“Don’t tell meMilesput you up to this,” he grumbles.
I set the wilted plate of veggies on the counter and cringe, feeling like a homemade card would have been better. I chuckle,not sure if it’s from his scolding or the embarrassment of my pathetic gift.
“No, he doesn’t know I’m here.”
“Well, good. Then come sit down.” He gestures to a rickety table that folds out from the wall with a narrow single-person-bench on each side.
“Thank you.”
I investigate the trailer since I’ve never been inside before. It’s dated like the outside, but homey. Handcrafted quilts tuck into the edges of full-size bunk beds. There’s a smaller-than-me shower and a closet (I imagine for the toilet?) on the other side. The middle section houses a single burner stove with enough room on the countertop for the overripe bundle of bananas sitting on top of it.
Shepard notices me looking around and comments, “It’s not much, but it does the job.”
“Well, I think it’s cozy.”
His smile warms. “So, what brought on this unexpected visit? And please don’t tell me it’s that rabbit food. I appreciate what you’re doing, but I knowthatwas all Miles. You don’t have to convince me otherwise.”
“Guilty.” I shrug. “I came to see if I can help at your store. I know I don’t have any retail experience or experience at all for that matter as this would be my first job, but I’ve learned a lot about fishing from Miles! And I’m great with people! And you don’t have to pay me!”
“I don’t need any favors,” Shep says, and I realize why Miles has been so frustrated with him. He may be the most generous man, but he’s also the most stubborn. Everyone needs help once in a while.
I lean across the table in my sudden haste to make him understand.
“You’d be doingmethe favor. Really! Everyone’s busy. My mom’s painting all the time and my dad’s always puttering, and Reed’s family is constantly working or going on adventures and all I do is spend time by myself on that dock.” I suck in a gust of a breath.
“Woah, woah, woah.” He chuckles. “Slow down.”
“Sorry.” I cringe.
I sound desperate. I mean, I’m over here pleading with the man over all the reasons why he should hire me. None of which have anything to do with the fact that getting this job would mean I would get to work alongside Miles every day. Nope. Nothing to do with that.
Shepard grunts a couple of times while thinking it over. I clasp my hands on top of the table. It gives me something to squeeze while I exercise that muscle I don’t like to use very often… patience.
“Well, I guess I could use a little help. Can you start on Monday?” he asks.
“I can starttodayif you want!”
He chuckles again. “Monday will do. But I’ll be paying you for your time. I don’t expect you to work for free, and don’t let anyone else in your life take advantage of you in that way either, you hear? You have a heart of gold, and that’s worth everything.”
His advice makes me tear up a bit, but I blink a few times before it becomes more.
“Thank you, Mr. Bishop. Thank you so much,” I say, hurrying to the exit. “Oh, and can we please not tell Miles. I’d rather he think I got hired the old-fashioned way.”
He slides his fingers across his lips, and then pretends to lob an imaginary key in the air.
I grin. “See you Monday!”
With Shepard feeling better and back at the store, Miles gets the weekend off. I stir in the warm cocoon of my bed as the sound of repetitive clinking wakes me. I lift onto my elbows, my room still dim and the dark shadow of the oak tree out front dancing across the wall. The clink sounds again, and I pivot toward it as a tiny seashell bounces off the glass. Using the windowsill to shield my barely there pajama top, I draw the blinds up a few inches, and like a pair of roosters, Miles and Reed stand on the edge of the patio waking me. I lift the latch on the window, sliding it open.
“What the hell are you guys doing down there,” I whisper-shout.
“Waking you up! What does it look like we’re doing?” Reed calls.
“You’re waking more than me up. My parents are going to freak out if they hear you.” I reinforce the whisper.
“Come down,” Miles whispers back.
At least one of them knows how to be quiet.
