Page 25 of When It Rains He Pours

“Hm,” she said, the clicking of her fingertips loud and unnerving.

“What? What is it?”

“Ms. Daniels, there's no easy way for me to put this, but you're not covered under that policy anymore.”

“I'm not what?” My voice drew out confused and uneasy. “What are you talking about?”

“Well, it looks like we didn't receive a payment from you last month.”

“No, no that's not right. I know I sent it.” Digging around in my bag, I found my checkbook and yanked it out. “I can tell you the check number, let me get it.”

“Sure, take your time. It doesn't happen very often, but there are times where our system is behind and information processes late. If we can show proof of payment we can retro activate your policy.”

Flipping through the checks, my thumb rode the thin papers like a deck of cards. “I have it right here, I just need to find it.” A loose sheet flew out, floating to the floor. Bending over, I picked it up and turned it over.

No. . . No fucking way.

Shit!

“I. . . I never sent it.”

“Excuse me?” she asked.

“I have it here, I meant to send it, and I guess I didn't.” My heart sank deeper into my chest, the painful realization settling like a boulder in my gut.

“Alright, that's not an issue. We can reinstate it over the phone and you'll have coverage starting today.”

“But what about the damage to my building? Will it cover that?”

“No, I'm sorry, anything between yesterday and the end of last month won't be covered.”

“Are you serious? There's nothing you can do to fix this?”

“I'm sorry, Ms. Daniels, we can't prorate your policy.”

Dropping the phone from my ear after making a payment so I was covered again, I ended the call. The screen flashed to the last picture I had taken, and I was tempted to throw my phone across the room.

I just couldn't win. Nothing was going my way, there didn't seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel. Everything just kept getting worse.

Don't give up. You can't let this stop you.My father's voice chimed in my head, reminding me what I needed to do.

I worked too hard for this. I put everything into this place. It wasn't just my lifeblood, it was my mother's too. Without me, my mother would have nothing. I couldn't let her get evicted from her apartment, leaving her hungry and broke.

Taking a deep breath, I grabbed the trash can and pulled it into the center of the room. I had to try, I couldn't give up even if it felt like this was the end.

Picking up wood shards and canvas, I started filling the bin. Piece by piece, I dropped my very existence into the garbage.

A soft knock on the door forced my ears to perk, but I didn't look. I didn't really care who was there, it didn't matter. “Sorry, I'm closed.”

“But your sign says open.”

Snapping my back straight, my head jerked over my shoulder. I was half expecting to be dreaming, anticipating an empty doorway as my brain played tricks on me.

“Hey,” Liam said as he stepped inside. “I figured I'd find you here.”

What the hell is he doing here?

Throwing my hands to my hips, I cocked a brow. “Where else would I be? I should have been here all along.”

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