Chapter 23: Vee

After the first month, I moved onto Patti’s couch. It wasn’t the most comfortable place in the world, but it was a lot cheaper than the motel I had been staying at. Patti lived alone in a one-bedroom apartment, but the living room was spacious, and the couch turned into a bed. She lived close to work, and we made an agreement that helped me save money and finally have some stability.

She continued paying the rent while I covered half of the water, electricity, and gas bills, and filled the fridge once a week. I was good at that. I’d learned how to stretch the money my father and I had, to eat decently without spending too much.

I had been working for two months, when I had a chance to talk with Scott. I had seen him dozens of times, but it wasn’t until that day—when Patti arrived late because she had an audition—that I discovered who the man always hiding at the most remote table really was.

He came every morning at nine. Patti always waited for him because she said he was a peculiar person who appreciated familiarity and routine. I never asked questions. I quickly learned that we each had our favorite clients, and we respected that. All relationships had their compromises.