“So, not a creeper?” Cheryl asked as Nickolette meandered to her cubicle.

“Not at all. I guess he could be leering at me while I sleep, but I don't think so. I'd assume he was gay if I didn't know he had just gotten divorced so… then again that might be the reason. You should have met my last boss. He was the definition of sexual harassment.” Nickolette thumbed on her computer before turning. “What's up Red? You look like you have a question.”

“Oh, ah?” Lucy started in her usual shy tone, seeming surprised to have been noticed. “It's just, do you really live in your car?”

“Until I can afford a cheap apartment.”

“And speaking of affording things…” The group's boss cut in. He dropped an envelope on Cheryl's desk. “Cheryl.”

“Thank you.” Cheryl replied cheerfully. Everyone loved payday.

“Nickolette, it's only a week's worth. Next payday should be double. Fitting in well though.” He dropped the envelope on her desk and leaned over to Red. “Lucy.” A couple more steps to the rear of the alse brought him to his last drop off. “And Sam. I got the Shentell maps up now, so there is plenty of work to do.”

Nickolette let out a sigh of relief as her new boss headed off to his office and she found a check worth actual money in her hands. No more canned sausages.

***

Nickolette tried not to let the rain bother her. It was cold and unpleasant and was going to mean her car was going to get muddy. Jake’s tent had moved. Its original position now sported a sizable puddle. The current location included a tarp covering, giving it about two feet of dry ground in front of a somewhat open tent flap. Jake was visible inside fiddling with a cell phone.

“Hey.” Nickolette said, getting Jake's attention while trying to squeeze herself into the dry spot. “Its payday, I bought Sorjev, want some?”

Jake stared at her for a moment with a befuddled look on his face as she held up the bag of food containers. “Oh, ah, sure.” He tossed the phone to the side and leaned forward to unzip the tent enough to let her in.

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Nickolette fell to her knees as she struggled to kick off her wet shoes. Jake took the bag from her, freeing her hands to fumble with the tent's zipper. By the time she turned around, Jake had scooted backward and placed the bag on a plastic tote. She shifted her weight onto her ass and started unloading the contents of her bag onto the makeshift table.

“You didn't need to include me in this.” Jake said as Nickolette unveiled dumplings, and four different types of sauced meats.

“Eh, this is my first payday in this town. I didn't have anyone else to celebrate with.”

“Oh? Where you from?”

Nickolette handed over one of the plastic forks. “Palisade. You?”

“Greenbrush.”

Nickolette nodded as she chewed on a strip of spicy pork. She pointed the business end of her plastic fork at Jake before asking, “so what do you do all day? I doubt you need a ladder to beg on the street corner.”

“Handyman shit. Cleaning gutters and dog shit at the moment.”

Nickolette snorted. “How's that pay?”

“$50 to clean up dog shit. $150 for gutters.”

“How many gutter jobs have you gotten?”

“Four yesterday. Only two the day before.”

Nickolette stopped chewing. “That's almost more than I make in a week. You did make more. Fuck.”

Jake chuckled. “For now. I didn't do anything today. But I got a phone now. Might head to the library tomorrow and print out some flyers. Can't set up an actual business until I have an address though.”

Nickolette switched to the peanut chicken. She gave a few thoughtful chews before deciding it was delicious and continuing the conversation. “What do you need for a business?”

“Insurance mostly. Some paperwork filed with the Polei and maybe a permit from the city. All that needs a license, a phone number, and an address. I'm just short the address at the moment.”

“I've got a few more weeks before I can start looking for a cheap apartment. Looking forward to not sleeping in my car.”

Jake nodded. “Yeah. I'd prefer a house, but I don't have the work history or down-payment needed to even look.”

“Ha, I've never had that much saved up. Or a stable enough life to think about owning a home. Not sure what I do with one.”

“I'd fix it up and either rent it out or sell it. Then buy another.”

“Well, let me know when you got a place to rent.” Nickolette said before dipping her jerked chicken into one of the sauces.

“Sure, doubt I'll find you here when I'm ready for that though.”

“Not going to ask for my number?” She asked with a teasing tone.

“Didn't want to imply interest in dating. I think I'd like to stay single for a year, or two, or six.”

Nickolette snorted. “Fuck I hear you there. Last girlfriend was a bitch. I'm fucking horrible with relationships.”

Jake lifted his dumpling. “Here's to avoiding relationship bullshit then.”

Nickolette lifted her own dumpling. “Aye aye.”