LITMIR.BIZ

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hadn’t started the clean up. Twelve days remained. She still had trash bags to drive to the dump. Old equipment to throw out. And Daddy’s car to be donated or sold.

      She leaned against the railing and winced. She needed more time. She needed at least another eight hours a day for the next week to get all of this done. And if she didn’t finish in time, she’d pay a hefty fine and might lose Mama’s house.

      She’d lose everything.

      She walked back into the house and surveyed the cluttered kitchen and dining room. She couldn’t remember what the kitchen table looked like any more. It had been years since she’d seen it cleared off. She might have done her homework there during her high school days, but that was before Mama covered it with plastic bags, boxes and the various stuff she’d collected.

      Now that Mama was gone, it was Suzy’s problem to deal with.

      She put her mug in the kitchen sink and rinsed it out. Placed it face down in the wooden dish rack, a purchase she’d made after moving back in with Mama. Just one thing she’d had to do out of a million last year after her mother called for help. Her mother had put off getting medical attention until it was too late, meaning the cancer would win. And all Mama wanted was Suzy.

      Her cell phone rang from the living room. She carefully moved past the stacked bundles of old newspapers and squeezed between the refrigerator and numerous boxes filled with china.

      She checked the caller ID. Presley. “Hey, girl.”

      “You working tonight?”

      Suzy wrinkled her nose. “Don’t remind me. It’s my sixth day, and I’m ready for a day off. But Candice is on vacation, so...”

      “When are we going to have a girls’ night out?”

      “Soon.” She mentally reviewed her calendar. “Sunday night?”

      Presley groaned. “I’ve got an early Monday. When’s your next day off?”

      “Tuesday. As long as nothing else comes up.” Suzy loved her job. Usually. But these crazy hours robbed her of a social life. “And we don’t have to go crazy. Even a pizza in front of the TV sounds fabulous.”

      “Pizza and TV. You got it.” Presley covered the phone, muting her conversation on the other end. Then her voice came back. “Gotta go. Vet emergency. I’ll call you.”

      Then she was gone.

      Suzy sat on the couch and rested her head. Okay. Time to get organized. Make some lists. She looked around the living room. Mama had to have a notebook and pen around here somewhere, right?

      After searching several boxes and piles, she gave up. She’d get those from the drugstore in town. A walk would do her good. Get her out. Clear her mind. Give her a moment to collect herself. And then she could come up with a plan.

      She didn’t bother locking the front door. Just grabbed her wristlet purse and left. The town hadn’t had a problem with crime in years. Plus, if they wanted to rob Mama’s house, it might make things easier on her in the end.

      She took a can of cat food from her jacket pocket and used the ring to pull back the top. It was easy to find the empty dish at the end of Mr. Fletcher’s deck—where it always was—and she emptied the food onto it. She called out to Snowflake, but didn’t hear an answering meow. Maybe the cat was napping in the house and would eat later. She then left her neighbor’s yard and walked down the driveway and on towards town.

      The walk took less than ten minutes, but it felt good to be outside with the sun on her back. To be free from the house and its issues. To leave her grief behind for just a moment.

      She passed by the elementary school where kids played on the swings and chased each other. One of the playground monitors waved to Suzy then approached her. “I’ve been meaning to stop by and see how you’re doing.”

      Mrs. Drayton had been a friend of Mama’s as long as Suzy could remember. She shrugged. “I’m okay.” Mrs. Drayton peered at her, and Suzy was tempted to squirm a little. Okay, a lot. “Really. I’m fine.”

      “When I lost my mother, I stayed in bed for weeks.”

      Suzy hadn’t been given that choice. “It’s been six months.”

      Mrs. Drayton nodded. “Call me if you need anything, sweetie. Anything.”

      “I appreciate that.”

      A scream from the slide got Mrs. Drayton’s attention, and she excused herself to take care of a crying child.

      Suzy could appreciate the concern that people had for her, but she was okay. Usually. She’d discovered how strong she was after spending months bathing and feeding Mama. Doing things for her that no daughter should be expected to. But she’d done it with a smile because that’s what Mama had needed. And being needed had felt good.

      Suzy continued towards Main Street, passing the town hall before reaching the drug store. Inside, she found Mr. Stone talking to the cashier. Ducking behind one of the shelves, she snuck back to the office supplies and grabbed a notebook and pack of pens. She popped her head up to see if he had left. Whew. It was clear. She took her purchases to the cashier and added some bubble gum.

      Chewing her gum, she stepped outside and started for home. She had just gone beyond the town hall steps when she heard her name being called. She turned and spotted Mr. Stone coming towards her.

      Crud.

      She pasted a smile on her face. “Mr. Stone, what a surprise.”

      He stopped a couple feet from her. “I wanted to check in to see how things are going at your mother’s house.”

      Double crud. “Fine.” Her cheeks hurt from keeping the smile on her face. She held up her shopping bag. “Bought some supplies so I can make a game plan for the clean up.”

      He frowned at the bag. “Make a plan? You haven’t started? You only have...”

      “Twelve days, I know.” She shifted her weight to the other foot. Wanted to leave, but it would probably be considered rude. “You don’t have to worry.”

      “Still I think I’ll check in on you early next week.”

      She shook her head. She didn’t need to be checked on like a child. She could do this. She was capable. Strong. “You don’t have to do that.”

      His frown deepened. “Something tells me that I should.” He looked her up and down. “I won’t keep you.”

      “So I can go home and work on the backyard? How kind of you.” She blew a bubble and let it pop. “Have a splendid day, Mr. Stone.”

      “Likewise, Miss Bylin.”

      * * *

      WILL NOTICED TORI’S car outside the hospital when he arrived after work. He locked his car and walked up to the entrance. The coffee stand in the lobby called his name, but he’d need to sleep later. Not that he’d had much luck the past three nights.

      Tori stood at the door of their mom’s room, leaning on the wall. Head down, arms crossed. Will went up to her and put his arm around her shoulder. “Everything, okay?”

      Tori looked up at him, the skin below her eyes puffy and dark. She looked tired. Lost. And a little scared. “The doctor is giving her an exam now. I think they’ll be moving her to the nursing home soon.”

      “Already?”

      “They’ve done all that they can do here. She needs to recuperate in a home.”

      Will nodded. He’d expected this. With the plans in place to send her to the Lake Mildred seniors’ home, it wasn’t a matter of if but when they moved her there. In his mind, the sooner, the better. Then they could all move forward. “Good.”

      Tori shrugged. “I guess.”

      “It’s a positive sign. Shows that

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