Page 27 of Pete and His Precious

“Yeah. You do wear a lot of hats. But I think you do a good job. This feels like such a safe town. It always has.”

“I think when you grow up somewhere, your opinion might be a little bit biased, but thank you. We try. Although the budget is small, and there is not a whole lot of money, we do well with what we have, in my opinion.”

“In my opinion too.”

We are quiet for a bit, and maybe he feels the same way I do, that I don’t want our conversation to end, because he says, “Have you ever gone to the Icebreakers hockey game?”

“Several times. It’s pretty neat to have a professional team so close. And to have members of the team members live in the community here.”

“Did you recognize Cal tonight?”

“He seemed familiar. He plays for the Icebreakers?”

“Yeah. He’s going to ask you about adopting anteaters if he sees you again.”

I laugh. “I see. So he’s a little bit odd.” I can’t afford to adopt an anteater. Although, it does sound like a worthy cause. Something that probably not a whole lot of people pay much attention to.

“He believes with his whole heart in saving the anteaters. So, if you see him around again, and you don’t want to adopt an anteater, you’d better run, because he can be pretty persuasive. I have an anteater as a pet. It lives in Ecuador.”

“Oh my goodness. You’ve never met your pet?”

“Nope. I’m still not one hundred percent convinced it’s not a scam, but I do get regular picture updates, and what startedout with one anteater developed into a family when my original anteater apparently got married.”

“Wow. That does sound like a scam.”

“Yeah. He was a single dude. Now he’s a married guy. That takes more money.”

“Sounds pretty slick,” I say with a laugh.

“Just figured I’d warn you,” he says.

“Thanks,” I say. And we are quiet for a bit.

“I suppose I better let you get back to work. If you don’t mind, I’ll be sitting here listing to you.”

“I don’t mind. It’s totally up to you. I... I should soundproofed my booth, it would make the quality of my recording better. I just haven’t done that.”

“What does that entail?” he asks.

“Well, I have to get panels to put on the walls to absorb the sound. You know how an empty room kind of echoes?”

“Yeah?”

“A room that has furniture and carpet and other things doesn’t. I think that’s the general idea, although I've never put the money into it. It’s not exactly the kind of job that enables you to get ahead very well, so...” I don’t want to admit how broke I really am.

“So can I say something personal?” he finally asks.

“Okay?”

“Are you skinny because you don’t have money to buy food?”

My eyes open wide. Then I sign. I suppose he kind of caught me. Although is the answer to that really yes?

“Let’s just say that the meal that I ate tonight was the first meal that didn’t include beans and rice in months. Literally. Other than when I’ve gone to my parents to eat.”

“I see. So, maybe Monday night should include some food too. We can order takeout. How would that be?”

“I’d love it,” I say, “but I don’t want you to feel like you have to buy my food. That’s not what neighbors do.”

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