Read Online When You Don't See Me by Timothy James Beck - Free Book Online Page B

“Benny, I told you I didn’t think I should take that client in Chelsea.”
    â€œWhat happened, Nick? Come in to the office and tell me your side.”
    â€œNo. What did he tell you? Whatever he said is a lie.”
    I heard Benny sigh. “He said a guy named William stole from him. I can only assume you’re William.”
    â€œI didn’t take anything.”
    â€œHe claims he has it all on video. Do I need to see that? I don’t want to think of you stealing. Don’t make me watch it,” Benny begged. “I’m so disappointed in you. I thought you were a nice kid. This is the age of surveillance, Nick. Mr. Brooks has nanny-cams all over his apartment. I didn’t think I’d have to explain things like this to you, of all people.”
    â€œWhat can I do to keep my job?” I asked warily.
    â€œIf you pay him back—give back whatever it was you took from him—I won’t have to fire you. Or you can quit.”
    I nearly dropped my phone. I hadn’t taken anything. But Parker D. Brooks had video of me riffling through his drawers and closets. It was my word against my actions. Parker D. Brooks didn’t have to screw me. I’d already screwed myself stupid.
    â€œI didn’t take anything,” I repeated. “I guess I’ll have to quit.”
    â€œI’m sorry, Nick,” Benny said mournfully.
    I didn’t want to be a snitch, but I decided to take someone else down with me. “Deshaun is sleeping with Mr. Brooks.”
    â€œSweetie, I know. I’ve bought all their videos. Good-bye, Nick.”
    Â 
    When Roberto came home, he found Kendra and me in the living room. She was plying me with hot tea and telling me about the times she’d been fired. She had a lot of stories.
    â€œHalf the town got botulism. Could you just die?” she was saying.
    â€œDid they?”
    â€œWhat’s going on?” Roberto asked.
    â€œPoor guy lost his job,” Kendra said. She patted my hand and I snatched it away. I didn’t deserve coddling.
    Roberto sat down. I told him what happened, without using names, and he said, “I’m glad you didn’t do it. You would’ve hated yourself afterward. Or you would’ve hated yourself if you got a disease from him. Where does this pig live? I’ll kill him.”
    â€œI was propositioned once,” Kendra said archly. We waited for more, but she just stared at the table and nodded.
    â€œWhat now?” Roberto asked.
    â€œI guess I look for another job.”
    â€œYou’ll get one. Something better,” Kendra predicted.
    â€œI hope so. I don’t want to have to borrow money from anyone.”
    Of course that was the moment Morgan walked in. Why wasn’t she as noisy coming home as she’d been when she left that morning? Her eyes narrowed, as if she was willing a truth-seeking laser to fire at me, and she asked, “Why would you need to borrow money? More importantly, where are those boxes that were in the kitchen?”
    Roberto exclaimed, “I knew something was different around here.”
    â€œI needed something to do, and those boxes were annoying the crap out of me,” I explained. “I put your stuff in your room. I lost my job.”
    Morgan said, “That sucks,” then went into her room.
    â€œWas that her being comforting?” Roberto asked. “She probably had to lie down after being so warm.”
    â€œShe probably meant it sucks that you went in our room,” Kendra said.
    â€œNo,” I said. “She meant it sucks that I went in your room and the snakes didn’t kill me.”

 
    March 26, 2003
    Hey, Nick,
    Hope you don’t mind that Blaine gave me your address. I had to send you this brilliant drawing from Emily. She was at the office with me, and my assistant gave her markers and paper. When I admired the drawing and asked what it was, she said it was from the day she was with