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So, I’d added air filters to my shopping list. And because my girl was a petite little thing, I’d change them for her, too. No, not my girl, my obsession. I knew it was crossing the line breaking into her home and doing some light repairs. But hell, I already stalked her, I might as well make myself useful and help out around the house.
Finding no other reason to linger, I gathered my tools and the old filter, making my way to the front door. I lifted a sweater that sat on the bench, filling my lungs with Mia’s scent before opening the door and forcing myself to leave. Shutting the door silently, I pulled my lock picking kit out of my pocket and made sure the locks were back in place. As I made my way down the steps, I noticed that the bolts that should be keeping the handrail secured to the concrete were missing, causing the rail itself to be unstable. This was dangerous not only for Mia but especially for her neighbor. I’d seen Mia helping her walk to her car on multiple occasions.
I took a quick picture with my phone and made a note for the probable size bolts I’d need. I’d take care of it when I came back tomorrow night.
It’s not like I had plans. These days my life consisted of work and taking care of Mia in the only way I could.
3
MIA
My alarm went off and I slapped at my nightstand until the offensive sound stopped. I groaned, feeling like I’d only fallen asleep five minutes ago. Sexy dreams of Gage had plagued me all night and now I was unsatisfied on top of being exhausted.
Flopping onto my back, I thought about what I needed to do today. I didn’t have to be at work until the dinner shift and with Miles at school, I was left with a full day to run errands and do chores around the house.
Rolling out of bed, I felt at least a decade older than I actually was. My back was sore and my feet ached as I shuffled to the bathroom to get ready for the day. The warm shower helped and I was brushing my teeth when I heard the first stirrings of Miles waking up.
I grabbed the first clean outfit I could find, mentally adding laundry to the list and headed to the kitchen. Miles had one of the breakfast chairs pushed against the counter so that he could reach the cabinet that held his favorite cereal. My heart dropped to my stomach, immediately I imagined him falling before I could get there.Thank you for the intrusive thoughts, mom brain.
“Hey, buddy, you couldn’t wait the two minutes it would take me to come out and help you?” I wrapped one arm around his waist to steady him as I reached up and grabbed the box, placing it on the counter.
“You were taking forever,” Miles stretched out the words in exasperation. And I thought it was just teenagers that were grumps in the morning.
“Well, excuse me. How about you take this chair back to the table and I’ll grab you a bowl and some milk?”
The chair legs scraped over the old linoleum while I opened the fridge and pulled out the nearly empty milk jug. I grimaced at the almost bare shelves in the fridge, clearly grocery shopping was going to be the top priority.
“Did you practice your sight words with Mrs. Gonzalez yesterday?” I asked as I placed the bowl in front of him and ran my fingers through his hair. He fell on the sugar-filled meal like a starved wild animal.
“Yup,” Miles mumbled around a mouthful of cereal. Milk dribbled down his chin and I grabbed a napkin out of the holder to wipe it off. He often chastised me for doing such things, insisting that he wasn’t a baby anymore. I couldn’t help it, though, no matter how old he got, the instinct to do things for him was still there.
“I’m going to the store today, is there anything you want?”
“No, I’m fine.” Miles rarely asked for anything. He was smart and even though I’d done my best to hide it, I think he knew the realities of our situation. There wasn’t much room in the budget for extras but when I could swing it, I loved to bring him a special treat or small toy. He was such a good kid and I’d give him the world if I could. Guilt reared its ugly head and I squashed it down, not wanting to ruin our morning.
A quick glance at the clock alerted me that we only had minutes before the bus arrived. I hurried him along, getting his shoes and backpack on, rushing out the door just in time to see the bus pulling onto our street. I gave Miles a big hug and watched him climb the steps, waiting until it disappeared around the corner.
Already missing him, I dragged my feet up our front walk and climbed the handful of stairs, careful to avoid the loose handrail. I needed to call Dan, our awful landlord, again. Not that he’d answer or call me back. It pissed me off, the dripping sink was annoying but this was dangerous. Mrs. Gonzalez had a bad knee and stairs were especially difficult for her. I worried that if there was a time she needed to leave the house and I wasn’t here, she could fall.
Closing and locking the door, I looked around the tidy living room. The desire to climb back into bed and sleep was strong but being a single mom meant that things like naps and self-care were practically non-existent. My shoulders slumped under the weight of my responsibilities.
Opening the cabinet under the sink to check the leak, I was shocked to see the bucket dry and pushed away from the pipe, which was also dry. What the hell? I was sure I’d checked it last night and it was still dripping. Then again, I’d been tired, distracted by my late-night visitor. Maybe Dan came yesterday and fixed it after all. Looking at it as one less thing to worry about, I grabbed my cleaning supplies and ran through my daily routine of eliminating every speck of dust and dirt in the house.
Miles’ asthma had started when he was a toddler. I’d been awoken one night to the scariest sound in the world, my baby boy gasping for breath in the bed next to me. I’d broken every traffic law rushing him to the hospital.
The doctors diagnosed him with asthma and gave me a long list of things he’d need to avoid. We had rescue inhalers at home and school and a medical bracelet with his condition and my phone number on it. It was easier to handle now that he was older and knew how to use his inhaler himself but attacks were scary and I’d do anything in my power to keep them from happening.
It didn’t take me long, our place was small and since this was a daily habit for me, it went fast. I jotted down a quick list of things we needed from the store and made sure I had last night’s tips tucked safely in my wallet, whatever I didn’t spend could be deposited into my bank account. Rent was due soon and I was still a hundred dollars short. I’d have to see if I could pick up some extra shifts.
Brooks didn’t like us working double shifts. He was a great boss that actually cared about his employees and their well-being. I’d argued with him about it not too long ago. He’d crossed his arms over his broad chest letting me know his decision was final. “You have to sleep sometime, Mia.” Now, the only time I was allowed to pick up extra shifts was if another waitress needed someone to cover for them.
I shut off the lights before turning to lock the door. The dinner shifts at Brooks’ Bar and Grill were the most lucrative, tip wise and I worked every night we were open. Maybe I could find a second job during the day while Miles was at school. I could swing by the library when it opened and use the computer to check job postings available in town.
Feeling more upbeat now that I had a plan, I walked to the bus stop. I’d figure something out, I always did.
* * *
Scrolling through the job postings,my optimism was at an all-time low. There was nothing, at least nothing that I was qualified for or would work with my current schedule.
