Chapter 7

I placedthe blankets on the floor of the warehouse, grateful it wasn’t winter because we’d be dead by now. I’d missed the last week of school, and so had Trent, but it didn’t matter.

I’d given some guy on the street fifty bucks to pretend he was my uncle so we could get Trent out of the hospital when he was fit to be released.

Surprisingly, it had worked.

That was weeks ago now, and we were living out of an old abandoned warehouse with a couple of other bums. We kept to our small corner, away from everyone. So far, the experience hadn’t been the worst, but it definitely wasn’t great.

It was summer, though, so it would work out. I’d get us back on track as soon as I figured out better living arrangements.

We were out of money. I couldn’t leave his side because I didn’t want him to be alone, but I needed to do something and fast.

“I’m hungry,” Trent said softly as he sat on an old chair I’d found in the dumpster.

I breathed out, an idea forming.

“Let’s go for a ride, OK?”

He nodded, and I helped him to his feet. I made quick work of packing our stuff and putting it into the car. We didn’t have much gas left in the car, but I’d figure it out.

I got him into the front seat, climbed behind the wheel, and started the engine. We idled for a moment before I pulled onto the street and headed to Twisty Cone. I knew it was Thursday, and they threw out a lot of shit on Thursdays. They were all cones and old cookies, but it was better than nothing,

I could go without eating, but Trent couldn’t. He was still trying to recover from the nightmare we were trapped in.

We rode there in silence, and I parked the car.

“Wait here, OK?”

He nodded, his eyes closed. His stomach gave a loud growl that made me even more desperate to get him something to eat.

I locked the doors, went to the dumpster, and jumped inside, rifling through everything. I came out with a pack of cones and a dozen stale cookies. It was better than nothing.

“What are you doing?” a girl called out to me as I jumped out of the dumpster.

I stared at her as she walked toward me. She was pretty, that was for sure, and not a lot older than me. Early twenties at the most.

“Uh, just dropped these,” I said, holding out the old cones in their tattered package.

Her eyes skimmed me before she took in the car.

“Do you need help?”

I scratched my head, really hating my answer.

“I guess.” I was desperate. I needed Trent to feel better and have a full stomach. I promised my mom. . .

Fuck, how did things end up this way?

She offered me a smile. “My name is Alice. How about I get you guys some food? Where are you staying?”

“Uh. . . I’m Anson.” I cleared my throat and looked to the car. I hated sleeping on the floor of the warehouse and inside the car. I was a tall guy, and the car wasn’t exactly comfortable.

“Listen, let’s just get some food. We can talk, OK?”

I nodded, feeling numb inside.

“I’m headed over to Jack’s Diner on Ninth right now. Meet me there?”

“Yeah. Sure.” I sighed and rubbed my tired eyes.

“OK. See you soon.”

I watched her walk back to her car, wondering why she was even here in the first place. Deciding I didn’t care, I got back into the car.

“Did you get anything?” Trent asked in a shaky voice.

“Yeah. We’re going to meet someone at Jack’s and get some food.”

He let out a tired breath and nodded. The black circles rimmed his eyes. We’d both lost so much weight. So much of the zest for life we’d once had was also gone.

I started the car again and made my way over to Jack’s, all my other options exhausted.

Just like I was.