Page 29

BETWEEN the two of us, the entire bottle of whiskey disappeared that night. We woke up later than usual and I had the worst hangover ever. We decided to take a day off from looking for jobs. Yesterday had worn both of us out, anyway.

Dennis had noticed how much I suffered and suggested I take a little white pill. I reached toward him not knowing, or caring, what it was. If it made me feel better, I’d take it.

He closed his fingers and stared at me. “Five dollars.”

“Fine.” At that point, I’d have probably done just about anything to make the pounding in my head go away. I gave him a five-dollar bill, took the pill from the palm of his hand, and swallowed it.

It worked a little too well. I felt fantastic within five minutes. My shoulders sank; I was more relaxed than I had been in a year. Although I was wide awake, my blinking slowed. Whatever worries had plagued me ten minutes prior were forgotten.

A slight breeze blew the hair out of my eyes.

Sun warmed my skin, but not like it had in the previous days.

Must be nearing the end of this godawful spring.

Summer will be even worse. Not knowing where we were headed—and not caring—Felix and I followed Dennis’ group through parking lots and down sidewalks.

Horns honked and engines revved on the highway above our heads.

It wasn’t until we stopped walking that I figured out where we were.

Tents, cardboard, tarps, and garbage littered the area under an overpass. A bottle ended up in my hands and I didn’t remember gulping enough to make me dizzy. Only Dennis and Felix stood before me. The others had spread out amongst the camp.

While we searched for work, Felix and I had passed the area multiple times.

We had never acknowledged it existed; afraid we would one day end up part of the community.

The realization of how it could happen sooner rather than later hit me, but not as hard as I expected it might—most likely due to the extensive amount of alcohol and whatever that pill was that clouded my thoughts.

“Easy there, cowboy. Save some for the rest of us.” Felix’s voice resounded in my ears, but I didn’t see him. The heft of the bottle no longer weighed down my hand.

“There’s room if y’all don’t find jobs.” A green tarp covered a yellow tent; personal items surrounded it as a wind blocker.

Or maybe it was for privacy. A bike with a flat tire leaned against a grocery cart with two broken wheels.

“Three guys moved on a couple weeks ago. Decided this wasn’t the place for them. ”

I couldn’t imagine myself living like this. However, I could totally understand how living like this would make you want to hoard the items that you have. With twenty-some most likely unsavory characters surrounding me, I would make sure everything of value stayed on my person, if possible.

The bare spot of ground beside Dennis’ belongings was not quite large enough for the four lawn chairs which had been jammed in the space. “If you want me to save the spot, I’d be happy to. It’s only ten dollars a week.”

“Nah,” Felix wrinkled his nose at the rank smell which blew in with the breeze. “We’re good. But thanks.”

SOMEONE mentioned food; the long, boring, wasted day had somehow been exhausting. Felix and I followed a group of four from the I-45 overpass to a little restaurant a few blocks away .

Curry from the day’s special hit me in the face as we walked through the door. I paused, inhaled, and smiled. Heavenly . The chimes sounded familiar, but until I saw her, I hadn’t realized where we were.

Wispy brown curls danced around her face as she turned in our direction.

Her bright smile warmed my heart. She recognized us.

I almost gasped; she was so beautiful. The different hairstyle brought out her lively personality.

She had a different air about her; she seemed happier, somehow. More vibrant.

Dennis and the others sat at one table and flirted with the pretty waitress as they decided what to order. “What’s your favorite plate, darlin’?”

“I haven’t been in the lower forty-eight long enough to have a favorite.”

From day one, something about the way she spoke sounded familiar. Like she was literally the girl next door. Then she delivered the Alaskan phrase and it hit me.

I tilted my head and smiled. “Excuse me.”

She lifted her chin in recognition.

“Anchorage or Seward?” I asked, guessing correctly.

She stared at me; her smile reached her wide eyes. “Seward.”

“Moose Pass.” Relaxed, I could barely string together more than a few words .

“Shut up! We’re both Texan cheechakoes?” She sat across the table, beside Felix, and gaped at me in wonder.

“Prove it.” The pretty girl made me sassy.

She pointed to her left bicep. “Bear attack.”

My mouth dropped. She was serious. “Yup, we’re newcomers alright.” I touched a scar on her forearm. “What’s the “M” stand for? I’ve never seen a tattoo like that. Where’d you get it?”

“My last name is Miller.” Her eyebrows raised as if asking if that was the right answer. Then she changed the subject. “How did two Alaskans meet up in Dallas? I’m floored.” Her smile lit up the room.

During our short discussion, Felix tapped the table with his fork. “I know y’all are getting to know each other and everything …” When we didn’t stop talking, he raised his voice. “I'm getting kind of hungry.”

“Oh,” she laughed. “I'm sorry. What's your name?”

“Felix. Felix Ferguson.”

“Felix Ferguson, it's nice to meet you. I'm Kennedy. What can I get for you today?” She glanced at me like she couldn't believe we had figured out the connection. Her pen in one hand and pad of paper in the other, she focused on taking down our order.

I pushed my glasses up my nose. Kennedy.

A little dizzy, the effects of the pill from Dennis gave me confidence.

I almost asked Kennedy on a date. Which would be ridiculous; I was practically homeless.

I had no job, very little money, and lived in a shithole motel with my best friend.

What could I possibly have done to impress Kennedy? I loved the sound of her name, though.

“Kennedy.”

“Yes, um … I’m sorry, what should I call you?” Our eyes connected for a second too long and she blushed.

I hadn’t realized I spoke her name out loud and tried to recover. “Jake. I’m Jake Knight. I’d love some water.”

“Comin’ right up, Jake Knight.”

I watched her backside swing and felt Felix looking at me. “What?”

He lifted one eyebrow and in a sing-song voice said, “You're in love.” There was no talking him out of it once he got rolling.

Kennedy placed glasses of water in front of us and I used mine to hide my grin.

Felix ordered right away. “I’ll have the special.”

“But I haven’t told you what the special is.”

“Have we had this conversation before?” I asked.

“Stew Chicken Roti. I had no idea what to expect; the food here is so different from Alaska. I had a piece earlier, though. It's fantastic.”

“I'll have that,” Felix smiled.

I nodded. “Make that two. ”

Chimes above the door signaled another customer. I hadn’t seen Kennedy frown before. I didn’t like it. A clean-cut, freshly shaved man wearing a button-up dress shirt and slacks strolled over to Kennedy and stood directly behind her. He whispered in her ear, and she instantly bowed her head.

Without raising her eyes, she pursed her lips and waited for the man to move away. She didn’t look at either of us. “I'll put your order right in.”

The man followed her behind the counter and leaned in close. If his face hadn’t been so crinkled and angry, I might have thought he was about to kiss her. Heat radiated around my chest, but that’s where my temper stopped. The pill I took earlier kept my emotions under control.

Red lines streaked Kennedy’s pretty brown eyes and her makeup had smeared.

It was clear she had been crying and my shoulders sank with compassion.

She returned with our food but before she set the plates in front of us, her eyes followed the man out the door.

When she sighed and shook her head, my heart broke.

“Are you okay?” It wasn’t my business, but I couldn’t help but ask. She had been so happy and lively before the jerk upset her.

She offered a weak smile and blinked away tears. “I'm fine.”