"Oh, never mind," the driver said. "Forget it, just sit down." She pressed a button, and Elisabeth's change slid out of a slot on the side. The fellow MacHale scooped it up, and handed it to her. "Don't let me catch you on my bus again without a card, you hear me?"

"Yes ma'am," Elisabeth mumbled through her wallet. The imitation leather tasted bitter on her tongue. She folded it up, slid it into her right back pocket, and plopped down on the nearest seat.

Her cousin's features ...