-TeeJay

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She was watching him out of the corner of her eye, how he looked at his wallet and looked again, as if the second time he'd find more than the two bucks that he probably had left.

Joan tore herself away from the doorframe and walked over to where he was standing at his locker, his back turned towards her. She took a twenty dollar bill out of her purse and held it out to him, prompting him to look up at her.

"Jane? What's this?"

She pushed her arm forward another inch. "Take it," she said.

"I don't need your money," he started to protest.

"Yes, you do," she quietly contradicted him.

He lowered his head in shame. She was right, but it felt so wrong.

Joan spoke again. "Adam, please take it. Go and buy some groceries. You can pay me back when you have a new job."

He reluctantly took the bill from her hand.

"This isn't right," he mumbled. "But thanks."

"No, it's not right. But what Ryan's doing isn't right either. Man, we need to find you a new job."

"Easier said than done."

"Are you looking in the paper?"

"Every day."

"What about the hotel?" she asked.

"They don't have any openings right now."

"The video store?"

He sighed. "They said you need to be over 18."

"That's bull."

"Maybe so, but it doesn't look like they're gonna hire me."

Her eyes lit up. "I'll ask Sammy if you can fill in for me at the bookstore."

His face fell. "He hired you, not me. I doubt he'll agree."

"But it's worth a shot," she tried to encourage him.

"Yeah, I guess."

He sounded so crestfallen and dispirited. She couldn't help but draw him to her and hug him. He reluctantly acquiesced and his arms came around her back. Her mouth next to his ear, she told him, "We're gonna figure something out. I'll ask everyone I know. There has to be someone in this town who will give you a job."

He didn't say anything, but his gaze on her was more confident when he pulled away from the embrace. "Thank you," he said quietly.

-TeeJay

She looked at him. "Yeah, what exactly was going on with you two earlier?"

He shrugged. "I told her I quit the internship. Next thing I know, she's wrapped around me. I was as surprised as you were."

She smirked. "Don't tell me you didn't like it."

"You don't know the half of it."

"Don't get any ideas, though."

"What do you mean?"

She gave him a look. "You know what I mean."

"Yeah," he sighed, his voice suddenly low and sad.

"Hey, I'm not saying it's never gonna happen. Personally? I think there's still something there."

He looked at her skeptically. "You think? I was an ass. What I did was unforgivable."

"Agree on the first statement. Agree on the second too, but there appears to be evidence against that."

He frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Never mind. Just don't do anything stupid. If she wants it, it's gotta come from her."

He just nodded and they continued to walk the rest of the way in silence.

He shook his head and shrugged.  "I'll think of something."

"And what are you gonna do for money until you hit your epiphany?"

He shrugged again.  "Try to sell some sculptures, I guess.  Find out who's hiring.  People are always quiting at Food Town."

"Dude, you'd be miserable bagging groceries."

"Yeah, but it wouldn't cost as much to go shopping."

"What's the employee discount there?" she asked.  "Five cents off week old cabbage?"

"I'll think of something, ok?"

"Ok.  Just do it quick.  Your dad's kind of accustomed to eating."

"We'll be fine.  He's still getting Worker's Comp pay."

"That hasn't been enough for the last year, what makes you think it will now?"

He paused for a long moment.  "We'll make it work.  Only buy necessities.   Like I said, I'll try to sell some sculptures.  We'll find a way."

PS: My mom just handed me your package! Thank you!!! :dancing:

-TeeJay