Page 3 of Truck Me

6. Unlimited access to all the best shopping.

Chicago really does have the best shopping. People fly in from all over the country to shop in our city. There’s a magical air about the atmosphere the stores create that keeps people coming back just as much as the great designer products.

I had the life everyone in my hometown expected a former beauty queen like me to have. Great job, great boyfriend who I thought was going to marry me, gorgeous apartment, and more money in the bank than most people in this town see in their lifetimes.

I had it all. Now, it’s all gone. Well, except the money. I still have my life’s savings.

But the reputation I’d built is gone thanks to one stupid night, and a cheating, lying boyfriend.

“You’re still not watching.” Rayne’s voice cuts through my thoughts. She may be ten, but she has all the attitude of a teenage girl. “You promised to watch movies with me.”

“I know. I know. Sorry.” I close my journal and stuff it back in my purse. “I’m distracted. I wish the repairman would hurry up. I didn’t plan on being stuck at the laundromat all day.”

“Got somewhere better to be?”

“Well.” I think about that for a moment. There are definitely places I’d rather be, but they aren’t options for me right now. So … “No, I don’t.”

“Then stop stressing. You can’t control things like broken washing machines. Grandma says you should relax and enjoy life despite the troubles it throws your way.”

I smile and brush a strand of Rayne’s dark hair behind her year. She’s wise beyond her years. “Grandma is a very smart woman.”

“She is. Now watch Barbie with me.” Rayne snuggles into my side, clearly signifying that this conversation is over, and I am to watch Barbie. No questions asked.

I hold back my chuckle. Despite the million reasons this girl has to be unhappy, she’s the happiest little girl in the world.

My sister died within hours of giving birth due to complications during the delivery. Rayne has grown up without a mother, and we don’t know who her father is. Carol insisted she didn’t know who he was either. I’m not exactly sure how that happens. Unless my sister was sleeping around and didn’t know which man was the father. Or else she had a one-night stand with a stranger and had no way of tracking him down.

Neither option sounds like my sister, and unfortunately, she died before we could get answers.

Then there’s the business with my dad and the second reason I’ve moved home. My parents’ announcement that my dad has dementia and is deteriorating quickly came at the exact moment my life imploded in Chicago.

My dad is the only father figure Rayne has ever known. I don’t know how she remains so happy considering the state of her life. The kid is an inspiration.

My phone buzzes in my purse, and my instinct is to grab it. But I stop myself and focus on the screen of my tablet. I promised Rayne I’d watch this with her. My phone can wait.

Rayne nudges my side. “You can check that. I don’t mind.”

“You sure?”

She nods, and I don’t push it. I dig my phone out of my purse. My nerves heightened at who might be messaging me. It’s been eleven days since I last heard from Brad, my ex-boyfriend of seven years. I keep having moments of weakness where I find myself holding out hope that he’ll change his mind and realize he made a huge mistake. Then I scold myself for holding onto that hope. Even if he did change his mind, I’d be a fool to take him back.

I smile when I look at the message. It’s from my best friend. I think I miss her more than I miss Brad. Or is it the idea of Brad that I miss so much and not him? I can’t decide my feelings on the matter.

Sierra

How’s it going in Beavertown?

Charlotte

It’s just Beaver. And I’m in hell.

Sierra

I’d be in hell too if I were stuck in a village named after a woman’s vagina.

Charlotte

It’s named after the animal. And that’s gross. I still wish you never told me that.

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