Breaking Point
1315 Words
Chapter 2
Breaking Point
(Aspen’s POV)
I once believed winter brought miracles.
Christmas miracles.
But lately, winter only brought fear.
Fear of losing my job. Fear of losing my sisters. Fear of not being able to do everything I could for my family.
And I didn't have time for fear.
I had more important issues. I needed to for a home for my sisters and me to live in. I needed to give them safety and security.
A door that locked.
A door. A permanent roof over their heads. A heater. A place that was ours.
I needed a home for them.
“Aspen. Stop daydreaming and finish the order,” Scott snapped from across the kitchen.
He was being more of an ass than usual. And that was saying something.
“I'm almost done,” I said quietly.
“Move faster.” His voice sharpened. “People are waiting.”
People were always waiting.
My sisters were waiting for me to save enough money. Society was waiting for girls like me to fail. And Scott was always waiting for the chance to make my day just a little worse.
My hands shook slightly as I placed the hot bag on the counter. My eyelids felt heavy. I had been on my feet for fourteen hours and still had another gig to get through before my head could – hopefully – hit a pillow.
Scott stepped closer. A little too close. His cologne hit me first. A cheap scent that always made my stomach tighten.
“You know,” he murmured, “I could make things easier for you.”
“No, thank you.” I stepped to the side, pretending to grab a cup.
Nausea rose in my throat. Scott could make me feel like ants were crawling up my skin.
“You never let me finish,” he said with a small smile. “I could give you time off. Bonus cash. Extra pay for shifts you didn’t even work. I’ve done it for other girls.”
“I'm fine,” I said quickly. I wanted to get away from this man as soon as possible.
“I could help you out, Aspen,” he whispered. “All you have to do is say yes.”
A burn spread through my chest. I kept my eyes on the register screen.
“No,” I said again.
His smile dropped. “You make this harder than it needs to be.”
I swallowed and kept moving. “I need to clock out.”
He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “You know I can make your life miserable. I may know things that affect you… things you probably don’t want to world to find out.
My pulse stopped for half a second.
He did not know everything…
“Move,” I whispered, pushing past him. I couldn’t loose this job, but I hated Scott.
I clocked out before he could say anything else and practically ran for the exit. My legs trembled, but I kept moving. I needed to breathe fresh air. I needed to be far from him.
As I pushed the door open, my foot caught the edge of a mat. I stumbled forward with a gasp. Strong hands caught my waist before I could hit the concrete.
“Watch it,” a deep voice muttered.
I froze. My back was against a firm chest. His grip steadied me with surprising ease.
“I am sor—”
“Annoying ass puck bunnies,” he growled under his breath as he released me.
I blinked. Puck what?
He walked past me, and I didn’t see his face. I only heard the rumble of irritation. I didn’t know him. He was just another stranger in a world full of people too busy to see me.
I checked the time. 4 pm.
My heart jumped.
I hurried toward my car. I needed to call my sisters and I prayed they made it back to the shelter safely. They had such a long walk after school. And I wasn’t there.
I slid into the backseat of my car and grabbed my phone. I tapped the shelter’s number. It rang once before Winter answered.
“Aspen,” she said softly. “Hi.”
My shoulders relaxed a little at the sound of her voice. “You both got there safely?”
“Yeah. Holly's eating a snack.” She paused. “And I was just about to start my homework. I’ll help Holly with hers after I’m done. We also have a sandwich for you.”
“And what about the beds?” I asked quietly.
There was a moment where everything inside me went still. Winter was only sixteen years old. Four years younger than me, but somehow, she was more mature than most adults.
Holly was thirteen. She was the kind of girl who made paper snowflakes in July and believed wishes were real if you whispered them with enough hope. She was the baby of our family, the one we tried our hardest to protect from the full weight of our reality.
A reality that I needed to change.
“We got one,” Winter said.
My breath left me in a soft rush. Relief hit so hard it made my eyes sting.
“Vera is back,” Winter added quickly. “She saved us a space in one of family rooms for the whole week.”
My throat tightened. “Thank goodness.”
“She wants to talk to you,” Winter said.
There was shuffling, then Vera’s warm voice came through.
“Aspen,” she said gently, “you can relax, don’t worry about your sisters."
I closed my eyes. “Thank you.”
“They're safe here,” she assured me. “You focus on your jobs. I am working on finding low-cost housing for you three. You know I'll do my best, but the waiting list is so long.”
“Thank you, Vera. I’m so close to having enough money,” I whispered. “I almost had enough saved for the deposit and the first and last month’s rent. Then Holly needed warm clothes and the car needed a new battery. Half the money disappeared.”
“You will get it back,” Vera said firmly. “Also, I found an open interview for a personal assistant. All experience welcome. The pay is… very good. And it’s tomorrow morning.”
I let out a shaky laugh. “Vera, I don't have the right experience for something like that."
“You have everything you need,” she said. “Show up confident and do your best. Make them believe you are the best applicant, Aspen.”
“I will think about it.”
“No. You will go,” she said. “You deserve a real chance. And this will get you a chance to get out of the shelter. Just try it.”
“I will try,” I said softly. “Promise.”
We hung up, and I wiped my eyes quickly. Crying solved nothing. I needed to change.
I pulled my catering uniform from a plastic bag and dressed as quickly as possible in the cramped car. I refused to change inside the restaurant again. Last time, Scott had made comments that still haunted me.
Even in the safety of my car, I felt watched. It was probably nothing. Just nerves and exhaustion. I tried to ignore it and shoved the thought away.
My hands shook as I started the engine.
I had forty-five minutes to get across the city for my catering shift.
I drove through traffic with heavy eyes.
My limbs felt like lead. My chest felt tight. I needed sleep. I needed food. And I needed a miracle.
I forced a breath into my lungs.
I could do this.
For Winter and Holly.
- Writer
