Earl then looked at me as he stroked his beard. His eyes although aged had a powerful presence in them. After a moment of silence he asked in a fatherly tone.
"Are you in some kind of trouble John? You have always been a good boy. 10 grand is twice as much as this place makes in a day so that's fine. But until you tell me why, I cannot agree. Do you need help?"
Even though I had a crappy family, it was thanks to presence of kind people around me that did I not grow up a complete asshole. Earl had been the closest thing I had to a father figure.
While my old man would drink himself to death, he would work two to three jobs just to save up. All so his children got to go to a good college.
"I am sorry Mr. Simmons. I appreciate your concern but this is my problem," I declined sternly.