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If she had a car, maybe they could avoid these tense five-block walks each night. Even if they had the money, a car meant a license. And a license meant someone could track her down.
A shiver ran down her spine at the thought.
She'd stick with the bus. Leaving a paper trail wasn’t an option. The documents that Drew had gotten her worked in a pinch, but they wouldn’t stand up to scrutiny.
She’d just get up earlier and end earlier in the day. None of her clients would mind. She might have to rearrange the schedule though. If she needed to take an earlier bus from Mr. Olson's stop, she wouldn't be able to come two days a week anymore. But she could shuffle some other houses and just do more work for him in one day. The meals she prepared for him would last long enough, as long as he was okay with it.
Kaylie didn't relax until they were back in the trailer with the door locked and chained behind her.
She leaned back against it and exhaled heavily. Yeah, earlier would be better.
Kaylie: I need to rearrange my schedule so my days end earlier. Can I move you to one longer day per week?
Mr. Olson: I really prefer you come twice. Why the change?
Kaylie bristled at the question. None of your business. She typed the reply angrily before deleting it. Upsetting her best client wasn't the best business strategy.
Kaylie: I'll be there longer on the one day to make up for it and make sure everything gets done. It’ll even be cheaper for you.
She wasn’t exactly thrilled about lowering his rate, but if it would get him to agree, then she’d make it work.
There was pounding on the door of the small trailer that had Kaylie leaping from her spot on the edge of the bed and immediately moving in front of Lia.
“Ms. Richards!”
Kaylie bit back her groan at the sound of her landlady’s voice. Passing the old woman’s place was unavoidable on their way to the trailer parked in the backyard, but they rarely had reason to see her.
She opened the door and stood in the entrance. “Hi, Mrs. Fidden.”
The old lady was deceptively shrewd. While she was mostly sweet, she’d also made it clear that she didn’t tolerate any trouble. She’d lived in this neighborhood most of her life and wasn’t going to take any flack from anyone.
“I’ve been trying to speak with you, Ms. Richards.”
Kaylie exhaled and tried to stifle the sigh it wanted to become. “I’m sorry. I’ve been working a lot,” she replied. Lia tugged on her hand, and Kaylie shot her a look that she hoped Lia would understand meant to knock it off.
Mrs. Fidden wrung her hands. “I hate to do this, but with insurance and utility costs going up, I need to increase your rent.”
Kaylie’s mouth fell open. “What? No, you can’t–”
Mrs. Fidden’s eyes sharpened and her mouth tightened into a scowl. “Don’t you tell me what I can and can’t do, missy. It’s my property you’re living on, isn’t it? This is my camper?”
Frustration welled up within her. “Yes, it is.”
“Which is why I can increase the rent if I very well please. It’s $1050 starting next month.” Mrs. Fidden pointed a wiry finger at her. “And don’t be late. You know I won’t hesitate to kick you out, even if you do have the sweetest little one I’ve ever seen.” Her severe scowl was replaced with a sweet smile directed at Lia.
Kaylie tugged her daughter to her side. Where on earth was she going to come up with an extra hundred and fifty bucks a month? She’d managed to sock away a bit of money for the last six months or so, but it wouldn’t take long to run through it with the increased rent.
“I’ll have it, Mrs. Fidden,” she said, despite the swirling questions in her mind.
“Have a good night, then.” Mrs. Fidden disappeared into the rapidly darkening backyard, and Kaylie shut and relocked the door.
“Mommy, how long until dinner?”
“Just a few minutes, sweetie,” she said absently as she looked back at the phone buzzing in her hand.
Anthony: Why do you need to end early?
Kaylie exhaled her annoyance.
