He looks at me, stone faced.
“You will work here at the office for me as a trainee. Nothing too hard at first, and we will help you with everything. I have rented you an apartment and we’ll go and get you a car tomorrow.”
He frowns.
My eyes drift to Adrian and then down at his clothing. “Adrian will go with you shopping this afternoon and buy you a new wardrobe.”
“This isn’t necessary.”
“Yes, it is.” I reply.
“You looked after me and now I am going to look after you, whether you like it or not.”
“I don’t fit in here.”
“I don’t care. You will in time. You are to leave that old life and those old friends behind you, or I will take you back to prison myself and you will have everything taken from you.”
His wild eyes hold mine and I can see that he’s angry. I smile on the inside. I like this kid.
“You will be given a guard of your own at all times.
He frowns in disgust. “I don’t need a fucking security guard!” he snaps.
I raise an eyebrow. “I know you don’t, he’s there so I know you are sticking to the rules. No crime, no seediness. New life.”
He runs his hands through his hair.
“I’m giving you an opportunity, Jarvis, to turn your life around. I want you to take it with both hands.”
He glares at me.
I stand and smile proudly. “Let’s go and see your new apartment.”
He frowns. “You got me an apartment? You are serious?”
I nod. “Deadly.”
Adrian smiles sympathetically. “I think we should go clothes shopping first, Jarvis.”
The kid looks down at his clothing. “What’s wrong with my clothing?”
Arian looks to the ceiling for guidance. “Everything.”
Ben pulls the car into the parking lot, pops the hood, and we start to retrieve the multiple shopping bags from the trunk. Adrian is hiding his excitement but I know poor Jarvis is his new styling victim. We have just bought almost everything in town.
“Its up here.” Adrian signals to the block of apartments to the right.
Jarvis stops and looks at the building in awe. I drop my head to hide my smile. He has been silent throughout the afternoon, but polite. I wish I knew what was going through his mind. We finally get to the third floor and Adrian shuffles around for his key before handing it to Jarvis.
Jarvis puts his bags onto the floor and looks at the key in his hand.
I smile and gesture to the door with my chin as I struggle with the bags of shopping. “Hurry up, fuck you.”
He hunches his shoulders, opens the door, and peers in like a scared child.
“Go in,” Adrian urges.
He slowly enters and we follow him and drop all the shopping on the floor. He stands in the foyer wringing his hands nervously as he looks around.
“Do you like it?” Adrian asks.
He nods quickly.