“I’ll stay in my truck if that’s okay, I’m running low on money, unless there’s someplace really cheap?”

“You aint from ‘round here. Can’t stay in Podock, sleepin’ in a truck, even with ol’ killer” he nodded to Lola with a respect only the two understood. 

I shuffled my feet. I hate feeling like someones waiting for me to ask a question instead of saying what they’re going to say.  

Normally I loose my patience. Thats hard to do holding Lilly, with Lola in my face, her big worried eyes. Reluctantly I asked, for them / not for me, I couldn’t help my tone;

“What am I supposed to do? I can’t stay here (in my broken down truck) and I can’t go home and…” I’d spoken to fast to formulate my last point, it was hung in the air. 

I should have said ‘I will stay here’ not ‘can I’, taken control from the start. Now it’s a team effort. Me and (I glanced at the name embroidered on his cover-alls). 

Derick. 

I’ve done this before, I spaz out on the one person who’s trying to help me because I’m frustrated. 

The other machanic gave me a side eyed glance while aimlessly pushing a broom across the floor. 

Are they holding me up or am I holding them up? 

A monotone voice says “That just won’t do”.

“That just won’t do” he repeats. “You can stay with us”. 

Chapter two

Derick was clean for a mechanic. No, dirt, no grime. 

“My grandpas” he said, headlights resting on an old wooden house”. 

“Dads place.” He gestured towards a fairly recent singlewide.

What. The. Hell. 

“Come on” he waved. 

Pointing towards a second floor window he said proudly “that’s my addition”. 

Everything was dark inside the house. He pulled out a sofa bed. 

“Don’t mind me” he said “I like to work late, but you (he gestured towards Lola) guys can sleep here as long as you like.” 

I collapsed onto the bed, Lilly nudged me with her nose, Lola pressed into my chest, her wet nose inspecting my face.