Free Broken Wings by L J Baker Page B

me.”
    Flora laughed. “I wish I’d had a little sister.”

Chapter Five
    Rye pulled her jacket collar up against the wind and strode to ward the school
gates. She wasn’t at all sure she really understood this new accounting module
as well as she had the economics one. She should read more. There were just not
enough hours in the day or days in the week. If she’d been able to take the
public transit carpet to work, she could’ve read on her way to and from the
building site. Mr. Bulrush had asked her again about the certification exam.
Rye really liked the idea of taking the proper exam, and saving herself some
courses, but the preparation would take even more of the time she didn’t have.
And the exam itself was likely to carry a fee.
    A carpet pulled alongside her. She grinned and bent to see Flora.
    “What are you doing here?” Rye asked.
    “Cruising for some hunky dyke to pick up and grope,” Flora said.
    Rye climbed in. Flora dimmed the windows and twisted around to get closer to
Rye. Their first kisses were like those of parched women slaking thirsts.
    “Elm, I needed that,” Flora said. “Do you mind? I simply couldn’t wait to see
you again.”
    When Flora dropped her off a discreet distance from her tree, Rye watched the
carpet lights until they disappeared. She sighed. Fey, it had been wonderful to
be with Flora for even just half an hour. It was going to be a long time to
Fifth Day. If only they could meet more often. Rye needed to do something about
transportation. She crossed the street to Cloudnut’s All-Purpose Store for a
newspaper.
    Holly was in her room when Rye got home.
    “It’s me, Holls,” Rye called as she went to the kitchen.
    Evening work at new health bar. Must be friendly and well-presented.
    Rye drew a pencil line through that ad.
    Casual labour wanted for after hours cleaning. No experience necessary.
Evenings and nights. Flexible hours inc. Fifth Day. Good remuneration. Apply T.
Rivers, Asst. Personnel Supervisor.
    Perfect. Rye drew a dark circle around the advertisement. In fact, it sounded
too good to be true. What was wrong with it?
    The kettle whistled. Rye rose and went to pour boiling water onto the pan of
chestnuts.
    “How was school?” Holly flopped into a chair at the table.
    “Okay.”
    “You always say that.”
    “So do you. How did your day go?”
    Holly wrinkled her nose and tugged the newspaper closer. “What’s that smell?”
    “Probably the bracken,” Rye said. “It’s not as fresh as I thought.”
    “No. It’s not cooking. It’s like perfume. Really nice perfume. That’s so
twisted. You haven’t actually started to use personal hygiene products?”
    Rye glanced down at the front of her shirt. Crap. Holly must be smelling Flora’s
perfume. What could she possibly say? “Um. The only stink in this house is that
grunge you keep in the bathroom.”
    “No, it’s not like anything of mine. Why are you looking at Help Wanted ads? You
didn’t finally tell Pansy where to shove her fried sandwiches?”
    “I need another job.”
    “ Another job? What were you thinking of doing, letting people do medical
experiments on you while you sleep?”
    “I can’t afford to save for a new broom on what I earn now.” Rye stirred the
bracken. It really was past its best. She’d not buy from that imp again. “I
should be able to find something to do on those Fourth Nights when I don’t have
classes. Or Fifth Day afternoons.”
    Chair legs screeched on the floor. Holly stomped out and slammed her bedroom
door. Rye frowned. What was that about?
    After dishing up dinner, Rye knocked on Holly’s door.
    “Holls? Dinner’s ready.”
    “I’m not hungry.”
    “Have you been eating junk at your friend’s house again?”
    Music blared from behind the door. Rye returned to the kitchen and ate her
dinner in unsmiling solitude. She washed up but left Holly’s plate on the table.
She wished she had a beer, but she had not bought any for this week.
    Rye carried