Chapter 3

“It’s really cold tonight! Aren’t you freezing here? Come on, take the money and go grab something hot. It’s freaking cold!”

Those gems of honey look at me as if they don’t understand. I’m about to ask him if he doesn’t speak English, or if he is deaf, or if he’s so stoned he thinks I’m really Santa Claus, when I see him nod and go back to reading his book.

That’s it. A nod.

He probably has a few screws loose.

Or he’s on drugs. But no, he doesn’t look like a junkie.

“As you wish. I was just trying to be nice. Sometimes I try so hard for nothing, huh.”

No reaction. He is already back to reading his book and completely ignores me. Well, fuck it! I won’t give him another dime.

* * * *

Lucas

The air is getting colder and my eyes start to burn. My legs are numb. People keep walking back and forth. It’s amazing how New York is truly the city that never sleeps. I put the book in my backpack and breathe on my hands to warm them.