CHAPTER XV

"So, you are asking me to fill in your shift every Tuesday, for a month?" Josh asks, wondering what in return he would ask of Aidan. The night after his first meeting with the drama club, Aidan stops by the Dawson house to talk to Josh.

"Hey, it was you, who promised Amber that I would not refuse her request."

Josh chuckles at Aidan for blaming him a little. "Okay, I'll do it, for free. I think, as Mr. Connor said, we all need a change. "

"For free?" asks Aidan suspiciously.

Josh nods.

"Without any consequences? Not bound by any debts?"

"No, my friend, it’s for free, no-bound."

"All right." Aidan says hesitantly.

So, on Tuesday, Josh speaks to Miss Wilde that on every Tuesday of the month he would fill Aidan's shift. Miss Wilde nods without saying anything. For the woman, the important thing is that every day the Retirement Home environment is orderly and tidy, regardless of who is doing the tasks.

By 19:00, Josh is already tidying up, cleaning equipment, and changing work clothes. He is already getting ready to go home from the Retirement Home when Mr. Graham, one of the residents at the Retirement Home, calls him.

"Yes? You need me, Mr. Graham? "

"Of course, we do," says Mr. Graham with a chuckle. "Come in."

Josh steps into the living room. As it turns out, there are already two other seniors inside. On the table, poker cards and plastic drink bottles are scattered. Josh is suspicious that the drink bottles did not contain regular drinking water because of their different color. Behind Josh, Mr. Graham looks left and right to make sure no one is paying attention to his house. Feeling safe, he closes the door and the curtains.

Josh sighs. "Ah, you guys. If Miss Wilde finds out, you will be in big trouble."

Mr. Graham waves his hand. “Don't you worry about that woman, sit down, we need one more person for this game."

"I'd be in trouble if I got caught playing poker with you guys, especially if Miss Wilde finds out I let you guys drink alcohol," Josh says while pointing to the plastic bottles on the table.

The three seniors look at Josh in surprise, not expecting that the young man would find out about the plastic bottle trick.

"Come on, who would believe that those are just plain water?"

"Shush, never mind, let's sit down."

"Look, it's not like I don't want to play with you guys. I just don't want anything to do with Miss Wilde."

"She won't know," says Mr. Graham eagerly. "On days like these, that iron lady is definitely not here."

"Is that true? As far as I know she often patrols the night, "Josh says incredulously.

"Ah, what on earth you know? Lately, she never patrols. It seems, she has a date," Mr. Wilson adds with an amused chuckle.

Josh looks up in confusion. Quite a strange day for a date.

"Come on, sit down."

"OK. We bet, right?" Josh says finally, taking a seat.

"Of course, of course. You don't think you're going to beat us, do you?”

"You will see, old man."

Even if he is playing against seniors, bets are still at stake. By 22:00, Josh has won quite a lot to his pockets. Finally, after feeling that he doesn’t have the heart to win all the seniors’ money, he calls it a night.

"Eh, no, no, play one more time," Mr. Wilson stops him, believing he can recoup all the money he lost on the table.

"Come on, Mr. Wilson, I don't want to be labeled as seniors’ robber,” Josh replies with a laugh. "I am better off now, your pocket money is running out."

"Ah, just one more time, my cards are looking good this time. You're not afraid to face me, are you? ”

Josh ignores Mr. Wilson and leaves his seat. "I think, I'd better go home now, it's already late. I don’t want to run into Miss Wilde, coming home from her date."

"Ah, nonsense! Get back to playing! "

"Come on, Wilson, let the boy go home," cries Mr. Graham as he tells Josh to come out quickly with a hand wave.