Her words broke something in me. I didn’t even say goodbye, just hung up, pressed my palm to my belly, and whispered, “I’m so sorry, baby. I’m trying, I promise.”
She kicked hard, like she was telling me not to give up. But I needed air, just one breath that didn’t taste like fear. I went outside, blinking in the brutal sunlight.
That’s when I saw Mrs. Higgins from next door. She was 82 years old, hair always pinned, and she was usually sitting on her porch with a crossword. But today, she was out on the lawn, hunched behind an ancient mower, pushing with both hands.
“Foreclosure proceedings are starting as of today.”
The grass nearly swallowed her shins.
She looked up when she heard me, wiped sweat from her brow, and managed a smile that wobbled at the edges.
“Morning, Ariel. Beautiful day for a little yard work, isn’t it?”
Her tone was light, but I could see her hands trembling. The mower jerked over a hidden clump and stalled out with a groan.
I hesitated. The sun was baking my skin, my back ached, and the last thing I wanted was to play hero.
She looked up when she heard me.
A hundred things went through my mind. The way my ankles had vanished weeks ago. The unopened bills on my table. All the ways I’d failed. For a heartbeat, I almost went back inside.
But Mrs. Higgins was blinking fast, struggling to catch her breath.
“Do you want me to grab you some water?” I called, already moving closer.
She waved me off, pride stitched into every wrinkle. “Oh, no, I’m fine. Just need to finish this up before the HOA starts their rounds. You know how they are.”
I tried to laugh. “Don’t remind me. I’m still pretending I didn’t get a warning last month for ‘unsightly weeds.’”
I almost went back inside.
Mrs. Higgins grinned, but her grip on the mower didn’t loosen.
“Seriously, let me help,” I said, stepping closer. “You shouldn’t be out here in this heat.”
She frowned. “It’s too much for you, dear. You should be resting, not moving lawns for old ladies.”
I shrugged. “Resting is overrated. Besides, I need the distraction.”
“Trouble at home?”
I hesitated, then shook my head, forcing a smile. “It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
I reached for the mower. She let go, finally, sinking onto the porch steps with a grateful sigh.
“It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
“Thank you, Ariel. You’re a lifesaver.”
I started the mower. Every push was a struggle, sweat rolled down my spine, and stuck my shirt to my back. My feet squelched in grass and I felt dizzy, nauseous, but I kept going.
continued on next page
For complete cooking times, go to the next page or click the Open button (>), and don't forget to SHARE with your Facebook friends.
