Durango, Colorado

Mannie liked to talk, and Aden liked to listen, so the conversation during the ride back to the city was comfortably one-side, despite the storm and Aden’s second thoughts. He learned a lot about Mannie: His full name was Manuel. He was studying to be a lawyer. He even got into Yale, but he went to a local university instead, to help his family. He didn’t sound the least bit bitter about it. He said Corey’s name a lot, and with a particular smile that suggested their close friendship. When Aden asked about it, the smile faded a little and he admitted that he didn’t get up to see her as much as he used to because of school. He felt guilty about that. The conversation slowed a little.

The rain was coming down really heavy by the time they got to the city.

“You got somewhere to go?” Mannie asked as he pulled to a park in the downtown area, obviously concerned about leaving Aden out in a storm.

Aden hesitated and tried to smile but he knew it fell short. He lied anyway, as he opened the car door to hop out. “Yeah, of course.”

Mannie called his bluff. “What’s with you, kid? You homeless or something?”

“Or something.” Aden laughed, only to dismiss the other boy’s concern. “Really, it’s fine, I… I don’t mind the rain that much.”

Mannie scoffed. “You’ll catch a cold.”

“I haven’t yet.” Aden shrugged when the other boy shook his head, obviously dumbfounded. “It would really help me though, if you knew somewhere that I could get some cash. Washing dishes for the evening or, I dunno. Something. I need a bus ticket to El Paso.”

Mannie thought for a second, then eyed Aden and waved him back into the car, out of the rain. “Listen. I’ll make you a deal. Come help me tomorrow with getting the orders together and I’ll split my wage with you.”

“You don’t have to do that…”

“Yeah, but I want to.” He shrugged, and smiled, and Aden found himself smiling too. “Besides, it should be a two-man job anyway. I have stipulations though.”

Aden chuckled. “Shoot.”

“You gotta come hang at my place for the night.”

“I said I had somewhere to go,” Aden objected timidly.

Mannie smirked, unconvinced. “Yeah, but I don’t believe you. And also, I’m on a time limit. We gotta be up early and there’s no time to pick you up from wherever you theoretically have to go. Close the door.”

Aden didn’t argue any further. He kept his mouth shut when Mannie bought him a burger, and offered nothing more than a heartfelt thank you when he was set up with a pillow and blanket to sleep on Mannie’s couch with. After being given the time for when they had to be up, Mannie went to bed, and Aden was left to get comfortable on the cushions.

His back appreciated the creature comfort, and briefly it felt like he might get a good night’s sleep, but as his breath slowed and the silence took over, the heavy pattering of the rain outside kept Aden’s mind awake.

He fiddled with the beads of his sister’s name until his exhaustion took pity on him.