A Girl's Guide to Moving On Read Free Page A

named a figure that caused me to swallow a gasp. “I’ll need to put it on my credit card.” I had one I used only for emergencies. I’d once been free and easy with money. I could afford to be then, but no longer.
    “I can give you a discount for cash,” he told me as he pulled out a thick wire cord and hooked it onto the car’s bumper.
    “How much of a discount?”
    “Ten percent.”
    I did a quick calculation in my head. “What about my debit card?”
    “Still got to pay the bank fees with that. Cash only.”
    “Will you take a check?” I had a checkbook in my purse.
    He paused and glanced over his shoulder. “Is it good?”
    I was pissed that he’d ask. “Yes, it’s good.”
    “Then I’ll take your check.”
    Big of him.
    “I know Alicia,” he said as he walked back to his truck. “She said you work at that used-clothing place.” He motioned with his head toward the shop.
    “It’s a volunteer position, so it isn’t like a job.”
    “Yeah, that’s what she said. She said it’s a shop that dresses women looking for work. Guess you must have a good eye for that sort of thing.”
    He didn’t expect an answer and I didn’t give him one.
    Once the car was connected to the tow truck, it took only a few minutes to bring it out of the ditch. He waited to make sure the engine started and I hadn’t done any further damage.
    I set my purse on the hood of the car and pulled out my checkbook. He took the check, folded it in half. He looked at me and then paused before slipping it into his pocket. It seemed like he had something he wanted to say. I waited and then realized he was probably worried about the check.
    “It’s good,” I assured him again, annoyed that he seemed to think I’d stiff him. Maybe he’d gotten stiffed before.
    “Anything more I can do for you?” he asked.
    “Nothing. Thanks. I need to get home.”
    He gave me a salute and said, “It was nice doing business with you, Ms. Patterson.”
    “You, too, Mr….?”
    “Nyquist. Call me Rocco.”
    “Rocco,” I repeated with a smile. “Thank you for your help, Rocco,” I said, eager now to be on my way.
    —
    As soon as Leanne answered the door, Owen dropped his toy and raced into my waiting arms. I got down on one knee and my son hugged my neck, squeezing tightly.
    “Did you have fun at the park?” I asked.
    “Grandma took me on the slide.”
    “Was it scary?”
    He nodded and then, typically, the first question he wanted to ask was about dinner. “Can we have hot dogs for dinner?”
    “Sure.” Wieners were his all-time favorite meal, along with macaroni and cheese. Good thing, because with what I’d been forced to pay for the tow, we were going to need to cut back on groceries.
    “Did you have a good day?” Leanne asked.
    I nodded. “It was great.” And it had been until the call from Jake.
    I didn’t tell her about our discussion. I would later. Her divorce had been finalized eighteen months ago. Sean had made it as easy as possible, giving her whatever she wanted. He seemed almost glad to be out of the marriage. I was envious Leanne hadn’t been dragged into this emotional minefield Jake seemed intent on putting me through.
    That was until I found Leanne crying nearly hysterically one afternoon, shortly after she’d signed the papers. It hadn’t been kindness or guilt that had prompted Sean’s actions, she’d told me. Sean said he was simply glad to have her out of his life. According to him, she’d gone to seed and he’d lost all desire for her years ago.
    If I hadn’t disliked my father-in-law before, then I detested him now. How a man could be so thoughtless and cruel to a woman who had shared his life all those years was beyond me. Leanne was a beautiful woman. Yes, she was a few pounds overweight, but it didn’t distract from her overall appearance or beauty. She was kind and thoughtful, loving and generous. I admired her more than any other woman I’d ever known.
    Owen collected his things and we