Page 26 of Little Sunshine

Iwas trapped in a tiny room. I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. If I did, the whole place would fall apart, taking me with it. I stood there, my lungs beginning to burn when buzzing bees suddenly attacked.

No, that wasn’t right.

Another bee attacked.

Opening my eyes, I blinked rapidly to clear the sleep from them. It felt like I’d just dozed off, but when I grabbed my phone—the real source of the buzzing—I saw it was nearly two in the morning. I shook my foggy head as I willed my tired eyes to focus on the waiting text messages.

Unknown: Meet me here at seven PM.

Unknown: Pin Drop Location Loading

It took me a minute to figure out who it was.

Me: Veronica?

My text went unanswered.

I opened the map she’d sent, zooming in to see the meet was nowhere near my apartment. Of freaking course.

Me: Wow, thank you for making it so convenient for me to get my stolen money.

No answer again.

Letting out a groan, I flopped back in bed.

I wasn’t sure why I was surprised she wouldn’t just drop it off at my apartment. Veronica had always been self-centered to the point of dysfunctional. She hadn’t considered—or maybe it didn’t matter—that I would have to take the bus while she had a car. It was just like her to tell me what to do and expect me to follow.

And since I needed that money, that’s exactly what I would do.

Dammit.

I rolled over, kicking my legs with more force than necessary.

Beneath that anger, though, was a dull hurt that would grow if I let it.

Because she’d texted.

All that time, I’d assumed she didn’t have my number, but she did.

Had she used it to ask for help?

No.

Had she used it just to check in with her only child?

No, of course not.

It was yet another reminder that my relationship with my mother would never be what I wanted because she didn’t want it.

She didn’t want me.

With that knowledge causing a pit in my stomach that I refused to acknowledge, I was almost back asleep when something hit me.

Once I get off the bus, I’ll have to walk by Moonlight.

No way.

I snatched my phone back, cursing my previous snark. After that, it was even more unlikely Veronica would respond. I tried anyway.

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