Raina did know. Michael was very sweet, but was a junior in college and she definitely wasn’t a cradle robber. “I’m very grateful, Kell.” Raina sniffed.
“That’s what friends are for.” she said.
Raina returned to her office shortly after, with Kelly in tow to make sure that Roger had left.
“Thanks, he’s gone.” Raina said with relief. Still, she couldn’t help but think there would be repercussions for having rejected Rog. She shivered nervously.
The rest of the day passed in a whirl of activity and at five o’clock, she picked up her bag and left for home. In the lobby, Raina felt someone tap on her shoulder. She smiled brightly when she saw Christopher.
“Going home?” he said conversationally. Raina nodded.
“Yeah me too. I feel beat, long day. But don’t think I’m complaining, boss.” he said.
Raina laughed and then her expression grew solemn.
“I know what you mean. I had a longish day myself.”
“Want to talk about it? I have wide shoulders and big ears.” Christopher said and tugged at his ears.
He looked foolish and he made Raina laugh. She shook her head. Her baggage was too much to place on another person. As it was, she felt guilty about putting Kelly in the position of sorting out her problems. The kids were her responsibility and it was up to her to figure out what to do about the father thing.
They walked out together chatting about inconsequential things. He was easy to talk to, Raina noticed. She needed to be careful not to let her guard down and say too much in front of him.
He walked her to her car, parked in the front parking lot.
“Do you want a ride?” she offered, remembering that he walked home most days. He contemplated her for a moment and then nodded. Raina felt uncomfortable with her skirt riding up to her thighs when she sat in the driver’s seat. Christopher glanced down, his eyes trailing over her legs, and then jerked his head up and kept his eyes on the windshield. The car jerked and sputtered a little before starting and Raina groaned out loud.
“I had to take it in for repairs; I hope it doesn’t break down again.”
“I know a little about cars. If you like, I can take a look at it for you.” Christopher offered.
“No thanks, you have enough on your plate with your job.” Raina said.
“It’s not a problem Raina. And it’s probably something small.”
Raina nodded. “OK, that would be great. I would be happy to pay for your services.”
Christopher looked at her with the beginnings of a smile.
“Is it very difficult for you to accept gifts from friends?”
“Are we friends?” Raina countered.
“Acquaintances then? You are giving me a ride, after all. Can’t I do something in exchange?”
“Alright, you can take a look at it and I won’t pay you for it.” Raina said, a small smile spreading over her face against her will.
“That’s better.”
They sat grinning at each other until Raina shook herself and put the car into gear.
“Where do I drop you off?” she said.
“Umm … at the corner of Broadway and Twentieth Street.” he said.
Raina frowned. “Broadway and Twentieth? You can’t live there, there’s nothing in that part of town but a bunch of pawn shops, parking garages, and …” Her voice trailed off as it dawned on her.
That was the address of the local homeless shelter.
She knew because she had spent several Thanksgivings many years ago volunteering at the soup kitchen there. She and her family had made it a tradition to help others before they would go and enjoy their own Thanksgiving meal.
Her heart broke into a million pieces for Christopher. She realized he must be in a much worse financial situation than he had let on.
Here was a person with more problems than herself. At least she had a roof over her head and food on the table. She imagined going to a shelter for the homeless after work and felt depressed. She cast a sidelong glance at Christopher and another wave of pity washed over her. He deserved a leg up—if only she could help him.
Just then, she remembered the old futon in her unused basement. It wasn’t the greatest space—it was packed with boxes and a bit damp and smelly, but surely, that would be better than a shelter for the homeless. At least until he got back on his feet.
“Christopher—,” she began softly, unsure how to broach the subject. She knew he might be sensitive to her offer. Raina sensed he was a proud man and he might be offended by a hand out. “I hate the idea of you staying at the homeless shelter.”
“Wha—?” Christopher started, but Raina continued.
“Look, I know you’re down on your luck, and I’d like to help. I wouldn’t be where I am today if people hadn’t helped me, and I’d like to pay it forward. I have a basement and a futon—it’s not pretty by any means, but it’s functional. You can have the basement until you get back on your feet.”
Christopher did not respond. He turned to her and she saw his brows furrow in what seemed to be confusion.
She laughed a bit when she saw his look, “I know, a basement in South Florida—people always ask about that. But it’s really more of a half-ground level, sort of storage area. Still,” she warned, “It’s not fancy or anything—but, I’d be happy for you to stay there.”
He was quiet a long time. She thought she may have injured his pride until he finally spoke.
“That’s very generous of you—but I couldn’t. I would never want to impose.” he said. His voice seemed a bit strangled. Again her heart twisted in her chest.
“Is it very difficult for you to accept help from a friend?” she said. She saw the look he gave her. “Fine, acquaintance?”
“Boss lady?”
The tension broke as they both laughed.
“Thank you very much Raina. I really do appreciate it, but—" he said. His eyes met hers and she could tell he was going to refuse her again.
“No ‘buts’,” she said firmly. Her mind was made up. “Consider it an order from your boss.”
“Raina—,” Christopher started, but he stopped at the look she gave him. He pursed his lips. She could tell he still wasn’t happy about it, but he said, “Okay. Boss. I’ll follow orders. But, only for a short time. And I’ll pay you rent.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” she brushed aside his offer and turned her blinker on, pulling to the side of the road near a run-down diner about half a block from the shelter.
When she stopped the car, she wrote down her address for him and gave him the piece of paper. They arranged that Christopher would get his things and go to Raina’s that evening.
“I’ll see you tonight. Dinner is at 6:30. Don’t be late!” she warned him playfully.
“Yes, ma’am.” Christopher said. If he’d been wearing his usual cap, she sensed he would have tipped it at her. His old-fashioned manners made her smile.
She watched him disappear in the throng of people and her heart went out to him. With the way he spoke and carried himself, Raina was sure that he had been a huge success once.
She wondered what had happened to change his life so dramatically. She shivered in the warm sun at the thought that bad luck could happen to anyone. She crossed her fingers and said a quick prayer for herself and the kids. If something like that ever happened to them, Raina knew it would kill her. She knew she was only one bad month away from ending up on the street herself.