Page 43 of Always a Roommate
Slowly, he turned. The dog at his side let out a yip that seemed like it was supposed to be intimidating. I knew better than to approach a dog I’d never met, even one who looked as pathetic as this one, so I stopped a safe distance away.
“Hey…” He searched for my name as he gripped the strap of his backpack.
“Rae.” I smiled, letting him know it was okay. “And you’re Trevor. I drove you to school one day last week, remember?”
He nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I appreciate that.”
Wow, the kid had manners. “I’m no ma’am. Call me Rae, okay?”
He shrugged.
“What are you doing out of school?”
His eyes fell to his dirty sneakers, and I instantly felt sorry for him. Something was obviously very wrong.
“Are you sick?” I asked.
He shook his head.
“Did you not have a way to get there?”
Again, his only answer was to shake his head.
“Is everything okay at home, Tre—”
He cut me off. “It’s because of the dog.”
I hadn’t expected that. “You can’t go to school because of the dog?”
His shoulders rose as he sighed. “It’s hard to explain.”
I studied him, the torn backpack over one shoulder. The faded jeans and wrinkled black t-shirt. The skateboard tucked under one arm. “Come with me.” I didn’t wait for an answer as I marched back across the street. “You two need to stay outside.” I pointed to a small white iron table on the sidewalk. “I’ll be right back.”
I still wasn’t sure what was going on, but this kid obviously needed something. I didn’t have a lot to offer, but I could feed him. Walking into the bakery, Mariana gave me an odd look. “Have a new friend?” Her eyes flicked to the large window.
“Long story.” Every time I walked in here to talk cakes for clients, I stifled the urge to run out the door the moment I caught a whiff of the multiple coffee aromas mixing as they swirled in the air. But just like every time before, I swallowed that urge down. “Can we push off our meeting a bit?”
“Of course.” She gave me a concerned look. “Everything okay?”
“I’m not exactly sure.”
“Can I get you anything to eat? The kid looks like he could use a scone or twenty.”
“Yes, actually.” I studied her case of pastries. “How about an Earl Grey for me and a hot chocolate?” Kids liked those, right? “And maybe one of your mini quiches, two scones, and better throw in a second quiche.”
“You’ve got it.”
I drummed my fingers on the counter as she readied my order. When she set the bag in front of me, I tried to hand her my card, but she shook her head. “Take care of those two.”
I wasn’t sure how Mariana could tell Trevor needed the help without even speaking to him. Maybe it was the mother in her. I’d always heard they had a special intuition. Not like I’d ever experienced it myself.
I stepped outside and was slightly surprised that Trevor and his friend hadn’t left. “What’s his name?” I asked, setting his hot chocolate in front of him.
Trevor patted the dog’s mangy head. “I’m calling him Cane.”
“Cane?”
He nodded. “As in hurricane. That’s what brought us together. We both hid out in the same abandoned home.”
