“He did.”
“Why did he do that?”
“It’s because of the illness.”
“Does he have a cold?”
“No, baby, it’s something in here.”She tapped on his head.“It’s hard to explain to little guys like you and Mila, but the most important things to know are that Daddy loves you, and you’re safe.”
“But we can’t go home?”
“No, honey, we’re going to be looking for a new home.Doesn’t that sound fun?We can find a place that has a playground nearby and maybe a pool.”
“I love the pool.”
“I know you do.But for now, we’ll stay here and catch our breath and figure out what’s next.Okay?”
“Okay.”When the show came back on, he squiggled free of her and went back to playing with the truck while the show had its usual mesmerizing effect on him.Thank goodness for the Paw Patrol, she thought, as she had many times before.Any time Theo was upset or out of sorts, a few minutes with his pals always made him feel better.
She glanced down at Mila, who was about to doze off for her late morning nap, so Isla gathered her up and stood to put her down in the portable crib she’d brought from home.
Mila rolled onto her side and was asleep in minutes.
Isla was thankful that her little girl was too young to understand any of what was happening.She fully expected many more probing questions from Theo, who was a deep thinker on a regular day.And this was most certainly not a regular day.
She sent a text to her friend Georgia, manager of the Whisky A Go Go.Hi there.Hope you’re doing well!I’m available to pick up a few shifts if you need any covered.Let me know when you can.
With Mrs.V willing to babysit any time and an extra bedroom at the rental so she could sleep over, Isla was determined to get back to work a few nights a week.While it was nice to know there was money from her parents, she was under no illusions about being able to live off that forever.She would have to find a way to support her little family long term, without Gabriel’s help.It was becoming clear that he’d be unable to work for quite some time, if not forever.
Taking care of their children would be her responsibility going forward, and working at the bar was the best way to make as much money as possible in the shortest amount of time.Thanks to the cushion she had from her parents, she could pay first, last and a damage deposit on a new apartment and buy the furniture and household items they’d need to get started.But after that, she’d continue to live as if she didn’t have any extra money, so it’d be there in an emergency.After losing her parents so young, followed by years of marriage to an often unpredictable man, she’d learned to prepare for all contingencies.Thus, the hiding place in the apartment that’d quite possibly saved her and her children.
She was working her way through the worksheet of the assets—what few there were—and the long list of liabilities that Gabriel had run up on their credit cards when Georgia returned her text.
Nice to hear from you!Your timing is excellent.I had two girls quit this week.How soon can you start?
In a week or so?Not with the husband anymore (as of yesterday) and getting settled in the single-mom life.
Oh wow!That’s a lot with little ones.Let me know if I can help.
Thank you!!That means a lot.Sorry to need a little time before I start back to work.
No prob.It’s slower this time of year, but still better than most places.We’ve got new security, too, which is much better than when you were here last.
Great to hear.Sign me up for next weekend.
Fri, Sat & Sun?
Sure.
Done.See you soon, and good luck with everything.
Thank you so much!!!!!
What a relief to have work lined up.If she did three nights a week at the bar, she’d make enough to survive and be able to keep the kids out of daycare since she wouldn’t be working during the day.That was a huge relief.Daycare was hideously expensive.
She texted Denny next.Any news on Gabriel?
I’m waiting to hear back from the police.
