From time to time, he disappears from the front of the building, and he’s usually gone for good by midnight.
I never see him coming or going, but my heart jerks whenever I catch a glimpse of him or notice his absence.
Pushing my car keys to the side, I glance at Scottie.
“So, who is he?” I ask.
“I don’t know his name. He’s only been inside the bar a couple of times. People have a nickname for him. They call him... No Ash.”
“Meaning?”
He shrugs.
“I don’t know. Maybe his name is Ash.”
“How long has he been around?”
“A couple of months or so. Since the beginning of the fall. I don’t remember seeing him before the end of August. He rarely comes in for food or drinks. He’s here for one thing and one only,” he says.
His pause makes me raise my eyebrows and shoot him a questioning look.
“Turning tricks,” he says in a quiet, lower voice.
“Really?” I ask, unable to stifle my surprise.
I glance out the window again, hiding my baffled expression.
Cold rain dribbles on the sidewalk, and cars swish by the establishment, but none stop.
The parking lot is deserted.
“Like an escort?” I murmur, flicking my eyes back to him.
“We’re not exactly a five-star hotel, so I wouldn’t call him an escort.”
“What kind of customers?” I ask, my voice ringing cold.
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen his clients. Cars pick him up and drop him off, but I can tell it’s not women. They don’t pay for sex. Not on the streets, anyway. Men are the ones who look for guys like him on the streets.”
“Oh...” I mutter, disappointed.
He picks up on the nuance.
“Are you interested?” he asks, half seriously.
“No... no. It’s not my thing,” I say, dismissing the idea with a forced smile. “I was just curious. He seems, um... He seemed different than everybody else,” I mumble, bothered by his absence while hoping to see him tonight.
“You think he’ll show up?” I ask.
“Probably. He’s never missed a night,” he says and walks away.
Minutes later, he sets a large plate of food on the table and vanishes behind the bar.
I eat in silence.
The smell of french fries, grilled fish, and lemon zest entices my appetite, keeping my mind away from that man.
My hope to see him tonight has vanished by the time I finish up.