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“Slow? We were slammed yesterday. You’re already short-staffed.” I needed this job. I was already looking for places to sleep because my check barely covered a night at a motel. I hadn’t had a full meal in days. Then there was the little matter of owing a man I had never seen before a shit-ton of money I would never see in my lifetime. “I don’t understand.”
“Look, I saw that man you’ve been hanging around with.” He pointed at me. “He’s bad news. The kind of trouble I don’t need around here.”
“I know, but he’s not my friend.”
“Clearly.” He glanced at my cheek, which was probably already a bright red. “You’re a nice girl. I’m sorry I can’t help you, but I don’t want any problems. I run an honest business. I don’t need any stress.”
“I’m a hard worker. I show up on time.” I tried to be strong, but my tears betrayed me before I had time to hold them back. This day was too much. “I don’t have anywhere to go. I need this job.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m two years away from retirement. I’m selling the store and my wife and I are moving to Florida. I can’t have that sort of element hanging around here.”
“I didn’t ask him to come here. My father owes him money. I don’t know where my father is. That man’s boss wants me to pay him back, but I can’t.”
“That’s bad for my business.” He reached into his pocket and took out his wallet. “You’re bad for business.” He handed me some money. “Here.”
I held up my hand and shook my head.
“Please, maybe this will help you get a bus ticket, and you could get away from that man.”
“That man is going to find me no matter where I go.” I gripped the strap on my backpack. “I don’t want your money.”
“Emmie,” Mr. Tanner called after me as I walked away. “You need to be careful.”
Tell me something I don’t know.
* * *
I strolled down the dark,tree-lined road in one of the most affluent sections in town like I belonged. Of course, I didn’t belong. When did I ever belong?
My mother had me when she was seventeen. She had come from a broken home full of abuse and drugs. She didn’t know how to be a mom. Her addiction won over. When I was thirteen, she disappeared.
My father was a grifter with a gambling problem. He always associated himself with people like the ones that were after me now. We were always running from something.
I turned eighteen and decided enough was enough. I distanced myself from my dad and enrolled in community college with big dreams of becoming an artist. Life on my own proved to be no better than life with the deadbeat.
Growing up, school wasn’t really my thing. I tried, but we moved around a lot and I could never find my way. Over the years, teachers told my dad I had some learning disabilities, but he ignored their recommendations. We never stayed in one place long enough for anyone to help me. Once I got enrolled in the next school, we started over, and by the time anyone figured out I was struggling, we left again.
I dropped out of college because I couldn’t afford housing and tuition, and I couldn’t keep up with the demand of the classes. I loved the art classes, but the other stuff didn’t make much sense to me. Those teachers were right when they said I had some issues.
Work didn’t come easily either. No one wanted to hire a twenty-year-old with a few community college credits and no experience.Whatever.
At the end of the road, the mansions became bigger and more isolated. An opening in the bushes would lead me to a safe place. Darkness took over the sky, so there was less chance of someone spotting me in the wealthy neighborhood.
I hurried down the path and to the back of the largest house in the development. I pulled up my hoodie in an attempt to stay warm. The air had become increasingly chilly these past few nights.
Once I reached the edge of the property, I hustled across the open field as fast as I could. If I made it to the stables without being detected, I could spend another night in this refuge I had found a few days ago. The horses didn’t seem to mind my company.
My heart raced as I got closer to the back window.Almost there!I slid open the window, looking over my shoulder to make sure no one watched before climbing through. The stables were at least a quarter-mile from the main house.
The horses stirred a bit when I shut the window behind me. They had already been fed and secured in their stalls. I had watched the routine the first two nights from a safe distance. The six beauties stared at me as I slowly approached them. One was more magnificent than the other.
“Hey, friends.” I waved to them. “It’s me again.”
I greeted each one as I wandered past them, taking in the elaborate space. It had only been three nights ago that I had met them, but I didn’t need their gold engraved nameplates to identify them anymore.
Macy.
Kendall.
