Crashed: The Death Of The Dollar Read Free

we can't stay too -"
    Taylor cut Jessica off. "Yes we can. I have the keys."
    "Anyways," Jessica shot Taylor an annoyed look.
    "Will you get to the damn point already?" Mike demanded.
    "Dang, okay. You're coming over for Christmas dinner next week. I was going to ask, but screw it. You're coming."
    Mike just ignored her as he walked over by his wood stove where he had some clothes drying on a wooden rack.
    "Next Wednesday evening at five. You're coming. And if you're not there, we'll come here."
     
    He was listening, but went about his business as if he wasn't.
    "Pick a book, Jess," Taylor said, hoping to stop her from making him mad.
    She walked over and started looking through the dozens of shelves, impressed with his collection, but deciding not to comment on it.
     
    Mike, as he normally did during Taylor's frequent visits, continued about his day as if they weren't there. He took his clothes in to a room with no door by the kitchen. Jessica was curious, and being more nosy than normal.
    "Pick a book, Jess," Taylor said again.
    "I'm just looking around," Jessica snapped back.
    "He's in there changing. Pick a book."
     
    Mike came back out in different clothes, and Jessica glared curiously at Taylor, who's face was buried in her book. He went over to the wood stove and opened a door. A delicious smell filled the room, captivating his uninvited guests attention. Taylor quickly marked her place and bolted to the kitchen. Jessica saw her go directly to the shelf with plates on it and grab three down.
    "Taylor, I think we need to go."
    "Go!?" she exclaimed. "It's time to eat. Come on. He's a good cook." She watched him walk by with a pan in his hands. "Oh, baked elk ribs!" She said excitedly.
    "No, Taylor. That's his dinner, and he didn't invite us to join him," Jessica cut in.
     
    Mike grabbed a plate from Taylor and served himself, sitting to eat and continuing to ignore them both.
    "Sure he did, Jess," Taylor explained her rationale. "Look how much he made. He's not going to say anything, but obviously he didn't make this much for just himself," Taylor kept going, as she served herself and Jessica. "Take your coat off."
    Jessica relented, hung up her coat, and sat to eat.
     
    "So, I noticed some Navy stuff on top of your bookshelf up there," Jessica said inquiringly.
    "Mmm! Yep. He's a disabled Veteran," Taylor answered as she swallowed a bite.
    "I wasn't talking to you, miss," Jessica snapped at her. "Thank you for your service, Mike."
    He hated when people said that.
    "So, what happened? I didn't realize you were disabled," she went on.
    "It's his hips. Something happened and they had to do surgery," Taylor again answered for him, knowing he wouldn't.
    That got Mike's attention, and he looked up, glaring at Taylor.
    "He's got these scars -," Taylor abruptly stopped, realizing she'd just put her foot in her mouth.
    "Whoa. Um, what?" Jessica was clearly unhappy at realizing what Taylor was saying. "Scars, Taylor?" She turned to Mike, who knew they'd eventually find out about her seeing him in the shower that day, and was dreading it. "You mind telling me exactly how a girl who's barely fourteen years old knows about scars on your hips?" she demanded.
    "It was an accident," Taylor said.
    "Oh, what, he accidentally dropped his -"
    "Dammit! I knew this would happen,” Mike exploded. “I'm not some damn pervert, so you can get that shit out of your head now!" He was livid that their intrusions to his home was causing this drama. "When the girl came up to ask for help, I was showering in the greenhouse. She walked in, and I didn't have anything to cover up with. She stood there talking to me instead of walking out. And that's it!"
     
    Jessica was stunned.  No one had ever snapped at her like that. She didn't know what to think. If that was all that happened, she didn't think it was a big deal. But at that moment, her biggest concern was leaving, knowing they had worn out their welcome .
     
    Later that evening there was a