Page 85 of Margo's Got Money Troubles

“Why? What happened? I’m on my way. Is he okay?” I was sitting up now and JB was awake beside me.

“There’s someone here to do a home inspection for Bodhi’s well-being.”

“From the 730?!” I was straight panicking. “They weren’t supposed to come until Tuesday!”

“Okay, well, they’re here now, and, uh, your presence is requested. She says if you can’t be here in fifteen minutes, she’ll need to take him with her to her office.”

“Fuck, okay, I’ll be right there.”

JB had me back at the apartment in less than eight minutes. I’d rinsed my mouth with water and wiped the mascara from under my eyes, but my hair was a hopeless mess, I had a major sex tangle in the back, and I hoped it wasn’t too obvious I was in last night’s clothes.

JB started to unbuckle to walk me in. I stopped him. “I don’t want to have to explain who you are,” I said.

“But you can’t get up the stairs,” he said.

“I can,” I said. “I’ll be fine.”

“I feel like I should—”

“Please,” I said, “trust me. It will look way worse if you go in with me.” It would be one thing if JB and I had time to come up with a lie, some alternate story as to how we met. I had told Dr. Sharp I didn’t have a boyfriend, so I couldn’t go into this home inspection with a guy I’d clearly just fucked and be forced to admit, yeah, he was one of my fans!

“At least let me help you to the door,” he said.

“Nope!” I said, and slid out of his car. “I’ll text you as soon as this is over,” I promised, and did my best not to show how much it hurt as I hobbled up the stairs, my heels in one hand.

I let myself inside and found my dad with a woman I’d never seen before, sitting together on the pink velvet couch in a large patch of sun. They looked beautiful, God-lit.

“Oh, hello!” The woman heaved herself up. She was at least seven months pregnant and as cute as can be, wearing a black maternity dress printed with white flowers, a white T-shirt underneath for modesty. There was a tattoo of a star on the inside of her wrist, I noticed as we shook hands.

“Are you Margo? My name is Maribel. I’m with Child Protective Services.”

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t here,” I said. My heart was beating so loudly, it was hard to hear. “I thought it was supposed to be Dr. Sharp. Isn’t the appointment next week?”

I looked to Jinx, who was now standing and bouncing Bodhi, who’d begun to fuss. He didn’t meet my eye.

“Well, I don’t know anything about Dr. Sharp, and there was no appointment, so I’m afraid you must be thinking of something else. I’m with CPS. We received a complaint of possible neglect and abuse. This home visit is standard procedure. Hopefully we can go through everything and make sure this is a safe environment for your little guy. I’ve already walked through the apartment with James here.”

“Are you going to take him?” I asked, my voice breaking. That’s what Jinx had said, that if I wasn’t there in time, she would take him. I had made it, but would she take him anyway?

Bodhi was fussing in Jinx’s arms. Jinx was bouncing him helplessly. “I think he needs to nurse,” he said, handing him to me.

“Oh, of course,” Maribel said, and gestured to the couch. I did not want to take her spot, but I knew if I sat on the floor I’d never be able to get up with my ankle, so I sat and whipped out a boob as discreetly as possible.

“Today we’re evaluating the home,” Maribel said. “If we don’t find imminent danger to Bodhi, then he can remain here.”

I nodded anxiously.

“So James said you were staying at a friend’s house?” Maribel prompted.

“Yeah,” I said, afraid of contradicting anything he had already told her.

“Do you do that a lot?” she asked.

“This was the first time, actually. First night away.” The shame was quick and wrenching. I couldn’t believe I’d left him here, that I’d been so selfish.

“I see,” she said in a way that made it clear she didn’t believe me at all. “Well, I suppose everyone needs a break sooner or later. So I was asking James exactly what you do for a living. He said you have a website?”

“I’m no good at explaining it,” Jinx said, making wild I’m sorry eyes behind Maribel.

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