“Don’t eat all the sandwiches,” Glenn says and shoves his earpiece back in.

You wait until the next time I catch you on the bridge with your stupid dog.

*

I END up alongside Rolf for the back wall; he paints and whistles. I paint. Next, in the garage, we coat the window boxes with wood sealant. The two of us, working together.

As we rinse the brushes in the sink in the garage, Rolf says, “You’re a good worker, Brick. You want a reference anytime, you just ask.”

“Oh. Er, thanks.”

“We should finish the second coat in plenty of time tomorrow.

Tuesday’s pay day. I’ll get cash at the bank machine and you can

pick it up here at the end of my shift.”

“I’m cool with that.”

I’ll open an account at the bank on Wednesday and put my whole stash in it. A year from December and I’m outta here.

Seventeen months from now. A room of my own in Halifax. I don’t care if it’s only eight-by-ten, providing it’s mine. With a key so I can lock the door. Enough money for meals would be a bonus. The room won’t be big enough for hockey gear. Isn’t that too bad?

It’s around eight by the time I load Cassie on the ATV. “Say good night.”

Natural as can be, Cassie lifts her face to Marigold, who hugs her and drops a kiss on her cheek. I can’t remember the last time Opal kissed Cassie.

I should never have taken this job.

We drive home along the road. As we pull up by the garage, Floyd’s holding the car door open for Opal, him wearing slacks and a blazer, her in a long red dress. I turn off the ignition and stay put, deeply thankful we left Rolf’s before Floyd drove past.

“You’re spending a lot of time away from home, kiddo. New girlfriend?”

He knows I’ve never had a girlfriend.

“Good thing Cassie’s along as a chaperone,” he adds, jovial for him. “If you need us, we’re at The Black Schooner—the restaurant in Collings Harbor.”

The house would have to be burning down before I’d need you, Floyd.

Once the taillights disappear around the bend, I do a little shuffle in the driveway. After Cassie’s in bed, I can make garlic-flavored popcorn and watch TV. Or google stuff on Floyd’s laptop.

Cassie wants me to read Oh, the Places You’ll Go! She’s asleep by page four. Downstairs, the movie channel wins over the laptop. I line up two cans of Coke and the popcorn and settle in.

3.4 [“If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)” or “Night of the Long Knives,” take your pick]