Page 21 of Double Mountain Men

But I don’t make a lot, and Syl and I skate by on the edges of survival. It’s okay, though, because we don’t need much. As long as I have my baby, I know we’ll be fine. Still, nutritious meals are a necessity that can’t be ignored, and Sylvester just dumped his lunch all over his head. I’m going to have to rustle up more food, otherwise he’s going to be crying from an empty tummy in a few hours.

“Come on,” I say, patting his chubby face with a warm washcloth to clean him up. “We’ll get you into your stroller, and then go for a walk to the grocery store. Would you like that? More food for Little Silly?”

My son burbles up at me, unaware that he’s even goofed.

“Mama,” he says. “Mama.”

My heart floods with love, and I press a tender kiss to his black curls.

“What would I do without you, Little Silly?” I ask. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

It’s true too. Although I was alternately resentful, horrified, and ashamed that I’d gotten pregnant, the moment the baby was born and laid across my chest, every motherly instinct I had bubbled up inside. I looked down at his red squalling face, scrunched up with tears, and immediately fell in love. Maybe Sylvester’s fathers don’t want me, but they gave me a child, andI’m eternally grateful to them. I’llalwaysbe grateful to Chris and Brett for this wonderful gift.

Now, my baby and I set out with the stroller, and it’s a gorgeous day. Minneapolis has its charms, and we walk downtown, to where the Stop ‘N Save is located.

“I have some coupons, so how about the turkey meal?” I ask Sylvester, pausing in the baby food aisle. I swear he understands because a big smile breaks out on his face, and he bobbles his head.

“Mama,” he says. “Mama.”

I grab a glass jar of baby food, and then throw in another for good measure. “We can afford two,” I say in a light-hearted voice. “With this coupon, we can splurge!”

But when we get to the check-out, my credit card is denied.

“I’m sorry,” the clerk says with a regretful air. “But your purchase isn’t going through.”

I stare, red-faced and embarrassed.

“But it’s only five dollars,” I whisper, my eyes hot. “Is it because I’m using a coupon? Could I buy just one jar then?”

The woman shakes her head regretfully.

“No, it has nothing to do with the coupon. I’m sorry, but it’s your Cross card. Maybe you went over your credit limit? I’m sorry, ma’am.”

I blink back tears because I’m overextended. I know I am. I’m carrying huge balances on three cards because there’s no other way for me to survive. But this is a question of eating or not eating for my baby, and frustration wells up inside.

“But what am I supposed to do?” I ask in a desperate voice. “My son needs food.”

The cashier shakes her head regretfully.

“Maybe take it to the Cross Company?” she asks. “We’ve had problems with their cards before. Customers get denied when they try to charge something, and they say they’ve never missed a payment either. Cross is just across the street,” she says helpfully. “Maybe they can do something for you there.”

I nod woodenly, my eyes stinging with repressed tears.

“Thanks,” I say. “Come on Sylvester.”

Then, I walk out of the store, my baby in the stroller in front of me. Sylvester has no idea what’s going on, and I’m about to turn and go home when suddenly, rage fills my chest. This is so unfair because I’ve been paying my bills! I’ve only been able to make the minimum payments each month, but still, they’ve been getting my money, and my card shouldn’t have been denied! This is a huge mistake, which is going to result in my son going hungry, and in a fit, I decide to confront the people at Cross.

“Come on, Sylvester,” I grind out through clenched teeth. “Let’s give them a piece of our minds.”

We storm across the street to the looming corporate office tower, intent on doing some real damage ... even if I’m nothing more than a single mother with a hungry baby in tow.

12

Cross

Awoman bursts into my office, shaking with rage. She’s pushing a stroller in front of her with a sleeping baby in it, and I blink, startled at the interruption.

“Mr. Decker, I’m so sorry, she just barged in!” my secretary Veronica pants while tugging on the woman’s arm. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but you’re not supposed to be here. Don’t make me call security!”

---