Page 9 of A Kiss at Midnight

It doesn’t take long to rush out the front door, then take the morning bus to work. I don’t even mind the forty-minute commute. I’m reading a great thriller by James Patterson and the ride flies by in a blur. There’s a spot at work where we can trade books. There’s always something new so I have one and a spare at all times now. Who needs a crappy TV when there are millions of books to read? Not me.

I arrive at the office thirty minutes early and get to my desk. I’d rather be early than risk being late. The bus is too unpredictable to take any chances. I’m well aware I’ll be on trial for my first year at this company, and I have to keep this job to ensure getting custody of my brother.

“Jewel, can we chat for a few minutes?”

I look up to find Ms. Beaumont gazing down at me, concern on her face. My stomach clenches.

“Is everything okay?” I ask.

“I’m not sure. Come with me to my office,” she says, her tone not giving anything away. I feel my minimal breakfast bar wanting to come back up as I follow her to her office. I can’t think of a single thing I’ve done wrong, but what if I unwittingly screwed up? I can’t lose this job. I’m not above begging.

We reach her office and I see a file sitting on her desk. I’m trembling as I take the seat across from her. I can’t wait for her to ask me to sit. I’m too scared right now and there’s no chance my knees are going to hold me up.

“What’s wrong, Ms. Beaumont?” I ask, begging her to not prolong this torture.

“Do you have a little brother?” she asks. I feel the color drain from my face as I look down, tears filling my eyes. I’m not sure how, but she found out.

“I do. I’m sorry I lied about that, but Ihadto get this job. He’s a great kid. He won’t affect my work performance at all. I swear,” I tell her, my voice shaky.

“He’s currently in foster care,” she says. It’s not a question. A tear falls and I wipe it away with frustration. “Tell me what’s happening with this,” she demands. I can’t even think of holding back now.

“My mother had cancer that took her fast. We lost all of our money and our family home. They took my brother into foster care, saying I wasn’t fit to be his guardian. I live in a tiny studio apartment right now, but I can afford to get a bigger place with my next paycheck, and with a stable job they’ll give me custody. Justin’s ten years old and he’ll be in school. I can care for himandwork here. I’ve already looked into after-school programs so if I need to work overtime, he has a place to go. I swear it won’t affect my work.” I spit all of this out as fast as I can. I finally look up. McKenzie’s gazing back at me with sympathy.

“I understand why you felt the need to keep this from me. We ask about family because we want to know our employees. You didn’t know this though. Your brother’s information came back in your background check.” She pauses as she pulls out a card. She doesn’t hand it over.

“Jewel, I believe family is the most important thing in our lives. A good job fills us with pride, but a family fills us with hope. Never feel you have to explain your love for your brother. I think it’s wonderful you love him so much and are fighting for him. I told you during the interview that the company has apartments. We normally don’t offer these units to employees until the trial period is over, but a two-bedroom unit just became available. I’m offering it to you. I also know a very good attorney I’m happy to refer you to if you’d like to speak to him about your case.”

I’m in shock as I gaze at this woman I thought was so hard when I first met her. She’s not that way at all. She’s certainly strong and determined, but she has a real heart too. I give her a grateful smile.

“I’d love to take the apartment and to meet the attorney,” I tell her.

“Good, call him and see if you can get in this week.”

“It will have to be on my lunch break.”

“If you need an extra hour let me know,” she tells me. “I’ll have the apartment lease sent to your desk this afternoon. Just fill it out and send it to HR. They’ll take the rent right from your paycheck. I think you’ll love the building. It’s not too far from work so you’ll save some commute time. The building also offers a swimming pool and gym that both you and your brother can enjoy.”

“Are you sure I can afford it?” I ask, realizing I haven’t talked cost yet.

She chuckles. “Yes, you can. Like I told you, we offer a discounted price. We like to keep our employees happy so they stay with the company for a very long time,” she says as she stands.

The meeting is over. I walk away from her in a daze. I call the attorney’s office before my shift officially begins in five minutes. Luck of all luck, he has a brief opening during my lunch hour today.

I sit back with a smile, knowing today is going to be a great day. I’ll walk into that lawyer’s office, exuding confidence. It will all work out. The attorney will tell me exactly what I want to hear... I’m sure of it.

A few hours later I’m sitting upright in a stiff leather chair and listening to the attorney speak... feeling far less confident as the man takes a quick glance through the few legal documents I have with me to show him.

“The court asked for a visible change in your circumstances, Ms. Weston, a sign of stability. You don’t have a positive employment history, though you’ve now had a good job for one month, but are still on a trial position with that company. You still don’t have a proper residence, and you are young.”

“How can the courts possibly think it will be better for my brother to be raised by strangers who don’t care about him?”

“It’s not a matter of who will love your brother more. It’s very black and white, and they don’t want to see this boy bounced around for years until he ends up as yet another lost child in the juvenile-justice system.”

I don’t like this man, not one little bit. McKenzie said he was good, but all I can see is a cold-hearted person who isn’t saying a single thing I want to hear.

“I disagree with you, Mr. Sharp. My brother’s much better off with a sister who loves him and who will do whatever it takes to ensure his safety.”

“I’ve been doing my job for a very long time, Ms. Weston, and I won’t take on a case I’m sure to lose. I took this meeting as a favor to McKenzie, but I’m telling you right now that this is a losing case.” The way he says the words isn’t exactly cruel, but still they cut me to the bone.

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