Tainted (Oh Captain, My Captain 7)

“Wait. You don’t want to give the nice guy a chance to take the nice girl out sometime? It could leave you with something to smile about.”

She tries to hide a smile. “Valo, I’m not that kind of girl, but…” She pauses before adding, “I’ll make you a deal. If you find me again, then I’ll go out with you, but only if you find me at my work.”

“Okay. Find you at work. That’s it?”

“Yep. If you find me at work, then I’ll go out on a date with you. However, you have to buy and I have a huge appetite. Deal?” She sticks out her hand.

“Deal.” I shake her hand. How hard can it be?

Chapter Three

Jade

I walk up and down the aisle of the grocery store. I have twelve dollars to spend and I need to have food for the week. As much as I would love to buy chicken and fresh veggies, I can’t do it.

I give up looking at the good food that makes my stomach grumble and drool and walk my broke ass over to the canned soups and meats.

Hello, Spam.

I feel the bile in my throat. I’ve eaten this shit for so damn long I can’t even look at it anymore. I turn and look at the soups.

The red and white labels are familiar t

o me because it’s what I survive on. I used to steal the cans when Mom spent all of our welfare check on whatever drug she could get in her hands or up her veins.

I grab several cans of different varieties and put them in my basket. I pick up a loaf of bread and peanut butter. That will keep me full when the soup runs out. I check out and splurge on a Twix candy bar. I pay for everything, leaving me with four bucks. I walk out and head back to the apartment when a small, thin little girl comes up to me.

“Hi.” Her voice is small. “Do you have any change?”

One half wants to tell the kid to ‘fuck off’. I’ve been like her before, fending for myself, begging for change. I’m sure her mom is laid up with some john. Then again, I remember how hungry I was.

“Here.” I hand her a dollar and quickly rush away from her because if I don’t, I might end up giving her my other three dollars, and I need bus fare for work.

~

“Miss Patterson, are you still going to your AA meetings?”

I look over at my mother who I’m sure is still drunk from her morning cocktail of a half bottle of vodka.

“Yep, every Wednesday at the church near my home.” She’s fucking lying. If she walked into a church, the roof would fall in.

“Have you been able to find a job?”

“Um…not yet.”

A job? They want her to get a job?

Oh, that’s rich. The only thing Mom is qualified for is to be on her back. Although, she’s pretty good at finding a vein, but I don’t see her in a hospital working that skill.

“All right, since your last drug test was clean, you won’t need one today, but I’m scheduling a surprise one.” He wrinkles his brow.

Hell, I’m shocked she passed one.

They talk for a few more minutes and then Mom’s ready to leave. I walk with her out to the bus stop and we wait.

“You know, Rick said you could work for him.”

I roll my eyes and look away from her.