“If my calculations are correct, this will cost about forty-nine hundred dollars to fix your car up right so you can get back on your way.”

I look at him in disbelief. That was more than I had paid to purchase the car. And now I was going to have to pay far more than the car was worth to fix it. Not to mention I did not even have the money. I wasn’t lying when I said my husband took all my money. I had just over three grand after paying attorney fees and my accounts were frozen. Blue Betty cost me just about two thousand dollars, but after taxes, gas, three Red Bulls, and a Snickers bar I was down to a whopping three hundred eighty-two dollars and seventeen cents in my bank account. I was quickly climbing the scale of pathetic loser to the top. I had to call my parents. The one call I did not want to make. I thought I could make it all the way to Florida without the dreaded phone call but the luck I wasn’t having continued to evade me.

I barely listen to Mort ramble about what needs to be fixed. Something about transmissions, filters, and tubes when my ears perk at even more fantastic news. “Boss won’t be back until Wednesday and I can’t make any decisions without his approval and—”

“Wednesday?!” I shriek. That was three days. I could not spend three days in this redneck town waiting. And then how long would it be to get the thing fixed. I look up at Mort and find his face taken aback with a hint of anger. Shit. Had I said that last part out loud?

“Harper, calm down. This town ain’t that bad. I am sure you can survive three days here.” I was impressed by the way he held back his anger obviously offended by my rudeness.

“There is a hotel just down Second Street. Cheap too. Only place to stay in this town but we don’t have many people pass through so they don’t really overcharge the residents.”

I nod. “Thank you for your kindness. I appreciate it. Can I just ask one more favor?” I glance down at my cell phone and see the roaming icon. “Can I use your phone?”

Mort walks me to the hotel which turns out to be an entire hundred fifty feet from the auto shop. In fact, this town has two main streets, Main St and 2^nd St. Despite the lack of population and streets, White Creek has its charm. Both the main streets were straight out of a movie. The sidewalks are actually brick! Next to my hotel is a theatre on the left and a restaurant on the right. There is also a bookstore, a clothing boutique, a salon, and a barber shop. Across the street is a café that claims to have the best peach cobbler north of the Georgia state line. Next to it is a bar called Sawyer’s which is my next destination after my second attempt to reach my mother. It goes to voicemail again. My mother always answers her phone. She never wants to miss a party, gala, or social obligation so she treats her cell phone like a lifeline. I brush it off and leave a voicemail with the number of the hotel.

I walk to the bathroom mirror and sigh. I was once like my mother, galas and fundraisers. Social obligations to keep my husband’s image intact. I look down at my sixty dollar manicure and see it’s chipped. My three hundred fifty dollar dye job is beginning to grow out and in desperate need of a touch-up. Three days I say to myself.

Three days.

I rinse my face with water and let out another sigh. What has my life become? I was tired. Very tired of everything. Ever since I found that girl in my husband’s office spread eagle across the desk. I dry my hands and grab my wallet. I find sixty dollars inside, do a tiny happy dance, and decide to put it toward my new favorite hobby. Liver destruction.