ement, radiating heat through the thin

s she had bought from a thrift store for eight dollars. The

ss door of a local coff

a tight ponytail, smiled

Crysta said. "I can serve,

d her a clipboard

lled in her name. She left the addr

en st

BEEN CONVICT

in. Her heart hammered against her ribs. If she lied, they would find

d the box

nced at the paper. The smile vanished from her

said, sliding the clipboard under the c

The bell chimed a

nd the counter saw the checked box and laughed ner

er shook his head before she eve

th sweat stains on his collar, leaned over the count

id

ach was a hollow, screaming cavern. She had eaten half a loaf of bread

her hands. The

dollars left. She was going to end up on the street. And if she ende

esting her forehead on her knees, trying t

arking space right in front of he

ok up. She didn't

rk boots stepped

hi

hed. She kne

ak stood there, holding a canvas groc

woman had given her twenty-three dollars, and here she was, starving on a

She wiped her hands on the thighs of he

but her legs gave out. She

afford. Her throat tightened, and the w

was broken, desperate. "Nobody will hire me. They se

t. She was looking at Crysta, but Crysta knew Margo was seeing her son

e of Margo's jeans. He

d. "I will do anything. I will wash dishes. I will

. The sound of cars passing on

She dropped her head. She had pu

diner," M

head sn

is small. The pay is minimum

The skin was rough, callou

ing in a massive breath of air. The crushing weight

o's hand. She nodded violently,