Page 49 of Diners, Damsels & Wolves

“Thanks, Jordan, I’ll be right there.” She hit the coffee maker another two times before it gurgled to life.

The next hour saw an uptick in customers, for which Clarissa was grateful. It helped the time pass faster. The downside was, when she finally clocked out, she was worn and sore.

Driving down to Andy’s Garage, she stopped at the gas station on her way. She’d run to the bank on her break to deposit her paycheck and was relieved to have a full tank and was now determined to get Andy’s off her back.

In the shop, she was greeted by one of the mechanics she didn’t know.

“Hello,” she said, “I have an outstanding balance to pay off, the name is Clarissa Roberts.”

He typed in the system and furrowed his brow. “White Ford Taurus, twenty-o-nine?”

“Yes, that’s it.” She dug into her bag for her wallet.

“Been paid for.”

“What? I still have over four hundred dollars left.”

“Anonymous payment came in this morning. It happens sometimes, people want to pay it forward.”

“Well, that was … very generous of them.” She stood there, dumbfounded. “So, I really don’t owe you anything?”

“Nope.” He smiled. “Sorry you had to drive all the way out here.”

“No, it’s okay, I’m just surprised is all.”

After saying thank you again, she left the shop, went to her car, and paused to think. Who the heck paid off her car for her? If it was a ‘pay it forward’ perhaps it was a random account, asking for whoever had the longest outstanding bill.

Smiling to herself, she started the car and headed home. Maybe there were still good people out there willing to help strangers in need. She made a mental note to do the same if she were ever in the position to do so.

As she pulled into the driveway, her stomach lurched and her heart hammered. Parking crookedly, she ran from the car and burst into the double-wide.

“What happened?” she demanded.

Rachel looked up, confused, and a young woman sitting next to her looked frightened before twisting her face into a professional mask. She wore scrubs and had a clipboard on her lap.

“Claire,” Rachel greeted her. “You’re home late from school, did your study session run over?”

“What?” She gaffed for half a second. “Yes, but it’s fine. What’s going on here? Is everything alright?” She stared at the woman next to Rachel.

“Oh, everything is fine,” Rachel said. “This is Elizabeth. She works at the hospital doing home calls. She’s checking up on all the old patients, something to do with record updates.”

Clarissa saw Elizabeth purse her lips and jot something down on her clipboard.

Her muscles unwound. “Oh, I see. I’m sorry for yelling, I was just concerned.”

“That’s perfectly normal,” Elizabeth soothed. “The two of you live here together, no one else?”

“Yes,” Clarissa said. “It’s been just us for twenty-seven years.”

“That’s not quite right,” Rachel corrected. “You’re only sixteen, silly, it’s been twelve years.”

“Okay. Thank you, Rachel.” Elizabeth stood up. “Clarissa, do you mind if the two of us speak in private?”

“Please.” Clarissa gestured to the front door and paused for Elizabeth to put her coat on.

“Sorry for taking you by surprise,” Elizabeth said as soon as the door was closed. “I’m co-owner of Home Care, Home Love. I’ve been assigned to your aunt’s case.”

“Oh!” Clarissa recognized the name of Eugene’s niece. “I have the business card, but I didn’t call to set up care.”