48Karim dropped an empty bottle beneath the metal bleachers facing the high school football field. Runners wearing orange shorts circled the field at varying speeds, a small group jogging in a pack of conversation and laughter. Cheerleaders bounced into the building after a half-hearted practice, Karim’s interest evaporating as the last pompom disappeared. He descended the bleachers by stepping on each row as if they were slippery river logs.
Sara sat on the corner of the bottom bleacher. “I came by to talk about our job.”
“What job?”
“Driving buses, what else?” Sara reached into her purse for cherry lipstick that she applied liberally.
“What do you want to talk about?”
“I’m going to ask for more money. A thousand up front and another thousand when I get back.”
“You’re nuts!” Karim d
