was replaced by a listof recent calls. Noah exhaled and willed his muscles to relax.Feeling a lot less stressed about his livelihood, he turned hisattention instead to the evening, and all the ways it could end indisaster.

* * * * *

“What is thisplace?”

They stood on a street corner downtown,Felix nibbling on a knuckle and glancing at the people loiteringthere. Many were in rough condition. Some were loud or mentallyill. A few were drunk.

“It’s a homeless shelter,”Noah explained. “Jerusalem. We’re going to help servemeals.”

“Oh.” Felix reassessedtheir surroundings and put on a brave face. “Okay.”

“Good.” Noah reached out toplayfully tug on the drawstring of Felix’s hoodie. “Don’t worry,you’ll be fed too. I won’t make you starve.”

“I’m fine. I eat so much atwork, and being here makes me feel—” His expression hardened withdetermination. “Doesn’t matter. Let’s get to work!”

When they entered, the front desk was mannedby two people Noah didn’t recognize. He could hear Edith’s voiceshouting orders from the kitchen. Noah had called her earlier tomake sure he could not only volunteer, but also bring someone withhim. He had only done so out of politeness. The shelter alwaysneeded help, and as each mealtime neared, the effort to geteveryone served became more of a scramble.

“I never did work in thekitchens much,” Noah said, leading the way, “and I definitelyhaven’t cooked a meal big enough for hundreds of people. We bothhave a lot to learn tonight.”

“But you’ve done thisbefore?” Felix asked.

“Oh yeah,” Noah said with anod. “Tons of times.”

He didn’t have time to explain because thekitchen was filled with the sounds of steam hissing and pansclanking. A giant soup pot had just started to boil over, so Noahrushed over to lower the heat and stir its contents back to asimmer.

“Thank goodness you arehere!” Edith said, having noticed him. As she approached, she sawFelix and focused on him instead. “And here is the waiter you can’tstop speaking about!”

“Only good things,” Noahstage-whispered to Felix. “I promise.”

Edith looked his boyfriend over. “I love thehair! Very cheerful. It reminds me of my punk rock days. I couldn’tget enough of the Buzzcocks.”

“Who?” Felixasked.

“Before your time,” Edithsaid, patting him on the arm. “You’re younger, and that means youhave energy. Do you know how to peel potatoes?”

“No,” Felixadmitted.

“Good! It’s much moretedious once you’ve mastered the technique. Over here, I’ll showyou. Noah, can you start on the rolls?”

Noah had imagined them working side by side,but they weren’t here to socialize. Hungry people needed to be fed.He still checked on Felix and was pleased to see him taking thework in stride, even an hour later when the meal was ready to beserved. Noah hadn’t considered how close that would be to Felix’snormal job, but he didn’t complain once. Felix stood next to himand slopped food onto plates, even joking about it.

“I always wanted to be alunch lady,” he said.

Noah laughed. “Thehairnetisa goodlook for you.”

“I mean it! I was picked ona lot in grade school, but the ladies in the cafeteria were alwaysnice to me. They’d sneak me an extra chocolate milk or a secondcookie for free.”