"I crave you as if I've already had you before, that scares and excites me all at once"
« In which Adriana Narvaez, a mother
of two, finds herself falling deep
into the world of crime after an
innocent robbery turns into a money-laundering bus...
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"Honey, you need to get a lawyer."
"I have a custody one."
"You need a criminal one, babes." Adriana's eyes filled with sympathy, turning towards Annie and gently tapping her knuckles against the car window, expressing her concern for her friend.
"Ugh, I'm gonna have a whole legal team, OJ style."
Adriana only nodded, her eyes darting to Annie for a moment before returning to the matter at hand, finding out which secret shopper screwed them over.
"Yeah, and fight it."
"That little grocery store turd is going down."
"I just want my kid back, you know?" Adriana's heart twisted at Annie's words, laying a comforting hand on her shoulder.
$$$
Adriana gently bounces the baby on her hip, eyes warily darting around the small home as the woman, Mary Pat, searches for the words to defend herself against Annie's allegation.
"You know, you obviously have a lot on your plate, and you're not in trouble. But unfortunately, we do have to let you go."
Adriana, captivated by the drooling baby, coos at him gently, ignoring the tense atmosphere as they wait for Mary to say--or do anything. Adriana can't help the guilt that wallows in her chest, cradling the baby as Mary's world crumbles around her.
She knows how it is to lose a husband, and she couldn't imagine having to take care of all those kids plus a baby with no source of income except for maybe a government check. She hates firing the woman, she knows the other girls do too. But she would take the guilt over a gun in her face any day.
Annie takes a sip of her water as Adriana gently hands her back her baby, a grimace clear on Ruby's face as she watches the pitiful sight of the woman.
"He's such a cutie." Adriana attempts a smile at the woman, hoping to soften the blow.
"I'm so embarrassed."
"Oh, please don't be."
"You know, I ran out of time, and I really needed the money." Mary hurried to explain as the baby began to fuss and cry in his mother's arms. Adriana's eyes softened, only shaking her head.
"No judgment here."
"Oh my god."
Mary turned away from the girls, her eyes welling with tears as she put the fussy baby into his highchair. Only taking on glance at Beth, Adrian turned on her heel, making her way to the door, not wanting to watch the mother cry.
"You take care, okay? Good night."
"Wait--what? What did you mean when you said I turned in the same cash?"
