Trouble

“Maybe…” I’m not telling him otherwise. “I liked Glinda.”

“And the flying monkeys!”

I’m glad he’s having another happy day. It’s been years since I visited the CMT, back when it was in the Vista, closer to Spencer’s home. The new, larger space in the park means the productions are more elaborate.

We’re walking through the park, along the red-brick canal path. Tom is never out of sight, but he gives us space. I almost want to call him to catch up and join us, but I don’t. I let him do his job.

“Can we get a hot dog for lunch?” Ollie takes off running towards the vendor as I slide my phone out of my pocket to check for any missed calls or texts.

The face is blank, and my heart sinks a little more.

“Not doing this.” I promised myself I wouldn’t think about him again.

Shoving the device into my pocket, I hurry to catch up with my little friend waiting at the hot dog vendor.

One giant pretzel and a coney dog later, we’re in the backseat of Tom’s black town car headed back to our safe house. Staring out the window, I notice signs listing apartments for lease, and I wonder how long we’re supposed to be in this holding pattern at Spencer’s house.

Ollie has fallen asleep on the arm rest, and I slide forward to where the glass divider is lowered.

“Hey, Tom?” He lifts his chin to meet my eyes. “Did they give you an end date for this job?”

His brow furrows. “We’re taking it on a week-by-week basis.”

“A week!” My voice goes high, and I shake my head.

He’s got another thing coming if he thinks I’m staying past Sunday.

“Is something wrong, Miss Winthrop?”

“You can call me Joselyn… or Sly. That’s what everybody else calls me.” Shaking my head, I scoot back in the seat. “I have to talk to Courtney. We need to find our own place.”

He doesn’t answer. We’re at the house, and I pick at a loose thread on my jeans, thinking about how Spencer swooped in and took charge, installing us here like helpless children.

I was shaken and scared, and I let him.

I’m more angry than scared now.

After dinner, when I present it to Courtney, she does not cooperate. “He’s helping us stay safe until we can find a better apartment.” She says it like it’s the most normal thing.

“But for how long? We can’t stay here forever, Court.” I’m walking around the room, feeling hurt and mad and angry. “He’s not even related to us. He’s not your boyfriend or mine…”

Her lips press into a frown. “You’re upset about him leaving. I get it. But you haven’t started working yet, and we can’t go back to the old place. This is the longest I’ve gone without hearing from Ozzy, and I confess, I’m scared. I know he’s problematic, but I like Spencer. I like the extra security.”

For the first time, I see the tension in her eyes, and I feel bad for pressing the matter.

“Maybe we could stay at a hotel for a few days. I think some of those places rent rooms by the month.”

“None we could afford.” Ollie’s splashing and making noises from the jacuzzi tub, and she stands. “I’d better check on him before he makes a big mess. I have a few appointments in the morning, but we can hop online and see what’s out there if it makes you feel better. For now, I think we should stay put.”

“I’ll start looking in the morning. Maybe it’ll help us narrow down our choices.”

She smiles, hugging my shoulders. “I’m glad to look.”

Tightness is in my stomach, and I head to my shared room with Ollie. Who says I can’t start the search right now? Pulling out my otherwise useless phone, I open the app and start swiping.

* * *

My phone buzzing with a text startles me awake. I fell asleep last night searching for apartments, and I discovered Courtney was right. I need to get working.