Page 30 of Property of Bones

“Still sounds like false advertisement,” Riley shrugs, pushing the bag toward me. “File a complaint. Maybe they’ll give you free cookies for life.”

“Now that’s a fat girl’s dream,” I laugh.

Burger and cookie secured, I follow Riley and Asher out to the car. Spike joins us a minute later, rubbing his hands together like a man on a mission.

“Let’s hit the road, ladies. Gotta get my boy home and in bed.”

I glance into the car seat beside me. Asher’s wide awake, happily drooling on his fist like he’s starving to death.

“He’s not even remotely tired,” I chuckle.

It takes less than five minutes before they drop me off in front of Marv’s.

“Thanks for lunch. It was good seeing you, Spike. It’s been a while.”

“You too, Sunny,” he grunts. “And I meant what I said about that burger. Eat it before the day’s done.”

“Yes, boss,” I sigh dramatically, then turn to Riley. “Here, take a cookie. They gave me two and I don’t need that kind of temptation in my house.”

“I mean, if you insist,” she says, grinning as she snatches it.

After hugs and goodbyes, I make a beeline for the staff room and stash the burger in the fridge for later. I’ll eat it when I get home and send Riley a picture, just to annoy her bossy husband.

***

“I’m not off tomorrow, but I can on Saturday,” I tell Mama over the phone as I toss my keys in the key bowl and toe offmy shoes. “Oh! Maybe we can go to the movies. I can’t even remember the last time I saw something that wasn’t animated or on sale at Walmart.”

“Sounds like a plan, Bug,” Mama says. “Alright, sweetheart. I’m going to head to bed. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. And Sunny?”

“Yes, Mama?”

“Stop working so much,” she says gently. “You’re missing out on life, honey.”

“I’m fine, Mama,” I sigh dramatically, throwing in just enough flair to make her laugh. “Love you lots. Night.”

She’s not wrong though. Ihavebeen working too much. Not that anyone’s twisting my arm. I’m literally the one who writes the schedule. And sure, maybe I’ve been “accidentally” giving myself a few extra hours lately but it’s still under the maximum limit I’m allowed to have. Plus, there’s a reason for it.

What I haven’t told anyone, not even Mama, is that I’ve been setting money aside from every paycheck. Little by little. Quietly. Once I hit a few thousand, I’m sending it anonymously to Josh’s mom. I don’t know if it’ll make a big difference, but… maybe it’ll help her sleep a little easier.

Shaking off the thoughts before they get too heavy, I head for the bathroom and run a hot bath. I tell myself I’ll only soak for a few minutes.

Cut to: me waking up like a giant soggy noodle atone in the morning.

Groggy and grumbly, I shuffle to the kitchen. A quick reheat of my burger, a bottle of water from the fridge, cookie in hand and we’re in business. I curl up in bed with my after-midnight feast and turn on a movie.

The burger hits like a hug. The cookie? Heaven. I polish it off, wrap myself in my blankets, and let sleep take me away.

But it doesn’t last long.

***Bones***

“Where you going?” Skip asks, falling into step beside me.

“Home,” I grunt.

“Like,actually?” he says. “You’re not gonna go peep in on your girlfriend?”

“Drop it, Skip,” I growl.

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