webnovel

Chapter 25

“I hope you won’t suddenly realize you’ve taken on a responsibility you don’t need.”

“Hey. You’re not a responsibility, as you put it. You’re someone I can call a friend. Besides which, as soon as you get a job you’ll be pulling your weight.” Beau patted Rick’s leg, grinning. “As little as it is.”

“Ouch.”

“I was teasing.”

“I know. If I keep eating the way I have been, though, I might be up to fighting weight soon.”

“Not a damned thing wrong with that. Speaking of which, let’s stop for dinner.”

They did, at a restaurant the billed itself as family-style. Rick got chicken-fried steak, while Beau opted for the meatloaf, saying, “A big change from last night, huh?”

Rick grinned. “No kidding.”

They ended the meal with slices of apple pie, topped with ice cream.

* * * *

“Now we walk it off?” Rick asked as they left the restaurant.

“Nope. We go back the motel so you can get online to look for jobs you think you can handle.”