Chapter Thirty-Five
Hollow Basket
The next morning, I find a basket on our dresser. Inside are three things. An uncomfortable apology from Madam Karina asking us to pardon her “inappropriate behavior” and agreeing to our “fine, well-thought-out proposal,” copies of Poppet’s and my financial statements that clearly reflect a bump from the last time we read them, and—at the very bottom of the basket, covered by a red-and-white checkered cloth—a can of orange spray paint.
Before I do anything else, I make my third phone call from the basement, and when I do, I learn three things from Purple Nails Meg.
Hair Flair and Fun will be closing its doors in six days.
Greg has moved in with his boyfriend.
Meg handles the prospect of losing her job better than I would.
When I hang up, I realize I have only myself to rely on. Truly. And that I will never stop fighting until I have four strong walls to call my own.