“I didn’t realize the Fair had been so good to me until it ended,” Rosie admitted, holding a bowl in his lap. It was unnerving how everything looked markedly larger in relation to Rosie’s small frame. It was cartoonish that common objects could dwarf a boy in such a remarkable way. It really was a wonder the waif had survived the streets so long, as it seemed a gusty fall gale should have carried him clear to Gary, Indiana years ago. “I was easily making two dollars a meeting and now it’s fifty cents with less frequency.”

I considered asking if Rosie had thought about trying to find a different line of work, but it was a ludicrous question given his looks and the difficulty the common man was having finding a job.

“You’re doing well, Rosie,” Cal encouraged. “You’re going out there every day even though it’s freezing and making some dough. That’s doing well now.”

Rosie nodded, appearing to be pleased with the reinforcement. “I want to sing again. I’ve been thinking about going to one of the other clubs in Towertown to see if they’ll give me a chance to perform, and if I do good, maybe they’ll even pay me something.”

“What a great idea!” Cal exclaimed, his positive reaction bringing a smile to Rosie’s often sullen face. “I’ll go with you tomorrow to knock on some doors. Maybe 1935 will bring us new opportunities.” He leaned over to clank his spoon against mine, giving me a flirty grin that I couldn’t help but return.

“I’ll ask my three parlors if they’re looking for anybody,” I volunteered, my offer obviously taking Cal and Rosie by surprise.

“You would do that for me?” Rosie breathed, overwhelmed by the gesture.

“It’s not a big deal,” I tsked, not wanting to make it anything more than a few words and a subsequent action.

“It is to us,” Cal stated, speaking for him and his friend.

For the remainder of the conversation, Cal kept his hand resting high on my thigh under the blanket we shared. He was always affectionate in private since I allowed it, but it seemed he was even more drawn to me after my kindness toward Rosie. As Cal told us about his latest moonshine order, he pressed random kisses to my jawline and raked his fingers through my hair. He couldn’t keep away and I didn’t want him to.