well not half naked--I wouldn't have a home."
"You've got a job," he said stubbornly. "Cleaning houses."
"That's right. I clean houses, I serve drinks, and now and then I pick
crabs. That's how amazingly skilled and versatile I am. I also pay rent,
insurance, medical bills, utilities, and a baby-sitter. I buy food, I
buy clothes, gas. I take care of myself and my daughter. I don't need
you coming around here telling me it's not right."
"I'm just saying--"
"I hear what you're saying." Her heels were throbbing, and every ache in
her overtaxed body was making itself known. Worse, much worse, was the
hard prick of embarrassment that he would look down on her for what she
did to survive. "I serve cocktails and let men look at my legs. Maybe
they'll tip better if they like them. And if they tip better I can buy
my little girl something that makes her smile. So they can look all they
damn well please. And I wish to God I had the kind of body that filled
out this stupid outfit, because then I'd earn more."
He had to pause before speaking, to gather his thoughts. Her face was
flushed with anger, but her eyes were so tired it broke his heart.
"You're selling yourself short, Grace," he said quietly.
"I know exactly how much I'm worth, Ethan." Her chin angled. "Right down
to the last penny. Now, my break's over."
She spun on her miserably throbbing heels and stalked back into the
noise and the smoke-clogged air.
Chapter Three
"need bunny. too."
"Okay, baby, we'll get your bunny." It was, Grace thought, always an
expedition. They were only going as far as the sandbox in the backyard,
but Aubrey never failed to demand that all her stuffed pals accompany
her.
Grace had solved this logistical problem with an enormous shopping bag.
Inside it were a bear, two dogs, a fish, and a very tattered cat. The
bunny joined them. Though Grace's eyes were gritty from lack of sleep,
she grinned broadly as Aubrey tried to heft the bag herself.
"I'll carry them, honey."
"No, me."
It was, Grace thought, Aubrey's favorite phrase. Her baby liked to do
things herself, even when it would be simpler to let someone else do the
job. Wonder where she gets that from, Grace mused and laughed at both of
them.
"Okay, let's get the crew outside." She opened the screen door--it
squeaked badly, reminding her that she needed to oil the hinges--and
waited while Aubrey dragged the bag over the threshold and onto the tiny
back porch.
Grace had livened up the porch by painting it a soft blue and adding
clay pots filled with pink and white geraniums. In her mind, the little
rental house was temporary, but she didn't want it to feel temporary.
She wanted it to feel like home. At least until she saved enough money
for a down payment on a place of their own.