Downfall(16)

“I would love that list, thank you. Our air conditioner has been on the fritz for three days and Noble is going stir-crazy inside. I apologize for not reaching out sooner. I’ve been looking for a second job and time has really slipped away from me.” It had become a black, chilling void I was terrified I would never escape. I lifted my sweaty hair off the back of my neck and made a face. “I don’t want to keep you. I’ll give you a call before the end of the week.”

She made a hum of agreement and told me, “Let Solo know the super is slacking. If he gives that jerk a call, your unit will be fixed within the hour. The man is useless, but he’s terrified of Solomon. I’m in apartment 3F. Just come on down when you have a free afternoon. You can bring Noble by to meet some of the other kids in the building.” I nodded and went to move around her, but paused when she put a light hand on my arm. “I would be happy to watch her for you in a pinch if you need to go to an interview or anything. I have a list of references and a whole host of qualifications. Those of us who grew up around here try and take care of each other.”

I shook my head and swallowed past a brick in my throat. “I’m not from here though.” And I had no intention of asking Solo for another thing. I was not going to be his newest burden to bear. Everyone seemed to know he was already carrying the entire world on his shoulders, and I wasn’t about to add another pound to his heavy load.

Erica smiled sadly and patted my arm. “Oh, trust me, I know. Anyone looking at you knows that. But you’re here now, so you might as well settle in the best you can with the right people in your corner.” She cocked her head and I found myself watching the peacock colors in her hair play hide and seek with the darker strands. “Have you ever waited tables before?”

I balked and tried to keep up with the change of conversation. “Uh… no. I haven’t done much of anything other than answer phones.” And look pretty. That used to be my number one skill, but I refused to think about that.

“My husband’s brother works at this cute little diner right on the outskirts of the city. He just got promoted to a management position after bartending there forever. They tend to hire college-aged kids so they’re always looking for help right around graduation. I’ll give you Ramon’s number.” She waited while I dug out my cell phone and could jot down the information she quickly rattled off. “Call him and see if they have any openings. Tell him Erica gave you his information and remind him he owes me a favor.” She smiled at me and called for her daughter. Riley hugged Noble and patted her on the shoulder, much like her mother had done to soothe me. “Good luck with everything, Orley. Noble, it was nice to meet you. I’m sure Riley can’t wait to show you all her Star Wars toys.”

They continued down the stairs, my daughter and I both slightly stunned, as we watched them until they were gone. I reached for Noble’s hand, wondering how more people in this God-forsaken city had come to my rescue and offered genuine help, than anyone in my affluent, pristine past had? What were the odds?

I took one step back up the stairs when Noble promptly announced, “I want a pair of cowboy boots!”

Well, at least she wasn’t asking for a pony. It was the small things.





Solo



I practically had to crawl home after my fight on Saturday night. The guy I was up against was new, the size of a house, and obviously had some professional fighting experience. He didn’t fight dirty, but he fought hard, and I had a split lip, blackened eyes, ringing ears, and more than a few cracked ribs to show for it. As a rule, I won more than I lost, but last night, it was no contest. I tried to give as good as I got, but once the guy had me on my back and in a submission choke hold, I’d tapped out. I’d done it right before the world started to fade to black. Back in the good old days, there was no such thing as a tap out. You fought until the other guy was dead or unconscious. But the man in charge of the fights was wicked and ruthless enough that most people referred to him as the Devil. He wanted to keep those of us around who earned big cash for him on the regular. So now, he had enforcers on hand to make sure the fight ended if one of the participants knew there was no way to win. I fucking hated being that guy last night, but one more kick to the head or fist to my ribs and I wasn’t going to be able to get out of bed for a week. I had too much going on to end up on my back and out of commission for any length of time.

I hated that the only money I’d pocketed was the fee for showing up to get my ass kicked and none of the prize money I could have won. The cash from the fights was the money I used to keep my mom in the best facility in the state. Anything I earned while taking a beating went to her, and everything I earned at the garage kept a roof over my head and my car tricked out. If I came up short during a fight, it meant I was going to have to borrow from my other funds and go without something in my day to day. It happened. It wasn’t anything new, but it still made me feel like a loser, even more than having to tap out.

It was really early in the morning when I was slinking into the apartment building. The sun was barely up and the normally busy streets were quiet. Lester was asleep on the bottom step, and my ribs screamed in protest when I had to haul myself over him. Luckily, I had the day off, so I could crash, recharge, then drive out to see my mother before I settled in and worked on any school assignments for the upcoming week. It was about as much of a day off as I ever got, and I was looking forward to the mindlessness of the familiar tasks.