Chapter 22

“How old are you?” Jesse asked Rob, once he’d made inroads into his meal. “And why were you homeless?”

“Forty-two, and because,” Rob replied. When Jesse frowned, Rob expanded a bit on his answer, explaining about leaving the army and not being able to find work.

That, of course, led to a discussion of the sorry state of affairs for returning veterans which lasted until the end of the meal. Then, since they’d spent so much time eating and talking, it was time for Darren to get ready for work. Jesse and Leah said they had to leave if they were going to get to the movie they planned to see before it started.

“You’re welcome to come with us, if you want,” Leah said to Rob.

“Thanks, but no thanks. I’m bushed, so I’ll just watch TV then go to bed.”

Darren wasn’t too surprised when Jesse followed him out of the kitchen and then asked quietly, “You trust him here on his own while you’re at work?”