I came home exhausted after a long shift at the elementary school library where I worked. My feet hurt. My back hurt. Every muscle in my body felt heavy.
The mortgage payment was due in a week.
The electric bill sat unopened on the counter.
I had spent years stretching every paycheck to keep a roof over our heads.
When Brandon walked into the kitchen, he didn’t ask how my day had been.
He didn’t ask if I was okay.
He asked for money.
“Need three hundred bucks,” he said casually.
I stared at him.
“For what?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes.”
He rolled his eyes.
“Just give it to me.”
“No.”
The word slipped out before I could soften it.
Brandon froze...
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