Page 32 of Confined Space

"Oh, this house wasn't built until I was in high school, and the pool she got after I enlisted in the Army. But growing up in Prominence Point was good. Our family is here. My uncle has been there for me when I needed a father figure. I never wanted for anything. Even though my family has money, my mom wanted to do as much as she could on her own. The adults wanted all us kids to know just because we had money, we weren’t going to be spoiled. It wasn’t until I got my inheritance at eighteen that I built the house next door. My mom inherited this land, but it took her some time to get the money to build. She invested the money from my father’s inheritance instead of using it."

"My parents have a very small house because they will only take enough of what God provides. The rest of their money goes to the church. I went to the public pool if I wasn't with my grandmother. My granny had an old plantation that she inherited from her second husband after he passed. She sold it to one of his family members to keep it in the family. That's the money she gave to me for college so I could get away. She didn't want my mother to raise me anymore. I lived with her every weekend and summer. When I started high school and my father got really bad, she let me stay with her."

"She sounds like an amazing woman."

"She was. She died right before I graduated. It's because of her that I decided to be a nurse. She was one, and I wanted to be just like her."

"What about your parents now?"

"They disowned me after I called and told them I was pregnant with Archer."

"Could they be interfering with your inheritance?"

"It's possible, but I won’t know more until I speak to the attorney next week."

"Wasn't there an executor to the estate assigned?"

"Yeah, but I can't reach her. She’s not answering her phone.”

"Well, I'm glad my mom was there to help you."

"She said the CPS office knows about her. They are supposed to be stopping by later today."

"Do you know when?" I have an idea, and it will be perfect.

"At three."

"How about we swim in the pool and hang out until then? After that, my mom can babysit and we can go on a date. She did offer before you moved in. Sound good?"

"Okay." She smiles at me and again my heart does an extra thump in my chest. This woman holds everything that is me in her hands and she doesn't even know it.

She takes Archer out of his seat when he cries and pulls out a blanket from the bag she carried out earlier. She proceeds to feed him again.

"I've got an extra set of trunks in the spare room. I'll go change, then I’ll watch him so you can."

She smiles up at me. "I have my bikini bottoms on under this. I was already planning on hanging out outside. I need to work on my tan and some laps would do me good. I can remove my brace for short periods as long as I’m careful."

"I'll be back." I turn from her quickly so she doesn't see my reaction to her being in a bikini right now. My fantasy from walking over here is coming true.

I'm just stepping out of the spare room when the driveway alert goes off. Checking the camera, I see it’s a delivery service, and they start unloading several boxes. I wait until they get to the door, and I sign for the purchases.

Me

Delivery here, sneaky woman. You're babysitting tonight so I can take her out. Where do you want all these boxes?

Mom

Of course, I'm babysitting. Put the boxes in the front spare room. You will be helping me when I get home.

Me

Tomorrow. I have plans today. Thank you for helping her.

Mom

I wasn’t going to leave that poor child and her baby on the side of the street.

"Did I hear someone here?" Coral calls from the living room. She rounds the corner and takes in the boxes. "Oh my gosh! What else did she buy?"

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