They Find It

Miriam noted the pained look on Gus' face as she unlocked the door to her workroom. The warehouse district boasted the best rents in the city. "I know, not a nice part of town."

"Your people work here?"

She reached into the doorway and flicked a switch, illuminating a room with four sewing machines and two cutting tables. "The neighborhood isn't as bad during the day. My manager is a pretty big guy and he walks the women to their cars with a large flashlight in his hand."

"Guess his presence deters a lot of people."

She smiled and motioned for him to close the door.

She strode down the aisle between the machines.

"You don't come here by yourself do you?"

He hadn't moved from the door and when she turned to look at him, no smile appeared on his lips. He crossed his arms. She sighed. I don't want to be protected. "Not often," she whispered.