Page 40 of Fight for Me

“Umm, I don’t mean to pry, but what about the kid’s father?” he asks without meeting my gaze completely.

I wave my hand dismissively. “He’s out of the picture.”

Brody grimaces. “So you’ve been on your own? Jen, you’re so...”

“Young?” I interject irritably. “I know, the doctor who delivered him kept saying it, but I still couldn’t just push him back in where he came from.”

“What the fuck?” Brody slaps a hand to his face, then throws me an incredulous look. “I meant to say you’re so brave, Jen. Brave. Jesus Christ.”

“Oh.” I frown. “Then, I guess, I should say thanks.”

Brody blows a breath. “Okay, so since we’ve got this settled. When is your next day off work?”

“This Sunday,” I answer.

“Oh. I promised my aunt that I’ll stop by on Sunday. She’s been on my ass constantly lately about not dropping by often enough.”

“That’s fine, we can meet some other time then...” I say and look down when my phone starts ringing. “Shit, it’s Rita. I have to go,” I say apologetically.

“No. Wait.” Brody throws my way when I start to back away. “How about you go with me to the shelter? Ruth would be ecstatic to see you.”

“I don’t know.” I scratch behind my ear, still walking backwards to my car.

“Do you remember where it is?” Brody asks and opens the door to his car.

I nod from across the parking lot, and before I even open my mouth to decline the invitation, Brody smiles and exclaims, “Great! See you and the little guy, Sunday at six.” Then he slams the door after him and quickly peels away, leaving a cloud of dust in his wake.

I’m blinking after the disappearing tail lights, when my phone pings once again with a message from Rita. I groan and get in, cursing myself already for not being firm enough about the invitation.

When I turn on the key in the ignition, the car coughs and nothing happens.

“No. Please don’t give up on me,” I beg it.

I try again and mutter, “Please, you can do this. You can do this.” When the engine starts, I cheer with a bounce and put the car in gear.

Then I whisper under my breath, “Yes, you can do this.”

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