Chapter 2: A Hot Meal

 The money from my tin lunch box and what my mother stashed didn't last long. I only had $143.83 in my lunchbox, and my mom had $378.00.

I tried to get a hotel room the second night on my own, but I was told I was too young. I was old enough for my father to kick me out of the house, but somehow not old enough to rent a damn room to sleep in! How fucked up is that? 

I thought I'd get used to being homeless, but I'm almost 19, and I still haven't gotten used to it. The town I grew up in is far behind me in another state. I knew I couldn't stay there. My father had eyes everywhere. Getting out of that town proved to be both easy and hard. I did what anyone without transportation or money would do; I walked along the road leading out of town, and stuck my thumb out each time someone drove past. 

Many vehicles passed me before a semi truck finally pulled over. I was thrilled. I had always wanted to ride in a semi. They're so big and powerful. I always thought it had to be fun, and at first it was.

At first, everything was fine. The guy seemed friendly and asked me a lot of questions. I didn't mind the questions, after all, he was just a stranger, and would be out of my life as soon as I got far enough away from my father. 

The truck driver thought it was funny and cute how excited I was as I checked out the inside of his rig. I even got to sleep in his bed while he drove. I don't think I ever slept so well as I did those four hours while he drove. 

But everything changed when I woke up. When I woke up, I quickly realized the ride wasn't as free as I had thought. 

I woke up to the sound of his belt buckle clinking. I rubbed my eyes and opened them to see his pants dropping as he pulled his dick out. 

It was the first time I had ever done anything sexual with another person. I never imagined my first sexual experience would be like that, or with an older man I didn't know. 

I had a crash course lesson on how to suck a dick, whether I wanted to learn or not. I had two more lessons along the way before I finally snuck out of his truck when he went in to pay for fuel. 

It wasn't as far as I wanted to go, but if I had to suck that sick fucks dick one more time, I would have thrown up all over it...

  

That was two years ago, and the town I'm in now isn't as bad as the others, and a hell of a lot better than the town I grew up in. However, that could be because they have no idea I'm gay. But even still, this place is much better than any place I've been so far.

This little town has a small homeless shelter in the back of a church, but it's always full. I get here early, and most nights I get a bed, but some nights I don't. Those nights are rough since I have to sleep on the streets. 

I tried my luck at scoring a job. I applied everywhere I could think of, including this little diner I'm standing outside of right now, but no one seems willing to hire someone without an address. But it's kind of hard to have an address if you don't have a place to live. It's frustrating.

I sigh as I drop down on the ground in the parking lot and lean back against a yellow pole. 

My stomach growls and grinds on itself, reminding me how hungry I am. My feet ache from walking across town to this little diner where I thought for sure I'd be able to get a job. I was told this place likes to pay under the table. I didn't think I'd need an address for that, but apparently I do. 

Tiredness hits me just as hard as the urge to cry does. I pull my knees up to my chest and squeeze my eyes closed as I wrap my arms around my legs and rest my forehead and my knees. My throat tightens. My chest stutters as I fight back tears. Why does everything always have to be so hard? Why can't I, for once, catch a break?

Gravel kicks up as a heavy vehicle pulls into the parking lot, but I don't lift my head. Vehicles come and go all the time, and no one pays me any attention. I'm invisible in every town, except when I want to be.

I hear a car door shut, and at first I don't hear footsteps. After a moment, I finally hear footsteps, but they don't fade toward the diner as I expected. Instead, they get closer, so I lift my head. 

When I look up, I see a large, burly man who looks like a construction worker approaching. I look behind him and see his large truck, with ladders and toolboxes in the back. 

“Hey kiddo, you okay?” He asked, his voice deep and gravely. 

“Yeah,” I replied quietly. 

His lips pressed together into a thin line, and his eyes narrowed as he studied me. 

“I've seen you around town… I've seen you in line at the shelter. You're homeless, huh?” He asked, and I didn't know whether to feel embarrassed or angry. I suppose I feel a little of both. 

“Yeah… I am. Why do you ask?”

His lips pressed together into a thin line again before he scratched the back of his head. He looked back at his truck, then to the diner, before his eyes landed on me again. 

“You hungry?”

What kind of stupid question is that? I wanted to say, but I didn't. I didn't get to say anything, at least not with my mouth. My damn stomach answered for me, and he raised an eyebrow as he looked down at it. 

“Come on. I'll buy you some breakfast,” He said, nudging his chin toward the diner before turning and walking away without waiting for a reply.

I didn't budge. I wasn't sure if I should. What would it cost me? What kind of sexual favor would he want? 

He stopped and looked back at me, raising a brow.

“Well? You hungry or not?” He said, then turned back toward the diner and continued walking.

As weary as I am, I'm starving. I jumped to my feet, grabbed my bag, slung it over my shoulder, and took off running after the construction worker. 

I tried not to eat like a pig, but it's been a long time since I've had a hot, fresh meal like this. 

The man raised a brow at me, pausing with his fork hovering above his plate. 

“Slow down, kid. I'm not going to steal it from you.” He said, and heat spread across my face as I looked up at him. 

I slowly swallowed my food and wiped my mouth. 

“I'm sorry!” I said quietly, looking down at my plate again. 

“It's just… It's been a while since I've eaten like this.”

“Like what?” he asked, lifting his eyes from his plate to look at me. His brown eyes curiously studied me as he waited for a reply.

“A hot, fresh meal,” I said even quieter. 

His jaw ticked as he stared at me. I don't know what his problem is; he's the one who asked a silly question like that to a homeless person. Of course I'd be hungry!

His throat moved dramatically as he swallowed thickly. His brown eyes remained on me, like he couldn't pull them away.

Then finally, he looked down at his plate again, and at first, he didn't attempt to eat. After a few seconds had passed, he continued eating. He scooped eggs onto his fork and brought them to his mouth, only this time a little slower. 

We ate in silence for a few minutes before he spoke again.

“Do you want a job?” He asked, and my head shot up. 

“W-What?”

“Do you want a job?”

“Y-Yes! I've been trying, but no one will hire me because I don't have an address.” I said, eagerly looking at him, hoping this was the break I've been looking for.

He looked down at his plate and shoveled a forkful of eggs into his mouth. When he swallowed, he looked at me. 

“You got any framing experience?” He asked, and my heart sank. 

I frowned as I looked down and shook my head.

“No,” I said quietly.

“Huh… Well… Are you a fast learner?” he asked, and hope once again filled me as my head shot up. 

“Yes, sir! I'm a very fast learner, and I'll work hard.” I said, and I swore I saw his lips tug up. But as quickly as it was there, it was gone. 

He nodded and hummed as he looked down at his plate again. 

“I come through here every morning at 7:00 a.m. sharp. I have breakfast here before heading to the job site. If you can be here at 7:00 Monday through Friday, you'll have a job. If you're not here, I won't wait, and you won't have a job. 

If you can't get here when I ask, then I don't need you working for me. If you can, I'll buy you breakfast and take you to the job site with me.

I'll pay cash at the end of each day. After working for me for a while and proving yourself, we can throw you on payroll. 

Since you have no idea what you're doing, and I'm going to have to teach you everything, I'm only paying you 10 bucks an hour. The more you learn, the better you do, the more I'll pay. If you learn fast, then you should move up the pay ladder fast,” He said before taking a bite. 

“I-I can be here! I'll be here every day at 7:00! Hell, I'll come early.” I said eagerly. 

He nodded as he looked at me. 

“Very well…” He paused. “What’s your name, kid?” 

“Tristan… My name is Tristan.”

“Tristan… very well. Be here tomorrow at 7:00, and you have yourself a job.” The man said before wiping his face, grabbing the bill, and standing. 

“Take your time and finish up.” He said before walking away. 

“Wait!” I called out, and he stopped and looked back at me. 

“What is your name?” 

“Walker... See you tomorrow, kid,” He said, before walking off to pay the bill. 

“Thank you!” I hollered out across the diner after he paid and was walking toward the door. 

Walker looked at me and nodded before walking out the door.

I smiled as I shoved a piece of bacon in my mouth. 

I have a job!

I finally have a job!