“That’s what I thought,” he answers. “Anyway, they told me they had one roommate skip out without paying his rent for June, and if I got there fast enough and paid up what he owed, they’d let me stay.”
“And in reality, there was no room at the mansion?” I ask, assuming he’ll miss the hidden reference.
He gives me a knowing smile. “Yup, call me baby Jesus.”
We both laugh for a second, then I say, “People can be the worst, right?”
“Tell me about it,” he answers, sounding utterly dejected. Then he tilts his head and says, “Not most people. Just a few here and there. Most people are kind.”
Instead of spewing more of my opinions about the human race, I tug at a blade of grass until it comes loose.
“I know you don’t really think so, but I do.”
“Even after what you just went through?”
Nodding, Colton says, “Yeah. Definitely. I met this lady down there—not like a hot chick or something—like a middle-aged woman—”
“So, like California Abby?”
Colton lets out another laugh. “Sort of. I didn’t have the cash to get to the airport, so she gave me a lift. She didn’t even want anything in return. I offered to send her money when I got home but she said no.”
“Hmm. Thatisnice.”
“I find most people are. Anyway, I see you're doing some yard work today?"
"You looking for a job?"
“Yeah, but this time you’d have to pay me yourself because my parents won't do it."
I wince and cover my face with one hand. "Sorry about that. It was too good an offer to pass up. But the money for the roof really did come from me."
"I know."
"How did you figure out what was going on?"
"I'm not blind, and it’s not exactly like you and my dad were discreet."
We both start laughing and he says, “He’d literally hand you the money in front of me, then you’d put in your pocket and take it out again, like, not even a second later.”
I laugh until my cheeks hurt. “I think somehow we both thought you couldn’t see because of the headphones.”
Colton nods, still laughing. “Yeah, ‘cause that makes sense!”
When we both calm down, I sigh, then pat him on the arm in a motherly way. “I owe you an apology, Colton. That was both dishonest of me and condescending.”
“That’s okay,” he says.
“No, it’s not really. We treated you like a child, but you’re not one.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that.” He digs into the large front pocket of his hoodie and pulls out a rolled-up piece of paper. Handing it to me, he says, "Speaking of adulting, I'm actually starting my own yard maintenance service. Mowing, weeding, and landscaping all spring, summer, and fall, then clearing snow in the winter. Now that I've had a taste of freedom…”
"You'd like to have the whole meal?" I ask.
He gives me a blank look. "I just meant I'd like to get my own place." He rubs the back of his neck. "Meals too, I guess."
I bite the inside of my cheek so I can maintain a serious expression. Then I look over his flyer, noticing a couple of typos but managing to resist the urge to go in search of a red pen. "These look like very reasonable rates. And it's quite a comprehensive service package."
"Yeah," he says, pointing to the monthly service plans at the bottom. "I figured it would be easier for me and for my clients. This way, all you have to do is pick one, then your whole yard takes care of itself and you never have to think of it again. Well, other than paying the bill, of course."
