There Was A Crooked Man

Prelude

The little girl with dishwater blond hair slid her chair back, careful not to catch it on the torn linoleum. She eased her way out of the kitchen, tiptoeing and barely breathing. It was important to get away without being seen or heard. Mom and Dad were arguing about money, and that never ended well. She mentally counted the number of drinks they’d had, too. Three. Each. That wasn’t good either.

Pushing a chair against her bedroom door, she huddled in the dark while the argument raged louder. She crawled to the closet and pulled the string for the overhead light bulb. Even with her hands over her ears, she heard the bottle smash against the living room wall. She opened a book of nursery rhymes Aunt Susan had let her borrow from the library. Choosing one randomly, she started reading aloud, “There was a crooked man, and he walked a crooked mile. He found a crooked sixpence against a crooked stile. He bought a crooked cat which caught a crooked mouse, and they all lived together in a little crooked house.”

Katie read it over and over until she could no longer hear her parents.

The rhyme served her well over the years, becoming her go-to whenever she felt threatened or insecure.

Chapter 1

An alto saxophone wept soft jazz while a drummer kept a steady four-four beat—mixing with the hum of conversation from the three-hundred people gathered. Katie took in the elegant ballroom, shimmering with crystal, china, and ego and wondered briefly what it would be like to be a guest. Rolling her eyes at the notion, she kept moving.

The state auditor had invited members from Georgia’s county zoning boards to celebrate their highly profitable fiscal year. Listening to snippets of conversation, Katie concluded the guests didn’t give a damn about Georgia’s bottom-line. The auditor had political aspirations, and most in attendance were interested in riding his coattails.

The blond man working the room held Katie’s attention, though. He inserted himself seamlessly into conversations, giving specific compliments and asking thoughtful questions. Katie considered him more closely. The man caught Katie’s stare and gave a slow, welcoming smile. She turned away, feeling heat rush up her neck.

The congested area by the bar had Katie sliding past clumps of people feasting and drinking to their heart’s content. She adjusted the hated bow tie as she offered delicacies and champagne from her tray.

Hands slid across her body, and Katie spun toward the source. Two men standing nearby—the blond one she’d been admiring and an older, balding man in a tweed jacket. They spoke at the same time.

“Sorry.”

“It’s crowded in here.”

Unsure who to blame, Katie smiled tightly, familiar with the game. The blond man followed her and waited nearby as she served hors d’oevres. She changed direction. Stupid. Katie chastised herself. I shouldn’t have made eye contact.

She was relieved when her tray was empty. It gave her a chance to escape. She bumped her hip on the swinging kitchen door and entered the steamy room. It was crowded with dishes--clean on the right, dirty to the left. Prep stations were bustling, and dishwashers ran non-stop. The soft music from the grand ballroom would never be heard in here. Katie leaned against the counter, rubbing her lower back.

Donette, another server from the restaurant, shoved her way into the kitchen. “Assholes,” she muttered and caught Katie's eye. “They're all assholes, right?”

Katie gave a meaningful look at Donette’s breasts spilling out of her white tuxedo shirt. “The accidental rub against the chest move?”

Renae slammed through the doors, harried and pissy. She caught the last bit of the conversation. “Oh yeah. Or how about the hand on the ass routine? They're all such assholes.”

“Been there done that,” Katie admitted.

“At least we get paid more for catering than we would at the restaurant,” Donette added.

Renae threw her tray on the pile of dirty dishes and joined the two women for a quick break. “Still get mauled--just by richer asshats.”

Katie snorted. She did love that expression “asshats.”

“Laugh if you want, Princess. But we saw Boy Wonder watching you.” Renae bumped her shoulder against Donette’s. “Didn't we?”

“Mr. Tall, blond, and sexy? Perfect hair. Perfect clothes. Yeah, I saw him, for all the good it did me. He's got eyes for our Katie here.”

Renae pretended to pout as she toyed with the end of her dark braid. “I guess we'll have to settle for the asshats, huh Donette?”

Katie waved their comments aside. “Trust me, he’s not interested in anything serious.”

Donette glanced at the clock. “It’s only eight-thirty?” She rolled her shoulder to release the tension. “God. I hope this goes by fast.”

The women shoved away from the counter and picked up newly prepared trays laden with bacon-wrapped scallops and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

As they re-entered the ballroom, Katie stopped in her tracks. The blond man from earlier was leaning against a wall just outside the kitchen. Donette and Renae saw him too and elbowed Katie.

“See?”

“He's been waiting.”

Renae pivoted right, and Donette spun left, forcing Katie to face him alone. Katie narrowed her eyes. “Can I help you?”

He pushed away from the wall, blocking her forward progress.

“I wanted to explain that thing earlier. It was an accident.” He gave Katie a sheepish smile. “Maybe I can call you later?”

Katie’s tone frosted, “Call me? You don’t even know me.”

“That's not true,” he rushed forward until he was just inches away, “You have a contagious laugh, and you’re sweet even when men,” he pointed at his chest, “are total jerks.

Katie looked at her watch and tapped her foot.

‘You’re smart too,” he hurried to explain, “I heard the conversation you had about tonight’s theme. All I need now is a name.”

Had he complimented her face or her figure, she’d have flat out refused. His remarks about her as a person had her considering. Survival instincts had her shaking her head and stepping around him.

He pursued her the rest of the evening, making eye contact and mouthing, “Just your name.”

Charmed, she finally whispered, “Katie.”

“Well, Katie, I’m pleased to meet you. I’m Jack. Jack Werner.”

He continued to flirt throughout the evening, winking and sending secret smiles. As the night wound down, Jack found her one more time.

“I rode here with my friends from work, so I have to go. Can I have your number?”

Katie rattled it off as he typed it into his phone. As she watched him leave, she couldn’t stop grinning. Donette and Renae teased her mercilessly as they hauled supplies to the catering van.

“I’m Jack,” Donette said in an over-modulated deep voice, “I’m the next best thing to God.”

“Can I have your number, sweetie?” Renae batted her eyelashes.

Leaving the event well past one in the morning, Katie parked her ancient Honda as near to a streetlight as she could. She scanned the area, ensuring herself the streets were empty and jogged toward building C.

Oblivious to the cold March air, she took the stairs to her apartment two at a time, hopeful for the first time in, well, ever.

Chapter 2

Katie’s cell phone vibrated across the nightstand, and she squinted at the clock: eight-o-nine. Not recognizing the number, she answered cautiously, “Hello?”

“Katie?”

“Who is this?”

“It’s Jack. I couldn’t wait to talk to you.”

Katie curled into the blankets, stunned he’d called.

The phone calls came daily, growing in length as Jack and Katie got to know one another better. It’s how Jack learned she was virtually alone. “Your mom and dad are both gone? No sisters or brothers?”

“Nope, just my Aunt Susan. “What about your family?” Katie asked, eager to change the subject. No way was she going to have a conversation about her mom and dad this early in the game. He’d never call again.

The long chats with Jack lifted her spirits, and Katie often bounced into work at the City Palette—an established restaurant in the old part of town. Renae and Donette tormented her by singing lyrics from any song they could think of that had Jack in the title: “Jack and Diane” from John Mellencamp, “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” by the Rolling Stones, and “Hit the Road Jack.” The last one was a favorite, and Donette and Renae would belt out Ray Charles’ well-known chorus.

Katie shook her head playfully. “You two are just jealous!”

“Damn straight,” Donette answered. “I need a Jack.”

Me too!” Renae added as she slid past with a tray of drinks. “Get me out of this hellhole.”

Katie and Jack’s budding relationship had one barrier: She lived in Atlanta, and Jack in Savannah. Two weeks of daily phone calls hadn’t dulled the attraction, and Jack offered to make the drive to Atlanta. “I want to spend time with you, go on a date, see where this leads. How ‘bout Saturday?”

When Katie hesitated, Jack pressed for an answer, “What? You don’t think it’s a good idea?

“No, I mean, yes. It’s just a little scary, you know? Talking the next step.”

“We don’t have to do anything,” Jack laughed, “but it is a four- hour trip each way, Katie. I’d rather not have to drive half the night.”

Katie agreed, “I work until two on Saturday. Let me give you the building code in case I run late.” She rattled off a four-digit number. “I’ll leave a key under the mat.”

Jack purposely arrived at her apartment early. He used the extra time to explore her rooms, rifling through the mail haphazardly stacked on the counter and sifting through her medicine cabinet in the bathroom. He looked for evidence of men's clothing in her closet and investigated her bedside drawer. Seeing a ‘Thinking of You’ card, his fingers curled into fists until he saw the signature, ‘Love, Aunt Susan.’ Checking his watch, Jack replaced each item exactly where it had been and hurried to the kitchen.

A few minutes later, Katie sailed in the door and angled straight into Jack for a hug. “Hello, handsome!” She took off her work apron and frowned at the papers on the counter. They were stacked perfectly, not messy the way she remembered leaving them that morning. “Have you been here long?”

“No, I got here a few minutes before you.”

Katie dismissed the papers, thinking maybe she’d straightened them after all. She stuck her nose down into the bouquet of flowers Jack had brought. “These are beautiful.”

“Not as beautiful as you.” Jack pulled her close, stroking her brown-blond hair.

“Stop. I look awful—my hair's a mess, makeup’s gone. And I definitely need a shower.”

“You look perfect to me.” Jack bent her backward, kissing her thoroughly.

“Whew! Aren’t you romantic?” Katie laughed up into his face.

Later, after a perfect night out involving dinner, a slow walk home, and a fair amount of kissing and caressing, Katie pushed away. “Ummm. Ok. Whew.” She ran a hand through her hair. She stood, unsure of what to do with her hands.

“This is actually only the second time I’ve seen you.” She hurried to a tiny closet, pulled out blankets and a pillow, and walked them back toward the couch where Jack sat. Setting them down carefully on the arm of the sofa, she stammered, “I’m…I’m sorry. I know this seems weird.”

“It’s okay, Katie. I know you’re not ready.”

Appreciating his patience, Katie promised to drive to Savannah the next weekend. “Who knows? Maybe you’ll get lucky?” She gave Jack a wink.

On Monday, Katie made her announcement to Donette and Renae, “So, I’m heading to Savannah on Saturday.”

Renae swiveled her head, “Whoa. This is getting serious.”

Donette latched onto the other part of the sentence, “Saturday? That’s our busiest night.”

“I know,” Katie said. “I’ll make it up to you guys. I promise.”

Renae wiggled her eyebrows, “You gonna do the deed, girl?”

Donette leaned in to hear the answer.

Seeing Katie give a timid shrug, Donette high-fived Renae and started talking lingerie. “You’ve got to get something silky and tiny.”

“Lingerie? Shit. I didn’t think about that.” Katie mentally sifted through the few items she had at home.

“Something black and lacy,” Renae insisted.

“It’s been a while,” Katie admitted and let out a sigh. “I’ll probably screw the whole thing up.”

“Girl, when a man sees a woman half-naked, she’s already in control.” Renae flipped her braid over her shoulder. “Relax,” she did a slow hip roll, “experiment, and never underestimate foreplay.”

“And then come back here and tell us all the details!” Donette added with a laugh.

Renae agreed, “We deserve it after covering your sorry ass on a Saturday night.”

Chapter 3

Katie did buy lingerie—pink, not black. She then drove to a pharmacy blocks from home, snatched the first box of condoms she saw, and paid without making eye contact with the cashier.

Her geriatric Honda, unused to long excursions, coughed a couple of times along the trip. Katie turned up the radio to cover the noise. Her phone beeped three times in succession, and Katie glanced at the screen. Texts from Renae, Donette, and Jack were waiting.

At the next gas station, Katie filled the gas tank and tried not to worry about the money. Opening her phone, she read her messages.

“Where r u on the drive?” Jack.

“OMG! Jack sent flowers!” Donette’s text screamed.

Renae sent a picture of the bouquet and Jack’s card: “Thanks for covering for Katie!”

Katie responded to each, proud to be with a man who would send flowers to her friends. When she pulled into Jack’s apartment building, he was waiting outside, holding a poster, “Welcome, Katie!”

Katie popped out of the car. “I made it! But I don’t think my car is happy about the drive.” On cue, her Honda let out a small belch from its rusty tailpipe.

Jack took her hand. “I’ll show you around before dinner.”

Katie nervously toured his apartment, admiring the kitchen, and running her hand along the expanse of the counter. “It’s all so new.” She stood in an overly neutral living room, wondering why there was nothing on the walls, before following Jack upstairs. The small second bedroom was a homey office: a landscape on the wall, bookcases, and a newer computer. “This is better.” Katie nodded to herself.

“What do you mean?”

Katie shrugged. “It’s just obvious you spend more time here.”

Jack looked at the room through Katie’s eyes. “That’s true, I guess. I don’t cook much or watch much TV. I do, however,” he wiggled his eyebrows and steered her by the elbow, “also spend time in here.” He led her to his bedroom.

She poked her head into the room, noting it was tidy and decorated in shades of browns. The queen bed centered between the two windows screamed for attention. Katie backed out and ran into Jack’s chest.

“Can I freshen up before dinner?” she asked, trying to mask her anxiety.

He grinned. “I take it you don’t want to use my bathroom?”

She shook her head and jogged down the stairs. Squeezing into the tiny powder room, she took a big breath. Get a grip, Katie! He’s your boyfriend, for God’s sake. She dug through her purse, pulling out lipstick and mascara.

Jack opened the door. “You okay in here?”

Surprised he hadn’t knocked, Katie stood with the mascara wand suspended in midair.

He watched her in the mirror.

“What are you doing?”

“I wanted to see you.”

Katie kissed him quickly and tried to shut the door, but his foot was in the way. The room grew claustrophobic with his tall frame half inside the doorway. She eased past him, eager for space.

Jack drove to a nearby Chinese restaurant and introduced Katie to a pot of potent saké.

“Mmmm. This is so good.” Katie downed her second cup and held it out toward Jack.

“You want more?”

“Yep. Saké to me!” She giggled. “Get it? Saké to me?”

“Yeah, I get it.” Jack glanced around the crowded restaurant. “Maybe you’d better take it easy.”

His warning embarrassed her, and she mentally searched for a dignified subject. “Your parents? They live nearby, right?”

“They do. But, as I’ve said, we aren’t exactly close.”

“But you’ve never explained why.” Katie leaned forward, eager to hear the story

Jack sampled his General Tso’s chicken, choosing his words. “They were never around much—always headed to some fundraiser or committee meeting. When they were home, they spent their time telling me I wasn’t good enough.” His eyes grew stormy, and his speech quickened as he listed a litany of issues: grades, friends, girls, sports, extra-curricular. “Nothing was good enough, and I was punished for everything,” he said for the third time.

None of the transgressions seemed overly serious to Katie, but she stayed silent.

“After I got my job, my parents and I went to dinner to celebrate. They spent the whole night berating me.” Jack rolled his eyes. “They didn’t approve of me reporting my predecessor’s mistakes, but I sure as hell wasn't getting blamed for something he’d done.” Jack flung his right hand in the air. “Whatever.”

Katie’s brow creased. “Go on,” she encouraged.

“There’s nothing else to say. I walked out.” Jack scrubbed his neck below his right ear. “Let’s talk about what’s under that pretty pink shirt instead.” He strained to look down her blouse, making her laugh and effectively ending the conversation.

Katie wasn’t quite steady on her feet as they left the restaurant and clung to Jack’s arm. “Whew. You better take me to bed, Jack, before I change my mind.”

Once back at his place, he led her straight to his room, lighting candles and turning on soft music. Easing her back on the bed, Jack drew her in for a long kiss, licking her lips, nibbling her neck.

“God. You’re beautiful. I’ve been dreaming of you here with me. Let me love you, Katie.”

Smiling slowly, she murmured, “Yes.”

Remembering her earlier purchase, Katie pushed herself up, looking for her purse.

“What are you doing?”

Her cheeks colored, “I brought some protection.”

Stunned, Jack laughed, “Trust me. I’ve got that under control.”

Once he returned to the bed, she let him take the lead, sinking deeper into the mattress and growing accustomed to his weight. He unbuttoned her blouse. “Look at you.” He kissed the top of one breast.

She stiffened and balled her hands into fists.

“You don’t like that.”

“I do. I’m just nervous. If I’m honest, it’s been a while.”

Jack grinned. “Good to hear there’s no competition.”

“You’ve seen where I live. Not a lot of fabulous boyfriend choices there.”

He ran a feather-light caress across her stomach. “So, I’m your Prince Charming?”

Her hands wound around his neck, fingering his hair. “You are.”

He undid the front clasp of the bra, and her nipples puckered. Katie sighed, enjoying the feel of his hands on her skin. He caressed down to her belly, moving further and sliding her skirt down. “Ahhh, look at you. Matching lingerie.” He traced the lacy pattern, running his finger under the waistband, making her shiver. He eased the lingerie bottoms off and slid them down the long expanse of her leg so slowly, the entire process was a long caress.

He slid up her body, and she closed her eyes when he eased inside her. Katie squeezed her thigh muscles in reaction, and it nearly undid Jack. He slid deeper inside her. “Look at me, baby.”

She met his gaze, and the age-old dance commenced. Jack’s pace increased, and Katie matched his movements, arcing with each thrust. With nerve endings over-sensitized, she climbed higher, riding the wave and close to shattering. When Jack collapsed on top of her, Katie's senses were still jangling. She felt as though she’d eaten a fabulous meal but still had room for dessert.

When Jack lifted himself, she raised herself slightly on her elbows, anticipating a kiss that never came.

“Katie?” Jack watched her closely.

She stretched lazily. “Hmm.”

“I’ll be your only.”

Overwhelmed, Katie heard only promises.

Chapter 4

Susan Garrison adjusted her thick glasses and squinted at the phone. She didn’t recognize the number and answered sharply, “Hello?” Her voice still rasped despite ten years without her beloved cigarettes.

“Aunt Susan, it’s Katie.”

“Oh, hello, Babycakes. Are you calling me from work?”

“No. Jack bought me a new cell phone. Can you believe it? My old one was crap and only worked half the time. He calls three or four times a day and got nervous when he couldn’t reach me.”

The older woman frowned. “Three or four times a day? That sounds over the top, don’t you think?”

Katie giggled. “He just worries.”

“That’s more than worrying.”

“No offense, Aunt Susan, but you’re not exactly out there dating. This is how we do it nowadays. We call, we text, we send emojis.”

“What the hell’s an emoji?”

Katie laughed, dismissing her Aunt’s concerns. “Jack’s talking about getting married! He’s even looking at houses to buy!”

Aunt Susan rolled her eyes. Since meeting Jack, Katie ended every sentence with an exclamation mark. “You know that tingly feeling you get when you meet someone you’re really attracted to?”

Katie answered with a breathy sigh, “I do.”

“Well, that’s common sense leaving your body,” Susan snorted.

“Aunt Susan!”

“Well, he sounds too good to be true. Maybe I should meet this young man.”

“We should have dinner together! I’ll cook your favorites and pick you up next Saturday. I work the early shift, so it shouldn’t be any trouble. Six o’clock work for you?”

“Fine, fine. I can’t wait to see you.” Aunt Susan mentally shoved down the growing trepidation in her gut.

Jack was even less enthused. “I hardly ever see you, and now we have to give up our Saturday night?”

“She wants to meet you. She’s my angel, the one who saved me.” Katie waited through a long silence. “Hello?”

“I thought I was the one who saved you.”

Hearing his clipped tone, Katie rushed to clarify, “She’s my angel, but you’re my Prince Charming. You two are the most important people in my life. I want you to meet each other.”

Sighing, Jack agreed to dinner but inserted new parameters, “I’m sure it’ll be great, sweetheart.” his voice oozed through the line. “But let’s do it earlier. Say four or four-thirty? We can have dinner, drive her back to the retirement joint by eight, and still have time for us.”

“Retirement joint? What’s that supposed to mean?” Katie held the phone away from her face and glared at the screen.

Jack backtracked again, “Is it wrong to want you all to myself?”

“Well, when you put it like that…” Katie pulled her shoulders up toward her chin, giving herself a hug.

On Saturday, Katie scrubbed her tiny apartment. Despite her parents having been gone four years, the rooms still held a whiff of hopelessness and gin. Katie drove the shadows away by cooking until her hair was damp and the kitchen steamy. She sang along with the radio and slid across the newly mopped floor in her socks.

Bubbling with enthusiasm, Katie was early picking up Aunt Susan. The older woman touched her newly permed hair. “Do I look all right?”

“You’re beautiful.” Katie kissed her leathery cheek and sped back toward the city. She steadied her aunt as they climbed the stairs. “Sorry. The elevator’s out again.” The ladies laughed at their staccato gait--up one stair, stop, regain balance, repeat.

“I can’t let aging get me down.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“No, it’s not that.”

“What?”

“It’s that I can’t get back up!” Aunt Susan snickered at Katie’s pretend swat.

The women were chatting when there was a knock on the door. Katie bounded from the couch. “Oh, there he is!”

Jack waltzed in before Katie could answer the door, and Susan scowled at his presumptuous manner.

Jack pulled a bouquet out from behind his back and walked toward the older woman. “You must be Aunt Susan. Katie talks about you all the time,” Jack held out the flowers.

“For me?”

Susan forgave Jack for not knocking and rushed to find a vase. Catching Katie’s eye, Susan winked and nodded once in approval.

Aunt Susan returned to the living room, eager to know Jack better. Within five minutes, her initial impression faded. Jack said all the right things and sounded interested, but the words never touched his eyes. Aunt Susan straightened her spine.

Dinner wasn’t as fun as Katie had hoped. Aunt Susan zeroed in on details. She’d been to Savannah dozens of times and still had friends there.

Fork in the air as if she’d just remembered something, Susan grilled Jack, “You grew up near Garden City? I thought you said you went to Johnson High School.”

“I did.”

She neatly turned the conversation toward college. “Katie didn’t go to college, but you’ve got a degree, don’t you, Jack?”

“Yes, ma’am. I went to Strayer University and, four years later, landed myself a job with the zoning commission. That may have been luck since the previous guy died.” Jack laughed, relieved to be a safe topic. “They were still doing their accounting on spreadsheets. I introduced new software, and productivity went up.” He smiled, showing overly white teeth, “I should be getting another promotion soon,”

Aunt Susan fiddled with the last of her scalloped potatoes. “Isn’t Strayer a two-year college?”

Katie nudged her aunt’s knee under the table.

When Aunt Susan looked up, Katie raised her eyebrows. “Please, stop,” Katie mouthed.

Susan pretended she didn’t understand and turned her attention back to Jack.

Jack narrowed his eyes, spinning out a lie. “They do specialize in associate degrees, but I stayed for four.”

Aunt Susan nodded, and Jack pursed his lips.

Aunt Susan got up to help clear dishes, noticing Jack did not. From the kitchen sink, she looked over her shoulder and asked more questions. “Your parents still living, Jack?”

“Yes, ma’am, they are.” He offered no other information.

“You’ve met them, Katie? I bet they love you to pieces, don’t they?” Aunt Susan knew damn well Katie hadn’t met his parents or anyone in his life for that matter. Susan smiled, innocent, and supposedly well-meaning.

Katie glanced at Jack and shrugged her shoulders. “Not yet. Jack says they don’t get along well. I’m sure I will--meet them, I mean.” Katie wiped her hands on her jeans. “What’s with all the questions? It feels like an interrogation.”

Jack nodded.

Aunt Susan’s eyes grew large. “I’m sorry, Jack. I don’t mean to pry. You know how it is, right? No one’s ever going to be good enough for my Katie.” Susan fluttered her hands, making her ever-present bracelets clatter together, transforming herself into a doddering aunt. “I get a little protective, but Katie’s got nothing but praise for you.”

After dessert, they drove back to Great Oak Estates. Jack accompanied the women to Aunt Susan’s front door. “It was a pleasure meeting you, Aunt Susan.”

Manners had Susan inviting Jack inside.

“No,” Jack forced himself to smile. “I’ll let you two ladies have a few minutes together.”

He walked toward the car with his forehead deeply furrowed.

Katie followed Aunt Susan inside the villa, flicking on lights as she went. “So, isn’t he great?” Katie asked while turning up the thermostat and closing curtains.

“He seems to be a nice man, Katie, but slow down. I don’t think he’s going anywhere.”

Katie hugged Aunt Susan and called out, “I love you!” before racing back to the car.

As summer waned, Katie worked less to spend time with Jack. Donette and Renae began to echo Aunt Susan.

“Slow down, girl!”

“Play hard to get, for God’s sake!”

“Seriously? Would either of you slow down? I’ve got a man who pays attention, comes to see me, brings me flowers. And here’s a miracle, he has a job and his own place. I could get out of here!” Katie’s arms swept the restaurant, but her tone encompassed the neighborhood. Renae and Donette nodded and grew quiet.

Aunt Susan, for the first time, had to initiate calls to Katie. “Katie? Are you all right? You said you’d call yesterday.”

“I’m sorry. I was running errands before heading to Savannah.” Katie balanced the laundry hamper against her hip, still trying to do two things at once.

“Wait,” Aunt Susan injected with force, “Savannah? Are you going again? You can’t keep missing work, honey.”

Katie’s boss, Ricky, had said the same thing that morning.

Consumed by Jack and his promises, Katie ignored them all.