Chapter 32

“Okay, Joshua. You were very quiet on the drive over. What’s wrong?”

“Didn’t have a good day today,” mumbled Joshua as he threw his book bag on his cot on the other side of the room from Eli’s. The open format of this studio meant that there was little privacy for either of them other than a folding screen that Eli brought down stairs for each of them to have some barrier next to their cots. Eli noticed that Joshua’s shoulders hunched over.

“You want to talk about it?”

“No. Not really. You have to go to work anyway, don’t you?”

“Actually, I gave notice. I’m not returning to security guard work.”

“Do you have another job lined up?” asked Joshua. He leaned over, untied his shoes, and took off his socks.

“No. In a few weeks, I’m probably heading out of here. I’ve been in Orlando for several months and I usually don’t stay in one place too long.”

Joshua stood up, threw his track shirt on the ground. “Do you mind if I take a shower first?”