PART FOUR

Holding my double soy latte and keys in one hand with my scrap bag in the other, I struggled to place the key in the car door. My trembling fingers didn't help. I could have set my bag down or rested the strap on my shoulder, but no, that would be too easy.

The coffee tipped a little too far. I stumbled back, almost falling off my clearance, Valentino knockoffs, or Vals, as I'd named them. They still cost more than I could afford. I bought them in celebration when I ...