Free A Whisper in Time by Elizabeth Langston

things, I would dent my front quarter panel. “Maybe, but I don’t have a better answer to give.”
    Her chin jutted out. “When you talked about long-distance relationships sucking, were you talking about Susanna?”
    “Yes.”
    “But you see her every day?”
    I hesitated. “She moved here in July.”
    “Where does she live now?”
    “Close by.” It was time to stop answering, and yet I couldn’t seem to quit.
    “Why haven’t I heard about her before?”
    “Why haven’t I heard about Korry?”
    “That’s different. I have to protect him.”
    “It’s not different. I’m protecting Susanna too.”
    Gabrielle’s face settled into a smooth oval—as if she were posing for one of those “Madonna and Child” paintings at the museum. Beautiful and sad. “Are you ashamed of us, Mark?”
    “No.” I shook my head. “No, and I’m not ashamed of her either.”
    Damn. Why had I answered a question that she hadn’t asked? I hopped onto the driver’s seat of the truck, buckled up, and threw the truck into reverse.
    Gabrielle watched me drive away, straight and still.
    I was sorry that I’d acted like such a dick back there, but the alternative would’ve been worse. I couldn’t describe Susanna in words that captured who she really was. She had this charm—this presence—that had to be experienced to be understood.
    I would have to think of a way to introduce them, but in a time and place good for her. And once my friends had met Susanna, explanations wouldn’t be necessary.

C HAPTER E LEVEN
    A L EVEL OF D EBT
    Mrs. Lewis located a group of people online who were skilled at finding employment for immigrants. I called them and discovered that they were willing to assist me. I had an appointment at New World Family Services scheduled for Monday at two PM.
    I could barely tolerate the slow passage of this day, but at last we arrived at the facility in the back of a church—a very large church, as if multiple homes had been combined around a central, beautifully landscaped courtyard.
    A smiling young man greeted us as we walked in the door. “Miriam is waiting for you, Miss Marsh.”
    I nodded and headed in the direction he indicated.
    “Susanna, do you want me to go in there with you?”
    “No, thank you, Mrs. Lewis.” I felt bold and confident about how the interview would progress. New World Family Services was accustomed to those who knew nothing about this America. I would fare well here.
    “Are you sure?”
    “Yes.”
    “I think it would be best if I came with you.”
    I was her guest. I would not refuse her again. “Certainly.”
    We entered a smallish room that had the feel of a library, with numerous bookshelves lining two of the walls. The woman who awaited us grinned tiredly when she looked up. She was older in person than her youthful voice had conveyed over the phone. After welcoming us, she gestured to a large volume of colorful papers and said, “You mentioned in our call that you’re interested in employment opportunities.”
    I smiled. “Indeed. I am eager to find work.”
    She paused, as if expecting more and then glanced at Mark’s mother.
    “It may be a while before Susanna has an ID or a Social,” Mrs. Lewis said.
    The lady jotted down a note. “How much education do you have, Susanna?”
    Mrs. Lewis answered before I could open my mouth. “She had to drop out of school at an early age, so she has no diploma. She’s interested in a GED, but it’s a long way off.”
    “You’re fluent in English, Susanna. That’s a good start.” Miriam slid a brochure across the table to me. “Here’s some info on how North Carolina handles the GED. If you want to get into Wake County’s GED prep program, you’ll need to take the placement exam first.” At my nod of gratitude, she smiled and then flipped through the big black book that lay before her. It had three large metal rings along its spine and many sheets of paper. “As far as jobs are concerned, there are only a few