Page 127 of Disobedient Pawn

“Why is this one not working? It should, I checked the balance this morning, and there was plenty of room.”

“It has a block on it. No transactions can be approved without calling the number on file,” she said, her voice sad.

She turned her screen enough to point out the box with the number. My fist tightened until my fingernails dug into my palm as I stared at my father’s cellphone number. My bank account only had a few hundred dollars, as I’d never needed to worry about a bank balance. That earlier trapped feeling flooded my system like a tidal wave crashing into the shore and dragging anything in its way back out to sea. I was on the sand and should’ve expected the wave, but I hadn’t. I never thought he’d cut me off like this.

The ticket agent laid the credit card on the counter.

“For what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I lost my mom three years ago, and it still hurts.”

“Thanks.”

I stuffed the useless card back into my wallet and walked like a zombie past the couple standing behind me, their eyes filled with pity as they watched me.

Stepping out into the cold air, I pulled on my toque and sat on a bench. No one else was stupid enough to sit outside with the bitter wind, but I didn’t care. I stared at my gloved hands in my lap, the dejection overwhelming me. I’d been so strong for so long, but I didn’t want to fight for everything all the time anymore. It was tiresome. I was tired.

A droplet fell on my gloves, the glistening tear just a tiny dot, and I felt just as small and insignificant. I hated to do this, but I pulled out my phone and called Myles.

“Hey, Snowflake, did ya make it through security okay?”

The sound of his voice made mine shake.

“No, can you come back, please? I’m really sorry.” I swallowed the sob.

“Stop apologizing. I’m turning around now. What happened?” I heard the truck slowing and the clicking of its turn signal before it revved as he picked up speed.

“He blocked my card,” I said, wiping away the stupid tears I never wanted to shed for my father again.

“Oh shit, I’m sorry.”

“Thank you, Myles.”

“Do ya want me to buy ya the ticket?”

“As sweet as that is…no,” I said.

“Are ya sure?”

“I’m sure. I’ll see you soon.”

I hung up before I lost it and started bawling like a lunatic. I hadn’t realized how much I was looking forward to going home and seeing Lizzy and Aunt Nadia and visiting my mum’s grave. It felt like the grieving I needed to do had been ripped away from me along with everything else. I wanted to take flowers and sit at my mum’s grave while I told her everything that had happened and how much I loved and missed her.

I didn’t see or hear Myles pull up, but he was suddenly kneeling in front of me, his warm hands on my frozen knees. I hadn’t noticed how cold I was.

“Come on, Snowflake, let’s get ya warmed up.” Myles helped me to my feet, and I sucked in a deep breath of his cologne. “I already put yer bag in the truck.”

Wow, I really had been out of it.

Hopping up into the truck, he closed my door, and I leaned my head against the glass. Moments later, Myles was in the cab and wheeling us away from the curb to leave the airport behind.

“I’m sorry, Snowflake,” he said, reaching out to grip my hand.

“I know. I just need a day to process.”

I held his hand tighter.

* * *

We pulled around to the backdoor, where I’d made my escape earlier. My father knew how to keep me where he wanted me. I had no one to visit, didn’t know where our new house was, and had no money to travel. I guess it could be worse. I could have no place to go at all.