* * *
“I’m sorry,this card was declined,” the receptionist at the auto mechanic said after running my card.
“Oh!” I rummaged in my purse for another card. “I’m sorry.”
She looked at me in sympathy. “We have a payment-plan option.”
“No, I can do it. Maybe try this one?” I handed her another card. It, too, was declined.
I took out a third card. “Maybe try splitting it on all three?” I asked, praying silently as she ran the cards.
“That went through.”
“Thanks,” I said in relief and took the keys from her.
The station wagon looked even worse in the daylight. Part of the back bumper was missing.
“It looks as if a goat chewed it off,” the mechanic told me, taking off his hat when I waved to him.
“That’s certainly possible.”
“You know I buy scrap cars,” he offered. “I’d give you a couple hundred for this one.”
“I’m going to try and eke a bit more mileage out of it,” I said, hoping I sounded carefree and happy and not like I wanted to rip my hair out then dump gasoline on the station wagon and set it on fire.
Instead of going to buy a biscuit since, clearly, I had no money, I went to the bank. Frank perked up when I walked in.
“Meg!” he exclaimed. “Thank you so much for submitting the forms for my cousin.”
“Sure!” I smiled, wishing I had actually worn something a little sexier for this conversation. “I just wanted to let you know I also filed a form D-G833 to receive access back to my house.”
“Oh.” Frank shuffled papers around on his desk. “I didn’t see that come through.”
“I would appreciate it if you could process it as soon as possible.”
“Anything for you, Meg. You know,” he added, “we never finished our date. I might be convinced to leave some financial paperwork around if I’m drunk and sexually satisfied.”
“Uh…”
The door to his office swung open. “We had a nine o’clock meeting, Frank,” Hunter said, gray eyes stormy.
Frank yelped and jumped, papers scattering to the floor.
“I told you,” the secretary complained from behind Hunter. “Frank was in there with Meg.”
Hunter looked me over then turned his attention to the bank manager. “Stay away from her, Frank.”
“Absolutely!”
“Don’t just let him boss you around like that,” I scolded Frank.
He gulped.
“Besides, I’m here on official bank business.” I glared at Hunter. He did not take the hint and instead sat down in the seat next to me.
“Meg, whatever it is, I’ll take care of it for you.”
“I don’t need your help,” I seethed. “I just need a loan.” I handed Frank my application.
