“What the hell was that?” Janice asked when she reached Madison. Along with her briefcase, she also held Madison’s jacket.

Madison still struggled to get her breathing under control. “I have the perfect solution to how to get back into my grandmother’s will.” She grinned. “It’s brilliant.”

“And what does that have to do with the waitress?”

“Everything.” Madison winked at her long-time friend. “Let’s go back inside.”

“I paid already.”

“Doesn’t matter. There’s something I gotta do in there.”

“Where?” She pointed at the diner. “There?”

“Yup.”

“And what’s that exactly?”

“Join me and you’ll see.”

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Sherry burst breathlessly into the trailer. “How is he?”

Rita Mae looked up from where she sat at the table. Her features were somber. “I’m sorry I called.”

“No problem.” Sherry pulled the door closed and peeled off her coat. “How’s his fever doing?”

“It’s actually higher than when I called. And his throat is full again of those white thingies. Just like last time.”

Tears threatened to fall, but Sherry wouldn’t allow it. Instead she straightened like a soldier about to march into battle. Jake shouldn’t see how worried she was. Determined, she made her way to the bedroom and slid open the folding door.

Rita Mae had darkened the room, but Jake’s weak form was still visible under the blanket.

“Mom?” Jake’s voice was hoarse.

“Hi, honey.” She sat on the edge of the bed and engulfed him in a tight hug. His pajamas were drenched in sweat, and his skin felt hot. “God, you’re soaked.”

“I had to change my clothes two times already. Please, Mom, not again. I’m so tired.”

Rita Mae appeared in the threshold. “There’s only one clean pair of pajamas left. The others are in the laundry.”

“Mom, am I so sick that Hank sent you home?”

Sherry’s eyes burned. “I was working a half shift today.” She let go of Jake. “Be right back.”

Jake barely nodded and closed his eyes.

He’s exhausted. We need to see a doctor. After she had pulled the door closed, she turned to Rita Mae. “Do you think Andy will lend me his car?”

“I wouldn’t go over to ask if I were you. He and Chloe were fighting earlier.”

Sherry swallowed. “Is he drunk?”

“I’m afraid so. Chloe kicked him out after he tried to beat her up. Same old story. They woke Jake up with all the ruckus.”

Dammit! Andy wasn’t just her neighbor, but also her landlord and the only one who had a car in this run-down part of the trailer park. But he had lent her the car in the past, and it wasn’t as if she really had a choice. “Do you know where he is?”

“Guess he’s with Steve. But I bet both are drunk as skunks.”