"After school?" Liam asked, "I thought I was supposed to be working here a few times a week."
"I think I need more help than that. I'll need you to close up the shop with me Monday through Friday."
“What about his schoolwork?” Erin asked. She’d cooled down considerably and seemed to be open to the idea of Liam taking the job.
“I’ll make sure it all gets done.”
“Ok,” Erin said, “because his schoolwork still needs to be his priority.” She raised her finger at me like she was ready to spar at the drop of a hat. This girl had a lot of fight in her and I admired her gumption.
“Do I get a say in any of this?” Liam asked.
“No?” we both retorted in unison, and then I saw it. A true and endearing smile appeared on Erin’s face, lighting her up from the inside. It was radiant and angelic, a smile that could light up the darkest pits of hell and thaw the frozen hearts of men. Her smiled showed me how grateful she was without her having to backtrack and apologize for her comportment. I got it, she was sweet, but she also had her pride.
“Ok,” she said, “I guess we’re done here. The woman was already halfway out
the door.
“Not so fast,” I said. My hand landed on top of hers, both of us clamoring for the door handle at the same time.
“I’m not sure what else we need to talk about. I’m sure you two can work out the details over the phone,” she said, trying to pretend the last little bit of time didn’t happen.
“I’d still like that date, if you’re interested,” I said.
“How about I’ll think about it. I’ll move from a resounding no to a slightly doubtful maybe.”
“A Chara, it’ll become a yes before you fall asleep tonight. So let’s cut to the chase and make plans while you’re still here.”
“You’re impossible, you know that?” she asked.
“You don’t even know half of it, yet.”
Chapter 4
Erin
I glanced down at the new, not-so-new kitchen table. Liam and I had found it last week in a dumpster, dragged it out and carried it home. Nothing was wrong with it, It was, after all, a perfectly good table: solid wood, seated four, some wear and tear but nothing that would warrant the trash. Unless someone died on it. I stood up to get the spray to give it one more wipe down just in case.
Most of the second-hand furniture in our small apartment had been found in the trash. Liam and I didn’t mind. We were used to hand-me-downs anyway, and liked the more proactive measure of choosing our own, even if it meant the occasional trip to the dump or local dumpsters. We also felt like we’d scored big when people threw out quality trash. It was free, it’s not like we were going to complain. Cat pee was a hard pass for me, but I could live with a few other ambiguous stains. Vintage, upcycle, repurposed, were just the fancy worlds for dumpster diving they used in the States.
“Mom probably thinks we’re living the high life, doesn’t she?” I asked Liam.
He’d been quiet all night. A couple days had passed since I’d picked him up at McCarthy’s. I’d gotten used to eating alone since Liam started working at the gym. He’d been going there right after school and not returning until nine at night.
“Can you pick me up from McCarthy’s tonight,” Liam asked, completely ignoring my question.
“Aiden can’t drop you off?”
“He said he can’t tonight.”
I pushed a piece of lettuce on my plate. “Why not? Did he tell you what’s up?”
“I don’t know, Erin; maybe the guy’s got a date. It’s none of my business.”
“Oh,” I said. I gathered up the plates and silverware to bring them to the sink. None of our dishes matched, but I liked to tell myself that it was the theme. Patchwork, but for flatware and china.
“Do you care?” Liam asked.
“Nope,” I lied. I turned the water on full blast as hot as it would go and began filling the sink.
I didn't know why but the idea of Aiden being out with someone else irritated me. It really shouldn't; I realized I was being stupid for even giving it a second thought. He'd asked me out, and I said no—end of story. I was just disappointed that he seemed to have given up so easily. Thought the guy was a fighter. Guess he took his battles only on one side of the ring.
"So can you do it or not, Erin?" he asked again.
"Yeah, no problem. How come you didn't go after school today?” I scrubbed the dishes a bit harder than was necessary before dropping them in the drying rack with a clank.
"Aiden asked me to come in later. Said he had some stuff to do. Probably has to do with his hot date. Gonna wax his back or some shit. How am I supposed to know?"