Free Gus by Kim Holden Page B

"Hey, pass me a few of those, dipshit."
    My peripheral vision picks up motion, an exchange of food. Anything involving peanut butter sets my sense of smell to overdrive. I would pay for a spoonful.
    As if he can read my mind, I see Gustov's big hand extended down at me from across the aisle. "Want one?"
    There are two saltine crackers lying in the palm of his hand, a tiny cracker sandwich with peanut butter filling. I lean out of my bunk further to get a better look.  
    "You want one?" he offers again.
    It's a mouthwatering sight. I don't know why I'm hesitating, but I'm hesitating. He's trying to be nice and all I can meet it with is suspicion. It's a trained reaction. I wish I could just meet nice with nice. So, I make an effort. "What is it?" I mean, I know what it is, but I've never seen anyone eat saltines and peanut butter together.
    "It's only the tastiest snack known to man. You need one. Seriously. Take it."
    I do and I back burner the suspicion for the moment. "Thanks."
    I take a bite, and yeah, it's the tastiest snack known to man. Or woman. Before I finish it I already want another one, despite the crumbs I'm leaving in my bed.
    "You can't stop at just one," he says. His hand reappears, and there are two little heavenly sandwiches in his palm this time.
    I smile though he can't see my face, and take them. "Thanks."
    "You're welcome. I've got a whole sleeve of crackers. Let me know when you're ready for another one. Oh yeah," he pauses, holding out a bottle of grape juice, "and I've got grape juice, too, if you need to wash 'em down. Nothing goes better with crackers and PB than grape juice."
    I shake my head again, but I'm smiling. "What are you, five years old?"
    Franco laughs from his bunk.
    "Pretty much. At heart anyway." Gustov doesn't sound offended. There's wholehearted agreement in his voice.
    My snarky comment just turned into a compliment with his admission. It softens me a little to him. "No thanks. I've got some water."
    "Suit yourself." He hands me two more crackers.
    I eat them. And as I chew, I think: this snack is like an olive branch he's just extended without even realizing it.

Saturday, May 13
    (Scout)

    I'm up early. We're in Tennessee. I've already gone for a run and showered, and I'm going to find a laundromat while everyone is still sleeping. As I'm stripping the sheets off my bunk and quietly putting them and my clothes into my duffle bag, I jump when someone taps me on the shoulder.
    When I turn, Gustov is leaning out of his bunk. I see his lips moving, he must be whispering because I can't hear him. I hold up a finger to stop him before he finishes. "Hold on." I open up my bag and take out the case that holds my hearing aid. After inserting it in my left ear, I say, "Sorry, what?"
    He stares at me for a minute, like he's been caught off guard. "So, you don't wear one in your right ear?" he asks.
    It was a completely innocent question, but it brings heat to my cheeks. I point at my right ear. "This one doesn't work at all."
    I assume he'll ask more questions or look shocked, but he doesn't miss a beat. "You going to wash clothes?" He's not whispering anymore even though everyone is sleeping.
    I nod and return to my duffle bag.
    "Mind if I come with you? I need to start making this cleanliness thing a weekly habit."
    I shrug, because I know he's going to come no matter what I say. "I can take yours with me. It's no big deal. You don't need to come." The truth is that I don't really want him to come. I prefer to be by myself. And I'm a little embarrassed now that he knows about my hearing aid. And what if he gets recognized while we're out? I hate drawing attention to myself. Hate it. It makes me feel uncomfortable. Talking to him on this bus is one thing, but talking to him out in the real world is another.

    He comes along anyway. The good news is that he's stone sober, which might be a first.  
    The laundromat isn't far, so we decide to walk. On the way, we duck inside a Dutch-themed