Page 25 of Only You

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “My tuition is covered between what I saved this summer, the faculty discount my dad gets, and it turned out I qualify for the Pell Grant. I mean, I have car payments and my monthly insurance to cover, and I have to pay for textbooks, plus the extra cash I’ve earned from you is always good for film and gas. But I haven’t tried to look for another job since I started with you. Maybe I can find something else… I just don’t know.”

“Like we said,” Robert went on. “We won’t let you go until you’ve secured another position. We wouldn’t do that to you.”

“Thank you,” I said, my brain already making all sorts of calculations. I knew how much money I needed every month at a minimum, but I didn’t know what kind of job to even look for or consider.

Last year, trying to get a job with the photography shops in town had failed, and I didn’t see any reason to think things had changed there. Unless Renaldo from Foxx Photo had finally gotten busted getting a blow job from Robert in the back room.

“You look worried,” Robert said. “Tell us your thoughts.”

“I don’t know where to look for work,” I admitted. “I’d need a job that could fit around my classes.” I didn’t mention that I’d just promised Daniel I would look after Bobby for him after he was released from the hospital, too. I’d counted on the flexibility and leniency of my job with Robert to make all that feasible.

“University jobs are your best bet, depending on if the pay is enough,” Barry said, leaning forward to put his elbows on the table. “In fact, the library’s hiring. There’s typically a waiting list for positions there—”

“But you just happen to know someone on the hiring team,” Robert said, patting Barry’s bulging bicep. “Barry here will put in a good word for you.”

“Oh? Thank you.”

“That means he’ll hire you,” Robert whispered with a grin and a twinkle. “Which do you prefer? Circulation or the Audio-Visual department?”

“Woman,” Barry scolded. “Don’t make promises I can’t keep. I can pull some strings,” he said to me. “But you’ll have to apply, and I don’t know if the pay is going to be enough for you. It’s four dollars and twenty-five cents an hour and a minimum of fourteen hours a week of work. There’s the possibility of taking on more shifts if you want, but that’s all that’s required.”

“What’s the job consist of?” I asked, wondering if there was a way to make additional money on the side. Selling my photos to a stock photo archive was something I’d been considering of late, but I was still exploring how to do that, and my initial investigation seemed to imply the payoff wasn’t that high.

I listened as Barry explained the position. It seemed easy enough, and I agreed to apply the following day in between my classes.

“Just drop by the library with your application. I’ll be there,” Barry said, rising from the table and clapping me on the shoulder. “I’ll vouch for you and tell them what a responsible and dedicated employee you’ve been for Robert.”

“Do you think I stand a chance? Or should I start looking for other job opportunities?”

“I can’t promise anything. Maybe check what else is available on the university bulletin boards until you hear back. But if you apply tomorrow, you should know within the week.”

Barry disappeared back into the office, and I sat across from Robert, watching him sip wine and pet the loan paperwork like he needed to show it affection to keep it happy.

“I’m sorry to drop this on you out of the blue.” He looked up at me with earnest, dark eyes. “I didn’t expect Barry to want to start on the house so soon, but he made a good point: we never know when the Slide might cancel my shows, and if we have the money coming in now, and proof of it, that’ll look better to the bank. We’re in the best position we’ve ever been in, and maybe the best position we’ll be in for a long time.”

“I’m not upset,” I assured him. “You’ve both done so much for me, and Barry’s doing even more trying to hook me up with this library position. I’m going to be just fine.”

“I know you will,” Robert said. “You’ve grown up this year. I’m proud of you, and I just know you’re going to keep on getting more amazing all the time, Sweetie. And this doesn’t mean we don’t want you around! Anytime you want or need us, we’re here for you.”

“I know.” I didn’t doubt Robert and Barry’s affection for me. This was the right thing for them to do, both monetarily and personally. It wasn’t about me or my job performance. But I would miss them. Seeing them most days, or at least having the promise of seeing them very soon, always made things better.

Robert put his elbow on the table and his chin in his hand. “Now, all that ugly business is handled. What’s this I hear from our mutual acquaintances about you ending things with Naughty Boy?”

I didn’t want to tell the whole story again, but I knew Robert wouldn’t let it go until I did.

So I sighed, rubbed my hands over my hair, and filled him in. I left out a few important points—like the condom issue—because I didn’t want Robert to think even less of Adam than he already did. I didn’t know why I still wanted to protect him, but I did.

“He hurt you!” Robert exclaimed, grabbing my still-tender arm, and pulling it forward, tracing the lingering bruises with his long red fingernails.

I nodded.

Andthencame the “abuse is abuse” lecture—dotted with colorful language and bizarre examples. I listened to it and promised Robert I was done with Adam. Once Robert had his say, he stood up, took hold of my hand, and pulled me into the living room.

“Now, how about we dance those blues away?”

Cueing up a song by Tony! Toni! Toné!, he swept me into his arms, and sang to me about how it never rains in California. Before long we were laughing, and Barry had come out to lean on the doorjamb, watching us with a fond smile on his face.

I was going to miss them, and this—dancing at work, laughing with friends and getting paid for it—but everything was new now. I had to get used to it. College had begun, I’d ended things with Adam, and startedsomethingwith Daniel.

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