Page 115 of Courage, Dear Heart

“That was rough. Sorry, she was talking so loud, I kind of heard her.”

I shake my head. “Don’t apologize. Not your fault. My mother is the way she is.”

I hold out a hand to her, and Sheila takes it. Sits next to me on the sofa. “I want to say thank you. For everything.”

“Pff. You’re my best friend. No thanks needed.”

“Yes, I need to. I’m wearing your clothes, using your phone, eating your food, and taking over your apartment.”

She holds my hand between both of hers. “You can stay here as long as you need. All three of you.”

I love how she includes Daisy. “Just for a couple of days until I figure out what I’m doing.”

She opens her mouth to object, but I put my free hand up and stop her. “Sheila, we both know there’s no room here for three people and a parrot. I’m already taking over your bedroom with Jamie. I can’t make you sleep on the couch for weeks on end until I find a new place.”

Jamie comes into the small living room, rubbing his face. He looks so pale. There are dark smudges under his eyes.

Sheila lets go of my hand, and I open my arms for him.

“Come here, baby.”

He crawls into my lap. I kiss the top of his head. A faint smell of smoke still lingers on his hair despite the multiple times I washed it over the last two days. My hair is the same, and based on what Google said, it can take a few days and multiple washes. We had to trash the clothes we were wearing. I’ve been borrowing Sheila’s and luckily, I always keep a couple of outfits and shoes at Sheila’s for Jamie in case of an emergency, so at least he can wear his own clothes. We haven’t left her apartment since we came here from the hospital.

Sheila puts her hand up for a high five. “Hey there, kiddo. Are you hungry?”

He nods.

“We’re going out for breakfast soon, but if you’re super hungry, you can have a snack first. I saw some cheese sticks in the fridge. Or do you prefer to go out?”

“Go out.” His voice is hoarse.

Sheila’s eyes widen when she looks from him to me.

I squeeze him. “That sounds like a great idea. We need to go to the store and get some new clothes, shoes, food for Daisy. And I think I need to get a new cell phone, too.” With no money or credit cards or access to my bank account. I look at Sheila and mouth, “I’ll pay you back,” over Jamie’s head.

She glares at me.

Her phone rings, and she frowns at it. “I don’t know the number.”

“My mother?” It would be like her to call again and to force her will on me.

“No, it’s a New York area code.” She shows me the screen before answering it. “Hello?”

I can’t hear anything the other person is saying. That goes to show how loud my mother must have been.

Sheila smiles. “That is great. Yes, she’s right here. Yes, I know where that is. In two hours is fine. We’ll see you soon. Thank you so much.”

“What was that about?”

“The fire chief. He said they got your pocketbook and cell phone. We can go to the station to pick them up.”

Tears flood my eyes. Knowing that I can at least have my ID and credit card so I can get what I need and not have to burden Sheila any more than I already am is a relief. “I can’t believe they have it.” I look at myself and the oversized T-shirt I’m wearing. “I’m ready to raid your closet now.”

Sheila stands up. “Follow me.”

Twenty minutes later, we’re in the elevator. Daisy is locked in the glass shower stall with some fruit and nuts, where she can’t do much damage and it’s easy to clean up.

Luckily, Sheila and I are similar in size, and I can get away with wearing yoga pants, a tank top, and a T-shirt. Her feet are smaller, so I have to settle for flip-flops.

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