The Way It Works by William Kowalski Read Free Book Online

be,” Yolanda says, putting one hand on her hip. “First off, I was worried. I thought something happened to you. You just dropped off the face of the earth. You haven’t even been in to check your mail. I thought about calling the police to report you missing!”
    â€œI wasn’t missing,” I say. “Something happened. Something I need to explain.”
    â€œWell, I’m not sure I even want to hear it,” says Yolanda.
    â€œI can’t wait to hear it!” says Parnell from inside the house.
    â€œShh!” says Mrs. Jefferson.
    â€œYolanda,” I say, “is there any chance we can talk somewhere a little more private?”
    â€œUh-uh,” she says. “You got something to say, you say it. Unless you’re ashamed of yourself.”
    I take a deep breath.
    â€œWell, I am ashamed of myself,” I say. “I just wanted to let you know something. The reason I didn’t show up that night is because my car got towed.”
    â€œThat’s it? That’s your excuse?”
    â€œNo,” I say. “It’s more complicated than that.”
    â€œWalter, what are you talking about?” says Yolanda.
    Here’s the part where I should tell her I’m homeless. But I can’t make myself say it. I’m too ashamed. Or maybe too proud. Whatever. The words just won’t come out of my mouth. So I keep blathering.
    â€œWell, first I lost my car, and then I lost all my money. It was my own fault. I’m not blaming anyone else. I was desperate. I couldn’t even afford to buy you a milkshake. I thought about coming to tell you, but I was afraid of how you might look at me. Kind of like you’re looking at me right now.”
    â€œSo you decided you would just leave me waiting rather than be honest?”
    â€œI’m so sorry,” I say. “I wasn’t thinking straight. I was having a really hard time.
    But things are different now. I’ve started my own business. It’s going really well too.”
    â€œWell, I’m very happy for you,” says Yolanda. “Is that it?”
    â€œYes,” I say. “Wait. I haven’t really apologized yet. I just want to say I know I messed up. So I came here to tell you, from the bottom of my heart. I am really, truly, deeply sorry. You deserve better than that. But I couldn’t go another day without telling you how I feel. I think you’re wonderful, Yolanda, but I understand if you never want to see me again.”
    â€œAre you done now?” she says.
    â€œYeah,” I say. “I’m done.”
    â€œWell, you know something, Walter?” says Yolanda. “I do deserve better than that. So goodbye.”
    I swallow hard.
    â€œGoodbye,” I say.
    She closes the door in my face. I turn around and head back to my car. I keep hoping I’ll hear her door open again. Maybe she’ll call out to me. Tell me she understands. That it’s okay. We can work it out.
    But she doesn’t.
    I start up my car and drive away. I feel like I just left a piece of myself behind.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
    A nother night trying to sleep in the back of my car. Another night of no sleep. All I can think of is the way Yolanda was looking at me. I could see the hurt in her eyes. How could I have screwed up so badly? She was the one thing in my life that was going right, and I had to mess it up. I really must have something wrong with me.
    And now she never wants to see me again.
    It is a lonely sunrise.
    After breakfast, I decide I need to forget about Yolanda. I really have no choice. It’s either that or spend the rest of my life regretting a stupid mistake. You just have to move on sometimes, no matter how lousy it makes you feel.
    So it’s time for me to put the next phase of my plan into action.
    I drive to the shelter where I’ve stayed many a night. Just walking in the door is depressing. The place reeks like a barn. But I remind myself that