Page 16 of Poisoned Promise
“You sure?” Her eyes crinkle as she moves past me and takes over the coffee maker.
“Well… honestly?”
“When have I ever asked for anything but?”
“Paying Alex’s medical bills will clear out my savings. Everything I have. Normally, that would be okay and I would just start saving again, but what I did on my date?” My stomach tightens. “I’m exposed, Mary.”
She adds three lumps of sugar to her mug and glances over her shoulder. “I thought you were careful?”
“I was. I am. I always am. But I still did it and there’s always a risk someone will look deeper. I’m hoping they won’t but I can’t keep Alex safe on hope. So either… either I use my savings and pay those bills, and then wait here in fear for however long. Or I take my money and run, risking debt collectors tracking me across the country.”
“Do you regret what you did?” Mary switches out my cup for hers in the machine and then gently presses the coffee into my hands.
“Of course not. If I hadn’t done it then those people would have taken Alex on a date,” I murmur. “And he wouldn’t have come home. I don’t regret it.”
“I thought not.” She flashes me a warm smile. “Then all you need to do is take my savings.”
I lift my eyes from the dark liquid to her warm face. “What?”
“Take my savings and use that to pay for Alex’s treatment. Then take what you have and go. Be safe with your son. You know your world better than anyone, sweetheart. And I know you won’t settle if there’s even a drop of risk. So you take it and you go.”
“I-I can’t do that.”
“Yes you can!” She nods firmly. “I’ve lived my life. A good life. And being in yours? Watching that boy grow up into a fine but terrible teenager?” She laughs throatily. “You brought life back into this old woman’s soul when she was ready for the end. Let me repay you.”
It’s a kind offer.
Stunningly kind.
And it would be the answer to my problems. I could take the cash, pay my bills and then vanish with Alex to another State or even another country.
Staring into Mary’s kind eyes, my heart stutters and my refusal doesn’t change.
Living on the back of Mary’s savings will be harder to cope with than living with the trail of carnage I left in my youth.
“I can’t, Mary. I’m sorry. You’re too good to me and I could never live with myself if I took your money.”
Sadness floods Mary’s eyes as she nods slowly. “You can take a life but you can’t take an old woman’s money?”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t be.” Her smile widens. “Your morals are why I love you so much. I just want to help you.”
“I know. I know.” Setting my cup aside, I draw her into a warm embrace and close my eyes. I’ll figure something else out.
I have to.
My key slips against the lock as I wrestle to get into my apartment.
The rest of my shift was as smooth as butter and my bed is calling, even if sleep will escape me for the umpteenth time.
No bright ideas ignited themselves in my mind while I worked, so the same troubles weigh my heart as I finally stumble inside, kick the door closed with my foot and lock it quickly.
“Alex?”
No response.
Tossing my keys onto the table by the door, I shed my coat and walk through my small apartment.
