Once Upon A Half-Time 2(149)

Maddox had too many secrets.

I had just one.

And I’d lose everything if he learned the truth.

I nibbled on the end of my pen and counted the minutes until five o’clock. Office jobs bored me to death. I never used to stare at my phone when I worked at the candy shop. Sweet Nibbles took a big bite out of my spare time. We always had dough to knead, cakes to bake, candies to boil, and tables to wipe down. We stayed open until eight, but we left the doors unlocked until ten because I didn’t have the heart to deny anyone a cupcake after a bad day, date, or news.

Now?

Part-time work as an office gopher for the Saint Christie Reporter wore on me. Papers to file, emails to send, ads to invoice, and highlighters to doodle hearts in the corner of scrap paper. Too little hours for too little money, and I knew what would come of it.

At four thirty, my boss let me go for the day. Sean knew I had to get to Willowbend to see Granddad, but kicking off early meant he didn’t have to pay me for another half an hour. The newspaper strained enough from carrying me on the payroll for a year, even part-time.

I had to find something else in town, but no one could afford more than a few hours a week at a wage high enough above minimum that they wouldn’t insult me or my family. I understood. I’d owned a small business. I worked every day open to close just to spare the couple bucks for additional help until it was absolutely necessary.

Anything extra went to savings. And anything in savings eventually paid Granddad’s medical bills and extensive debts—money we didn’t know he owed until after the fire.

That was just the beginning.

The administrators at Willowbend didn’t give me good news. I grew up with Cassie Miller’s daughter, and Granddad stayed in the same hall as Cassie’s mother.

“Josie…” Cassie exhaled. “You know how much I love your family. I want to do everything I can, but Matt needs a bit more care. His lung function will only decrease, and we feel it’d be best to move him to an area of Willowbend where he’ll receive more direct nursing care. Someone to handle his medications and help him with his everyday activities.” She cleared her throat. “A few days ago, Matt went for a walk. He was gone for hours.”

I frowned. “Sneaking out to smoke again?”

“Probably. But we worried when he didn’t return. He’s never been gone that long, and anything might have happened. It’s time to get serious about his condition. We have options, but…”

I didn’t like buts. Buts were expensive. “What’s the problem?”

“I’m sorry, Josie, but if we move him, we can no longer negotiate his care for the agreed upon price. It’s…going to get more expensive.”

I hated having to ask. “How much more?”

“About four thousand—”

“Oh.” That wasn’t so bad.

“—more a month.”

My heart sank.

“Because he’s Matthias—he helped my husband to build this place—we can move him for the first two weeks, no change. After that…”

“I understand.” I nodded. “I appreciate that.”

“I wish there was more we could do.”

Me too. I shook her hand and snuck upstairs to visit Granddad. He was sleeping, but I gave him a kiss on the forehead. That made the decision easy.

Whatever I had to do to make him comfortable, to help him, I’d do.

Even if it ruined me.

I went home, cell phone in hand as I paced the living room. The decision gutted me, and my stomach turned, sickly and gross. I hated this, that moment when everything sweet turned sour, and what had been once only a sticky life suddenly sucked me down into the mire.

This wouldn’t be easy, but shame never was. Still, I’d rather it be my disgrace than Granddad’s, especially as his pride suffered enough from the illness and the town’s gossip about his debts.

I dialed the number.

And waited.

Nolan answered with a smile echoed in words that dripped pretention. He knew I’d call, and I knew what he’d want in return.

“Josie…” My name buttered on his tongue, and I worried where it would spread. “Your voice brightens a bad day. How are you, Sweets?”

He wasn’t worth my temper. “Nolan, I wondered if we might talk about…your offer.”

“On your property?”

Like he didn’t know. “Yes.”

“Reconsidering my terms?” His laugh wasn’t at my expense, just a graveled chuckle in a moment of victory. “But, Josie, you realize that particular arrangement was unsatisfactory to you?”

“I remember. But that was…then.”

“Business moves so fast these days,” Nolan said. “Unfortunately…that particular contract was a one-time offer. I warned you then, I’d be unable to negotiate the same amount a second time.”