“Sounds good. I’ll text you my email.”There’s a heavy silence before he sighs.“I appreciate your trust, Josie. It means more than you might think.”
He hangs up before I can utter another word. It’s probably for the best or I might get all mushy. I suppose people like him don’t have much trust given to them, which is understandable. But I believe in second chances. Sometimes, even third chances.
A minute later, my phone pings with incoming messages—Jericho texted his email address. While I’m adding it to my phone, it suddenly starts ringing. No caller ID. Weird. I press the ‘accept button.’
“Is this Josephina?”The strong, unwavering female voice sounds all too familiar.
“Yes?”
“Oh, good. It’s Mrs. Ramona from St. Paulina’s school. I just called the work phone number you listed here first, but they told me you don’t work for them anymore.”
Mrs. Ramona is the headmistress of the boarding school I’m paying for, and I recognize her business voice well enough to know what today’s call means. I must have forgotten to update my contact information on the school website and remove the old phone number. Why would they choose to call the work number and put me in this very uncomfortable position? Because I think I know where this is going, unfortunately, and I’ve been dreading this phone call.
It would be one thing if it was my sister who never calls me. Never. Even though she has my phone number for emergencies, she’s used it only once. To yell at me years ago, and that’s about it.
“Is she okay?”
“Yes, she is okay. Don’t worry. It’s the payment I’m calling about.”Here we go. Lead settles in my stomach.“It bounced back. We tried a few times, but I’m afraid we have to ask for another form of payment, or we will be forced to send her home.”
I knew it. She can’t go home, no matter how much she wants to, or the town will ruin her life just like it nearly ruined mine. Damn it! Trying to come up with a quick explanation is not fun business.
I take a deep breath, calling to the confident Josie, who was brave enough to take on the beast that is Kenneth Benson. “Yes, I don’t work for that company anymore because I opened my own business.” My voice doesn’t waiver. “And I will update the payment information by tomorrow if that’s okay.”
“Of course!”The headmistress’s tone turns understanding. She’s a great lady but has a business to run, so I understand her being strict about her money.“We will try again once you update it.”
“I’m just on a short vacation,” I lie through my teeth, crossing my fingers, “and will be back tomorrow.”
“Certainly, not a problem. Thank you for understanding. I will—”
“How is she?” I ask before she stops talking about finances and hangs up.
The heavy silence says it all.“She still talks about wanting to go home, but her grades are great.”
Good. That’s good. She’s always been bright. “Does she have friends?”
“She does.”Her voice turns more enthusiastic.“Quite a few, may I add. She also showed a very big interest in creative projects recently.”
I let out a loud exhale, hoping I didn’t blow the headmistress’s eardrums out. “Good. Mrs. Ramona, do you think—” I clear my throat. “Do you think she’s happy?”
“I think she is.”Her voice turns soft.“You did the right thing, Ms. Monroe. She has a bright future ahead of her.”
“Thank you. I’ll transfer the money tomorrow. Have a good day.”
“You as well, Ms. Monroe.”
The top thing on my to-do list has suddenly been shifted. Thanks to the mini fortifying station Archie installed for me so I could get reception and work, I’m not cut off from the outside world. So I go find his number and dial.
“Hey, Joz. What’s up?”He sounds cheerful like he’s been up for hours.
“Archie, I need to ask you for a favor.”
“Sure. Anything.”
“I need an advance payment sooner if you can, please. I need to pay for something, and turns out, I ran out of savings.” I cringe in embarrassment.
“Yeah, not a problem. But Joz, is everything okay?”The concern in his voice makes my eyes turn misty.“I can help you if you’re in trouble.”
“Nothing like that, Archie. Don’t worry. It’s just the tuition for my sister’s school is very expensive, and since I don’t have a stable job, I don’t have any more income coming in.” I laugh sarcastically. “I’ve got a few trendy bags I can pawn off, but it might take time.”
