Clinic.
Employment center.
Emergency food.
Housing assistance.
“You called them?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re not the adult.”
Her face tightened.
“I take care of her.”
“I know.”
“Then don’t say that like I don’t.”
Ray leaned down slightly.
“I’m saying you shouldn’t have to.”
That stopped her.
Ray pointed toward the folder.
“Give her this.”
“Don’t force her.”
“Don’t argue.”
“Just give it.”
Lily tucked it under her arm.
Then noticed the open back room.
“What’s that?”
“Storage.”
“There’s a bed.”
“Cot.”
“Blankets.”
“Yes.”
“Is that for us?”
Ray hesitated.
“If you need it.”
Lily stared.
“For how long?”
“Temporary.”
“Free?”
“Yes.”
Suspicion.
“What do you want?”
“Nothing.”
She looked angry.
Ray sighed.
“We’ve done this.”
“People don’t give rooms away.”
“I’m not giving you a room.”
“I’m offering a safe place while your mom figures something out.”
Lily looked into the room.
Then at Ray.
“She’ll say no.”
“Probably.”
“She hates help.”
“So do you.”
Lily almost smiled.
The next morning, Hannah came.
She looked stronger but still pale.
Lily walked beside her carrying the folder.
Hannah stopped inside the garage.
Tools hung in perfect rows.
Motorcycles occupied both lifts.
A compressor hummed.
Coffee steamed beside the office.
Ray wiped his hands.
“Hannah.”
“Mr. Mercer.”
“Ray.”
She looked toward the back room.
“Lily told me.”
“You don’t have to take it.”
“Good.”
“But you should look.”
Hannah crossed her arms.
“Why?”
“Because your apartment rent is behind.”
Her eyes sharpened.
“How do you know?”
Lily looked down.
Hannah turned toward her.
“Lily.”
“I heard the landlord.”
Ray said:
“She didn’t tell me much.”
Hannah looked embarrassed.
Angry.
Tired.
“I can handle my rent.”
“Good.”
Ray pointed toward the room.
“Then you won’t need it.”
She stared.
He continued:
“It’s there anyway.”
Hannah entered.
The space was simple.
Freshly cleaned floor.
Cot.
Small folding bed.
Two blankets.
Space heater.
Tiny refrigerator.
No luxury.
No strings.
Hannah touched one blanket.
“How long?”
Ray answered:
“Two weeks.”
She turned.
“Why two?”
“Long enough to breathe.”
“Not long enough to get stuck.”
Hannah studied him.
“You thought about this.”
“Marla did.”
From the shop, Marla shouted:
“Correct.”
Hannah almost laughed.