“Yeah, an hour ago.”
“What did he say?”
“What I already knew,” she said. “I’m doing fine. Better than fine. He says I’ll live to be a hundred. I said a hundred is for chumps, I’m shooting for one-ten.” I reminded her to call me if she needed anything before I ended the call.
My companion finished typing a long text, then returned the phone to his pocket. “Mind if we stop by a store on the way home?” he asked me. “I’m almost out of crackers.”
“No problem.” I untied my short black apron and pulled a wad of bills from my pocket, then counted out the money and handed half of it to Christopher.
“What’s that for?”
“That’s your half.”
“Oh no,” he said, trying to hand the money back. “You did all the work. I was merely an inconvenience.”
“You did plenty of work, especially in terms of chatting up the customers. They tipped us like crazy because they were all so charmed by your outlandish tales explaining the handcuffs. Keep it, I insist.”
“Well, ok. That was actually a lot of fun,” he said as he slipped the money in the pocket of his jeans.
“You’re a natural. If you ever want a job waiting tables, I’ll put in a good word for you. Jamie would hire you in an instant.”
He smiled at me. “That was really subtle. Nice work.”
“What was?”
“Your little suggestion, trying to show the rent boy there’s a way out of his seamy, depressing existence.”
“I didn’t mean it that way.” Ok, I kind of had.
He took my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I don’t need saving, Charlie. But I appreciate the thought.”
“I just…I don’t get why you’re in that line of work,” I told him honestly.
“Sutherlin costs fifty five thousand dollars a year. I have three years left, one for my B.A., then two more for my M.F.A. And until I finish school, I’m going to keep turning tricks. Because nothing else pays the kind of money I need.”
“Have you looked into financial aid?”
He gave me a ‘duh’ expression and said, “Yeah.”
“Your art would pay the bills. You’re insanely talented.”
“I’m also a total unknown, a student. I don’t have any connections in the art world, at least not yet. But next year, I’ll be eligible to intern at a couple of the local galleries. I’ll be able to build a network, and that’s the first step in hopefully being able to make a living from my art in the future. But I’m just not there yet.”
“I worry about your safety, Christopher Robin. You’re in such a dangerous line of work.”
He looked at the floor and said, “Yeah, I know. It’s safer now, though. Up until thirteen months ago I worked the street, and that really was dangerous. But now that I’m working for an escort service, it’s not so bad. The clients are more upscale. Sure, the agency takes a big portion of my earnings. But still, it is safer, so it’s worth the cut in pay.”
“I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to lecture,” I told him.
“I know. You’re such a good guy, Charlie. I knew it was just a matter of time before you tried to intervene.” He smiled at me fondly.
“I’m not done meddling. I want you to move in with me, be my roommate. Whatever you’re paying in rent now, I’ll charge you less. You need to stop living in hell.”
“You have a one bedroom apartment,” he pointed out.
“You can have the bedroom, I’ll take the living room. I’ll even throw in the Dante Collection of Fine Furnishings to sweeten the deal.”
“Mr. Dombruso bought you your furniture?”
“Yeah. The first time he came to my apartment, it was almost totally empty. That didn’t sit well with him.”
Christopher beamed delightedly. “He’s taking care of you. That’s so sweet.”
“Will you consider being my roommate?”
“It’s a little bit crazy, you know. Asking a hooker you’ve known for a day to move into your home.”
“I like you and I trust you, Christopher. And I already know you’re incredibly easy to get along with. So please say yes.”
“I’ll think about it,” he said with a grin. “And thank you for the offer.”
Dmitri came into the employee dressing room and said, “Ok, spill. What exactly was Dante trying to accomplish by chaining you two together?”
“It’s a kinky sex thing. Just like I told Jamie,” I said.
Dmitri chuckled at that. “Liar. Is this some kind of punishment? And do you not want to tell me because I’ll tell Jamie, and then he’ll distrust Dante even more?”
“It’s not a punishment. But you’re right about the rest. Speaking of Dante, have you been in touch with him since he’s been out of the country?” I asked Dmitri. “Do you know if he’s doing ok?”
“I don’t know, I haven’t heard from him.”
“He’s fine,” Christopher said.
I turned to look at the blonde at the end of my arm. “Has Dante been in contact with you?”