Chapter 120

“Deacon,” he said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt…I’m not really good at this.”

“Don’t bother. I’m probably not worth your time, despite your tests to the contrary.”

* * * *

It took me two months, but I found a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment that was actually closer to the diner and within my budget. In fact, I could walk to work in good weather as it was only a couple of miles away.

Of Lud, I had hardly seen him since our last conversation. He seemed to be coming when I was going, and vice versa. I gave property management official notice of my move-out date, and left a note for Lud on the refrigerator.

The day of the move, I had worked the night before, but tired as I was, I wanted to get it over with. WhenI came home, I saw a bunch of men and women in my apartment boxing up items, and I dodged two people moving my couch.

“What the hell is going on here?” I asked no one in particular.

“You need help moving, but you’re too stubborn to ask for it,” Lud said.