Meanwhile, Al was too distracted by Gabe. ‘How could we forget? How are you adjusting, Gabriel?’
Ms Vaughn rolled her eyes.
‘Fine, thank you.’
‘Al was just telling me he was hiring a couple of drag queens to do a running commentary onCasablancafor movie night.’
Gabe’s eyes widened. ‘I’ll pay triple whatever Thomas is paying,’
‘Casablancafan?’ I asked.
Gabe frowned. ‘Hell … er … sorry.’ He blushed and looked at Ms Vaughn. ‘No. I mean, it’s fine, but there’s way better movies out there.’
‘My point exactly!’ Al pointed at him. ‘Now try telling that to the old bitches in charge.’
‘Al!’
Gabe was less embarrassed now that Ms Vaughn had scolded Al and not him. ‘ButCasablancawith drag queen Riff Trax? I’m in there like swimwear.’
‘Great!’ Al clapped his hands. ‘So you boys won’t mind chipping in. I think a thousand bucks from each of you should be enough.’
‘A thousand bucks? For that moneyI’llput on a dress.’
Al shook a finger at me. ‘No, no, honey. Drag is far more than just putting on a dress.’
‘I should have known all this shrill cackling and dress talk was you.’ I turned to see our senior manager, George, standing in the doorway, arms crossed.
Shade-off!
Gabe looked like he was scared he’d finally get the scolding he deserved for dropping a ‘hell’ in front of a resident.
George – a white man in his fifties with rosy cheeks and wire-framed glasses – rarely set foot in the dining room unless Natalie wasn’t there. He was more the administrative manager, making sure people and invoices were paid on time and being the liaison between the dining room, kitchen, building facilities, and the rest of the Sunset Estates higher-ups.
Al groaned. ‘I don’t remember looking into a mirror and saying “rug-rashed knees” three times.’
Oh, shit!One point for Al. I bit my lip as I tried not to laugh. Gabe, new to the shade-off, let out a guffaw and clamped his hands over his mouth. I hated that I loved that sound.
George ignored it and approached Al’s table. He put a light finger on Al’s shoulder. ‘I love this shirt. My mother was buried in one just like it.’ Solid comeback from George.
Al brushed the space on his red-and-white striped shirt where George’s hand had been. ‘Well, at leastshehad taste.’ Another point for Al.
‘I chose it. I wanted the sadistic old broad to be sent to her maker looking like a blind lesbian candy striper.’
‘Did you get a haircut recently?’ Al asked, looking up at George’s thinning hair and brushing back his own thick gray hair. ‘Your head looks smaller than usual.’
‘Your hair looks whiter than it usually does – has it needlessly called the police lately?’
‘All right, enough, you two.’ Ms Vaughn sipped at her coffee.
‘Yes, Mother,’ Al said. ‘Georgie, you’ll be taking care of the bill, yes?’
‘Naturally. I know you can’t afford much these days.’
‘Thank you, dear. I’ll let you get back to yourworknow.’ He waved his hand, and George turned away from them, wishing them a good evening and giving Gabe and me a devilish grin.
Gabe followed me back to the service station.
‘What. The hell. Wasthat?’
