“Ma’am,” Carl said, “this is Leo.”
Leo glanced at Vivian, then at the RV.
“You’re really buying that thing?”
“Yes.”
“You know it drinks gas like it’s offended by money.”
“Then I suppose we’ll both need to pace ourselves.”
One corner of his mouth twitched.
Carl took that as a positive sign and hurried on.
“Leo’s been doing odd jobs around the lot.
Detailing. Moving units. He can drive anything with wheels. He said
he’d consider taking a private job if the pay made sense.”
Vivian looked at Leo.
“What would make sense?”
“Where to?”
“West.”
“That’s not a place.”
“It is when you need distance.”
Leo studied her face longer this time.
Most adults glanced at him and saw trouble.
Vivian glanced at him and saw exhaustion holding itself upright by pure attitude.
He shoved his hands deeper into his pockets.
“You running from somebody?”
“Yes.”
He nodded once, as if that was answer enough.
“How far west?”
“Oregon, eventually. Maybe Nevada first. Maybe Arizona. I’d like to see New Mexico before I die.”
Carl made a strangled sound.
“Ma’am, let’s not phrase it like that.”
Vivian ignored him.
Leo asked, “You got cash?”
“I have resources.”
“That’s a yes from someone who still balances a checkbook.”
“I do still balance a checkbook,” Vivian said. “And I also know how to wire funds.”
His eyes narrowed, impressed despite himself.
“You know how much this’ll cost?”
“Enough.”
“For how long?”
Vivian considered.
“Two weeks to start. Longer if we don’t hate each other.”
Carl muttered, “I am absolutely not hearing this.”
Leo looked at the dark highway beyond the lot.
Then back at Vivian.
“You got rules?”
“Yes.”
“Let’s hear them.”
“No smoking in the RV.”
“Don’t smoke.”
“No stealing.”
He let out a breath through his nose.
“Not stealing from the old lady. Great start.”
Vivian continued, “No calling me sweetheart.”
That surprised him.
“Fine.”
“And if you are in serious trouble with
the law, angry ex-girlfriends, or debt collectors, I would appreciate
full disclosure before we cross state lines.”
Carl nearly choked.
Leo actually laughed.
It changed his whole face.
