“Anything interesting going on?”
“I’ll tell you tonight.”
“Okay.”
“Where’s my picture?”
“Ugh.”
“Come on, hot stud.”
A picture of Steven with the Chicago skyline behind him pops up. His neutral expression is on his face, and my flutters take off.
“Yep, hot stud.” I send.
“Ha ha.”
“Are you at your desk?”
“Yep.”
“I think your window could be put to good use.”
“Now, I’m going to have dirty thoughts in my head all day.”
“Welcome to my world. Okay, get back to work. Your five minutes are up.”
“Do you have a timer set?”
“No, that’s more your style.”
“Funny.”
“Get to work so you aren’t late tonight.” I add some kiss and lip emojis.
“Aye, aye, boss.”
I glance up, and Vivian is smirking. “What?”
She bounces Hope on her leg and says to her, “I think Auntie Harper has a secret person in her life.” She puts her hand to her ear and close to Hope’s mouth. “Tell me who it is.”
I panic inside. I’m not sure if Steven and I are telling people about us. He said I was his girlfriend but...?
“It was just a friend.”
“Mm-hmm. Sure.”
My phone oscillates in my hand, and I look down. “Rent due tomorrow.” I groan.
“What’s wrong?”
I didn’t transfer funds. I forgot, and now I’m going to have late fees if I don’t take care of this today.
“I have something I have to do, and I can’t take Hope. Can you watch her for a few hours?”
“Yes, of course.”
I begin to text Jamison’s driver but stop. If he drives me, then he’ll know I went to a pawnshop.
“I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
“There’s no rush. My day is clear.”
“Thanks.” I get up, hand her Anna’s phone, and leave.
When I step outside the building, the Chicago wind whips my face. I pull up pawnshops on my phone and pick the closest one. I walk a few miles and go in.
Since I need cash today, I can’t wait for something to sell.
Now I’m going to get even less.
You should have sold these months ago.
The owner barters back and forth with me but won’t give me enough to pay my rent. So I leave and go to the next one.
I’m in the middle of negotiating when my phone rings.
Steven’s name pops up. I send it to voice mail. He calls again, and I hit the don’t accept button and text, “Sorry, tied up right now. Everything’s good and will talk to you tonight.”
“All right. Kiss Hope for me. I hope you two are having fun.”
“We are.”
Why did I lie?
You can’t tell him you’re flat broke and at a pawnshop.
I get back into bickering but once again, I can’t get enough for my rent.
I look at the map on my phone and walk to the next one.
For several hours, I try to get what I need. Each failed attempt makes me panic more. A text comes in from Steven. “My mom wants to see Hope. What if we let her babysit, and I take you out for dinner?”
I reply, “Sounds good. See you tonight. XOXO.”
I walk farther, not noticing how the buildings turn shabby, or the bars on the windows, or how the pavement begins to have cracks and bumps in it. Every broker I talk to tries to give me less. My phone rings and vibrates several times while I’m negotiating, but I don’t answer or look at the messages. It turns dark, and my rings are still in my possession. My phone rings, but I pull it out and hit the button so it turns off. I set it on the counter.
I need to concentrate on my negotiation.
You’re an attorney. Step it up.
“This is a flawless diamond and real platinum.”
The man points to my ears. “Are those real too?”
My stomach pitches. “These aren’t for sale.”
My grandmother gave me these on her deathbed. She wouldn’t admit it to anyone else, but she always whispered in my ear, “Don’t tell anyone, but you’re my favorite, Harper.”
“I’ll give you what you want for the rings and earrings, assuming they are real.”
My heart races.
“Time is running out, lady. I should be closed. It’s after eight. You want the money or not?”
You have no other options.
I cave, and with shaky hands, remove my diamond studs and place them on the counter next to the rings.
He picks up his magnifying glass and checks them out.
I grip the edge of the counter.
We finish the transaction, and he counts out the cash and hands it to me.
I take one last glance at my earrings and shove the money in my purse and leave.
When I step outside, it’s dark. My tears blur my vision, and I don’t notice anything.
You’ve officially hit rock bottom.
But I’m wrong.
A man in a black hoodie and ripped jeans steps out of the shadows and grabs my purse off my shoulder.
“Hey,” I cry out and try to keep hold of it, but he yanks it so hard, I let go. He runs down the street, and I try to go after him and yell for him to stop, but it’s pointless.
I come to a stop, panting from my futile effort. For the first time, the dilapidated buildings and iron doors hit me. I’m in an unsafe neighborhood. I have no clue how far I am from Vivian’s or Jamison’s. And, I’ve spent the day so focused on pawning my jewelry, I never even called her.
My phone. I left it on the counter in the shop.
I run back to the pawnbroker’s, but it’s already boarded up, and the open sign is turned off.
“No,” I scream and pound on the door.
A deep voice says, “Sugar, you don’t belong in this neighborhood, do you?”
I turn. A six-foot-plus black man with a blond curly wig leans against the building two storefronts down, smoking a cigarette. He wears a fur boa, miniskirt dress, and heels.
“I won’t hurt you, darling. Do you need help?”
“I... I left my phone here, and someone just stole my purse.”
“You can use my cell. Is there someone you want to call?”
“Yes, please. I...” More dread fills me. “I don’t know anyone’s number.”
He steps closer. “I see. Where do you live?”
“Umm... I’m not from here. I’m staying at my brother’s.”
“And where would that be?” He takes a final drag and throws his cigarette on the ground then squishes it with his shoe.
“Downtown. Not far from Michigan Ave. and the river.”
“Can you be more specific?”
“Ummm...” Tears fall.
I’m so stupid.
“Don’t cry, sugar. I’ll tell you what. My friend has a car. She came to see the show. Let me get her, and she can help us figure this out.”
“The show?”
He points to the flashing sign. It reads, Something Different.
“Are you a performer?”
“Yes.”
“That’s cool. You look like a black Marilyn Monroe, by the way.”