I lay Frankie in her bed along with her Lambie and turn on the white noise machine. I find Ollie and Grover waiting for me in the hallway, both looking emaciated from lack of water.
“Go climb into bed, and I’ll get Grover’s water bowl.”
He snorts and runs to his room on the other side of Frankie’s. I fill a sippy cup and tuck him under the covers of the queen bed. I replaced the gold-framed landscapes that were hung on the gray walls with photos of the Blue Angels and a wooden shelf lined with Hot Wheels.
Grover’s tail thumps against the quilt.
“All right, buster. Lap it up. You need to get to sleep.”
Ollie takes two long swigs and hands me the cup. I set it on the night table and sit on the edge of the bed, leaning over and resting my arms on each side of him.
“It’s a big day at preschool tomorrow. You’re making Halloween slime. Maybe it’ll have eyeballs in it.” I widen my eyes.
He grins. “Maybe it’ll have b-b-boogers in it.”
I wrinkle my nose. “Eww. That’s gross.” I tickle his stomach. “Better not be any real boogers.”
I kiss his forehead. “I love you, little man.”
“Wove you, Mama.”
I kiss his cheek and turn off the light as his projector displays stars and planets on the ceiling.
I leave the door open, heading to the kitchen and hoping answers lie in there somewhere because I’ve got nothing. I stop at the thermostat. Sixty-eight degrees. I punch the down arrow a few times, needing every bit of savings I can get.
I scan the sparse shelves in the fridge, then open the pantry and grab a box of Frosted Mini-Wheats. I sit at the small table where my computer and books await.
Popping a flaky rectangle in my mouth, I pull up my checking account. I release a slow breath, and my hope deflates with it. My next paycheck won’t hit until next Friday.
I close my eyes, letting my head fall into my hands, feeling like I could puke. The list of expenses continues to climb by the second, and now I have to figure out how to make it work without a car for who knows how long. That painful fact doesn’t even include how I’ll pay for the repairs.
I pull up the city bus schedule, knowing there’s a stop two blocks down. I jot down times and routes, seeing that I can catch a bus in the morning that will drop me off four blocks from the law firm. I’ll have to be sure to leave work on time to catch the ride home, which will get me back in time for Helen to leave.
I drop my pencil while depression and anxiety challenge my ability to map out grocery store and library trips. I need the big man at the garage to tell me this is a brake issue and a quick, affordable fix, but that won’t be my luck.
First, I need to arrange a ride home so I can drop off my car. I hesitate, then realize I don’t have another option and grab my phone.
ME: Would you be able to give me a ride home from Cal’s Garage tomorrow? I have to drop my car off after work.
KATRINA: Sure thing. I got chu.
KATRINA: And tell that little crackerjack our date for Happy Meals will be collected.
I rub my temples, needing to focus on something I can control—my grades. I open my syllabus and then my book. I highlight and make notes until my eyes begin to droop. At some point, I lay my head down, remembering to pray for just one thing to turn in my favor.
Chapter 4
SLADE
I loosen the bolts and remove the valve cover.
“New rotors and brakes are done, and the car is back in the lot.” Carson leans up against the side panel.
“Did you text the owner?” I shove the ratchet into my back pocket and pull the cover off.
“Yeah.” He pushes off and turns, but I stop him.
“Can you stay late today? Something is supposed to be dropped off later, and I could use your help to take a quick look.”
