“I may have kind of rage quit my job today?”
I clench my teeth so hard I wonder if there are any good dentists in the area.
“A piece of work, this one,” Maggie mutters.
“Jemma…” I start.
“It’s just, you said there was an inheritance, and I pretty much hated it there, and my boss was so mean. I figured at least there would be some money, and you could float me until something better comes along.”
The look I give her is the same one Mama used to give her—loving but beyond exasperated. “I can only use the money in the trust to improve the properties. Colonel—the lawyer—said there might be something additional in the bank, but who knows? I’ll go tomorrow and see.” And then I remember who’s currently sitting on my shoulder. “Sure would be helpful to know if there’s anything in that bank account,” I add.
“Nothing,” Maggie says quickly. “No need to go to the bank.”
Which, as far as I’m concerned, is Cagey Grandma Speak for “Definitely go to the bank, because I am hiding something else.”
“You got any savings?” I ask Jemma.
She turns even redder. “Maybe four hundred? If I only pay the minimum on my credit card. I’m sorry, Rhea. I should be more responsible, I know.”
“Kids these days, I swear,” Maggie grumbles.
“You’re only twenty-one,” I say to Jemma and for Maggie’s benefit. “And you have a good degree. I’m sure you’ll have a new job in a week or two. I can send you a little to get you by, but thisinheritance isn’t going to be a lottery ticket. You’re going to have to keep working.”
Jemma raises her chin. “Of course! I’m a good employee, it’s just…the market is really hard right now. I’ll double down on my influencing.”
“We might need somebody in the front office,” Cait says. “I can ask, if you like.”
Jemma squeals and shakes her raised hands. “Would you? God, Cait, you’re the best. I wish you were both here so I could hug you!”
I think about how much I already miss them, and my heart twists like a wet rag. If I were back home, I’d be in my car on my way to Jemma’s apartment, stopping off for ice cream on the way. We’d watch nineties teen movies and eat sundaes, and I’d tell her everything is going to be all right. Halfway through, Cait would show up late with store-bought cupcakes, and we’d get Jemma laughing and everything would be okay again.
But I’m four hours away. A familiar guilt engulfs me. I’m supposed to be there for my sisters. I’m supposed to take care of them. With our parents gone, this is my responsibility.
But I left my sisters, and I don’t even have the decency to throw gobs of cash at them.
We all say our usual goodbyes, and Jemma pops off the screen, but Cait stays.
“So…,” she starts.
“How much do you need?”
Her head hangs. She tries, but her mind vibrates on a different level, and she’s known for accidentally overdrawing her account. “It’s not my fault! I have a root canal next week. I ground my teeth so hard in a meeting that I cracked an old filling.”
It’s taking everything I have to resist opening my banking app and checking to make sure it hasn’t sprung a leak.
Not that it matters—I know exactly what’s in there, and it’s not enough to fix everything that’s wrong. I’m in a new town, I have no job, both of my sisters are in debt, and the inheritance isn’t an immediate infusion of much-needed cash.
Maybe I should’ve just stayed home.
9.
I turn myhead to address Maggie. “Can—”
I want to ask her if magic can help with any of this crap, but the words won’t come out. My throat is constricted, like right before you’re about to cry.
But I’m not about to cry.
If anything, now I’m more mad than sad.
