Page 9 of Downpour

Peggy pinched the bridge of her nose. “No one got better, Brooke. You cost the agency nine accounts. Nine valuable, paying clients left because of you.”

“Really? I don’t understand…”

My heart sank as she began to list off my failings—always running late, misplacing things, mixing up meds and meals. I tried to explain about my noisy roommates and lack of sleep, but she cut me off.

“I don’t want to hear excuses. I can’t keep giving you assignments if you’re going to cost us money. This is your last chance.”

My bottom lip trembled. “I’ll do better. I promise.”

“Don't bother coming back here if Mr. Wilson sends you away,” she said, turning back to her computer and waving me off.

I retreated out of the office and slunk back to my car. The check engine light greeted me when I started the engine, and a knot formed in my stomach.

I needed this paycheck.

Rent, groceries, car repairs—being alive was expensive.

Being a home aid wasn’t my dream job, but it gave me plenty of time to dream about other things. Plus, I loved helping my clients. Keeping them company, driving them to their appointments, chatting about their day while I cleaned theirhouses… People were awesome, and getting paid to do life with them was the best.

I just had to do better.

Two more years… I had to survive for two more years, and then everything would be fine.

2

RAY

Ithreaded the end of the rope through the loop and tightened it. My hand trembled. I bit the knot to loosen it so I could tie it again, all while ignoring the body on the other side of the room.

Unfortunately, the body was alive.

“I don’t know why everyone said you’re crabby,” she said as she cleaned up from lunch. “You’re just quiet. Nothing wrong with that, sweetheart. I don’t mind the quiet. There’s too much noise these days.”

A dull ache pulsed behind my eyes. “Stop talking.”

She huffed. “That grouchy act won’t work on me. I raised six boys—including my husband. I can handle your attitude.”

The rope fell as I unlocked my chair and rolled to the door. “Out.”

She propped her hands on her hips. “I just got here.”

“And now you’re leaving.” I opened the front door and wheeled away. “Don’t bother locking up.”

It was already time to change the locks again. Seemed like I spent more money on doorknobs than anything else.Fortunately, the drill was still on the side table in the living room.

Maybe a number lock would be easier than dealing with keys and all that bullshit. I could just reprogram the code.

“Mr. Griffith, there’s no reason for you to speak to me that way.”

“There’s no reason for you to still be here.”

“But I?—”

“I believe he told you to leave.” Cassandra, my brother’s fiancé, appeared in the doorway. She hitched her thumb over her shoulder. “Beat it.”

The old lady glowered. “Who do you think you are, telling me to leave my job?”

Cassandra’s cold stare made it clear the old lady was fucked. “It doesn’t matter who I am. Ray told you to get out of his house. Now leave. You’re trespassing, and this is Texas.”

---