Page 21 of Full Service

“I really need to get a life,” I say just as my phone rings.

I scramble to grab it and grin when I see who it is.

“Hey, Lee,” I say.

“Hi, Silas. This is Lee.”

I roll my eyes and walk out of my room, leaving the stench of cum where it belongs. It definitely does not need to be a part of this conversation.

“What’s up, Lee? You okay?”

“Yep, as good as a dying man can get. But you know what I’d really like? Some fries.”

My eyebrows rise. “Is that so?”

“Yes. The really good chili fries that they have at that Food Cafe place.”

“They’re closed right now. It’s late. Way past your bedtime.”

He sighs. “You need to help out an old man, Silas. I may not be alive tomorrow. This is my last wish.”

I scoff at that. “You’re healthier than me. Quit it. But fine, I’ll take you to a diner that’s open. And we’ll get you those fries you can’t live without.”

“There’s my boy.”

It warms my heart to hear him call me that. It’s been so long since my parents died. The only family I have left are my sister and my niece who live in Florida. Might as well be on another continent for as often as I see them. Or hear from them. I get that it’s a two-way street, but I honestly can’t be bothered.

Seems I’m doomed.

“You ready to go now?”

“Yep. I even have my shoes on.”

“Good man. I’ll be there in fifteen.”

“I’ll wait outside.”

With a flick of my finger, the call is ended and I’m on my way out to my car to pick him up. He lives in a retirement home about ten minutes from me, and after he slides into my car and I stick his walker in the trunk, a quick Google search lands us at an all-night diner with food that will put us both in an early grave.

“Can’t believe you’re still awake,” I tell him.

“Gotta be to keep up with you youngins,” he says as he takes a big bite of his chili fries. I did try to persuade him not to order this because he’s going to regret it later. I don’t think his stomach can cope, or his bowels, but he just glowered at me until I caved.

“Plus my son and grandson are busy people. I have to stay up late so I can chat with them. If I didn’t, I’d never speak to them. Same with you.”

“Lies. I visit you at least twice a week and bring you lunch.”

“True, but then you’re running off to your next thing. When do you have time to relax?”

“Never. I have to work to afford life in California. Not all people can be Boomers with hefty retirement funds and stocks from the 1950s.”

He chuckles at that and then holds up a chili-soaked fry to me. “You’re a little shit. Come on, eat up, sad man. And tell me how you’re going to enjoy life from now on. And don’t lie. You need to tell me the truth. I have to live vicariously through you.”

“Fine. I’ll go on more walks,” I tell him but leave out the incriminating past the strip club to make myself seem a little less creepy. “And maybe I’ll even get a new tattoo.”

Lee’s eyebrows rise. “Is that so? Of what?”

“I have no idea.”

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