When she got out of the shower, Randy was making coffee in the Mr. Coffee. She didn’t want to interact with him until she was dressed, so she walked right past him. Her hair was wet. Her skin felt brittle. Maybe she would be able to go to sleep again.

Randy sighed.

SEVEN

On Monday, the phone rang. “Good afternoon, doctors’ office,” said Megan. “Sure, hold on, one second.” She put the phone down. “It’s for you.”

“Who is it?” said Jillian.

Megan shrugged and handed her the cordless.

“Good afternoon, this is Jillian.”

“Good afternoon, Ms. Bradley. This is Mike Johnson calling from the county clerk’s office. How are you today?”

“I’m doing good, and yourself?”

“I’m well. Ms. Bradley, I’m calling you to tell you that your court date is a week from this Tuesday, on the 31st, at eleven. Can you confirm that for me?”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Johnson, but I’m at work right now, and I’m unable to make that confirmation,” said Jillian.

“Ms. Bradley, I’m aware that you are at work, but we have been leaving messages on your personal line and we have not gotten a response. If you had called us back, we would have been able to work with you to choose a date, but since you did not return our calls, your date has been scheduled for you. If you do not appear in court on your court date, a warrant for your arrest will be issued and your fine will be doubled. If you are unwilling to pay your fine, which I see here is three years standing, we will have no other option but to take you into custody, and you will have to serve time. I am required by my offices to get confirmation from you for this date.”