"No, I'm not asking. You need that meal. I ate at school. It wasn't entirely true. She had eaten half a sandwich between orientation appointments.
Walter knew her well enough to suspect it. Maya. Walter. Helen watched from the register without interfering. Walter looked at Maya for a long moment.
I'll pay you Friday. No, you won't. Then I'm not taking it. Maya slid the plate toward him. Then then Helen has to throw it away.
From the register, Helen said, "Health code." Walter looked at her. Helen shrugged. "Terrible waste." Walter shook his head.
"You two are trouble." "Eat before it gets cold," Maya said. He did. At 8:30, Maya's shift ended. Rain had begun outside.
A fine October drizzle turning the sidewalks black beneath the street lights. Walter stood near the door, buttoning his coat. "Bus is coming in 10," he said. "I'll walk with you. You're going the other direction.
I know. I've been riding that bus longer than you've been alive." "Congratulations." He gave her a look. Sheepy picked up her backpack.
They walked anyway. At the shelter, Walter sat on the metal bench while Maya stood beside him beneath the narrow roof. Traffic hissed over wet pavement. Across the street, a neon open sign buzzed above a convenience store. Walter looked at her.
How's the fancy college? Fancy? That bad? I didn't say bad. You didn't have to.
Maya watched headlights it smear across the wet street. Walter was quiet for a moment. Your mama would have been proud. Maya's jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. Walter saw it and immediately looked away.
He didn't apologize. She appreciated that. After a moment, Maya said she would have complained about the tuition. Walter smiled. She would have complained about the parking first.
That one got her. A small laugh. Gone almost as soon as it came. The bus appeared at the intersection. Walter stood before boarding.
He pointed at her. Friday, I'm paying you back. No, we'll argue then. Fine. He climbed aboard.
Mia waited until the bus pulled away before walking back toward Brook's corner. Helen was locking the front door when Maya returned. You gave him your dinner. Maya stopped. You saw that?
I see everything in my restaurant I ate earlier. Helen gave her a look that said she knew exactly how much truth was inside that sentence. Then she unlocked the door again. Come inside. Helen, I've got soup left.
I'm fine. Didn't ask. 10 minutes later, Maya sat alone in a booth eating hot chicken soup while Helen counted receipts at the register. Nobody spoke. Nobody needed to.