I was supposed to get $150.00 but when the end of the day came, Harry called me over and said Greg hadn't made it back with $30 in petty cash. "Would he do that?" Harry asked, "Or should we be worried that something happened?"

My heavy sigh was a clear signal of my answer, "He would do that." I gave Harry $30 and apologized profusely.

He was really cool about it and said, "That's why I don't get friends jobs anymore. They screw it up. I get pissed. And well, I like my friends and don't want to lose them."

"Thanks Harry, I appreciate it." And I started to walk away and then I stopped and turned, "Hey Harry?"

"Yeah, Fran."

"Can you give me a ride home?"

He smiled kindly, "Sure Fran."

*****

The car was in the driveway when we pulled in. I waved to Harry as he left. I passed my car and looked for dents. None.

Greg was in the kitchen with a small carton in one hand and a fork in the other. At first I thought Chinese, but when he raised the fork out of the carton a two inch purple worm squirmed and slithered around the tines. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Hey Fran, dinner's ready."

"We're not that poor." He turned away and leaned into a large cardboard box.

When I looked in, I saw the two turtles go for the worm. They were viscous and split the worm in half. It was fairly disgusting.

"You bought turtles?"

"Yep, and you can name one."

"All right, how about ungrateful idiot?"

"I'm sorry Fran, but I'll get some money."

"You took my car and you left me."

"I know, I'm sorry. I couldn't go back. I can't live my life that way."

"We're talking a day Greg. One day."

"A day could be a lifetime. Who knows?"

"You are wiggin' out Greg and you can't do that, you understand? You've gone through your little psychosis with the church thing, but if you're going to live here, you have to take some responsibility and help me pay the rent."

"All right, after tomorrow, that's what I'll do. I swear I'll get some money."

"Well, tomorrow you've got to wait for the telephone guy. That's when he's fixing the phone and I got a job."

"I can't tomorrow."

"Yes, you can."

"No, I can't and I don't care if the phone works or not, it's just a little static."

"Goddamn it Greg, I can't deal with you. You're just a little selfish boy. You just won't do it because I asked you to."

"No, I have to go back to Sea World. I didn't see it all and I have to Fran. It's for a painting." But it was too late for me to respond, because I was already slamming my bedroom door.

******

Next morning, I had arranged to go to work at noon and wait for the telephone man. The doorbell rang. When I answered it, it wasn't a man at all. It was a woman in blue and white coveralls. She smiled,"Hello, I'm here to fix your phone."

"Hi, come on in."

"Love the bean bag chair. I had one in high school. Mine was pink."

I pointed her towards the phone, "Want some coffee?"

"Oh, no thanks, it makes me pee all day long. Doesn't it you?"

I couldn't help but smile, "No," I said.

"Name's Shirley."

"Fran, nice to meet you." She reached out her hand and I knew she was queer. Not lipstick, not a party girl, but a big ol' dyke. It seemed right for her.

She fixed the phone quickly and smiled shyly at me several times. There was something charming in her awkwardness that I found endearing. I wanted to be her friend.

I noticed her hands were large and strong as she handed me the clipboard. I signed my name and handed it back. She pulled a card from her front chest pocket. "Any problems, just leave a message on my voicemail. I'm not supposed to do that, but hey, you seem real nice."

"Sure, thanks. See you around."

"I hope so." And she left.