Free Breaking the Cycle by Tricia Andersen Page B

asked.
    “The hospital bill,” Liz gasped out as tears filled her eyes. “My insurance covered nothing since it was the trucker’s fault. But the trucking company didn’t pay anything either since they say he wasn’t at fault. The bill is six figures. The hospital wants payment in full in thirty days. I can’t continue my physical therapy until I pay.”
    Chloe snatched up the bill to study it. Max read the mind-blowing numbers over her shoulder. “Maybe you can set up a payment plan,” Max volunteered. After he said it even he realized his words were ridiculous.
    “Max, the payments would be over a thousand dollars a month. I’m not working. We can’t pay all our bills and this on Chloe’s income. Chloe and I are going to have to figure out something else.” She forced a smile on her face. “I think I would like some time alone with my daughter. If you don’t mind.”
    He stared at her dumbfounded for several moments. “Yeah. Sure. I have to go to the gym for a bit. Will you both be all right? I’ll keep thinking of solutions while I’m gone. I promise.”
    Liz looked at Chloe. Chloe slumped onto the couch. “Yes, we will. I think we need some alone time. Just the two of us.”
    “All right. I’ll be right back.” He pulled open the front door and slipped outside.
    Max was positive he wasn’t gone for more than a couple hours. He just had one quick meeting with Jack then wrote a couple training schedules. He was puzzled to find a petite mousy haired woman in a suit leaving when he returned home. “Hello,” he greeted uneasily.
    “Hello. You must be Max.” She offered a well-manicured hand to him. “Liz told me about you. I’m Sandy, a friend of hers.”
    Max shook her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. What brings you by?”
    “I’m in real estate. Liz asked me to stop by to discuss putting the house on the market. I had some space in my schedule so I came over. She’s hoping to sell before the bank forecloses. I didn’t realize she was behind payments.”
    “Sell?”
    “Yep. I have a young couple who would love this house. I think it will go quick. Well, I have an appointment. Nice to meet you.” She flew off to her car before Max could ask anything more.
    He rushed up the stairs and stormed inside. “You’re selling the house?” he demanded.
    “Yes,” Liz answered, her voice trembling as she spoke. “I already took a second mortgage out to pay for Chloe’s medical bills. What we get won’t even matter.”
    Max glanced around the living room, finding Liz alone. “Where’s Chloe?”
    “Upstairs in her room. She isn’t happy with the decision, either. But she understands what has to happen.”
    “And when you sell it? What happens then?”
    Liz forced a smile on her face. “You seem pretty close with your friend Rico. Maybe you can stay with him in your apartment.”
    “I don’t mean me. I mean you and Chloe. If you can’t afford this house payment, can you afford rent?”
    She shook her head. “No.”
    “So, you’ll be homeless.”
    “No. We have some friends we can move in with for the meantime.”
    “No. I won’t let that happen.”
    Liz sighed. “Max, I want to leave it alone for tonight. I’m done talking. I’m exhausted and in no mood to eat. I’m going to bed. Would you fix something for you and Chloe?” Without waiting for an answer, she wheeled herself to her room, closing the door behind her.
    Max balled his fists at his sides. There was no way he would allow Chloe or Liz to be without a home. If he had anything to say about it, they would have this one. He hopped up the stairs, glancing into Chloe’s room. She was curled in a ball on her bed. By the shudder of her small frame, he could tell she was crying.
    He stepped into his bedroom and dug in the top drawer of his dresser. Opening the bank book at the bottom, he scanned it then smiled. It wasn’t the answer. But at least it was a start.

Chapter Six
    Chloe didn’t come out of her room until