Page 33 of Spike

I sighed. “Maybeyou’re right.”

“There’s nomaybeabout it.”

“How about I agreeto meet with your attorney and if she thinks we have a case, we’ll go fromthere?”

“I can live withthat,” she said. “Now, where am I meeting you for brunch? My treat.”

I laughed, myheart light again as we decided on a spot to eat. Our choice was back theopposite way I’d just driven, so I headed that way. As I drove, I made aconscious decision not to worry. At least for today.

Tomorrow, however,all bets are off.

** *

I pulled my carinto the garage just as my mother was sliding into hers. “Christine, why areyou home so early?”

“I was laid off,”I said as I locked my car.

“What did you do?”

“Nothing, Mom, butthanks for your unending faith in me.”

“Honestly,Christine. Why do you have to take everything so personally?”

I didn’t have theenergy to fight with my mother. “They are eliminating my position to savemoney.”

“Well, that mustbe disappointing. But praise the Lord, He always provides. I’ll let your fatherknow you’re available to come back and work for him.”

“I’mnotavailable to come back and work for him,” I countered.

“How are you goingto pay your rent, small as it is, if you don’t have a job?”

“I was givenseverance,” I said. “I appreciate the fact that Daddy has said I always have aplace, but I’m going to take a few days before I make any final decisions.”

Mom sighed. “Suityourself.”

I gave her a tightsmile and headed upstairs, leaning against my door after I’d closed it. Idouble bolted the lock and attached the chain just in case she tried to bargein again, then I made my way to my bedroom and practically fell onto the bed.

I was only therefor a minute or two when my phone rang. I sat up long enough to fish it out ofmy purse, then flopped back onto the mattress as I answered the call. “Hello?”

“Trixie? You sounddifferent.”

“Yes, it’s me. Hi,Spike.”

“You okay?”

“Yes,” I grumbled.“Well, other than the fact I got fired today.”

“What the fuck?”he snapped. “What happened?”

“It’s not a bigdeal.”

“Talk to me,Trix.”

I rolled my eyesand then I spilled. Everything including my issues with pervy Dan, which madehim go quiet. Like, so quiet I thought the call had dropped.

“Are you stillthere?”

“Yeah, I’m here.”He cleared his throat. “I’m coming over.”

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