"So you have a romantic Valentine's day?" Diago asked Cole who worked on weekends in maintenance at the assisted living facility.
"What?" Cole almost grinned at him as he was finishing up getting the new toilet put in that Diago was helping him with. Cole knew a lot about toilets and drains. He knew about heating and cooling systems too. Diago always learned a lot from him. Still Diago always imagined Cole with the love of his life and starting a family. "You're the one with the pretty girlfriend." Cole shrugged.
As Cole was putting his tools away, he told Diago that his brother just got out of jail. "He's got nowhere to go, but to stay with me." He sighed.
"What did he do?" Diago wanted to know.
"Just stupid stuff." Cole told him his brother wasn't into drugs. It had started with a car and a traffic ticket and not getting stuff fixed.
"Man, they'll get you for anything these days." Diago shook his head.
"I guess it started when he broke up with his girl. He cheated on her. And he did the right thing with the other girl. I guess. But she didn't want him, either. She went to California. His car didn't get him as far as the state line." Cole yawned. "And Ma always said he was the smart one. Went to the University on a scholarship." Cole winced. "I went to trade school." He scratched the side of his neck. "Look who's taking care of him now."
Diago did feel bad for his friend. He didn't know what to say. He finally looked at him brightly, "You guys come over for a meal sometime. Okay?" Diago gave him a friendly slap on his shoulder.
Cole smiled, but Diago knew he'd never come. He'd invited him over plenty and it hadn't happened yet.
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