She laughed, making her eyes bright again. “Well, good. Just as long as we’re clear on that.”
I stared at Caylen sleeping on a blanket a few feet away but felt her watching me. “What?”
“How did you get all the way out there anyway?”
“Borrowed a car.”
“Whose?”
“Joey’s.”
She groaned probably guessing what that meant. “Mian,” she whined.
“I’m sorry, but I promised him.”
“I’m still not interested.”
I smiled sheepishly. “He just asked for me to talk you into catching a movie with him.”
“Mian!”
“Honestly, I don’t see what the big deal is. Joey’s sweet.”
“Yeah, you’d think so because he doesn’t drool all over you.”
“Please? Would you just consider it? One date. That’s it. You’ll never know for sure until you give it a try.”
“Oh, I’m pretty sure. Joey doesn’t do it for me. He doesn’t give me butterflies. There’s no electricity.”
“Ok. I need to confiscate your library card. You really need to cut down on the corny romance novels.”
“You should give it a try. You never know until you give it a try,” she mimicked. She made a face, and I laughed.
“Tell you what… you go on one date with him, and I’ll read one of your embarrassing obsessions.” She seemed to mull it over but didn’t seem convinced. “Ok, I’ll suffer through two books, and I’ll even discuss them with you.”
“Deal.”
*
My nails bit into my palm, and I welcomed the pain. I read Jerry’s sign a second time. He was the neighborhood pawnbroker, sometimes loan shark, and it appeared he’d chosen to indulge in the holiday festivities.
I walked away with the watch tucked securely in the pocket of my baggiest jeans. I knew better than to flash or flaunt a watch this expensive-looking around here. I wiped away the tear that escaped and kept my head low.
I had about a day’s worth of food and supplies. Jerry wouldn’t be back for two days.
I could already hear my son’s cries when his tummy yearned for food that wouldn’t come.
I had to do something.
Jerry’s shop was just around the corner, so I was back at my building in no time. I started up the steps when I heard the husky voice call out. “Hey, cutie pie.”
Looking up, I spotted Brandi, Anna’s mom, stepping out of a car that looked more expensive than the building we lived in. She was a statuesque blonde bombshell who left every man’s tongue wagging who lived in Mercy Homes. Shaking my head, I took in her skimpy attire. The high heels she strutted in looked like stilts, and I wondered how she balanced in those things.
“Hey, Brandi.”
“Why the down face?” She frowned and lifted my chin. “Have you been crying?” I nodded because what was the point in lying? “Come with me and tell Brandi all about it.”
I ignored the screaming pleas for common sense and followed her into the building up death-defying stairs to her apartment door. I glanced guiltily at my own door knowing Anna was inside watching Caylen and waiting for my return with a pocket full of cash.
Guilt washed over me.
Brandi was a single mom who knew what it was like to be a teenage single mother. Talking to her about my woes made more sense. Anna was my dearest friend, but she wouldn’t understand. Not like Brandi.
She flipped open the dingy white door to the fridge and bent over. “Want a beer?” she called over her shoulder.
“It’s ten in the morning.” Plucking a bottle from the fridge, she slammed it closed and grabbed a bottle opener from the top. I watched as she turned to lean against the door and popped the top from the bottle. Defiantly, she stared me down and took an unladylike swig.
“Get your panties out of your snatch.”
“Maybe I should just go.” Her crudeness made my stomach turn. I started for the door.
“I know how you can solve your money troubles.” My hand paused above the doorknob. “A girl as pretty as you shouldn’t have to starve. You certainly have the body to make sure that never happens.”
I dropped my hand and turned to face her. My eyes narrowed, and she smirked in return. “What are you talking about?”
“How many dead-end jobs will you have to lose or pointless interviews will you go to for you to realize that doing the right thing doesn’t pay?”
“Anna told you?”
“These walls are thin, girl. There are so secrets in a dump like this.”
“So, what would you suggest?” I wouldn’t take any advice Brandi dished seriously. I was merely curious. According to Anna, she brought home enough cash to move them out of this place, but her mother preferred spending her earnings on expensive shoes and trips out of town.
“Using what you got to get what you need.”
“My wits?”
She snorted. “Your wits are going to starve you, girl… Unless you add a little something on the side.” Her eyes raked my body making me shift uncomfortably.