She halted at Elsie, throwing her hand up. “No need to worry. I like to help anyone with these things.”
She blew out a breath as some of the heaviness on her shoulders lifted. “That would be really nice. I mean, I’m not sure I want to even do it, but I’d like to know a little more about it.”
“What do you want to know?”
“I haven’t been in school for a long time. How hard is it?”
“It can be hard for some, but there are practice tests, and I have a study guide I can give you. It will help get you prepared.”
Matty tore off a piece of bread, dipping it into the sauce. She needed something to do with her hands. “It costs money, right?”
She nodded as she tugged open a drawer to her desk and produced a leaflet. “Here’s the prices and the four subjects that are used for testing. It’s $36 per subject and $7.99 per practice test. You can take them online or come here on the third Saturday of the month. I host the test-taking in the computer lab.”
Gently taking the leaflet as if it would start throwing judgmental harassment her way if jostled too much, she tucked it into her hoodie pocket without looking at it. She wanted to be at home and alone to properly take it in. “Thanks. I’ll look it over.”
A knock sounded on the door, then was followed by a man popping in with a plate of food. “Here’s your food, Ms. Elsie.”
“Thank you,” she said before turning back to her desk and looking at Matty. “I think I’ll join you.”
“Please do. Did you hear we’re getting a new weed eater?”
Matty purposely changed the subject.
***
Later that day, she was trudging her way up to The Church. Her back was sore and her shoulders tight. All she wanted to do was go home to soak in a bath and read. Shefully intended to order a pizza for dinner. Normally, she didn’t like to spend money on convenience foods, but today, she would make an exception.
As she entered the back of The Church, she noticed Kerrie’s door was shut.
“She’s not in there.”
Reese’s voice echoed down the long hall. She was halfway out her door with her arms crossed. Matty couldn’t help but take in her silhouette clad in a form-fitting cream sweater and plum pencil skirt, all curves and hills that, if she thought too hard on, she could definitely imagine exploring.
Maybe she needed to take the edge off a little when she was in that bath later.
“Uh, where is she?”
“She got a call about ten minutes ago that her fiancée was in a car accident.”
“Oh shit,” she blurted out as she became more alert. “Is Bette okay?”
Reese nodded. “She is, but the car isn’t, and she sounded panicked. Kerrie asked if I could give you a ride home and to see if you’d mind letting someone, uh, Mildred or something like that, go home. I’m not sure I understood that part well. I assume you know?”
She relaxed a little at hearing Bette was fine but then tensed at the thought of her and Reese in a small area. Last time she was in Reese’s personal space, it didn’t go so well. “Her name is Mabel. She’s Kenny’s aide during the day.”
Reese frowned. “Kenny?”
“Yeah, that’s Kerrie’s twin brother. He has special needs.”
“Oh, I didn’t know that. We’ve been so busy I haven’t gotten to spend a lot of time talking about stuff that isn’t work-related. So, do you live with Kerrie?” she asked, the tilt of her head causing her auburn hair to sway.
Matty laughed. “Sort of, but not really. I rent the basement apartment from her. She, Bette, and Kenny live upstairs. Kerrie’s been so good to me that I’ll watch Kenny to give them all a break. Plus, I like spending time with him. He’s a cool dude.”
“That’s really nice of you.”
“I guess,” she said with a shrug.
An awkward silence settled heavily between them. The last time they were face-to-face, Reese had been cold as ice. Now, she was doing Matty a favor.
