Page 15 of Dirty Judge

“What’s your excuse for not telling me about the court warrants that were mailed to the apartment?” I still couldn’t believe this. “The clerk said they mailed out like ten, and I can’t remember getting a single one.”

“I don’t know…” She shook her head. “I’m going to make this up to you, I swear.”

“You could start by paying me half of the fees,” I said.

“I will.” She pulled out her wallet and took out a twenty dollar bill, leaving a thick stack of others behind. “I’ll give you twenty bucks a week starting today.”

“Lindsay, it costs me six hundred dollars.”

“Okay, fine.” She took out two more twenties. “How about sixty bucks a week?”

As much as I wanted to yell at her and smack it away, I took the money and bit my tongue.

“On the plus side, Sam just bought a car so we won’t have to borrow yours anymore.” She smiled. “Isn’t that great?”

I said nothing.

“He’s coming here to pick me up in it since I figured you might be a little too mad to drive me home.” She tilted her head to the side. “Or are you?”

“I think you should walk away from me, Lindsay…”

“Awww, okay.” She shrugged. “Well, when you come home from work later, the gourmet cheese plate and champagne on the dining room table is a special gift from me to you.”

I refused to say a word to her.

“Well, um, bye!” She finally turned away, and I swallowed all the “fuck yous” that were on the top of my tongue.

I pulled today’s lottery ticket from my pocket and checked the numbers on my phone.

34 8 11 2 51 23

Powerball Number: 12

My picks weren’t even close.

The sound of a car speeding along the gravel made me look up.

My gray Nissan was dustier than it was when I left it, and the words “Please Wash Me” were etched on my windshield.

“Perfect…” I muttered.

The attendant parked right in front of me and stepped out of the driver’s side.

“Here you go, Miss.” He tossed me the keys. “I left your receipt on the passenger seat.”

I nodded and stepped forward.

“Oh, and um—” He ran a hand through his hair. “Not that it matters, but you really need an oil change and a tune-up. I know a guy who could do both for about five hundred bucks.”

“Do I look like I have five hundred dollars?” I snapped. “Like, seriously?”

“No.” He smiled, looking me over. “Well, how about a night with me and I’ll get it handled for free?”

“No, thank you.” I moved past him and slid behind the wheel.

I’m not that desperate…

I cranked the engine and glanced at the receipt that had officially robbed my savings account.