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I recognize the syrateful, I'm no one's charity I've fended for myself for years Found ways to feed e of six because I didn't want anyone to know my mamma didn't have time for me She loved raduate, I'm sometimes homeless, but I' will be different In August I'll be at UF on a football scholarship, and no one will knoas once the kid who used to sleep in a hole in the sand “Stepdad kicked me out Needed a place to crash while Moain, Officer”
“Is he the one to give you that shiner?” the cop asks I bitethe tracks to sort a domestic disturbance will only attract attention I don't need When I don't reply, he says, “Come with me”
“But I…”
“Relax, kid You’re not in trouble” He leads me past the boardwalk stairs and closer to the Horizon hotel’s beach entrance “Everything past those stairs is considered a private beach While I can still harass you for being on the property, unless you're a danger to yourself or others, most cops will just ask you to leave”
“Why are you telling me this?” My eyes have fully adjusted now that the cop has turned his light off We walk for a few
“Because I spent e Although, I was usually passed out drunk” He s aboutEspecially the rainy Florida nights and soul-sucking ood kid because you don’t look strung out or anything like that”
I' out Just tired and need life to cut me some slack “Uhthanks?”
“Let hts My ould kill et you a room here" He stops at the steps of the Horizon Hotel
I look up at the string-lights that surround the patio It's empty, the pool probably closed, but soft piano music hums from a set of speakers near the sand I've only been in the Horizon Hotel’s parking lot, thanks to a friend who does valet, and even that is classy There's no self-parking Every car is taken to a private, enclosed parking garage, with one way in and one way out that only eine what the hotel itself is like “I can’t let you do that, sir I’m not your responsibility”
“No, you're not, but I’ve been in your shoes, kid The difference was I had people in my corner to make sure I didn’t nose dive into hell Now, coives me a look that says this isn't up for discussion
We walk up the steps to the pool deck When we reach the door to the hotel’s lobby, the cop digs into his back pocket and pulls out his wallet Inside is a card, or a key of sorts, that he slides through the reader A little light shines green and he pulls the door open “After you”
My skin pricks as a chill slithers through me The air inside is icy compared to the Florida heat It feels nice, but takes a second to get adjusted to The cop struts to the front counter where a pretty brunette sht?”
The concierge woh the doors behind hiht, Misty I need a room for the next week”
“Sir, I can’t…” I start This place is nice As in, fresh flowers on the tables and chandeliers nice It must be expensive Copsin it unless they’re dirty This guy seems too nice to be crooked
Logan holds up his hand to silence ht the place last year I don't pay shit”