I couldn’t let her fall. Not if I could somehow soften the blow. I moistened my lips, praying something articulate would pass through them that would make her fly again. I slipped my fingers into my front pockets and found a freckle on her left cheek to focus on.
“I think you’re right fine, ma’am.” My voice came out soft, all the authority I’d channeled into interacting with the group so far leaving me faster than a retreating military realizing they couldn’t win the war.
She blinked those large eyes up at me, and heat wrapped around the tips of my ears. I ducked my head, not ashamed for speaking the truth but embarrassed just the same. Cattle prices, horse stock, John Deere versus Kubota tractors—all topics I found more comfortable to speak about than any personal impressions I might have.
Her full lips curved in slow motion, releasing the tightness along my spine and allowing me to raise my head. I found my own lips relaxing in response to her smile.
Thank youshe mouthed, and I dipped my chin in acknowledgement.
Turning to go, I patted the outside of my leg, signaling Scout to follow. He whined as he looked forlornly back at Miss Jocelyn, then hung his head and walked slowly to my side. I gave him a comforting pat on his neck.
Miss Jocelyn had cast some kind of spell over my dog. If I wasn’t careful, I could find myself succumbing to her enchantments as well.
5
Jocelyn
My phone vibrated from the small night table beside my bed. I pressed my eyes tighter, pulling back to me not only the covers but the vivid images of angel food cake topped with fresh sliced strawberries, buttery croissants with rich Nutella centers, and the mile long table laden with sugary treats I’d been depriving myself of for the past two weeks in a cleanse I hadn’t wanted to participate in in the first place. Darn Nicole and her insistence on clean eating. Because of her, my subconscious had lost all gluttonous self-control.
Buzz. Buzz.
With a huff, I threw off the warmth of the blanket. If it was Nicole channeling her inner Jillian Michaels, then I swore I’d take seconds of whatever delicious breakfast Gran Thomas had whipped up. Because if her spread this morning was anything like it had been the night before, then my own double Bs would be in danger of enlarging to double Ds by the end of my stay, and I wouldn’t have to worry about trying to impersonate Dolly when I rode Domino.
A choked inhale interrupted Tonya’s even breathing. I grabbed my phone and pressed the device to my middle, muffling the vibration. Tonya quieted, and I tiptoed outside.
Mama’s name lit my screen as I pressed the accept button. “Morning, Mama.” I gingerly picked my way through the dew-covered grass, the cool dampness soaking into my bare feet and causing chill bumps to break out across my skin. I wrapped one arm around my middle and hugged my other arm. SoCal mornings could be deceptively cold, and I was even farther north than home. I found a fallen tree a few yards away from the river and lowered myself to its musty bark, huddling to contain my body heat.
“Good morning, Jo Jo.”
Mama sounded tired. “Did you just get off your shift? How was work?”
“Same as always. People buy stuff online, I fulfill their order.” She stifled a yawn. “Damien called.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. I loved my brother to death, but he seriously needed to stop using Mama as a middleman. I forced cheerfulness into my voice. “Oh, yeah? How is he?”
Mama laughed like I’d told the funniest joke she’d heard all day. “Damien is Damien.”
“But his grades? He’s managed to turn them around?” I’d been the first person in my family to go to college, but I was determined not to be the last. Damien needed a shot, and what kind of sister would I be if I didn’t do all I could to give it to him? Didn’t matter if I was still paying off my own student loans. Damien would have every opportunity to make something of himself.
“The tutor you hired has helped.” Mama paused, and I could picture her face—gratefulness adding a sheen to her eyes even as shame pulled at her shoulders. In her mind, she should be the one financially responsible for her children’s education, but when minimum wage barely covered the rent of a studio apartment in the city, how could she? Every time I sent a check to cover tuition, her pride took a hit. I hated hurting her but didn’t know what else to do.
“He says he needs to buy another textbook. I have fifty dollars I can spare, but you know as well as I that amount would only cover about a quarter of the book. I hate to ask, Jo Jo—”
“You’re not asking, Mama. I’m offering. I’ll deposit money into his account as soon as we hang up.”
“You’re a good girl.” Her voice sounded sad, and my heart strained.
If only she’d let me help out with her own finances. Not that I had a surplus, but I could pinch corners a bit tighter. At least get her into a better neighborhood. But helping with Damien’s school expenses was about all her pride could take, so I backed off.
“Love you, Mama. Get some rest.”
After I hung up, I signed into my online banking and transferred a couple hundred dollars into Damien’s school account. I needed to call him and reiterate yet again that when he needed money he should call me directly. Involving Mama just made her feel bad. I had to find a way to make him see that.
Tonya was awake by the time I made it back to the…temporary housing. I really couldn’t call it a tent. Tents were flimsy and uncomfortable and a last resort for somewhat of a roof, and this dream-like room was anything but those things.
Tonya tied off a short braid and flipped the end over her shoulder, completely ignoring me. A stalk of straw lay on the ground—trailed in by one of our boots yesterday, no doubt—and I picked it up and threw it at her. “Hay, girl.”
She plucked the golden offender out of her equally golden locks and smirked at me. “Funny.”
