At the bus stop before Mack’s body shop, Stacy caught the time on the sign outside of a bank and groaned—only 12:30. He didn’t have to be at work until two. Thanks to his mom, he hadn’t spent as much time at Wal-Mart as he hoped. Who was he kidding? He’d expected embarrassing hugs that he would have to shove off, an eager ear that heard everything he wanted to say, maybe lunch at Micky D’s or at least a few bucks slipped into his pocket before he had to go. Sliding further into his seat, he tugged his baseball cap down over his eyes and sighed. Now what was he supposed to do for the next hour and a half?
He didn’t get off at the shop. He could go back to the apartment, but Lamar was there, probably still asleep, and Stacy wasn’t in the mood for his bullshit. Knowing his luck, today would
