"I'm checking it out right there on his face," Billy said, pointing at Daniel and his broken nose.
"I'm talking about you coming over to my gym. Give me an hour of your time and let me put you through a little workout. If you're born to be a warrior, you might as well channel it, son. You might as well see how far it can take you—do something for yourself with it. People make a good living fighting. I'm one of them. I'm not trying to make you any promises because I haven't even seen what you got. But I'd be interested in working with you for few minutes. Just so we can try each other out."
"I don't see myself being a boxer for a job, and I don't really get into situations where I… lose fights. So, I don’t see a point in taking lessons."
"Okay, well, if you change your mind, which I hope you do, you can meet me at my gym at nine o'clock tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow is Saturday," Billy said.
"Yes, it is," Marvin agreed.
Billy took another bite of food, thinking. "I can't promise anything," he said, finally.
"I wish you'd come," Marvin said.
Billy stood up. He had been eating fast, and he had finished before I was even halfway done with my plate. "I'll think about it, but nine's early." Billy took some cash out of his pocket and began sifting through it.
"Don't," Marvin said. "I got this. I'm the one who invited you here."
"All right, well, it was nice meeting you. We'll see you around."
Billy turned to walk away. He glanced at my sister and then at me. I knew exactly where he looked because my eyes were fixed on him the whole time. His gaze locked with mine as he turned to walk out of the diner. I followed him as far as I could without blatantly turning and staring at him from over my shoulder.
I was instantly hooked.
I did not want him to walk out of the door.
I thought there was a serious possibility that I would never see him again, and I actually felt urgent and desperate at the thought.
There was no way I was going to stand up and go after him, though, so I settled for staying quiet and still and shaking off the feeling.
"He didn't even say 'thank you'," Daniel said once Billy walked away. "You offered him a free boxing lesson and paid for his dinner, and he just walked off without saying 'thank you' one time."
"Saying 'thank you' is hard for some people. Some people just haven't been taught, and for others, it's difficult. It takes a certain amount of humility and confidence to say 'thank you', Daniel. It's a little different for you because you were raised in a family where manners were required. You understand that it's the kind thing to do. But someone like Billy doesn't see it that way. Subconsciously, he probably sees it as showing he's weak. A 'thank you' from him would be like him admitting he needed or wanted something from me. It takes confidence to show gratefulness, and he's just not there yet."
"Not there yet?" Daniel asked, letting out a little laugh. "If there's one thing that guy doesn't need more of, it's confidence."
"Yeah, but it's not the same kind I'm talking about, Daniel. That stuff you're seeing is fake."
Daniel thought about that before saying, "It doesn't seem fake."
"I think I remember that boy's name from years ago. I don't know if it's the same people, but I think it might be, from the last name. It seems right, now that I know he's mixed up with Matty. If that's the case, he hadn't had the easiest upbringing."
"What happened?"
"Just something from years ago. Some family stuff. If it's the same boy, I think his daddy might've gotten killed."
"I wonder what time they'll get here," Abigail said, leaning in and still making small talk with me so that it wasn't completely obvious that we were listening to the conversation at the other table.
"I wonder what time it is now," I said.
I looked over my shoulder, searching for a clock, but really, I was happy to have the excuse to turn around and glance toward the door at Billy. He was already outside, walking on the sidewalk when I turned. I stared at him for a second or two and actually debated on whether or not I should stand up and run after him. But that was just crazy. What would I say to him if I did that? Nothing. It was silly of me to even consider trying to catch him, and I smiled inwardly as I turned back around.
"You didn't even look at the clock," Abigail said. She gestured to the wall to her right where there was a big clock with the picture of a vanilla ice cream cone in the middle.
It was 6:50.
"I guess they'll be here in ten minutes," I said.
"What do you think of that meatloaf, young lady?"
Marvin was leaning over Daniel, and his voice was projecting toward me. I looked their way, and Daniel pushed his plate to the other side of the table before slipping from one side of the booth to the other.
"Yes sir, I love it," I said, answering Marvin's question. "It's just like my mama's."
"I'd like to know your mama," Marvin said.
"She's my mama, too," Abigail said.
"Sisters," Marvin said, smiling and nodding as he glanced Abigail's way. With the way he was sitting, he had an easier time making eye contact with me, so he had to turn a little to face Abigail.
"If I'm not mistaken, you're the ones who drive that little VW Laney King wants so bad."
"That's my sister's car," Abigail said, pointing at me.
"I thought so," Marvin said. His gaze slowly shifted to me. "I saw you getting out of it this afternoon. Louisiana plates."
"Yes sir."
"Are you ladies here on vacation?"
"Yes sir," Abigail answered.
And, at the exact same time, I said. "No sir." There was a brief pause. "Sort of," I amended.
"We rented an apartment above the jewelry store. The lease is month-to-month. Abigail's got college in the fall. She'll be headed back to Louisiana in August for that. I might go home then, and I might not. I haven't decided. I heard you mention the job at the hardware store," I added, looking at Daniel.
"Do you want to get a job?" Abigail asked, sounding flabbergasted.
"I'm thinking about it," I said. "I've worked at a pharmacy for five years," I added, looking at Daniel. "I can work as a cashier. I did the cash register and all sorts of things at the pharmacy."
"I thought you still worked at the pharmacy," Abigail said.
It was the first time I had mentioned getting a job, so it didn't surprise me that Abigail was shocked.
"I haven't decided what I'm going to do with my life quite yet," I said, smiling and shrugging at Marvin Jones.
He smiled back at me. "Well, that's all right, young lady… what's your name?"
"Tess Cohen. Tess and Abigail."
"Tess and Abigail Cohen. All right, well, it's nice to meet you two. I guess you'll be staying on Bank Street for at least a couple of months."
"Yes sir," I said.
"My name is Marvin Jones." He put his hand, stiff with arthritis, to his chest. "I own the building next door. Bank Street Boxing. I live upstairs, ever since my wife passed away, so you'll see me around quite a bit."