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Claudia plops down on the chair in front of my desk. She’s sporting the hungover look, complete with dark circles under her blue eyes and last night’s makeup smudged across her face.
“Your secretary is a bitch,” she snarls.
I fold my hands together, set them on my desk, and lean forward. “No, she isn’t. Now, what’s so important that you felt the need to visit me at my work, which I’ve asked you numerous times not to? This is a public office, not a place for me to handle my family issues.”
Claudia has never taken my job seriously. Oftentimes, it seems like shewantsme to lose it.
She rolls her eyes. “I need money.”
I cut her off before she can elaborate. “No.”
She winces. “But—”
I interrupt her again. “I said, no.”
“You’re a goddamn bitch,” she seethes. “I hate you.”
The feeling is mutual.
I shrug. “If that’s how you feel, then that’s how you feel.”
She bows her head. “I’m in trouble, and Michael still isn’t answering my calls.”
“That’s nothing new, Claudia. You’re always in trouble, and your reasoning for needing money is never-ending, dramatic, Shakespearian bullshit. If Michael isn’t giving you money, go back to the job you quit.”
She lifts her chin and glares at me while I’m fighting with myself not to cave in. I’m a habitual pushover when it comes to Claudia. Eventually, I grow tired of her pleading and give in. That’s not happening today.
She lowers her voice. “Roger and I owe some men money.” She continues before I get the chance to confirm she won’t receive a cent from me. “Roger borrowed additional money on top of our debt to pay my bail!”
“How precious of him,” I mutter. “He lives in your home, rent-free. He should help you.”
“They’re dangerous, Chloe. They can hurt me!”
“You are adults and capable of paying your own debts. I’m done bailing you out of your messes. Last time, when I said it was the last time, I wasn’t lying.” I push my hands forward before doing a scraping them clean motion. “No more.”
“What about the kids then, huh? Are you not concerned with their safety?”
“They are safe at my house.”
“Please, Chloe.” She’s close to tears, and I’m close to caving. It happens every single time. She knows what works on me. “Please.”
Don’t do it. Don’t do it.
“I’ve given you thousands of dollars to help you, and you’ve done nothing but blow it on booze and taking care of your deadbeat boyfriends. No more. Nothing.”
“My kids need to eat,” she grits out before pushing her fingers through her greasy hair.
“Then, I will buy them food.”
“They need heat and electricity.”
“I have both at my house. They can stay with me.”
“What about me, huh? Do you not care if I’m cold and hungry?”
“If you need to sleep in my spare bedroom, you can, but you’ll be pulling your shit together. No drugs. No Roger. There will be rules.” I shut my eyes in dread. Babysitting Claudia is harder than babysitting both Trey and Gloria.
“I don’t want to live with you,” she snaps.
