Eve - Iris Johansen [38]
“So you say.”
“Look at me.” She held his eyes. “I made a mistake, but I’m not going to let it hold me down. I’ll be working on my GED, but having a baby isn’t cheap, and I need that money. Afterward, I’m going to hold you to your word about working around my hours while I go to college. I’m not asking for charity. You’re going to get your money’s worth, more than your money’s worth. Now do I get my twelve-hour shift?”
He didn’t speak for a moment. “You get it. Show up tomorrow at 1 P.M.” He looked down at the papers on his desk. “Now get out of here.”
She turned to go.
“Eve.”
She looked back at him.
“If you think I’m going to be soft on you, forget it. I’m going to work your ass off.”
She nodded and walked out of the office.
It had been easier than she’d thought it would be. But that didn’t mean that Mr. Kimble wouldn’t toss her out if she didn’t follow through.
She would follow through.
“You okay?” Teresa asked, her gaze on the office door. “Did he fire you?”
“No. He gave me extra hours. I start tomorrow.”
“Really? Then do you want to see Linda’s doctor?”
“No, I’m going to have the baby.” She turned toward the door. “It’s going to be all right, Teresa.”
“Yeah, sure.”
She couldn’t convince Teresa when she had to work everything out for herself. “I have to leave now. The doctor gave me all kinds of vitamins and stuff to pick up from the drugstore.” She opened the door. “I’ve got to have everything set up before I start working full-time. See you tomorrow.”
She started toward the bus stop down the block. Then she stopped. It was ten blocks from here to the housing development. The doctor had said she needed exercise. It would save money if she walked it whenever possible. She was going to need every penny. Sandra had said she’d get a job, but she couldn’t count on her promises. She had to keep on relying only on herself as she’d always done.
She turned and started down Peachtree Street. Every step was a confirmation that this was the route she had to go. She had to build her strength if she was going to keep to the schedule she’d set for herself. She had to build her strength to keep the baby strong. She had to find ways to do both. Challenge herself to get through this and come out with all the prizes.
Very grand, she thought ruefully. The only prize she was after was to get home and hope that Sandra was still there and had not flitted off as she usually did.
A small prize, a small step, but she would take it. She would work on the giant steps later.
Six months later
“There’s a man downstairs who wants to talk to you,” Rosa said, when Eve opened the door. “I left him on my bench in the yard. Nice man. He said he’d come upstairs, but he has a bad back.”
“Who is he?” Eve asked. She didn’t really have time to talk to anyone. She had to finish this paper for her English class before she left for work. “Salesman?”
“I don’t think so.” She frowned. “He doesn’t have that slick look. I didn’t get his name. He sort of reminds me of someone.”
“That’s a help.” She came out on the landing and started down the steps. “Look, Rosa, you were supposed to be studying with me this morning and not sitting with the baby on that bench.”
“But he needs the sunshine.”
“And you need your GED. And you’re going to get it. I want you here tomorrow morning.”
“Okay.” She made a face. “You didn’t used to be so bossy.”
“Yes, I was. I just didn’t have time to concentrate on it.” She called back to her, “Now I make the time.”
Rosa leaned over the railing. “Your baby is going to come out of you cracking a whip.”
She grinned as she opened the front door. “I’ll take the chance. That will be two of us to nag you.”
She was still smiling as she turned to the man sitting on the bench. “Hello, I’m Eve Duncan. What can