Llew watched him go, his spirits a little lighter since he hadn’t lost his chance at the job he needed so much. He pushed his bag back in the closet, but didn’t unpack. He went to the kitchen and got a bottle of water for his dry mouth. Looking around the room, he thought it looked so much better with Shane in it. He dropped down to the floor, glancing at his watch. He had an hour and half before he was supposed to be at the general store for his training. He doubted he was still employed, but he’d show up, nonetheless. When he contemplated his life now, he thought about Shane.
Chapter Nineteen
Llew tucked his hands in his pockets while he walked the short distance back into town to the general store. It was late, and he was glad that most people in small-town USA didn’t venture out past nine o’clock. He didn’t want anything ruining his mood right now. Ms. Pat had been so sweet to him after the sheriff and her rat-bastard of a son finally left. The sheriff reasoned there was nothing he could do if Ms. Pat wanted him to stay. Jim finally left when the sheriff said his yelling was bordering on disturbing the peace.
He quietly ate his baked spaghetti and sweet potato pie with her while she rambled on about him not being ashamed of himself or letting people railroad him out of town. But the most important part, and the bit he’d keep tucked down in his soul for when he did meet adversity, came as he was leaving. He’d remember her saying the words to him before she went to her room for the night. “I really am fine with you being here Llewellyn. I’m safe here. Because when I look at you, son; I don’t see no raping in your eyes.” It took everything for Llew not to break down again. He kissed her lightly on her cheek, just like he used to do his mom and saw her to the stairs before he left for work.
He walked up to the automatic doors of the supply store and tapped softly on the glass. The store closed at nine p.m. and since it was ten, he had to wait for someone to let him in. He waited a few more seconds and knocked a little harder. A woman in an orange smock with her jet-black, pixie hair worn in a doll-like style was smiling on her way to the door, until she saw him. Her eyes widened and her hand flew to her mouth like she was looking at the devil himself. Llew shoved his hands deeper into his pockets and took a couple steps back from the door.
“Good evening. I’m supposed to start training today for the stocking job. Um, Mr. Graham hired me yesterday.”
It was obvious she heard him through the thick glass door, but she still hadn’t moved. Llewellyn lifted his head skyward, choosing not to bother with a small prayer this time. He wasn’t sure god listened to him, anymore.
“Can you tell him I came by?” he turned to leave, but hadn’t gotten very far when he heard his name called.
“Mr. Gardner I won’t be needing you tonight,” Mr. Graham said, through a cracked-open door.
“Did you want me to come back tomorrow?” Llew wasn’t sure why he asked that, he knew damn well he was no longer needed.
“The position’s been filled. I didn’t realized my assistant had hired someone else.” Mr. Graham didn’t wait for Llew to respond, he simply closed the door and aimed his back to him. The lock clicking securely into place pinched his spirit, but it wouldn’t break him. He headed back toward home, but decided to take the long way, needing the air to clear his head.
“Why the hell are we over here, man? If we get caught in an unauthorized area, we’re both going to the hole.”
“Chill out, Llew. I got some business to handle.”
“Ace. I ain’t with this.” Llew looked around the corner, checking the blind spots while they stood in front of Big Waldo’s office – that was the name for any high ranked commander. Captain Jessup was head of all the guards in the entire prison compound. He was a hard-ass and any time he was on the unit, he came either with five to ten of the guards, or with the Feds. The inmates made a loud siren sound when he moved through the compound. It meant someone was about to be apprehended, or their cell tossed; one or the other, but neither was good. Llew couldn’t see anything through the small glass window to Jessup’s office, since it was pitch dark. He dreaded the thought that Ace was going to try to break into it. Even if Llew was just the lookout, he was going down big time if they got caught. “We’re missing chow, Ace. Let’s go.”