Breaking Out by Lydia Michaels Page A

would pay for an oral surgeon, but Pearl didn’t have much interest in such things.
    â€œWhere’s your friend, Scout?”
    â€œLucian went to the lobby to wait.”
    â€œNah him. Your other friend. The nice one,” her mother said as she rocked too quickly to appear relaxed.
    â€œLucian’s a nice man, Momma.”
    â€œNo, he ain’t. He got me locked up here.”
    They’d agreed it was in Pearl’s best interest that she not know she had every right to walk out the front door. Luckily, she was nasty to most of the rehab staff so none of them ever talked to her much or educated her otherwise.
    â€œAre you talking about Parker?”
    â€œThat nice gentleman of yours. Use to come to the tracks now and again. Brought me gloves once. He was a nice boy.”
    â€œI haven’t seen Parker in a few months.”
    â€œWhy?”
    She shrugged. “I don’t live at the shelter anymore.”
    â€œOh, right. You a big fancy rich woman now. I barely recognize you in your fancy clothes.”
    Evelyn looked down at her lap. It was absurd to feel embarrassed for her nice clothing when all of her life she’d worn rags. “Your clothes are nicer now too, Momma. I know you like those sneakers I brought you.”
    â€œYeah, they all right. But I ain’t ever have no visitors no more so what do I care?”
    â€œI visit.”
    She snorted. “You my keeper.” She looked back at the door and stopped rocking. Leaning forward she whispered, “Come on, Scout, let’s get out a here. We can go back to the way things were.”
    Her mother’s recollection of their previous life was skewed and nothing remotely close to reality. “It’s cold out there, Momma. Look, you have a bed and blankets, and a big window to see the people going by—”
    â€œI don’t want any of that shit,” she snapped, slicing her hand through the air. “They’ve probably taken all my stuff by now, ransacked everything. I’m gonna have to start new now.”
    Pearl didn’t have stuff. She had a pallet of cardboard boxes, some dry, rotted rags that were once clothes, and a cart with a broken wheel. She also had a stash of heroin, but even Evelyn knew that was long gone.
    â€œDo you want me to bring you anything, Momma?”
    â€œWhy, you talk to someone? You get me a hit?”
    Hope crumbled in her chest. Of course her mother’s mind would go right to that. Four months sobriety hadn’t made a bit of difference. “No. I meant clothes or games or shampoo. Anything like that.”
    Pearl made a fed-up sound, turned away and leaned back in her rocker. Evelyn knew it was time for her to go.
    â€œYou ain’t worth shit,” her mother mumbled as she rocked, facing the wall.
    Evelyn stood and kissed her mother’s cheek. “I’ll be back to visit again soon.” She left without being acknowledged.

Chapter 7
    Unwelcome
    Evelyn’s conscience fluttered awake at the press of Lucian’s lips to her temple. “Have a good day, beautiful. Love you.”
    She rolled to her back, trapped in that dreamy place between being asleep and awake. “Mmm, don’t go.”
    â€œHave to. I have meetings all day.” His fingers coasted down the soft side of her breast as she stretched languidly. “But you have no idea how tempting you are.”
    She peeked at him from under her lashes. He wore a pressed white dress shirt under a pinstriped black vest and tailored slacks. The warm scent of fresh coffee steamed from the mug in his other hand, and his jacket was draped over his arm.
    â€œI left you a little present in the hall. I have to get going. I have an appointment in twenty minutes.” He kissed her again and as he walked out the door, longing pinched her heart. The sound of the front door closing behind him created an actual twinge of pain in her veins.
    Sighing, she rolled out of bed and