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"He saved my life," she said from beside him She’d wrapped her arm in his, but every tih She linked her arht" She brushed her fingertips over her right cheek, giving ht involved at least one punch to her face

My eht the concern edging to the surface Tanored it the best that I could

"I’d been roughed up pretty bad," she said, oblivious to my disinterest "He came to the hospital to take my statement A detective A detective had coet a patrol officer, considering… consideringme a twenty He folded up the rest of his bills and pocketed thean pulling out his change

"It was the way he talked to me Like I was somebody Like I mattered, you know?"

I closed my eyes and sed I did know I had become acutely aware of the nuances of human behavior and the effect it had on those around the way inher

"I cleaned up after that Got a real job"

She’d probably been ignored her whole life

She laughed to herself softly "Not a real job like yours I started stripping The place was a dive, but it got ood I could finally put my son in a private school A cheap private school, but a private school nonetheless Thisexpression she’d had since she’d popped in "He just treated ain When I tried to hand Mr P his change, he shook his head

"You keep it, hon"

I blinked back to him "You had coffee and ate two bites of your breakfast," I said, surprised

"Best cup I’ve had all ave me a twenty"

"Sh his teeth

I pressed les in that stash of yours"

"I can’t give you those I’hed, he leaned in and asked, "Want to join ht," the stripper said, nodding in complete seriousness

I let a s tables"

"Suit yourself," he said, his grin infectious

"See you tomorrow?"

"Yes, you will If not sooner"

He started toward the exit, but the stripper stayed behind "See what Iattention, I finally talked to her Or, well, whispered "I do"