"Max?" Jenn answered. "Nice to meet you. I don't know that I will have room for pie. I was going to ask for a doggy bag for the biscuits. Brody would enjoy them."<br/><br/>The waitress put a slice of apple pie on the table and turned her back to Jenn. She stood next to the Man, leaning in and tore off the sales ticket.<br/>"Call me,toots," she said with a wink. "That is if you can ditch your.. ahem, daughter."<br/><br/>The Man frowned at her and dismissed her by ignoring her to examine the bill. Not only was the price tallied but a phone number was scrawled plainly across the top with a name, Gerri.<br/><br/>Whatever, Jennifer thought, as she attempted to eat the pie. The apples were rich with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. This was every bit as good as what her mother used to  make. A pain struck her heart. Her mother, the whole reason for this trip across country. She would cautiously take this man's hospitality but would move on no later than morning. Her mother needed her.<br/><br/>The Man, Max, was talking to her about cleaning up, using his room to shower and using a laundry facility where he was staying.<br/><br/>"Look."  Jennifer said, leaning on the table to sip at the Coke." Even if I could trust you, I can't trust being seen by people in this town. You can tell I'm a runaway and there are some bad people looking for me. I don't want to be easily identified, as your daughter or anyone else. I have to be able to blend into the background, unnoticeable. Brody is easy to identify but he is only known to be with me by a family who owned him but they hate the cops so they won't mention him.<br/><br/>Max reached across the table and pulled her hoodie back over her hair.<br/>"This has been working for you. Come on now. The day is early. Clean up. I will wash your clothes, You can change and be on your way. I won't even be in the room. Busy with the laundry, you know."<br/><br/>He paid the ticket and the two of them walked out. Brody jumped on the  man,, sniffing his hands and his pant legs. Brody was a silly dog who always seemed to have a smile on his doggie face and this man made his smile even broader . His wide tongue lolled out one side.<br/><br/>"You better be right, Brody," Jennifer muttered as she followed Max back to this lodging.