Page 147 - My FlipBook

T R A I L O F C R U M B S

She missed this every morning—rushing for the bus, dodging
through windowless hallways.
Elgin got up around noon and found her on the couch,
playing a game on her phone. After their conversation the
night before, it felt okay to be there. She still watched him
walk by, though, not too close to her.
“Still not feeling well?” he asked, rubbing his porcupine
hair. Today’s shorts were white with sporty gray stripes down

the sides, still ballooning around his plucked-chicken legs.
His undershirt hung in a misshapen U around his neck.
“A little better today,” Greta said. She would watch for the
right time to explain her plan.
Elgin shuffled to the kitchen and turned on the coffee
maker. “I got a check in the mail from your dad yesterday, by
the way.”

“You what?” She bolted upright.
“He mailed me a check. No note or letter with it, but it’s
enough to cover rent with a little left over. After Alice cashes
it, I’ll ask her to bring the extra back for you two, for inci-
dentals and such.”
Greta meant to answer him, to say thank you, but her
mind started scanning all possible meanings and outcomes
before she could speak. Roger hadn’t sent the check to her
and Ash directly—probably because neither one had a bank

account—but he must’ve guessed they were still living there.
He was thinking about them? In Whitecourt, he’d tried to tell
them he’d send money. But what about Patty? Either she’d
softened her “silver platter” stance or he’d done it secretly,

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