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I don’t think I can do this. I need out of this car.
The small space is suffocating.
I reach for the door handle, struggling to open it.
Why won't it open?
"Breathe, Scar. Take a deep breath and slow your breathing." Mom soothes me by rubbing my back. I lean against the headrest and take long, deep breaths.
"Do you need me to grab a pill from your bag?" Mom asks in a gentle tone.
I nod, unable to form the words.
She hands me the tiny white pill that will somehow save me. Mom sits with me for the next few minutes, allowing the drug to do its magic. My breathing slows. The white spots in my vision slowly fade away.
"Thank you," I manage to get out.
"Of course, sweetheart."
I feel grateful for my mom's kindness and support. It's little moments like this that remind me how lucky I am to have her in my life.
* * *
Dottie's Deli is in the square we consider downtown, between Sweets Bakery and Cut the Crap hair salon by Payton. Dottie's is known for its homemade bread and fresh lunch meat. Seth, Maverick, and I used to eat here after school. Dottie, the owner, was like the grandmother I always wanted when I was younger.
I step through the doors, and the familiar scent of fresh bread lingers in the air, making my mouth water. The place isn't packed—yet—but it won't take long until the space fills, and then there won't be any space to stand.
"Well, I'll be damned," Dottie chirps when she sees me. She still looks the same. Her hair is white as snow and pulled up with a pen tucked into her bun. The apron she's wearing is the same one Gem and I bought her as a gift two years ago.
"Are you going to come over here and give me some sugar, or will you stand there blocking my customers from coming in?"
Oh.I glance over my shoulder, but there isn’t anybody behind me.
"Well, alright then. I'll just come to you." Dottie walks around the counter until she's standing before me.
Her smile widens, and she pulls me into a bear hug. Dottie is not a tiny woman, but she isn't big either. She's kind of in between. Her embraces are always soft but firm, like being wrapped in a blanket of love.
I wrap my hands around her, and she sways me back and forth. "Oh, it is so good to see you, my child."
Dottie pulls away but keeps her arms on my shoulders. "You come back for your job?"
I nod. "Yes, but I didn't know if I still had one." My voice is quiet so others will not be able to hear.
"Psh," she dismisses me with a wave, "that's a bunch of hogwash. You willalwayshave a job here. Don't you forget that." She gives me a pointed look, and I sigh in relief.
"But if you're looking for full-time, I have nothing right now. Just part-time, baby girl."
"That's fine. How many hours per week?"
"Not much, sweetheart. Maybe eight hours at the most."
Oh, thatispart-time.
I bite my lower lip. What am I going to do? I need the money to move to New York with Gem.
"Bobby Jo has got his own meal delivery business. He's looking for a full-time driver." That voice came from Peggy, Dottie's best friend.
"Woman, don't you ever stay out of my business?" Dottie shoots over her shoulder.
