Intimate Affairs [ON HOLD]

V I

"Nan!"

Just the person that I wanted to see. Dressed in her formal work uniform, I'd managed to catch her just before she started her shift. She worked at the thrift store that I sometimes shopped at. And with her employee discount I was able to afford to pay for my clothes.

She was conversing with someone, but I paid no mind to him as I rushed toward Nan. The envelope felt like it been burning a hole in my purse and I constantly checked on it on my way back to the apartment building. No way was I about to take my eyes off of it for a second because this money had been my lifeline-the good luck that I was finally granted. "I have good news."

She smiled at my excitement, holding up one finger to the man she'd been talking to she led me a few steps away to talk to me in private. "You got the job?"

I'd forgotten that I needed to talk to her about that, but I hoped the money that I'd acquired would make up for the bad part. "Better, I finally have the rent."

I opened the envelope and counted out the amount inside. I loved the smell of money and the newness of some of the bills that looked untouched and wrinkle free.

When I handed the envelope to her, her face blanked and she frowned. "How did you get this?"

"Does it matter?"

"Yes, Fallon. How did you get it?" She asked impatiently. Like a mother giving her child a stern talking to.

I'd had plenty of those in the past, but now I just wanted to stop being looked at as someone that needed another person to take care of her and constantly remind of what's right and wrong. No one understood why I was the way I am today.

"Just take the money." I said irritably as I shoved the money back into her hands after she gave it back to me.

"No."

"Fine. I pawned a ring. Turns out it was worth a lot and I got a good penny for it." I admitted semi-truthfully.

"Where'd you get the ring?" She inquired persistently, crossing her arms over her chest. She just wasn't letting this go, but I could tell she knew-somehow-she knew what I'd done and she waiting for a confession.

Lying had come so easy to me that I couldn't stop the next lie. "It was something I had for a while."

"Bullshit."

To hear a bad word come out of Nan's mouth, a woman who hardly swore, meant that I'd been pushing her patience.

"Why do you care? It's. Money."

"Did you get the job at the hotel?" She asked next.

I sighed, shaking my head no. "Nan."

"Oh, my God. You didn't."

"How was I supposed to know that they'd do a fucking background check on me?" I exclaimed.

Then I remembered that we weren't alone in the lobby, Nan's unknown visitor was still standing there. He'd made himself comfortable leaning against the wall.

Nan sighed. She hadn't known about the background check either.

"Exactly. I was screwed right before I even walked in there."

"I don't know what to say or do to help you, Fallon. You can't live like this."

"Don't you think I know that? I'm trying, Nan. This is the only way." I held up the envelope to emphasize my meaning. "I'll look for a job and I won't stop knocking on doors until someone says yes."