“Once you get that car of yours, you watch out for the turtles, OK? And you drive in the center of the road when there’s no traffic so you won’t hit a deer if it darts out of the woods.” He pressed the accelerator. “And when you’re waiting to turn left in an intersection, always, always straighten out your wheel. Otherwise someone hits you from behind and bam! You’re history. So where were we?”

Sherri was so hungover she couldn’t remember what they’d been talking about. Arthur? All she cared about was the mortgage. She didn’t fully understand Jerry’s plan, and she didn’t need to. “The building?”

“Right. This business arrangement we discussed, it could really help me out, kiddo. Maybe you heard Doris left me.”

“She did?” Sherri wasn’t all that surprised.

“She says I’m a hopeless drunk, and I’m trying to prove her wrong. I haven’t had a drop of alcohol in over a month. I’m trying to be a better man.”

“Doris will come back.”

“Nah. It’s over. It’s been over for a long time. I’ve worn out my second chances. And now she’s squeezing me for everything I’ve got, and I can’t say I really blame her. This arrangement would allow me to live in your apartment and rent out the store space. Plus, I think it would help you out, too. I like you, Sherri. You’re doing what you need to do to keep going. I get it. I promise I’m not trying to cheat you.”

He drove around the square. Giles was packed. Roberta was probably somewhere inside, making sure none of the customers gave her any shit. Just off the square he pulled up in front of Frascona’s. The shiny new cars with their bright yellow price stickers were lined up in neat rows in the parking lot, the windshields glinting in the sun. She itched to pass over her wad of cash to the salesperson and hold the steering wheel in her hands. Getting the car would be the easy part, or at least that’s what she thought.