Chapter 6

“She means ‘fries’,” he said.

“Oh. You want a burger, too?” I asked, and she nodded again.

“What about you, Ryan?” I headed to a McDonald’s on Grover Boulevard.

“That works for me, as well.”

“Good.” Once we got to the fast food joint, we pulled up in the drive-through and gave our orders. Ten minutes later, we were parked in front of my condo building.

“Ryan, would you mind helping me with some of this stuff?”

“Sure.” He grabbed Samantha’s bags and our dinner while I carried Samantha on my hip, my workbag on my shoulder, and my briefcase in hand. I acknowledged Frank, who was already on shift, and we headed up the elevator to my place.

“Wow, this place is really…white,” Ryan said when we entered.

“Yeah, I guess it is.” I set Samantha on her feet and Ryan took her hand.

“She should wash her hands before eating,” he suggested, and I pointed to the bathroom down the hall to the left.