"Hey, Shane, are you busy?" Bette asked.

"No, I was just heading to swim in your pool. Paige’s about to join me in a sec. What’s up?" Shane asked, moving the gate that separated their yards.

"Shane?" Paige says.

"Yeah?" Shane asked, turning around.

"Shane?" Bette says.

"Yeah?"

"Tell Paige I said hello," Bette replies.

"I will. Bette says hello."

"Hi, Bette," Paige replies loud and clear. "Shane, where’s the towels?"

"They’re in the bathroom under the cabinet."

"Ok, thanks," Paige replies, disappearing into the house. Shane turns around and tends to the call. "So, what were you saying?"

—————————————————————-

At the planet, coffee and tea was free after eleven. The place was swamped with addicted caffeine drinkers. The line was outside the door and Kit was busy behind the register. She was cashing out scones, muffins, and donuts. It was insane at the popular cafe.

"Do you need any help?" Papi asked.

"No, I got it. Why?" Kit asked curiously.

Papi looks around and says, "Because, you look like you could really use me behind the counter."

"You have cashiering skills?"

"Yup. I was working for a minute at this supermarket back home. It didn’t pay much but I had a paycheck every week," Papi nods.

"So, if I gave you a job here five days a week, does that mean that you can hold me down?"

"You have my word," Papi replies, looking seriously into Kit’s eyes. She never lost her gaze even as Kit counted the change she gave a customer.

"Ok," She says, closing the drawer "let me see what you got."

Papi turns her lips up and walks around the counter confidently. She steps in front of the register and says, "Who’s next?"

—————————————————————-

Helena sat, dazing out her 42nd story apartment window. A set of blue clouds floated by forming shapes of big O’s and smiley faces. She smiles as she thinks of her children. They would’ve of loved the scenery. She gazes over at the clock. It was already a quarter to five. Catherine had promised that she’d be home by four.

She thought to call but figured she was probably busy cutting another deal. She didn’t mind waiting. She’d grow full of patience over the past four months. Living on the poor side wasn’t as easy as she thought. She’d learn to save and watch what she spent. Every dollar was accounted for. Every single penny counted.