Most of the camp residents would congregate at the firepit after dark. While daylight remained, only a few of the community members gathered. “How did you end up here?” Jed truly wanted to know my story.
“My parents died when I was fourteen. I lived alone for the summer before the cops realized I didn’t have any supervision. I never had a job because my entire adult life has been spent behind bars—or outside with a bottle of whiskey in my hand. Like you, Jed, I never hurt anyone; I made sure of that.” Eliminating portions of the truth was still a lie, but more to myself than Jed.
Clearing emotion from his throat, Felix joined in the storytelling. “I never thought I would follow in my mom’s footsteps. When I was twelve, she died of a drugoverdose. The state split up my family and I bounced around different foster homes until I was old enough to get out. Been living here and there ever since.”
“I’m from Minnesota, originally.” Dennis’ voice startled me. “A little town outside Minneapolis. My best friend talked me into smoking crack with him one night and I never went back. I lost everything. I couldn’t save my marriage and my parents don't want anything to do with me.” He sighed and pursed his lips. “So, here I am. Making the best of my shit life.”
Trying to stay upbeat, Dennis switched gears. “Y’all’d be surprised how much a person can make standing at an intersection with a styrofoam cup. Lots of people give a dollar and if I can get ten, I can buy my food and drink. That's all that matters.Don’t need money for rent or electricity. No car payment, no TV. It’s the best of both worlds. If I wanted a job, I could probably get one, but then I couldn’t do all the other things I want to do all day. Like drink.” He held up his bottle and gulped. “Or chill.”
One of his pills appeared in his hand and he popped it into his mouth. It didn’t hit me until we were in forced proximity: Dennis babbles like Bubba Gump when he's high. I wondered who he got his supply from; he always had a stash of pills. He’d been here for a while, so I was sure he had his connections.
“Eighty percent of the people standing on the cornerwith a sign drive away in Beamers. The rest of us do anything we can to make a buck.”
KENNEDY RARELYleft my mind. It had been difficult to watch the man who took her behind the counter dominate her. My dad had treated Mom that way, like she was less than him. She wasn’t, by any means.
Felix had teased me about Kennedy being someone who would be perfect for me. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted someone to love. It hadn’t been the right time or place for Kennedy to be the one.
During a particularly bad day spent feeling down on myself, I wondered what to do next with my life. We had been to Elaine’s a couple times the previous week and when one of the guys mentioned food, I suggested the restaurant where Kennedy worked.
Looking forward to seeing her smile, I decided to splurge. I didn’t really have the extra funds, but I wanted to see my pretty waitress. Maybe she could lift my spirits.
Disappointed that Kennedy wasn’t working, I asked the owner about her. “Elaine, where has Kennedy been? The last few times we’ve been in, she hasn’t been working.”
The simple question was met with a shrug. “Shejust up and left one day. Husband came in and pulled her out by the arm. Haven't seen her since; one day she was here, the next she was just gone. Didn’t even pick up her last check. To tell you the truth,” she leaned closer, “I'm a little worried about her. I went to the address on her application to see if maybe she was sick. The office manager at the motel said they had checked out two days earlier. I hope she’s okay.”
Chapter 22
Kennedy, age twenty—June 2008
SUITCASES laidopen on the bed, half full of clothes. Cody packed our things in a hurry; most of the task had been finished before I got out of the shower. My entire body hurt from the previous week of pleasuring customers from all walks of life.
Each night, someone different knocked on our door shortly after Cody fed me two green and white pills and four shots of whiskey. The dose made me sleepy and agreeable. With just the right amount, I almost enjoyed the pain.
“Let’s go.”
“What about the rest of my stuff …”
He pushed past me with a suitcase and pointed to two duffle bags. Most of my summer clothes hung in the closet and my makeup littered the sink in the bathroom. I grabbed a grocery bag and threw whatever I could into it as he screamed for me to hurry.
A taxi picked us up and delivered us to the airport. I knew better than to question where we were going and why. I had to trust Cody; he was my husband and he had already made plans.
Everything happened so fast, I didn’t have a chance to even tell Elaine I was leaving. Not only was she my boss, but she had also become my friend. My only friend. Although my last check wouldn’t amount to much, I had worked for it and was upset that Cody made me leave so quickly.
At the ticket counter, Cody demanded, “Two tickets to Anchorage.”
“We’re going home?” My face lit up at the idea. I was so happy to finally leave the place that turned Cody into a bad person. While we waited to board the plane, I asked why we were going back to Alaska. “Not that I mind, I love the mountains and cooler weather. But how did this decision come about?”
Cody stared out the window and watched the planes move to and from the gates. Once on the runway, they sped and lifted into the air. He smiled when they disappeared into the clouds.
A frown took over his expression. “I couldn’t make enough at work and my boss refused to give me a raise. He said I needed to intern for a year before I would start making any real money. Apparently, it was detailed in the offer letter. Like I would have read that.” His scoffalmost made me laugh, then I thought better of it.
Stunned by how he had confessed, I held my breath. He hasn’t spoken this many words to me in months. If I moved, he might stop talking.
“I told them you needed mental help and thought my internship allowed me access to drugs to help my wife. They offered to refer you to a fellow doctor, but I turned them down. When he found out I took the prescription pads, he fired me. We’re broke.”
I placed my hand over my mouth and held in my gasp. His honesty surprised me. “So, it’s my fault we had to move.”
His eyes met mine and he squinted. “Without paying rent, we couldn’t stay in the motel, now, could we? While you were in the shower, the office manager said we had two hours to vacate. If we didn’t, we’d be arrested.” Focused on his shoes, Cody mumbled something I couldn’t hear.
