Free Passions of the Dead (A Detective Jackson Mystery/Thriller) by L.J. Sellers Page B

Appleton’s is yours. You work hard for it and you’re entitled to spend it how you like. However, this family is in a bad situation, and if it gets much worse we could get evicted.”
    “That’s not right.”
    “Still, that is how it works. If we get behind on the rent they’ll kick us out.”
    “What are you saying? I have to give you my paychecks?” Lori’s sweet angel face twisted with disbelief.
    Carla wanted to crawl in a hole and die rather than continue the conversation. Yet she plunged ahead. “You don’t have to hand them over but I’m asking you not to spend them. Just stick the checks in the bank in case we need to borrow money for rent down the road.”
    “You said borrow. You and Dad will pay me back?”
    “Of course. This situation is temporary. Your dad had an interview this afternoon, and I’m optimistic about it. I’m just asking you not to buy any more concert tickets or clothes. Put your money in the bank, please.”
    “Okay.” Lori stood. “I don’t understand how economies work or why this is happening. We’ve been talking about it in civics class but it’s too weird for me.”
    “Me too, sweetie.”
    “Are you okay, Mom? You don’t hum anymore. It used to drive me crazy but now I think I miss it.”
    “I’m fine. We’ll get through this.”
    “Jared, did you decide?” Carla glanced in the back seat at Nick, who still had his earphones in, listening to music. They were headed across town to have dinner with Jared’s sister, who lived in the south hills near Churchill High School. The neighborhood had been considered upscale until all the huge houses on Timberline and Skyridge had been built, leaving those below feeling a little more working class. Carla had given up hope of owning a home long ago and now she was glad for it. Being evicted as a renter was less heartbreaking than losing your home to the bank.
    Jared reached over and squeezed her hand. “Stop worrying. I’ll ask Tracy. She’ll tell me she has to talk to Kevin, but it’ll be okay. They’ll loan us some money.”
    “How did your interview go today?”
    “The guy kept throwing around cooking terms I didn’t understand. How can you pay someone $8.50 an hour and expect them to have chef training?”
    “It’s a different world now. People are educating themselves online, and employers expect a lot more for their money.” Carla bit her lip, then said it anyway. “You should take some internet classes at the employment office. I think it would help.”
    Jared sighed and didn’t look at her. “I know you’re right, but it makes me feel stupid to have some twenty-year-old kid showing me stuff that seems like a foreign language and then acting like it’s nothing.”
    “I know what you mean.” Carla looked up to see they’d missed their turn. “We just passed City View.”
    Jared gave her a sad smile. “Some things never change.”
    They’d eaten outside on the big deck with the pond and mini-waterfall providing a soothing background. Now they were drinking beer, eating homemade apple pie, and enjoying the sunset. Carla loved this backyard, at least to visit every once in a while. She wouldn’t want the pond in her own yard. It would be too much work and too much money, but she loved sitting here on an early summer evening.
    After the kids went into the house to check out Shane’s new CD and Kevin went to the kitchen for more beer, Jared announced, “We’re in trouble, Tracy. We’re hoping you and Kevin can loan us some money.”
    “How much money?” Tracy tried to sound casual, but she didn’t pull it off. She was the polar opposite of Jared: short, dark, and tense. But like Jared, she had a good heart.
    “Two thousand. Just enough to pay the rent for a couple months while I look for work.” Jared took a long slug of beer. Carla noticed he’d been drinking more than usual, but she understood.
    “I’ll have to discuss it with Kevin. His business hasn’t been great lately either.” Kevin