Page 18 of Compelled Obedience

“Out like a light for a change,” she said.

I breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m glad. I tried to get home as early as possible.”

“I know.” She looked away and leaned against the counter.

“What’s on your mind?”

Sheepish was the only word to describe her expression. “I know you’re having a hard time right now. I mean Casey doesn’t seem to be… well, he’s a handful. I’m not sure that I’m…”

“Just spill it, Bec. Please?”

“I’m asking for a raise. I love working with Casey, but it’s very draining. I need to make some money for school. I’ve applied to a couple out of state colleges to finish up my junior and senior year. The community college isn’t going to help me. But my parents can’t afford anything at this point.”

Not only was she asking me for a raise, she was also telling me in a few months I’d lose her completely. I wasn’t certain I was breathing any longer. I’d gone through eight different people in an attempt to make it work around Casey. He needed someone with him at all times when I wasn’t around and I had to work. There was no choice. If only I could get him enrolled in the school where I taught music, but they weren’t set up that way.

As it was, I had to scramble to get him to his special school on time so I could slide into class just before the bell rang. If Rebecca didn’t pick him up, I didn’t know what I’d do. I suddenly felt as if the weight of the entire world had been placed on my shoulders. A single tear slipped past my lashes and I was horrified. I was much stronger than this.

I quickly turned, wiping it away before she noticed. “Um. I’ll work something out, Bec. Okay? Just give me a couple days. Can you do that?”

“Sure. Of course I can. I’m sorry I need to do this.”

“It’s okay, honey. You have a life to live yourself. Thank you for giving me a little time.”

She nodded and moved toward the kitchen door. “Night, Kerri.”

“Night. Get home safely.”

As soon as she was out of sight, I slunk into the chair, holding my head in my hands. Several things had to change. I needed a release, something I could call my own. As the tears fell onto the endless bills, I gasped for air, angry at everything and everyone.

I picked through the invoices, trying to put them into categories. There were so many of them, the crush from medical bills for Casey. But everything else was spiraling out of control as well. At least the next day was Sunday. I didn’t have to work either job and maybe I could figure out something before it was too late.

A single envelope drew my attention. When I pulled it from the stack, a cold shiver drifted into my system. It was a letter. From him. How the hell had he found my address?

I didn’t care what he had to say. It didn’t matter any longer. I refused to allow him to hurt either me or Casey ever again. After crumpling it in my hand and tossing it across the room, a single agonizing sob left my throat.

Exhaling, I did what I could to calm myself down. Then I jerked up from the table, taking two long strides and snatching the letter from the floor. I ripped it open so violently the single piece of paper was torn into two pieces. That didn’t distort the words or the threat.

We need to talk, little girl.

You owe me.

You will pay.

As the tears continued to fall, I couldn’t seem to stop shaking. Then I raked my arm across the table with a silent scream.

CHAPTER 6

Kerri

Monday mornings came far too early, especially this one.

It was the single day of the week I hated the most because it seemed everything bad always happened in the beginning of the week. It was the day my car had broken down on the freeway and I’d almost been hit by a tractor trailer. It was the day my mother had died, her body buried a week later. It had been the day Casey had managed to wander away from home and it had taken twelve hours of a full search to find him. That had quite frankly been the worst day of my life.

It had also been the first time my stepfather had…

I pinched my eyes closed, refusing to fall into damning my week with my own ugly thoughts. I got paid this week and even with the impending bills, I was determined to take Casey out for his favorite meal. He deserved a treat, even if it was only every once in a while.

Plus, today was a half day, a teacher’s partial workday. Rebecca was still picking up Casey at the regular time, which offered a few options of alone time. I had plans on chatting with my landlord to try to see if there was anything I could do with the rent increase.

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