Page 41 of The Road Home
"Not really. I might have a roommate. I've offered to let this guy live with me while he gets on his feet. He's had a rough go of things. Needs a little stability to get going." Jared leaned against one of the weight racks.
"Oh, how'd you meet him? Is he working at the hospital?" Richard asked.
"Actually, no. I covered a shift at the homeless clinic one night and met him. Oddly, our paths seemed to keep crossing. A bunch of odd events led to me having him stay a few nights and offering him a job working in my yard. I'd like to see him get on his feet, so I figured I had the room, why not offer him a place to get his shit together."
"Wow, I didn't know you worked with the homeless. You know that was how I met Tyler, right?"
"I know he was having a rough time when you met. I didn't know he was homeless. You mentioned he'd been beaten up on the street, but I didn't connect it to him being homeless." Jared remembered back to when Richard had called him to come check on Tyler after he'd been beaten and robbed.
"Yeah, he was. Luckily, it wasn't for too long, but it really opened my eyes." Richard nodded to a guy who was changing the trash. "That's Reese. He helped Tyler out a bit when he was homeless, now I'm trying to help Reese out by giving him a job. He's been here a few months now. He has two others who live in this little hole in the wall place. I let them come in and shower and stuff. I've offered the other two jobs, but they turned me down."
Jared's head snapped up. "Are you looking to hire someone?"
"Why? Does your friend need a job?" Richard asked.
"Yeah, he does."
"I have an opening for afternoons part time doing basic custodial duties. It's five hours a day, five days a week in the afternoon. I trust your judgment. If you think he's serious about working, the job is his. I was going to have Reese ask around on the streets for someone, but I'd rather hire someone who at least has shown some interest in working."
"I'm guessing he'd jump at the chance. I'll talk to him when I get home." Jared was excited to let Orson know about the opportunity. This could be exactly what he was looking for. "Thanks."
"No problem. After hearing what Tyler went through out there, I've tried to help out as much as I can. I figure if they just need a little help, I can be the one to provide it." Richard shrugged. "I've hired a few. Some stay, others quit after a few days. It's hard to tell who will make it and who won't."
"I think Orson will do great if you're serious."
"I am. Send him in anytime this week between nine and five and I'll get him a schedule and uniform shirt." Richard turned his attention to the door and grinned.
Turning to see what he was looking at, Jared smiled as he saw Tyler coming toward them.
"Hi." Tyler smiled at Jared as he slid onto the bench Richard was sitting on and wrapped his arms around him. "Missed you."
"You've been gone twenty minutes." Richard laughed.
"I know. It was hell." Tyler kissed Richard before looking at Jared. "Haven't seen you forever."
"Been busy with work. Today's the first day I've had time to get away." Jared watched, jealous of how comfortable Tyler and Richard were in public together. He couldn't imagine ever being able to hold another man's hand in public, let alone kiss and hold on to each other the way these two did. "What's new?"
"Nothin' at all. Just slaving away." Tyler leaned against Richard.
"He's lying. He's now a manager at the dealership he's working at. In charge of the whole shop now."
Jared remembered that Tyler was a mechanic. "That's fantastic. Congratulations."
"Thanks." Tyler looked uncomfortable at the praise. "Anyway, besides that, nothing new."
Jared laughed. "I guess nothing new also translates into nothing bad."
"It does," Richard agreed. "We're taking off next weekend to do a charity ride to Vegas. We'll spend the weekend there."
"We should just get married there and save all the hassle." Tyler sighed.
"Better not. I'm looking forward to your wedding," Jared teased.
"Yeah, you and everyone else." Tyler rolled his eyes.
"Not happy?" Tyler's reaction surprised Jared.
"No, I'm happy. I just think it would be faster and easier to hit the courthouse or to let Elvis marry us in Vegas."
