She looks surprised. “Axel didn’t tell you?”
“No, he said there was too much to tell. That I’d just have to see it.”
“Ah, makes sense.”
“You could tell me.”
She glances at Axel. “I don’t want to overstep. It’s better to let him tell you.” She gives me a reassuring smile and pats my arm. “Keep your chin up. It’ll all work out.”
“Thanks.” Her intent is well-meaning, but her words ring hollow.
She trots back to the serving table.
Not sure what to do with myself, I pull out my phone to discover that I’ve missed a couple of calls from Mom. She left me a voicemail about the benefit, wanting to know if I can help serve hot chocolate and popcorn at one of the stands. A noose tightens around my neck. How am I going to navigate this situation to keep it from blowing up in my face?
A few minutes later, Axel waves me over and introduces me. “London, this is Dex.”
I paste on a polite smile. “Hello.”
The man nods, eyes not meeting mine. He’s raw-boned with salt and pepper whiskers and sunken eyes. His mottled cheeks and knuckles are chapped from the cold, his lips cracked and scabbed. He’s the kind of man I would be afraid to pass on a street when alone at night.
Several awkward beats pass.
Axel places a hand on Dex’s shoulder, regarding him with surprising tenderness. “This is my uncle and the best guitar player I’ve ever met.”
My eyes bug. “Your uncle?” Never would I have connected Axel with this broken-down man, staring ahead, expression vacant. What happened to bring the man to this state?
Axel nods in the affirmative and turns his attention back to Dex. “You should stay here tonight,” he urges in a low, soothing tone. “There’s a winter storm warning in effect. Lizzy has a nice, warm bed for you. You can take a shower. She has extra clothes.”
“I don’t wanna be a bother,” Dex croaks.
“No bother at all,” Axel counters. “It would ease my mind to know you’re safe and warm.”
Compassion simmers in my chest, and I get the sensation of seeing Axel clearly for the first time. He started this soup kitchen to help his uncle. All this time, I’ve been casting him as the villain when he’s a hero. I’m such an idiot!
Axel says a few more things to Dex, but the conversation is a monologue. It’s hard to know if any of Axel’s words are getting through the haze that Dex seems to be under. When Dex brings his hand up to wipe his runny nose, I notice a shake. The man’s in rough shape. It’s heartbreaking to see someone reduced to this.
After a while, Lizzy comes over and takes control of the situation. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of him,” she says to Axel as she helps Dex up and leads him away.
“Thanks.” Axel swallows like he’s trying to contain his emotion. Watching him gets me choked up.
I touch his arm. “Are you okay?”
He gives me a pained smile. “Yeah.” He glances toward the door that Lizzy led Dex out of. “I’m sure you have lots of questions.”
“You can tell me about it when we get in the car.”
“Sounds good.”
Outside, we’re met by a blast of frigid air that signals the approaching storm. I hug my arms and walk faster to get to the car. Even though it’s not a long drive from Axel’s house to my hotel, I probably shouldn’t stay at Axel’s house too late. In this type of weather, the roads get icy fast.
Axel blasts the heat when we get in the car.
Even though I’m itching to bombard him with questions, I refrain. I can sense that he needs time and space to work through this. Seeing his uncle took a toll on him. It had to be hard, witnessing Dex in such a ragged state.
Silence falls between us as Axel starts the engine and pulls out of the parking lot.
I bite my tongue, waiting.
