Page 2 of Autumn's Coming

I sat up immediately. “Mom? Hey, what—what’s wrong?”

She sniffled again. “Autumn, honey, I’m so sorry.”

“What—what is it?” I frowned. “Mom, are you okay? Are you hurt?”

“No, no, I just lost my job, sweetheart. Layoffs. Company-wide. My position was marked as unnecessary. So they let me go.”

My heart dropped.

Not just for myself, but for Mom. What would she do without a job? She didn’t have anyone to take care of her. Hell, she was still taking care of me, even after I’d moved out.

Now, she couldn’t even take care of herself.

She didn’t need to know I was still struggling.

“Mom,” I said gently. “Hey. It’s okay. You’ll find another job. You’ll be all right.”

She let out a sob. “I just—I said I would help you, and now…”

I wished I could give her a hug. “Mom, don’t worry about me. I actually did pretty good at work last night. I’ll ask to pick up some more shifts and it’ll be okay.”

“I just feel so bad, honey. I hate leaving you hanging like this.”

“You’re not leaving me hanging. Not at all. You’ve been going above and beyond to help me. Now you just need to worry about yourself.”

But how the hell was I going to make rent?

I couldn’t say anything about it. Not while she was already crying and beating herself up.

I shut my eyes, fighting my own tears. “Mom, just focus on yourself. Okay? Find a new job and settle in. I’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure, honey?”

“Positive. I’m all right.”

She sniffled. “I love you so much. I’ll call you later, okay? When I’m doing better.”

“Okay. No worries. I work tonight, so if I don’t answer, that’s why.”

“Okay. I love you, honey.”

“I love you, too, Mom.”

We said goodbye and hung up.

I lay on my bed, staring up at the ceiling.

What was I going to do now?

Maybe ask Jessie to cover my half of rent, just for this month.

It was the only option I had, really.

I pulled myself together and came out of the bedroom.

Immediately, Jessie looked up at me, frowning. “Is everything okay?”

I shook my head. “My mom just got laid off.”

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