"How are you doing?"
Terry, the only one of my friends, who didn't turn his back on me. I know he cares about me, but that question's making me sick. How many ways are there to say, I'm fine, when I'm not?
"Alright." I shrug, taking a generous gulp of my beer. "I still don't have a job and Farrah doesn't let me see my son, I'm pretty sure I'm about to get thrown out of that shithole called my flat, but I'm alright."
"I know I've told you this a hundred times, but let me help you, Lindsey. I'll give you some money and you'll pay me back whenever you can." Terry tells me and as usual, I shake my head.
"Out of the question. You've done enough, you've already helped me." I say. "Just because we're friends, you can't keep saving my ass."
"What happened to you is unfortunate, but life goes on, man." Terry puts his hand on my shoulder. "You've got to keep going, you've got to find yourself a job, get back on your feet. Do it for your boy, Lindsey."
I sigh, seeing my bottle is empty, I put it down on the table. "It's not as easy as it sounds, when you have a criminal record."
"It was an accident. I know you and you would have never hurt someone intentionally."
"No, but I was reckless and stupid, so it did happen. My life's ruined." I hang my head low. I'm surprised Terry actually stuck by my side. I'm losing will do to anything and honestly, he's the only person pushing me forward. He's like a brother to me, always has been. "I got fired, my girlfriend left me and she took Harry. What else do I have to live for?"
"Yourself, to begin with." Terry orders us another round, leaning in closer. "I hate seeing you like this, Lindsey."
"You should do what everyone else did and leave me behind."
Laughing, he shakes his head. "Not going to happen, buddy. You know I would never do that. You've been my best friend since we were kids."
"I'm going to end up living on the street." I say, ignoring Terry's words. "I'm going to catch some disease or die from hunger, or someone's going to stab me, because I was begging for money on their corner."
"Jesus, Buckingham! Stop talking like this. If you go on like this, I'm going to tie you up and drag you back to my place. You're going to live on my couch, at least I'll know you're safe."
I half-smile, downing half a bottle of beer that's just been brought to me. "I'm sure Sheila would love that." I laugh, referring to his wife.
"You know what I just remembered?" Terry suddenly seems excited. "I know it's not ideal and it's not exactly your line of work, but my neighbors are looking for a gardener."
"A gardener?" I raise my eyebrow skeptically. "Are you joking?"
"Well, it's a start, Lindsey. You've got talented hands, you cut grass, some rose bushes and you get paid!"
"Wait, you are serious." I laugh, shaking my head. "Come on, man..."
"I thought, you just said, you were about to lose the place you live in. You prefer getting stabbed in the street? Lindsey, it's not great, but it's something."
"I'm not qualified."
"How qualified do you have to be, seriously?" Terry rolls his eyes. "I'm only trying to help, you don't have to be an ass about it."
I sit for a minute, thinking. I mean... it's not like I've got anything better going for me right now. Sure, I'm a man in my thirties, I should be working in some office, but the truth is – I'm not. I've got to pay rent and buy groceries. I'm sure the job doesn't pay much, but maybe those neighbors of Terry's need more help around the house, maybe I'll manage to get some extra cash. I shake my head, I'm getting ahead of myself.
"Fine, I'd be grateful if you could ask them." I say eventually. "You're right, I need to start somewhere."
"Good, that's good." Terry pats me on my back, grinning. "I'll talk to Jerry and get back to you." He adds, wiggling his eyebrows. "By the way, his fiancée is pretty damn hot, too."
