Page 95 of Something Like Hail

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Edith was seated across from him. She lookedmuch the same. Still tall, ramrod thin, and marked by perpetualworry. Her hair was dark and pulled back except for wiry gray hairsthat had broken loose. The creases on her forehead might be alittle deeper than he remembered. He hoped that wasn’t his fault.Noah was glad they were having lunch. As much as he had wanted todistance himself from the shelter, he only had positive memories ofher because any night that he stumbled into Jerusalem and saw Edithat the front desk had greatly increased his chances of being fedand sheltered.

“I want to thank you,” hemanaged to say.

Then the waiter appeared.

“Hi! My name is Felix andI’ll— Oh my gosh!”

Noah laughed at the flushed cheeks. All hehad to do was say one word for the color to deepen. “Hey.”

“Hey! Um… Okay.” Felixtried to get himself under control. “Who needs a drink? Besides me?Ha ha.”

Noah turned to Edith. “They have theseamazing lemon lime Cokes here. You really should try it.”

Edith shook her head. “Too much sugar.”

“I can do diet!” Felixsaid. “Works just as well!”

“They’re his owninvention,” Noah said across the table. “If you say no, it mightbreak his heart.”

“Very well.” Edith washolding back a smile that came out in full force once Felix hadleft again. “What’s this? A love connection?”

Noah laughed warmly. He had almost forgottenhow weird her English could be. “We just met recently. Last nightwas our first date.”

“That’s wonderful,” Edithsaid, but with some reservation. “He isn’t— Are you still workingthe same job?”

“He’s not a client,” Noahsaid. “Are you kidding? Just look at him! Felix is so adorable thathe could have anyone he wants. He hasn’t figured that out yet, soplease don’t tell him.”

“I will keep your secret.”Edith smiled. “You look well. Are you still living in the sameapartment?”

“In other words, you wantto make sure I’m not on the streets.”

“I’ve been worried aboutyou!” Edith said, fussing with the cloth napkin and cutlery. “I’mused to faces disappearing. That’s how this job is, but you were soyoung when you first came to us. You seemed so lost.”

He had been on his own for the first time.No more friends to lean on, and no Ryan to guide him. “That’s whatI wanted to talk to you about. I’m thankful for everything you’vedone. You aren’t the only social worker at the shelter, but you’rethe only one who really cared about me.”

“They all care,” Edithsaid, clearly flattered, “but we each have our special cases who gostraight to our hearts.”

“I’m sorry I worried you,and that I wasn’t in touch. Once I got away from the shelter, Ididn’t want to go back again.”

“Two lemon limes,” Felixsaid, setting them on the table.

“What is this?” Edith criedhappily. “A little umbrella!”

“I take it you don’t drinkmany cocktails,” Noah teased.

“Wine never gets suchdecorations. What a pity!”

“I can get you a daiquiri,”Felix offered.

“Ignore him,” Noah said.“He’s full of temptation.”

Felix tittered and blushed again. Theyplaced their food orders, Noah letting Felix decide for him. Thenthey returned to their conversation.

“I wouldn’t worry so much,”Edith said, “if you had a different occupation.”

“I know.” He didn’t expectanyone to accept what he did. Noah had once shared the commonjudgmental view of sex workers. It was a different world from theinside, and not one that many people would ever see. “I’m safe.Trust me.”